It's STILL tough and not getting better - so how are we coping?

pennywisepoundstupid

redlady- we use really well seasoned logs, fill the woodburner up before gong to bed and shut it down and it stays in all night (faint glow), hubby gets up around 4.30 and usually throws a couple more logs on if it needs it and then when i get up i open it up and it roars back into action, i have only ever used coal on open fires and only time i have had problems with stove going out after its been shut down is when the seals needed replacing, my inlaws do the same with theres and it stays in, MIL would never pay for coal when we get wood for free. sorry i've probably been no help.

v8monkeyboy

Hello all,

Seems like ages again that I was last here, but that's what being on placement miles away from home does to you...

Money for us is still tight, but at least the OH has realised this and has curbed his spending when he's away from home; he's also looking at putting loads of stuff on ebay t o bring in extra cash, and has been offered some work from my dad too.

I'm off for a job interview tomorrow - if I'm lucky and get it (there are 20 jobs going), then I probably won't start until January next year, and will then be working for a lower wage until I am issued with my nursing PIN number. I'm not that bothered, it's a job I'd really like, and money's money as far as I'm concerned!

Our heating went on last night - I hate being cold, as does the OH. I've nearly halfway through finishing my first crocheted blanket, so that should also help with feeling snuggly and keeping warm over winter

Tracy x

Lindy_-_Loo

Was at mums yesterday and she refused to put the heating on, the house was cold though. She said she wasnt running up a big bill putting it on so soon. I wouldnt mind but before Dad died in January the heating was always on, the boys even fell asleep watching the tv in there as it was so hot!

She has it in her head that the money she has now from Dads life insurance etc shouldnt be spent it should be for us 4 children when she dies. I couldnt care what she spends her money on, 3 of us have got her holiday brochures for a holiday next year with sister, one sister (who hasnt visited since dads funeral in feb) wants her to sell the house and move in with other sister so we can have part of the inheritance now! Needless to say she didnt win any brownie points when she suggested that one.

Its mums birthday next saturday and I will be putting the heating on in hers when we go up!

Toomuchdebt

Resisting putting the heating on here as still paying off debt from last year.TBH was hoping it would be gone by now but there's more left than I thought

parsonswife8

mardatha wrote: »

This is the thing with not using the heating - you get a damp house and you get ill. Dont risk it - cut down on the tumble dryer and use things like crockpots etc - but you must keep the house free of damp or people will start getting ill. Things like bronchitis and pneumonia can be hard to clear up.

You are right Mardatha..I had 10 days in hospital over Christmas 2002, with pneumonia and pleuresy, due to being cold and standing at cold bustops in wet, windy weather. I thought I was going to die and the consultant said, did I realize how ill I had been?:(

Not worth it to risk your health... I now wear layers of clothes and make sure that my feet and back are warm. Got a nice warm bed sorted and look after myself and my DH. Lots of warm drinks and soups and veg etc, and vitamins and I don't go out unless absolutely becessary, in the bad weather.:)

Lindy_-_Loo

Do any of you let your children have hot water bootles? The boys are 3 and 5 and I saw some in furry ones in primark last week - am in too minds to buy them. OH doesnt think they are safe.

monthly on line shop arrived, bedroom now looks like a supermarket aisle! Two tins of roses sat calling me to eat them even though they know thay are presents!!

northwest1965

parsonswife8 wrote: »

You are right Mardatha..I had 10 days in hospital over Christmas 2002, with pneumonia and pleuresy, due to being cold and standing at cold bustops in wet, windy weather. I thought I was going to die and the consultant said, did I realize how ill I had been

I've had pleuresy so I can really sympathise:)

I started something new for Christmas last year. I'm no longer sending any cards, instead I made a donation to a charity of my choice. It felt so much better.

mardatha

Me too, I spent one xmas ill with pneumonia and pleurisy caused by walking to work and not having warm waterproof boots. Now I make sure my feet and neck are warm and I take vitamins as well. Life is too short- no point in making it shorter!

flowertotmum

mardatha wrote: »

Me too, I spent one xmas ill with pneumonia and pleurisy caused by walking to work and not having warm waterproof boots. Now I make sure my feet and neck are warm and I take vitamins as well. Life is too short- no point in making it shorter!

I agree..if your feet are warm then the rest of you is..and i thought i was weird insisting all my family take vitamins..but they never have colds as bad as everyone else...your right life is too short...so why be cold and ill when there is no need to be...
take care

taplady

afternoon!

I've put my heating on the last 2 evenings for a couple of hours but not in the morning yet. I had a severe bout of pneumonia 8 years ago and it takes a lot of getting over. I also have Reynauds, DH has arthritis and heart disease so there's no way we're going to be cold. I use a couple of wheat bags and have fleecy blankets on the beds/sofa and we have an open fire too(not lit it yet)plus we have some bedsocks if we need them.
I hate being cold.
Luckily we are in a HA house that is extremely well insulated, cavity wall insulated and double glazed:T and we have a new boiler.
I pay monthly on direct debit for the gas so it spreads the cost through the year without us having to worry about a big bill. Last year they doubled the DD then ended up repaying most of it to us in overpayments.