Preparing for winter III

singlestep

bluebag wrote: »

I bet that now we are all prepared, shoveled up, yaktrakked, wellied and buried in dishwasher salt we will get half an inch of snow for two days

Just what my mother keeps saying to me :rotfl: Better safe than sorry, I suppose.

pigpen

bluebag wrote: »

I bet that now we are all prepared, shoveled up, yaktrakked, wellied and buried in dishwasher salt we will get half an inch of snow for two days, it would be just typical!

even that is too much.. hideous stuff!

BenjaG

My winter preparation consists in avoiding draft. I fill in all cracks between windows and walls and apply lots of foam on doors and windows and roll up old carpets in front of patio doors etc. Just kill the draft.

lizzyb1812

Ah, but it's all stuff that will last, except for small kids' stuff, and when we do get a bad winter all the stuff will be so much more expensive then so we can get away with calling it an investment. Just think how much you won't have to spend preparing for next winter

23rdspiral

trussa79 wrote: »

I am new to money saving expert forums and to the world of multi-fuel stoves! I have found the stove harder to get going that I expected! I have been recommended to use two handfulls of coal, light with a firelighter and some chopped up pallet wood. I have just ordered a 50kg bag of coal to be delivered - the price is £14.50 - is this reasonable? Any tips for getting the best heat out of the stove or where to get good deals on coal in Merseyside area are much appreciated. :-)

I'm desperately hoping for the new stove to be installed within the quoted 3 weeks... It's 2 now... Have been hobbling around for a month after impailing my foot, so havnt been able to go logging, so might need more coal:(

rising_from_the_ashes wrote: »

Well.... two pretty momentous steps have been taken today in my "preparing".....

1) The heating is on downsairs - couldn't hang on any longer, it's only got up to just over 5 deg outside at it's warmest today and the house got down to 11 deg:eek: - I can't move around to keep warm so ......

2) The winter towels have been brought out - the summer ones are defrosting along the top of the downstairs radiators after being flung around in the icy wind all day:) and I think they'll be heading into the cupboard until the spring.
...
I've got patio doors in the lounge which really let in the cold, the curtains are shut all day when I'm at work (so the dog doesn't get disturbed with what's happening outside) but they're open just now as I'm at home - sure this hasn't helped with trying to keep the house warm:mad:.

But, I don't think I could handle them being shut all day when I'm here as it'd be really depressing:( mmmmmm not sure how to solve that one!:huh:

hi rising, congrats on the prep :j we've got patio doors in the dining room which has double doors to living room. I've the same dilemma re light CS cold. I've put up floor length lined curtains, but 1 of the doors double glazing is smashed so olny single, and I've no idea what I can do.

tiff wrote: »

I bought Snow trax in Asda today for a Christmas present, and they were nearly all gone too. Bought them for my BIL who is a courier, self employed and out in all weathers.

Thanks I might get them for OH.

jamanda

Pigpen - re kitchen rugs

I have two runners in my kitchen which look like normal carpet but are rubber backed and there is about an inch of rubber around the edges (and scrubbable thank goodness). I got them a couple of years ago from B&Q. I can't remember how much they were - not as cheap as we would like I don't think, but they are excellent quality and fit for purpose. Stops your feet freezing to the tiles and don't skid across the floor. I think these are one of my best winter preps to date.

thethriftyone_2

If you have trickle vents on your windows, make sure they're shut! I moved into my flat in the summer and only realised they were open in February, by which time we endured months of poor electric heaters battling the draught! Also consider an oil heater, often more effective than rubbish modern new-build heaters.

tugrin

thrifty - do you have experience of oil heaters? I have been considering one so Im not so dependent on electricity, but only remember eally old school smelly things from my distant youth.

saverholic

D&DD wrote: »

I've broken in my new hiking boots over the last few weeks might be worth adding to your list if you have new boots for the winter..you don't want to be trying to walk too far in new ones if the weather suddenly turns,or do I just have puny feet

^^ I treat myself to a new pair of boots at the weekend (I've been searching for the perfect pair for years and finally found a pair I liked), OMG they hurt! They are really sturdy leather and so are rubbing my ankles raw. Will be worth it when they are broken in.


Snow shovels ---- know people are saying that Asda's stocks are getting low. I was at Homebase the other day and they were selling snow shovels that had a metal tip for £9 if that helps anyone.

boultdj

saverholic wrote: »

^^ I treat myself to a new pair of boots at the weekend (I've been searching for the perfect pair for years and finally found a pair I liked), OMG they hurt! They are really sturdy leather and so are rubbing my ankles raw. Will be worth it when they are broke in

A tip for softening leather,go to a sport's shop and get a pot/tube of dubbin, normal near football boot's,you don't need much but make sure it all soak's in.hth.