Is it possible to be too tight!

gingerfurball · 5 February 2007 at 1:06PM

My mum is brilliant with money...she used to be bad years ago but now her and my dad are great. But I wonder if she is too tight!! My dad is retired (actually he's now on disability as he has been sick for quite a few years - he had cancer which is now in remission but he now has CFS and is in constant pain.)

My mum retires from her part time job this year (health service - you have to retire when you're 65) and I know she is saving hard for their retirement.

But - I honestly think there is such a thing as too tight! My dad has persistant lung infections and my DH visited them this morning my DH said that the house is FREEZING!! My dad was all happed up in layers and pottering about the house!

They hardly ever knock the heat on - sit around in layers with hot water bottles. But with my dad's lung infections (he was coughing away) I really feel the money for heat should be spent...do you think she is being sensible or just too tight!

chevalier · 5 February 2007 at 1:11PM

I thought that the winter fuel allowance was so that old people could have their heating on? Is your dad on disability benefits, as I think maybe you can get it early if he is. I certainly think that some heating on would help your dad.
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hazzie123 · 5 February 2007 at 1:12PM

Dont think you could ever be too tight.At least with your dad he has layers on and is up and about pottering round the house,surey must have some benefit to him rather than just sat in the chair not wrapped up with the heating on? Or possibly not?

Might be worth having a look in the benefits section on here as whether they would be intitled to a heating grant off the social? It`s always worth a try.

DMUK · 5 February 2007 at 1:12PM

I guess it depends whether you parents are financial stable, or need to be that tight with money (you say they are saving hard but otherwise are they solvent?). In health terms I would say that boycotting the CH in favour of layers is not the best idea.

sammiboo · 5 February 2007 at 1:12PM

I think you have to be realistic when you are saving money. Eventhough there are things in life you can do without, you still want some quality of life.

I think you can be too tight with money, but i suppose it depends what your goals are...

My boyfriend and I are having a tight year this year, we arent going on a big holiday. We arent eating out as much as we used to do. Unless wetherspoons are doing a steak or curry night

There are ways to save money without inflicting too much on your quality of life.

gingerfurball · 5 February 2007 at 1:16PM

We'll they are debt free, have a mortgage of about £20k on a £200k house. They actually have a reasonable income (dad's a retired teacher but mum will only have her OAP when she retires) They have got their allowance for fuel and always use it for that...top up the tank and all.

I know mum has serveral K tucked away for savings...she's in charge of the money...I'm afraid my dad would be useless LOL!!

Now don't get me wrong they eat well and they took 3 or 4 holidays last year...it's just the heating issue...they seem to want to save it! Dunno!!

They come to our house and complain of the heat LOL!

vandanfc · 5 February 2007 at 1:19PM

Maybe it is a choice thing then ??? Many older people are not used to central heating and don't like it ! Have you asked your dad if he is cold ? It may be that those of us who are used to central heating are too soft and feel the cold more ???

dinkylou · 5 February 2007 at 1:21PM

I think that this is being too tight when risking health.

My grandparents had a similar thing. My grandad used to feel the cold more than my grandma and was always wrapped up and asking for the fire on. My grandma would refuse or only turn it on very low.
When he died (not related to the cold) my grandma started to feel very guilty at being so mean and not just turning the heating up to make him happy. Its really not worth risking your health for a few pounds.

culpepper · 5 February 2007 at 1:21PM

Maybe your dad finds the heating is drying the air out which would make him feel worse. Friends of mine used to have their house like a furnace and their little'un had bronchitis. We never had heating at all when I was a child and never had respiratory illnesses.

gingerfurball · 5 February 2007 at 1:22PM

They are 64.2 and 67..they have gotten their allowance.

They don't complain of the cold...it's just my DH said the house was absolutely frosty! He had to get warmed up when he came home!

Plus like I said, they can't stand the heat in our home!!

I don't know, maybe they don't see it as a problem...I guess I'm just concerned about dad's health. It's always bad.

sammiboo · 5 February 2007 at 1:23PM

seems strange if they are taking lots of holidays and scrimping on the heating bill. I love being warm, i couldnt stand being cold all day to save a few pounds.

Is it possible to be too tight!

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