If things get tougher?

Aril

The talk of the rising gas prices on Friday left me feeling sheer panic for a moment as all these price rises are going to have a big impact on my very slim budget [as will be the case for many]. However, I am given myself a good talking to and have decided to tackle all of it head on with a positive attitude. OH and I have carried out another financial audit and are seeing what practical low cost steps we can take to tackle some of the issues we are facing. With the energy we can't lower the water temp any more or reduce the time it's on and it's a similar story with the heating. However, I am going to hang a velvet curtain across the front door which I've currently got up in the loft and we're going to draught proof the windows better. Might even see if I can find a pattern for a stylish draught excluder. Think thermal vests may be on my present list for this year. Am carrying out a similar audit in other areas and am always up for a spot of experimentation. I find thinking laterally will often bring an unexpected solution and speaking to others. A different perspective often sends me off in another direction which I would not have thought of myself. I am determined to learn from all this.
Aril

ceridwen

Me - I'm planning on turning into "the lady with the lamp" - as in wind-up lantern and forget using my lights as far as possible. Now where's my nursing uniform? (oooooh....Matron..):D

Still experimenting re my washing - as in one machine wash per week (well - thats my single person level!) and the rest handwashed and then rinsed out in water from my waterbutt manually. Discovered slight snag with that yesterday - not enough water in waterbutt for that, as well as the garden. Back to the drawing board - right: every time it looks like heavy rain I'll get my two trugs out the back to get them filled up as well - and then transfer that water to the waterbutt :cool: (saves on my metered water as well!).

JenniO

Aril - you are absolutely right! You heat up your house and it is toasty warm, then DON'T let it escape! Draught proofing everywhere is the key.

Gigervamp

sammy_kaye18 wrote: »

gigervamp

do you have or do you know someone who could lend you a laptop with internet access?? that way you could maybe take your laptop with your next time you visit her and show her this fabby site and a few others or be conveniently be sat on it and maybe she'll ask then.

off topic slightly - where in south wales?

lol, I'm actually using a laptop now! Geek central here.:rotfl: But it wouldn't be any good taking it to hers, as she's got no connection. She's coming up to visit soon hopefully though.

I'm in Bridgend.

Gigervamp

Ceridwen, I think she's claiming all that she can. I know she gets housing benefit, but I'll get her to check to see if there's any other help available to her.
One thing I have thought of, is that her front door has no curtain, and her letterbox flaps in the wind, so I'll get her a letter box draught excluder, because she does get quite a draught through that. Every little bit helps, as they say!

Icemaiden

Npower are doing a scheme at the moment called Spreading warmth or something like that, if you have less than £14,000, over 60, kids under 16 in your household you may qualify, you only have to pay for your consumption on gas & leccy, if theres any debt on these bills they will freeze the payments towards them and right then off after six months. Theres also a thing called First step where if you spend 10% of your household income on fuel bills you are classed as "fuel poverty" and you get a lower social tariff but I think the same conditions apply as above. Maybe helpful to some OAP's or low income families.

Ice
x

sammy_kaye18

gigervamp - wow small world - im in port talbot maybe we can meet one day for an OS brunch together.

Can you get one of these phone cables that allows you to lug into her phone line - they cost a few quid from wilkinsons and you should be able to go through her telephone plug socket easily enough or can you change it so the MSE site is reable offline??

ARIL - yes heatproof your house to the max and like siad only do so once you know you are stayign in then that way you can minimise heatloss because if you need to keep heating the hosue becuase of open doors etc then it is a losing battle. Our budget is already stretched beyond funny and we are having to work hard for it to stay where we have a little money to cover us but it is very hard and we are struggling. I now my siggie shows my christmas saving which i could dip into if needed but then how am i supposed to afford christmas? Is there any way you could earn a few more pennies to help with your budget?? or help with the heat proofing?? If you look on the boast your income section of the forums there are a few ideas in tehre to get vouchers from amazon etc which could help you get the window cellophane and bits cheaper. Also if you have a Shaws in town but they were selling heavy draught excluders (look like either a crocodile or caterpillar) for £1 each. I grabbed two and they have residence in my living room now in winter. May get one for sons room and ours too though to help retain heat.

CERIDWEN - How i wish there was jsut me some days. But havign a bf who wears abotu 3 lots of clothes in a day, a son who cant stay clean to save his life and me, plus step son on weekend it jsut aint possible - im behind with the washing as it is due to the [EMAIL="!!!!py"]!!!!py[/EMAIL] welsh weather and really do need to catch up this week

ceridwen

Gigervamp wrote: »

Ceridwen, I think she's claiming all that she can. I know she gets housing benefit, but I'll get her to check to see if there's any other help available to her.
One thing I have thought of, is that her front door has no curtain, and her letterbox flaps in the wind, so I'll get her a letter box draught excluder, because she does get quite a draught through that. Every little bit helps, as they say!

And..its surprising just how much difference a pair of warm bootee slippers make (as compared to the slip-on type I used to use) and also a fleece dressing gown is much warmer than the others too. Boy I sure do know how to look elegant;)

sammyjig

Gigervamp wrote: »

Ceridwen, I think she's claiming all that she can. I know she gets housing benefit, but I'll get her to check to see if there's any other help available to her.
One thing I have thought of, is that her front door has no curtain, and her letterbox flaps in the wind, so I'll get her a letter box draught excluder, because she does get quite a draught through that. Every little bit helps, as they say!

I know what you mean about your mum.
I bought my mum a huge thick fleece blanket which was fluffy on one side. It was half price but still £30 :eek:
She absolutely loves it and wraps herself in it during the day and puts it on her bed at night during the cold months. She also wears toasties socks and huge slipper boots.
She doesn't need to have the heat on so high but stil stays warm.

sammy_kaye18

ceridwen wrote: »

And..its surprising just how much difference a pair of warm bootee slippers make (as compared to the slip-on type I used to use) and also a fleece dressing gown is much warmer than the others too. Boy I sure do know how to look elegant;)

Well at least this winter you can take comfort knowing there will be others in slipper boots, flannel pjs, dressing gowns, fingerless gloves and bobble hats trundling round unheated homes in teh middle of the cold days.