jingl I agree if you live in the South- I am talking about North Yorks, Cumbria, High Peaks- eg mountainous areas which do get quite a bit of snow- but also colder temps for quite a significant time (under 7C). They keep very well- no problem, in the corner of our garage at home, and our local garage charges under £30 to change them. So yes, the initial cost is there- but then the tyres last just as long, so long-term the cost is minimal- for safety- for our grand-children and everyone's granchildren, dads, mums, grandparents and all.
No lecture- just common sense.