Preparing for winter II

Confuzzled

i've actually done a fair bit to prepare without even thinking of it, though my to do list is far from done!

DONE SO FAR:
got fixed rate with npower & now on monthly fixed direct debit :T
dug out old bubble wrap for hall door & bathroom window, decided to replace it
ordered (and received) 4 space foil blankets to use as window and curtain linings
restocked emergency box with new batteries AA,AAA's & 9volts plus C battery convertor (uses AA's)
Added 2 new windup torches to emergency box & more tealights
added matches to emergency box and 'mini flame thrower' as i call it
checked wind up torches, windup radio etc are working
bought thermals for daughter, and 2 brushed cotton pj's for myself, rescued ill fitting robe of mine and gave to daughter, bought new robe for me alll very very warm
bought 2 pairs of slipper boots for daughter
bought flannelette sheets for my bed and 15 tog duvet for daughter
bought double sided draught excluder for hall door
bought 2 massive bottles of water, just in case the pipes freeze
checked camping stove is still in working order
been buying myself new jumpers, now have 5 plus last years thermals
daughters thermals and leggings for layering have been checked and are sufficient
bought daughter winter boots
found the yak traks for my boots plus boot laces bought to tie them on (they kept falling off)
stocked up on throat lozenges
ALL Christmas & Birthday gifts bought up through & including January Birthdays next year!
new christmas cards and decorations bought

STILL TO DO:
buy replacement bubblewrap for door and windows
get all warm socks, gloves, hats, scarves and coats out, wash and put in hall cupboard
find a laundrette to take duvets to for a wash and dry, they won't fit in my washing machine want them germ free before germ season
make thermal curtains for my room and daughters room with old blankets, duvets and space foil
buy dehumidifier gel for bedroom window
make a food specific emergency box, quick things that are easy to make on camp stove
find a pair of slipper boots that actually fit, my old ones 'died' on me
stock up on uht milk and coffee whitener
stock up on vitamin C
Buy extra toilet roll
buy extra cooking salt and dishwasher salt
buy new gift wrap


that's all i can think of for now, i'm sure i'm forgetting things! whilst i'm here i had a question about using the space foil in curtains, i would assume it would be fleece then the foil with the foil closest to the window is this correct?

annie123

Confuzzled wrote: »

whilst i'm here i had a question about using the space foil in curtains, i would assume it would be fleece then the foil with the foil closest to the window is this correct?

My post on window quilts might help you.

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showpost.php?p=44829454&postcount=4067

I put the vapour barrier behind the fabric closest to the window and it did stop the condensation, but I did that for ease of making.
If it were behind the front piece and before the inner bit it may reflect back more heat.

Mylar is noisy! but my son was so impressed with it he wants to line an outside cold wall with it this winter.

boultdj

Confuzzled wrote: »

i've actually done a fair bit to prepare without even thinking of it, though my to do list is far from done!

DONE SO FAR:
got fixed rate with npower & now on monthly fixed direct debit :T
dug out old bubble wrap for hall door & bathroom window, decided to replace it
ordered (and received) 4 space foil blankets to use as window and curtain linings
restocked emergency box with new batteries AA,AAA's & 9volts plus C battery convertor (uses AA's)
Added 2 new windup torches to emergency box & more tealights
added matches to emergency box and 'mini flame thrower' as i call it
checked wind up torches, windup radio etc are working
bought thermals for daughter, and 2 brushed cotton pj's for myself, rescued ill fitting robe of mine and gave to daughter, bought new robe for me alll very very warm
bought 2 pairs of slipper boots for daughter
bought flannelette sheets for my bed and 15 tog duvet for daughter
bought double sided draught excluder for hall door
bought 2 massive bottles of water, just in case the pipes freeze
checked camping stove is still in working order
been buying myself new jumpers, now have 5 plus last years thermals
daughters thermals and leggings for layering have been checked and are sufficient
bought daughter winter boots
found the yak traks for my boots plus boot laces bought to tie them on (they kept falling off)
stocked up on throat lozenges
ALL Christmas & Birthday gifts bought up through & including January Birthdays next year!
new christmas cards and decorations bought

STILL TO DO:
buy replacement bubblewrap for door and windows
get all warm socks, gloves, hats, scarves and coats out, wash and put in hall cupboard
find a laundrette to take duvets to for a wash and dry, they won't fit in my washing machine want them germ free before germ season
make thermal curtains for my room and daughters room with old blankets, duvets and space foil
buy dehumidifier gel for bedroom window
make a food specific emergency box, quick things that are easy to make on camp stove
find a pair of slipper boots that actually fit, my old ones 'died' on me
stock up on uht milk and coffee whitener
stock up on vitamin C
Buy extra toilet roll
buy extra cooking salt and dishwasher salt
buy new gift wrap


that's all i can think of for now, i'm sure i'm forgetting things! whilst i'm here i had a question about using the space foil in curtains, i would assume it would be fleece then the foil with the foil closest to the window is this correct?

I got a twin pack in Tatco's today, each sachet last's 20 day's, on offer for $1. hth

Confuzzled

boultdj wrote: »

I got a twin pack in Tatco's today, each sachet last's 20 day's, on offer for $1. hth

what's tatco? never heard of it, i'm in scotland maybe we don't have them here or is that a cheeky name for a real store

i was looking at stuff on amazon, i'll probably check ebay to, if of course we don't have a 'tatco', ohh we have a poundstretchers now bet they have it cheap too

boultdj

Confuzzled wrote: »

what's tatco? never heard of it, i'm in scotland maybe we don't have them here or is that a cheeky name for a real store

i was looking at stuff on amazon, i'll probably check ebay to, if of course we don't have a 'tatco', ohh we have a poundstretchers now bet they have it cheap too

Sorry, mean Tes*o, but I just seem to find tat when I go looking for bargen's, hence the tatco,and find usefull stuff when I don't go looking and don't have a lot of money on me, if that make's sense.

Kitchenbunny

I've just made a note to inventory my cupboards and freezer again so I can plan exactly how much I have in the way of provisions. I know I've some redundant space that I can make the best use of - particularly the freezer - so I've been buying a spare tin here and there for my cupboards. Just got the feeling that if the freezer is full that I'll be making the most of the fuel I'm using in the first place. However can't help think this is a little counter-productive in case of power cuts! Still, it will be useful to know what I have got in.

Also to do:

Buy another pack of tealights (and stash)
Start increasing Vit C in diet. (I don't do too bad, but an increase in fruit & veg in meals can't hurt)
Review socks and turn any old ones into rags. Buy new ones. (quite fancy making a sock monkey too!)
Clean winter coat and wash fleeces.
Keep buying tins for my pantry (cupboard )

DH would never go for window quilts but I think they're beautiful. I'm really getting into sewing and stuff now.

KB xx

jaxx46

Re the gas & electricity... we live in rented accommodation & have prepay meters & although DP & the YA (young adults) are on board with the whole whoopsy idea ( in fact it has become a bit of a competition) I cannot get them to ration the utilities :mad:, I swear DS 16 looks at the leccy meter & if there's a few quid on it he takes that to mean he can stay up all night with lights, tv, x-box & lappy on. So.. this is an added reason for me to have a store cupboard, I am trying to build up (a few items each shop) a three month store of basics so that come the winter I will have that money to put on my meters. I have also told him that whatever the weather he will be the one going out to top up the cards if he can't exercise some moderation in his usage .
Love the window quilts, am now looking for a cheap/free sewing machine.

MrsRogers

Rainy-Days wrote: »

To us living in a village those extra trips could mean us skidding off the road into a ditch - God forbid that it did happen - but that is what it comes down to. It's not just about us either it's about all of us. How many times have read in the newspaper that the people injured in car crashes were having to go out to get XX because they ran out and they needed it.

Well said Rainy Days this isn't doing things for the sake of, for us its the piece if mind that when it turns bad and all indications are that it will... we can stay in and be cosy.. Also people panic buy and stuff runs out etc

Rainy Days your post also reminded me that will need to stock up on regular prescriptions in case I can not get to pharmacy or the pharmacist can not get to work!!!

my local argos has finally got those half price fleeces in (silent night 2 x fleece £7.49) so have reserved a pack and going to pick them up this afternoon on the way to the cinema to see Harry Potter. A little extravagant for us but I love Harry Potter and its the last one so told DH I have to go and watch it in the cinema

Amazon sent me an offer a few weeks ago that if I took advantage of the 'Love Film' free trial they would give me a £20 voucher... To me thats "20 for free as we wont keep the Love Film subscription going .. cant justify the cost. Anyway long story short.. I will be using it to buy a snow shovel and a torch for the car

bramble1

Ohhh another prep thing i need to do - get the flu jab! i had flu last year and never want to feel like that again ever ever ever and think it's worth paying to have the jab to safeguard against illness.

Toonie

Can I ask what may be a novice question? I want to get curtains to replace the blinds in my rented flat, but I'm not sure about getting the measurements right. I don't want to mess it up. Is there a way I can measure the window and then add on a certain amount to get the right sized curtains? Or a better way of doing this? Thanks in advance.