If things get tougher?

trying-very-trying

piptiddlepip wrote: »

Also whenever I see a possible source of firewood, I nab it, cut it up and I've got a big bag of logs in my shed, and more coming to join them shortly.
I also bought a working mangle for £50 off Ebay and am now handwashing most things and only occasionally using the washing machine. With the summer sun drying the washing I'm saving a bundle, but I don't know what we'll do when winter comes - dry them by the fire, probably!

I've started making and drying my "paper logs" for the winter. We only got the kit earlier this year, but they are great for just keeping the fire on a low heat during the day when it's just me in the house.
I've got a twin tub washing machine, one of the original ones not these new plastic bodied ones with no thermostat, so I can get loads of washing done from just the one fill of water. Saves water and electric. I don't use it all the time though, I do have an automatic, but I only do little quick 30 minute washes in it.
I've already stopped using the tumble drier, fair enough it's summer and the washing does go out on the line when there's anyone here to take it out for me, but I have acquired two clothes horses that'll get a lot of use come winter. We are also very lucky that I can hang sheets etc over the upstair banister and they dry in no time.

Uniscots97

sammy_kaye18 wrote: »

hi all

am an avid reader of the avoid using gas and electric thread already adn the preparing for 2007 - have made my notes and will be putting them all to good use this winter.

We are struggling at the minute with no fuel near us for the car (whch bf needs to be able to get to and from work) plus the energy prices set to go up again and we have been having power cuts left right and centre here lately - why ive no idea we jsut seem to be getting them alot.

I think i shall be stokcing up my food cupboard asap and making sure i look into all the money saving/energy saving things i cna to get us through this winter

Power cuts can sometimes mean the cabling supplying the area can't cope with the demand. Has there been new houses built recently?

When you do manage to get fuel for your car, make sure to keep the tyre pressures at what they should be set at and avoid rapid acceleration or braking (except where unavoidable) and this should help with fuel consumption.

[Deleted User]

I heard bits on the news last night that also reminded me of the 70s. All this innuendo re strikes etc. We had major shortages and power cuts. I am prepared

katieowl_2

Last nights news about 40% increases was just about the final straw. I've been saving gas and electric like a fiend for years...guess the final tightening of the belt is when the top half falls off the bottom???

It seems to me like the Govt. takes all the cream off the top, in the way of steath taxes and then throws us to the utilities to milk us dry. If they could THINK of a way to tax us for breathing - they would.

Maybe if we all turned everything off for 24 hours as a protest??? Or a week? Think we could remind them that we are the CUSTOMERS not a cash crop?

I can see it coming that we won't have any choice but to switch off anyway......

dorry_2

This reminds me of the recession we suffered when maggie thatcher came into power:eek: :eek:

For the first time ever I have stopped using the tumble drier

I have changed my job with the agency, so I am nearer home and not using as much petrol.

oh is using veg oil in his diesel car for work ( before I moved jobs and hubby used veg oil, we were going through £500 + a month on petrol)

I am still menu planning and only ordering what we need for week, I always use a money off voucher for free delivery + for tesco off here

considering buying a paper logg maker for fire, as someone on here has got to burn for the winter.

taking packed lunch into work, but hubby won't do this!!!

going to make an effort to make sure things are switched off and recycle as much as possible

even though I work, I am going back to my ebay business, that I used to do when I was at uni. will do ebay on my days offf

Sarahsaver

i dont know how we can use much less power.
i have started to shower every other day rather than every day, using dry shampoo if my hair needs it.
i have always switched lights off if I leave a room since I was old enough to reach the switch.
We have a load of wood in the cellar for fires in the winter, want to get a log maker but have not seen a cheap one, so may try a HM contraption somehow.
Cant really spend any less on food either, at present I can afford to buy a coffee when out in town and meeting with a friend, but there was a time not so long ago when I could not afford that.
I have to get the bus both ways to town and back, whereas I used to just bus back, but thats cos I am 6 months PG and just cannot manage the walk anymore.
Hubby is spending £80 sometimes per week :eek: on fuel to get to work.
I think I may be able to start building up some savings soon but rather than saving for treats and such it will be saving for bills!

karenlaura

Hi I am a newbie but have followed this thread and many others for ages and just plucked up the courage to post on a few threads today.

I have learnt so much and cut down so much from reading all the tips on this site.

I have switched all my utilities, changed the way I do my shopping cutting at least 40% off my weekly bill, been more aware of switching appliances and lights off when not in use, modified the way I drive my car hopefully saving fuel and so many more tips. However I feel a bit despondant because as fast as we all do this something else crops up and we are back to square one.

At least with a wonderful site like this you dont feel you are on your own:D

Karen x

mary43

Don;t know how we can cut down any more on fuel........we already turn lights etc. off when not in use.......don't have a tumble dryer, never use a hair dryer either. We don't go out, grow as much of our own veg as we can and clothes always come from the charity shop.
Luckily I've got Christmas sorted out.......everyones having a basket or box full of unwanted gifts I bought from charity shops in Jan. this year so no worries there.
Its the fuel that frightens me

suki1964

dorry wrote: »

This reminds me of the recession we suffered when maggie thatcher came into power:eek: :eek:

We were in recession BEFORE Thatcher came into Power. We had our Boom years while she was in power

dorry_2

kittie wrote: »

owl is cheaper £34.99
http://www.electricity-monitor.com/features-comparison-chart-i-26.html?gclid=CIqN44fd_ZMCFQ5NQwodzFkfXA

but this one gets the best review
http://www.smartplanet.com/reviews/tech/10000736/overview/eco-eye.htm

Hi kittie,

we got one of these monitors sent free when we moved to southern electric, didn't know quite what it did, but I am gonna get it out and have a look