saving money/single person/keeping warm!!

hannahO_2

GEEGEE8 wrote: »

God, I sound like a right heater psycho! lol.

I don't think this winter will be quite as bad, so hopefully it'll be easier than last.

You made me laugh

On a serious note, there is a thread going and they say it's going to be worse :eek:
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/2702417

Just found this fleece lined socks...
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Ladies-Pair-SockShop-Heat-Holders/dp/B002RSEOIC/ref=pd_sim_ap_1

hannahO_2

BitterAndTwisted wrote: »

I survived last winter by only having the central heating on for one hour a day. That was two radiators: one in the living-room and the other in the bathroom to warm up so I could bathe.

I swear by my thermal underwear and my thermal socks.

I was unemployed all last winter so my main luxury was popping the electric blanket on 15 minutes before bed.

I feel now that if I could manage during the coldest winter for 30 years, I could probably manage almost anything. I must have looked a bit of a sight typing away at the comp wearing my fingerless gloves but I didn't care. My only fear was the size of the gas bill. When it came it was £65. I reckon they could hear my sigh of relief from down the street.

I didn't dare put any heating on last winter. If I put it on for an hour, I would want it on all the time. Not looking forward to 2nd year of no heating...

Ballymackeonan

I sympathise, having been through a couple of winters when I was skint so friends were told not to arrive unannounced so that I could have the place warmed up!

There's a lot you can do to keep warm - definitely dressing for warmth - I'd second the thermal underwear (and slightly tight cashmere jumpers from charity shops make really lush thermal vests - and they handwash). A tip I got was wearing silky pyjama bottoms under jeans/trousers, really keeps your legs warm, or thick tights work really well with either skirts or trousers.

I don't like fan heaters as they tend to make me wheezy, but I got a halogen heater a couple of years ago and it worked really well for a quick heat-up.

marmiterulesok

Hi,
Have you thought about getting a dehumidifier?Pricey,but maybe worth the outlay.Otherwise,if you take an empty margarine tub,poke holes on the lid,and fill with salt,then this will draw in moisture in the air.It's a good idea to air your flat every day,even if it's just half an hour-if you can bear the thought,that is!
Having lined curtains up is a great way to keep any heat in.Draught excluders at the doors is a must.
I find lighting a few candles makes a room warmer.And if you keep the candles in the fridge before using them,they last longer.
I would highly recommend wearing woollen knee-socks.I got some angora ones last year in 'H&M' that weren't too pricey.I'm hoping they might stock them again this year.It's amazing the difference it makes.
Maybe you could have layers of blankets on your bed?In winter I have a double duvet with a thick woolen throw and 3 woollen blankets (from Ikea-not pricey),a hot water bottle and a pair of woolen knee-high bed socks plus thick woolen ankle bed socks.I usually have an additional source of warmth,as my cat loves to curl up with me under the duvet!
Also,thermal underwear or a silk vest top and wearing layers keeps the cold away.
I also live in rented accomodation and I got a big heating bill towards the end of last year for the previous 12 months,which made me decide to cut down on putting the heating on etc.I'll see in a few months if my efforts have made a difference.I'm fortuanate to have double glazing and good shutters,and am not at the basement or top floor.
Hope this may be of use to you,TC.

Butterfly_Brain

I would get in touch with your council because the flat sounds like it is a health risk - honestly the landord is bound by a set of rules that they must stick to and sorting damp and heating is one of them , your local enviromental health office or CAB might be able to help.

hermum

I don't think anyone's mentioned this, a thick heavy door curtain, draught proof all the windows & doors if particularly bad. Have you considered a calor gas heater. They are a damper heat so could be a problem in an already damp flat. But are usually cheaper than electricity. Are you with the cheapest electricity supplier?
I've been stocking up throughout the summer on cheap jumpers from charity shops & ebay. Also stocked up on thermal vests in the sale, Poundland had some last year & mens thermal socks.
Make sure you eat a hot meal a day & have plenty of hot drinks.
I got a slanket thing last year but it annoyed me, so I'm going to sew it up for a robe thibg this year. I also thought that I'd get a few cheap fleece throws & make a couple more full length fleece robe things.
Another thing I always do, virtually any leftovers can be made into soup, just add some stock, a good thing to keep in the freezer.
ETA, Try not to let yourself actually get cold, as it's far harder to warm up from a chilled start.
Fingerless gloves as well are brilliant.
Could you rearrange your bedroom so that you can put a chair in there & just warm that room up, or put curtains up to separate the lounge & kitchen?

tartantotty

Hello Rachel - we are name twins! (all the best people are called Rachel, and spelt with only 1 'a'!!;))

I think I am probably saying what everyone else has said but I

- have a duvet between my mattress and bottom sheet, then a fleece between my topsheet and duvet
- put a hot water bottle to bed about 45 mins before I go to take the chill off the bed, then take another one when I go up to bed, for some extra warmth
- keep the door shut when I am in the living room, I never used to bother and lost so much heat!
- use draught excluder at my front door, and notice a big difference with that
- wear thick clothes when I am in the house, plus slippers
- open curtains and blinds if sunny (and my living room is tidy!!) and shut them as soon as the sun starts to go. My curtains are all a bit longer to try and help keep the heat, and lined
- make a wee 'nest' on the settee with a quilt and blanket (and the dog snuggled up) if I am watching tv/reading - and sometimes add a hot water bottle too!

Also just wanted to send you my love, I had a similar situation when me and my ex split up, he still stayed in the house for 3 months after. It was hell, but you will feel so much better when he is gone, and my life is better than its ever been, and I get married next year to the man of my dreams! I owe my ex a lot really - if he hadnt had an affair I may still be with him today, and miserable! Hugs x

Squirrell

You mentioned that you have a cat..... hmm....you got to train that cat to sleep on your lap or next to you on the bed, free-ish extra heat! I've got three kittens, roll-on winter...lol

rachierach0000

aww tartantotty that made me feel much better, great tips and also helps knowing people have been through it and come out better at the end. honestly hubby is a nightmare, absoloute tart too and doesnt mind flaunting it because now we are supposed to be 'friends' he thinks its the norm to discuss such things

cant wait for nov 2nd, already saving for a good booze up because i think i will at least deserve one night with good friends after 10 or so months of living with ex and pulling hair out!!

congrats on the wedding sounds like youre happy with a lovely man

i think all tips on fleece/ thermals etc are going to be things i will do straight away, and i did think yesterday a draught thing would be good for my front door, so will invest in one of those!

on a cleaning note i managed to find some soda crystals for £1.20 for a kg in my local cheap poundish shop, got a couple of bags to start and also got stardrops and bicarb yesterday from sainsbo! bought myself a large chicken to cook with various things when my slow cooker arrives!!

another question me and my mum are pondering is, do rugs actually work in keeping heat in? i have a sace about 2 x 3 m in my front room and it is laminate floor, at the moment i have a rug from a friend that is borrowed but will have to be returned in next couple of months, it is quite a thickish shaggy one, and i am wondering if i need to buy a new one and if i do should it be as thick to keep in heat? or does it even work other than warming your feet (which i have lovely snuggly bootie slippers for anyway!)?

re the putting a chair in my bedroom, i have got a nice vintage-y sofa in there at the moment and so that would be easy to do, but i usually spend alot of time in my living room as it has my tv and stuff and i just shove a duvet on the sofa and chill there

do any of you guys have virgin/ sky and know of any good deals also, as i will want to get it in november (havent had working tv-just watch dvds- or internet for over 2 years!!! :O!) but will i need a phone line, cos they are what pushes the price over!

thanks alot to everyone this is sooooo helpful loving this

ps rachel with one a, hells yeah, 2 a's is sooo not where its at hehehe

marmiterulesok

Hi,

I've got wooden floors (parquet),apart from the kitchen and bathroom,which are tiled.
I've got thick rugs in the bedroom and sitting room,and yes,they definitely make a difference.Unfortuanately I had to get the rugs cleaned last winter,and really felt the difference without them.Thick rugs are better!
Last winter,I really only occasionally put the heating on in the sitting room,and only very occasionally in the bedroom,as I spend most of my time in the sitting room.
HTH.;)