Preparing for winter II

FairyPrincessk

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 agree--and with the giving it all a good clean! There isn't much I can do to my flat, but I do actually move a few piece of furniture with the seasons and make sure I've got rugs down. My winter evening project is going to be to make either a rag rug or a braided rug to fit some of my odd spots. Sometimes I do wish I could just whip out the plastic, but tbh getting out my smug face is even more satisfying. :cool:

lizzyb1812

splodger seedswapper - you raise a very good point. Not everyone has the resources to buy lots of winter preparedness stuff. You sound like you are doing well within your existing budget, - layering clothes, fruit, veg and rice stocked up, extra curtains for the windows and blankets to stop drafts. One of those blankets under your bottom sheet would be a good idea with another over the back of your couch to use to snuggle under. I've got the quilted bit of an old mattress protector, the wrong size for my bed, cut to the right size and safety pinned to the seam allowances of a thick plain single duvet cover that sort of goes with the colour of my couch. It looks like a thick throw, not recycled bedding

My gloves, scarves, hats and dog walking jacket are the same I've worn for years, ditto my wellies, although I did manage to pick up a pair of brand new yax trak lookalikes for £2 and a smarter looking jacket for £3 (in May, hence the price). Children grow of course and are hard on their stuff so they will need new things but most adults will have plenty of relevant clothes, etc already.

Extra stores have been bought in a bit at a time and not just as a winter thing, more to ensure that any prolonged spell of illness, disability etc wouldn't see me running out, but I haven't gone overboard about it.

If buying stuff doesn't bust the budget, that's fair enough, but not everyone can and not everyone needs to either.

tugrin

Hi Splodger!
I think it is easy to get a sense of 'oh goodness everyones doing this/and that/and and and..... - I have crtainly done it and now find myself totally stuffed - card rejected for petrol today (thank goodness daughter was with me and it was only £7. This means I have NO money until the 19th - this has come as a shock and I will have to start the winter stores and not go anywhere for 10 days!!! I have misjudged and now feel a bit scuppered so well done to you for holding your course and NOT overspending- wish I had your self control.
I am going to try for a padded jacket or coat on freecycle as suggested - PM me your size and if I get some offers Ill go for mine and yours and post to you (after 19th tho!!!!!).

cat_smith

My electric blanket, yaktrax and thermal blinds arrived while I was away so we are getting there slowly. Just as well as its freezing here today.

Now need to do a freezer and cupboard audit and work on the curtains. and insulation.

bluebag

Toonie wrote: »

Thanks, I'm glad that it's done with and tonight we're talking to our friends and then it's just a case of other people finding out on the grapevine.

Also, thanks for the tip about the electric blanket, for some reason I thought they would cost a fortune to run.

Will have a look for a couple more fleece jumpers, I've got two which I wear around the house, but they are too big to go under my winter coat, so maybe some thinner layers would be better.

Glad things are moving forward for you, it's not easy, but each step takes you in the right direction.
There are quite thin fleece tops available, my DD hates the thick ones so she gets a few of the thinner ones, same as you she can't get her coat on if she has the thick ones.

About the electric blanket, I would't be without mine, it even has one and a half hour timer built in so you can fall asleep with it on and still save money.
I used to have flanelette sheets, but I found the washing and drying too expensive, an electric blanket worked out much cheaper, plus a lot less work and I'm all for that.:rotfl:

Fruball

bluebag wrote: »

Glad things are moving forward for you, it's not easy, but each step takes you in the right direction.
There are quite thin fleece tops available, my DD hates the thick ones so she gets a few of the thinner ones, same as you she can't get her coat on if she has the thick ones.

About the electric blanket, I would't be without mine, it even has one and a half hour timer built in so you can fall asleep with it on and still save money.
I used to have flanelette sheets, but I found the washing and drying too expensive, an electric blanket worked out much cheaper, plus a lot less work and I'm all for that.:rotfl:

Thats a good point - I had forgotten how long they take to dry until I read that - I don't think I will get them after all... Stick with the leccy blanket

splodger_seedswapper

tugrin wrote: »

Hi Splodger!
I think it is easy to get a sense of 'oh goodness everyones doing this/and that/and and and..... - I have crtainly done it and now find myself totally stuffed - card rejected for petrol today (thank goodness daughter was with me and it was only £7. This means I have NO money until the 19th - this has come as a shock and I will have to start the winter stores and not go anywhere for 10 days!!! I have misjudged and now feel a bit scuppered so well done to you for holding your course and NOT overspending- wish I had your self control.
I am going to try for a padded jacket or coat on freecycle as suggested - PM me your size and if I get some offers Ill go for mine and yours and post to you (after 19th tho!!!!!).

thanks for the answer and for the offer - i am small sized (only a 10/12) but prefer clothes that are slightly bigger - as i don't like clingy clothes - and i do prefer lots of layers

thanks to everybody else too - it's sometimes disheartening when you see what everybody else is doing / getting (i just knew i shouldn't have clicked the link for snow boots - because now i really want a pair )

i did wash all my jumpers - when the weather was nice - so they are at least ready to go

as for a blanket under the sheet - i feel the cold too much - so have a quilt ontop of the matress anyway

i guess it would be a good idea for me to sort through the cupbaords etc - and make sure that the cold weather stuff is close to hand

i am really messy though - and a job like sorting out the small airing cupboard would probably take me all day :eek: but it's a job that i need to do

thanks again to all

jamanda

Splodger - I can't think what just now, but I'm sure the blankets could be better used than stopping draughts at the bottom of the doors. Could you use them for lining the curtains or something and use something less useful as a draught excluder?

Sorry, I may have the wrong end of the stick as I'm in a hurry. Kitchen still in a horrendous mess and I absolutely must get on.

oldtractor

theres a weather warning for the uk on monday. tail end of a hurricain. best get out the wind up torches and radios and tinned food. we might loose electricity. stay safe everyone.

toottifrootti

Thank you to whoever it was that listed a non-electrical tin-opener - i had forgotten about that!!! mine is electric as i cant manage an ordinary one but my carers will if we have no power!

splodger check the website for your local paper and you might find sales or car boots advertised - can you sell anything on ebay to make some extra cash for winter woolies etc - thats what i do as I am on benefits and struggling to make ends meet - I have a huge list of things i want to do for winter but financially its unlikely I will achieve them. I know how you feel when you read all the posts but I still take it on board and try to find cheaper ways around things!! This is when we have to get creative:rotfl:You are very lucky having your veg - thats something I would like.

Toonie maybe it would be good to keep the back payment for a little while - when you move into your own place it would be nice to have a 'cushion' until you get your budget sorted? (((hugs))) the hard bit is done telling your parents and your friends will be sad for you but its what right for the pair of you that counts.

toots xx