Freezing and poor - advice invited

rosered1963

jellyhead wrote: »

I hope the suggestions about bubble wrap etc. help - this is a horrible time of year to feel ill and cold.

If you choose one room to live in, would an upstairs room be warmer? just a thought as I think heat rises. Our bedrooms are much warmer than our downstairs rooms. A draught excluder would help - one of those sausage dog type things that my grandparents used to have in their big draughty house.

I'm another one to suggest moving, and I feel like a complete cow for saying this but your landlord is getting on a bit - what's going to happen when he dies? would you need to move out anyway? I'm sure your house is lovely in the summer but when you took it on you had 2 incomes, and it seems difficult to run on just one income. I second the suggestion about asking on freecycle for a bike for your husband.

One final thing - hope it's not classed as medical advice - I don't know anything about pneumonia, but is it possible that you're actually allergic to mould? I am, and am ill within minutes of entering a mouldy house or caravan.

Hi Jellyhead and thanks for your advice. I mentioned to my doctor today about the mould and he said it was very likely to be causing the problems with my health, so thanks very much for that. Regarding our landlord - when he dies we will have to move out, most likely. That is something I hadn't thouht about. Thanks very much

rosered1963

lolababy wrote: »

Hi I dont want to sound horrible but going by the rent your paying your landlord he should upgrade the house. Lots of older people tend to hoard money and id be hard pressed if that was not the case here. Maybe he is sweet but he knows you are having a hard time and are ill due to your living conditions.
Do look into the heating grant as landlords can be granted one.

Thanks Lolababy - bless him - he does hoard his money! I will look into a grant - thanks for your advice

jfdi

Would your Landlord let you sublet the spare rooms?

Maybe getting a lodger or two in could help? (I don't know much about this so ignore if needed!)

suki1964

I would insist on having the boiler replaced - its too old to be doing a good job and is prolly not safe.

I have a 2000 sq ft house on the NW coast of Ireland and would use around 300 litres of oil a month in the winter. The house is never warm enough to be sat in t shirts in the winter but its not so cold you would be freezing. We stick fleeces over our laps in the evenings, wear warm dressing gowns and socks and slippers - its fine

Glitzkiss

rosered1963 wrote: »

I am married, no kids. Until recently, we both worked F/T. I was the big earner. My temp employment contract isn't going to be renewed so I am unemployed as from 27.1.09. I have worked worked various contracts for this e/r for 12 years. I have claimed contribution based JSA and waiting to hear.

Have these contracts been continuous and how long was your last contract? Have a look at this to see if you have been treated fairly by your previous employer.

Good luck

smartpicture

Also, don't worry about your 'young husband' not getting what he signed up for (why do you call him that, by the way?). Marriage is in sickness and in health, for richer and for poorer, and if he loved you enough to make those promises when he married you only last year then I'm sure he would be mortified to think you are worrying about this. Remember you're both on the same side, and make sure you talk it all through together and make joint decisions.

sooz

smartpicture wrote: »

Also, don't worry about your 'young husband' not getting what he signed up for (why do you call him that, by the way?).

either they are newlyweds, or he's her toyboy
I think it's sweet

lisa*_5

sooz wrote: »

either they are newlyweds, or he's her toyboy
I think it's sweet

I've been wondering the same, looking forward to hearing the answer.

stormchaos

If its an old farm house surely it must have an open fire place somewhere in it ?
We opened ours up and collect branches and cut offs of wood, so only ever put the central heating on for an hour max a day if its really cold.
Another thing is to get some hot water bottles for bed, I can't sleep if my feet are cold, so fill mine to the top and it's still warm by morning

ailuro2

move your bed into the living room, get the open fire going, and make draught excluders etc. remember to allow fresh air into the room, though if you've a open fire.

Contact your landlord and tell him you can only afford to pay a nominal rent until you find work.

Maybe he has accounts or something you could do for him to make up some of the money??