Preparing for winter II

splodger_seedswapper

i am finding the prep for winter notion quite difficult

i don't have the money to buy new/warm clothes and i struggle finding things in charity shops so i think i am going to be stuck with the same old clothes that i have worn for years - and just layer up.

and i find it hard enough to buy groceries etc from week to week - so stocking up for a winter stash isn't easy either - i'll just have to keep an eye out for any bogoff deals

i haven't heard back about the heating upgrade for my proprty either - so if we do get another hard winter i have a horrible feeling that i am going to really feel it

on the plus side - i live in the south - which doesn't get anywhere near as cold as up north and the roads last year were generally kept nice and clear, so if i do need shopping - i should be able to get into town ok (assuming that i am ok to drive)

i have got loads of old blankets that i use to stop the drafts by all of the doors - and i'll put up an extra pair of curtains on the windows as soon as the temps drop

at least i won't run out of booze :rotfl:

Justamum

splodger_seedswapper wrote: »

i am finding the prep for winter notion quite difficult

i don't have the money to buy new/warm clothes and i struggle finding things in charity shops so i think i am going to be stuck with the same old clothes that i have worn for years - and just layer up.

I'm wearing the same clothes I've had for years too. If all else fails and I'm inside I'll just put my dressing gown on.

splodger_seedswapper wrote: »

and i find it hard enough to buy groceries etc from week to week - so stocking up for a winter stash isn't easy either - i'll just have to keep an eye out for any bogoff deals

We are on a tight budget, but just buying one tin extra of something each week it's surprising how quickly it builds up. My DH is very keen on doing this - he's always on survival websites!

CH27

splodger_seedswapper wrote: »

i am finding the prep for winter notion quite difficult

i don't have the money to buy new/warm clothes and i struggle finding things in charity shops so i think i am going to be stuck with the same old clothes that i have worn for years - and just layer up.

and i find it hard enough to buy groceries etc from week to week - so stocking up for a winter stash isn't easy either - i'll just have to keep an eye out for any bogoff deals

i haven't heard back about the heating upgrade for my proprty either - so if we do get another hard winter i have a horrible feeling that i am going to really feel it

on the plus side - i live in the south - which doesn't get anywhere near as cold as up north and the roads last year were generally kept nice and clear, so if i do need shopping - i should be able to get into town ok (assuming that i am ok to drive)

i have got loads of old blankets that i use to stop the drafts by all of the doors - and i'll put up an extra pair of curtains on the windows as soon as the temps drop

at least i won't run out of booze :rotfl:

I used vouchers from my birthday to pay for my jumpers.

Buy a little bit of extra food each week ie tins of soups. It's amazing how it builds up.

Uniscots97

splodger_seedswapper wrote: »

i am finding the prep for winter notion quite difficult

i don't have the money to buy new/warm clothes and i struggle finding things in charity shops so i think i am going to be stuck with the same old clothes that i have worn for years - and just layer up.

and i find it hard enough to buy groceries etc from week to week - so stocking up for a winter stash isn't easy either - i'll just have to keep an eye out for any bogoff deals

i haven't heard back about the heating upgrade for my proprty either - so if we do get another hard winter i have a horrible feeling that i am going to really feel it

on the plus side - i live in the south - which doesn't get anywhere near as cold as up north and the roads last year were generally kept nice and clear, so if i do need shopping - i should be able to get into town ok (assuming that i am ok to drive)

i have got loads of old blankets that i use to stop the drafts by all of the doors - and i'll put up an extra pair of curtains on the windows as soon as the temps drop

at least i won't run out of booze :rotfl:

May I suggest you get onto the Freebies board and get shampoo, conditioner etc anything that will be of use. This is then money you don't have to spend on those things which you can spend on other things.

Rather than the charity shops look for jumble sales, things are generally cheaper.

Are you any good at sewing or knitting (have lots of wool and would be happy to send you some)?

Also why not ask on freecycle for clothes, a lot of people will not take their stuff to charity shop and sometimes prefer it going to someone who will actually appreciate it.

splodger_seedswapper

unixgirluk - re the wool - that is a very generous offer - but i can't knit or crochet - and can hardly sew (no machine) and a disablitity that makes anything repetitive or fiddly - very difficult

most of my clothes (especially jeans etc) have holes, usually around the knees - even the patches come off after a while - so i just wear a tracksuit underneath them and a pair of waterproofs over the top

i can't think that i have seen any jumble sales in the area - there probably are some, but i don't buy papers (local or national) so i would only know about one if they put signs up

re conditioner etc - i am actually well stocked up with that - i have to be careful what i use - as i am allergic to many products - can't even use deoderant, perfume or anything smelly (i actually struggle going in charity shops - because of the smell - smells of old ladies )

CH27 - my birtday is just after xmas - and i rarely get any pressies (we don't do presents in my family) i do have a few jumpers though - they are just a bit raggy and covered in dog hair (eveything gets covered in dog hair)

Justamum - i will try and add an extra tin or two each week - i'm not a great fan of canned foods (too much salt etc) but i do use tinned toms - and i drink alot of coffee - so i ought to get a few extra

i always buy big bags of rice and pasta - so i have plenty of that - and the freezer is full of fruit - shed is full of homegrown veggies - so i doubt i'll starve - just freeze

Fruball

Hi preppers

My Cragh0pper lined trousers and that beautiful white fleece jumper that somebody on here mentioned, arrived this week... Along with my Yaktrax, discounted hiking boots from Amaz0n and my window cling filmy stuff! I have done the glass on the back door which is the only non-double glazed panel in the house and I think it will make a huge difference not only to the warmth, but the condensation on the glass, esp when cooking.

I am starting to panic about money now - I have had several unexpected large bills recently which have crippled my bank account, along with a !!!!!! of an ex who also owes me money so I am a bit stuffed atm. Really, really want to get my fireplace done and the builder is coming at the weekend to have another look to see how we can get the price down for me, bless him.

My damn curtain pole fell off the wall this week too... I made a 'splint' for it from cardboard which held for 2 days but its seriously bent now and until my friend comes to put up the rails for my front door curtain, and landing window curtain, I am stuck with a warped, very nearly falling down again, curtain pole

Carpets desperately need cleaning but until I know what is happening with the fireplace, there is no point in having them done as I know that once the liner comes out of the chimney and the work is done, the carpets will need cleaning again!

I have found ONE of my long, heavy aubergine coloured curtains (what the heck did I do with the other one?!) for my bedroom as I want to change the colour theme in there with a budget of £20!!! Do-able but only if I can find the other curtain... If not then I will just line the existing curtains with fleece.

Non-prescription meds I have aplenty here but prescription meds are seriously depleted so I need to sort that next week... Storecupboard is heaving with stuff - I need to empty my larder and put it all back in some sensible order. Might do that tonight as I have finished sorting out the living room, after living like a squatter for the last few months (personal problems and losing a parent does not make for a tidy house OR a clear mind )

I have some carpet in the loft so might try to get that fitted in the hallway as its laminate atm and gets really cold - its a weird shape hall and I can't get a rug to fit, also want thick lino for the bathroom which I can hopefully get from a remnant if I go in regularly to see what they have - kitchen floor could do with a re-vamp too so if I can do that cheaply then I will do that too - it will make a huge difference to the house. Tempted to get it all done (as cheap as poss) on the CC and worry about it later as I know that if the house is cosy, clean and tidy, it might help a bit with my SAD by cheering me up a bit.

DDs coats from last year still fit as I always buy them BIG My carboot bargain £6 Monsoon coat is lovely and warm so we are all ok for coats, scarves, gloves etc. Went on a PJ shopping mission to Primarni yesterday so we all have nice new PJs.

Need to get a friend to get my dehumidifier from the loft and put the portable air con back up there (used it once this year :cool: ). To anyone thinking of getting a dehumi..... GET ONE!!! They are absolutely brilliant and worth every penny - If I ever get any money together again I will get another for downstairs.

So... I think I am doing rather well on the prepping front... Just need more cash to pay for the above ^

Re SCARVES - I know I have posted this a while back but as there are new people on the board I thought I would mention it again... Last year I made scarves from a fleece blanket cut into lengths and then, using scissors, cut 1cm wide tassles into each end... Fleece doesn't fray so no sewing required and you can get 4 or more scarves from the average blanket. My girls love theirs and we gave one to their friend too as we got quite a few from the fleece.

If you have managed to read all of this essay, well done, and thanks for being interested in my waffling :o:o

NualaBuala

Gigervamp wrote: »

I'd be worried about using that expanding foam as it really really expands! One idea I was thinking about for my door is getting those foam pipe insulating thingies and slicing it in half along the length, then sticking it to the door itself so it's half stuck to the door and half covers the gaps between the frame. It's hard to describe what I'm thinking, but I hope you can get the gist of it! Maybe that would help your sister.

Confuzzled wrote: »

i had wondered if silicone gel like the stuff you seal the gap between the splashback and the sink with would work. this has an advantage of being waterproof and is much easier to remove in the future. i should think it would fill a 1cm gap, perhaps asking at a homebase or b&q might be an idea as well

Thanks for the suggestions - I've passed them on to her and she says thank you and that Oldstylers are very helpful!

FairyPrincessk

I've been making some good progress on my list today, especially the freezer. I got some good deals at T.sco which isn't very close to me so I rarely get time to go when I'm not off. I went for mince to make the meatballs (which I found reduced!) and ended up with some extra for meatloaf, burgers, cottage pie etc.:T

And just for Seedswapper, I thought I'd make a list of all of the things I've done to prepare that haven't cost me any money! Like I said, a lot of my preparation is doing things in advance so when I get to my busiest time of year I won't be tempted to pay for convenience.

-Wash winter items and put them where accessible. Today ended up being fairly warm so things dried outdoors. Also, if I can find a jumper or have my slippers next to my chair I'm less likely to put the heating on!
-Give the flat a good airing out, open all the windows, clean things I don't normally get to.
-Re-organize my spices, tins etc. Make a list of my staples and of my basic meals so I know what I have and what to do with it.
-Checked to make sure all of my radiators were working BEFORE the price of gas went up, and then turned them all back off again. This might not apply..but might help someone. My Landlord does boiler maintenance on his schedule so its up to me to make sure they're all working before I waste money on heat I'm not getting.
-Assemble some basic freezer meals from things I have (for example tomorrow I'm going to cook a chicken I had in the freezer, make dinner with it then stock from the bones and a pie from the leftover meat. I have bought some food to cook, but I'm also cooking food I already have that I'll be too busy to cook later).
-locate any emergency supplies I need and make sure they work- for example, I still don't know where my stopcock is:eek: and I need to find the torches I have and make sure they work. If I had exposed pipes I would be wrapping those!

Thanks for all of the encouragement, it really helped me to get moving this morning and get things knocked off my list. Although OH says its a great idea I know he thinks some things I do are nuts and he is still a little nervous about investing in bulk food since he is used to doing a t.esco express shop at will:eek:. Its nice to have other people excited about the same thing.:D

annie123

Frugal wrote: »

Tempted to get it all done (as cheap as poss) on the CC and worry about it later as I know that if the house is cosy, clean and tidy, it might help a bit with my SAD by cheering me up a bit..

Frugal, it wont make you feel better looking at a cc bill though.
Remember needs and wants are different.
Try freecycle first for flooring, my son got enough left overs to do his hall and bathroom twice! its amazing how people over order by so much.

Fruball

annie123 wrote: »

Frugal, it wont make you feel better looking at a cc bill though.
Remember needs and wants are different.
Try freecycle first for flooring, my son got enough left overs to do his hall and bathroom twice! its amazing how people over order by so much.

I was hoping somebody would talk me out of it - thanks - I guess I will just give it all a real good clean then