hanging my head in shame

worried_jim

Is it me, or has it rained every single day for the past six weeks? I have been in a torrential down pour every single day, not just your normal British winter drizzle but its been more like April showers. Have only had two frosts so far and the temperature has rarely dropped below double figures. Is this the effect of climate change, wet cool summers and even wetter but warmer winters? Certainly the last 3 summers here in Brighton have been absolutely horrendous and this year I only went to the beach once and that was in May and I haven't been in the sea at all this year.
I do believe the climate is changing globally, although I am very sceptical at the involvement of man made carbon dioxide and I don't see how there is anything we can do to change or slow any warming effect but from a totally selfish view what negative effect will it really have on the UK ? I wont mind walking along the south downs and seeing them covered in vines as some have already proposed and the phrase "hose pipe ban" has long been banished form our summertime news reports.

ampersand

Bonjour doublevayzhay -
Weather's cack, you've seen Sur Mes Lèvres, so I might be being bossy and telling you to start on the 2 Pagnols - now!...[wags finger]

It will sidle in to your South Downs vineline reveries très nicely[did you see the Oz and James prog - love them - where Oz informs James of the big French vignobles purchase of chalk downs land?]

re: rain, there's suddenly now sun, but earlier, glooming dour and sudden rain stoneblasting in flurries at the front windows. Looking out, could see its hurtling animus shapes in the air. Chunking wind's still venomous though.

worried_jim

I have got one of those free British Gas energy monitors for electricity usage and have been playing around with it for a couple of weeks now its getting quite addictive. Its shows how much I have used so far since midnight and what my current usage is. I have been using I-measure - http://www.imeasure.org.uk/index.php - for over a year now so it is very easy to compare my usage results.
When I leave the home now I unplug all my appliances (except the oven, fridge/freezer and alarm clock) and the difference is amazing. I have halved my energy usage every day ! For example over the last week I have used £4.10 of electricity and the same week last year I used £7.30- now I must admit that power is slightly cheaper this year but still a massive saving just by turning off two plugs in the morning I could be saving £166 a year.
I can also work the approx cost of running an appliance as well such as the washing machine or the tumble dryer, although these aren't the main consumption culprits- its the iron and the vacuum so creased clothes and dirty floors from now on.

zhatorna65

I got an electricity monitor last year, and went round my rented flat checking to see what everything used.

Since I live on my own, first thing I did was unplug the freezer and stop using it. Massive saving (as it comes on at all times of day and night). I can make do with the icebox in the fridge.

My other big culprit is electric oven, so using the microwave when possible helps there. Electric showers are also MONSTERS of electricity consumption, so spending less time in there helps a lot... I know some ppl use a timer to remind them that they've tranced out and been in there for ages!

worried_jim

Glad I am not the only one obsessed !

Diane1961_2

Shame is saying that you are a bad person, not that what you have done does not serve you. Change your language and try to take the emotion out of your money situation because it doesn't help you make the best choices. Money doesn't care what you spend it on, you are the person who turns it into the bogey monster. Try to be very practical and keep breathing. It will take more time than you would like, but there is a way, and the great news is that you will never be in this situation again because you now have more information than you had before. Best of luck

hannoja

Phew. Finally caught up!

I found your thread ages ago Jim, and sat reading it. I see it 'pop up' in my subscriptions when someone posts on it, and think I'll catch up, but haven't done since Summer, so I had quite a bit of reading to do :eek: Well worth it though :T

As others have said, well done on your 'journey', and thank you for your inspirational thread. It's real and funny, and serious, and informative, and interesting, and you mustn't stop!

GeorgeUK

Hi Jim, just curious, but why do you turn everything else off, but not the oven? I can understand the fridge but if you're not using the oven are you just using it to see the clock?

bloojeans

Hiya Jim, i must remember to turn stuff off, i leave everything on stand by everynight. Sometimes the computer runs for weeks without being turned off !!!!!!

Bloo x

worried_jim

GeorgeUK wrote: »

Hi Jim, just curious, but why do you turn everything else off, but not the oven? I can understand the fridge but if you're not using the oven are you just using it to see the clock?

Hi George, there is method to the madness ! When the power is cut to the oven it resets and the button I have to hold down to reset it so it works doesn't work very well and I end up having to take it to pieces to get it going again. Each time is getting harder to do it and fast approaching is the day when it gives up all together.
The clock is stuck on BST no attempt shall ever be made.....