Peonie's journey to smart money management

Sepa74

Or hot water bottles! That's all I need to keep me toasty in bed, but it's not exactly the sexy option!

Peonie

gallygirl wrote: »

If God meant us to be cold in bed he wouldn't have invented leccy blankets

That really made me laugh and thanks everyone for the suggestions.

I used to have an electric blanket; when I turned it off I found my temperature dropped to being cold again before I fell asleep; so I would turn it on again and fall asleep with it on - not safe at all. I have to say the extra duvet really works well and, I think, it's very MSE.

Lixi_2

Hey coldcazzie - pretty sure mine is a dreamland one. Think I (Mr L) got it from amazon. He shopped around a bit too (in fact I have just checked - it was a dreamland harmony kingsize overblanket (so you put in under the duvet, but inside the duvet cover) for £64).

Peonie, they are so much safer these days. I keep ours (both sides have their own controls) on the setting that turns itself off automatically after 90 mins. I usually read in bed for an hour before I nod off, and you don't need to give it more than 30-60 secs before you hop into a toasty environment (or just lukewarm if that is what you like!). Really is just pure bliss .

On that subject I will be heading up shortly. A quarter of a way in to "We need to talk about Kevin"... Quiet night in tonight

gallygirl

Lixi wrote: »

A quarter of a way in to "We need to talk about Kevin"...

I got about that far in before deciding I wished he'd turned the gun on his mother as well :rotfl:. I was on a plane and when they collected the rubbish I chucked it in there so no-one else would be subjected to it .

Lois_E

My duvet is getting old now, and I'm sure it's a lot thinner than it used to be. It's one of those 4 seasons ones with a thin bit for summer, a thicker bit for spring/autumn and poppers to have both together for winter. I find both together is now about right for spring/autumn, and in winter I have another whole duvet on top.

I absolutely cannot get to sleep if I am too cold, but when that happens, I find socks and a hat work wonders. Especially the hat (or scarf over head, or other head covering). I discovered the hat strategy in a tent on Exmoor on a freezing cold D of E expedition when I was about 16, and have only had to use it 3 or 4 times since, mainly when staying in other people's houses where fetching extra covers in the middle of the night wasn't possible, but it's absolutely magic.

Peonie

Hi Lois, we bought from Ikea the all season duvets and like you it has 2 separate duvets with poppers. Like you I used to put extra items of clothing on; I still occasionally wear socks but I have been known to wear multiple layers. We bought a single summer weight duvet, again from Ikea; I sewed poppers onto it and the other duvets so it's permanently attached on my side in the autumn, winter and spring but the other duvets change.

I have not worn a hat in bed before but a do have a hoodie that's been very useful in bed before.

Years ago I picked up a relatively expensive duvet and even though it was a high tog it was the coldest year of my life; I could never get warm. If anyone is buying a new duvet I would recommend touching the fabric to see how naturally cold it is; the duvet fabric really makes a difference.

Peonie

Hello, I' have been lurking this week and reading everyone else's diaries.

We have a new window and door :j :j :j Plus we found a discount carpet shop and spent £29 on a lino remnant for the bathroom; another shop wanted £54 for a similar looking but smaller piece. Mr P fitted it so no fitting charges :beer:

I have a couple of special occasions to go to this year and there was finally a dress on ebay that I've wanted for 2 or 3 years and it was at a decent price; with 1 minute to go I was the highest bidder but was outbid with 6 seconds to go. Oh well, if I don't see it again I will have to be creative with the clothes I have and come up with something fabulous.

On the food front; the meat and potato pie was lovely, shockingly it's the first time I have made it, but Mr P did grumble about the portion size whereas I saw it as an opportunity to eat more vegetables. I may have to start using larger sized jars to work out the portion sizes.

We had Bolognese one night this week and made 3 extra meals worth which are in the freezer.

Last week I went food shopping and tried very hard to stick to the list, I did quite well, and spent £103 which should last 2-3 weeks. This included £4 on tea bags for work and maybe £6 on pouches of cat food. The bill was that high as I bought extra of food like tinned tomatoes if they were discounted.

So far this month we have not ate out, if you exclude lunch at work, and it's really showing in the bank account. I've tried to make an effort and had homemade sandwiches at work a few times; plus I think not eating out and more homemade meals is helping me to lose a bit of weight so it's a win win.

I've been paid :T

Confession time, I thought more Olympic tickets were going on sale this month so I earmarked £200 in case we get any; they only go on sale in a few months so I've moved the £200 into the ISA instead and have updated the ol' signature.

Peonie

Today has been productive; we have partially dug the foundations for the new utility/cloakroom; painted some woodwork in the bath/toilet room; cooked soup for lunch tomorrow and for work on Monday; meal planned for the next week; moved some more loft boards into the attic and took cardboard to the local recycling point.

To do: finish digging the foundations.

The windows in the bath/cloakroom are varnished and do not suit the room; as we won't be changing them anytime soon I'm thinking about painting them but can't be bothered sanding the varnish off.

We have at least 1 set of overnight visitors next month so I washed the mattress protector and duvet today in anticipation and the duvet has not fared too well. I may have forced it into the machine a little too harshly and it has ripped and some of the wadding has come away. With the potential of sounding scummy the duvet has come out dirtier than it went in even though I do wipe the washing machine out regularly. Mr P thinks way may have to buy a new duvet - grrr.

Peonie

So we did not take the meat out the freezer in time for dinner meaning the meals in this week's meal plan need to be swapped around.

Today has been a decorating and building day again; making it a NSD.

coldcazzie

Peonie wrote: »

So we did not take the meat out the freezer in time for dinner meaning the meals in this week's meal plan need to be swapped around.

:rotfl: I'm so glad it's not just me that does that!! It happens so often that I actually felt proud of myself for remembering in time yesterday so we could have roast duck today!

I hope your week hasn't been throw completely out of whack by it; that it's not a sign of things to come.