Preparing for winter III

abwsco

melanzana wrote: »

My word, you are all so organised!

But it is only 2nd July folks. Enjoy the Summer, such as it is, and chill out a bit, September/October surely would be time enough for all this forward planning!

But whatever floats your boats I suppose!

One reason for prepping early is the bargains to be had and also spreading out the expense. Well is in my case anyway:)

Winter boots bought May '11 for £25 that normally retail for £100+ Snow shovels at under £3. An electric blanket for £25 instead of £50+ Cheap fleeces and blankets.........

Rainy-Days

abwsco wrote: »

One reason for prepping early is the bargains to be had and also spreading out the expense. Well is in my case anyway:)

Winter boots bought May '11 for £25 that normally retail for £100+ Snow shovels at under £3. An electric blanket for £25 instead of £50+ Cheap fleeces and blankets.........

You have summed it up perfectly Abwsco. Last year in August I only just managed to get a complete set of flannette sheets and pillow cases because the lot had sold out at every John Lewis and none was to be had online. I also spray protect all of my suede boots as well during the summer because I can do it outside and leave them to dry naturally (when we have a decent day that is) outside without getting gassed out from the fumes that stuff gives off. Allot of my final prepping is washing and drying clothes. Having got all the big stuff out of the way before hand such as ordering in coal and wood at summer prices and in the case of the wood they just dump the lot on your driveway and I have to cart it round the back and stack it up in the log store. That takes me a few hours!

For most of us we like to space things out according to our budget. Next have their Offers online still and are selling gloves, scarves and winter snow boots well reduced - even now. So yes it does make good sense to pick up bits and bobs. In 2009 I recall very clearly that the snow came the last week of October and boy was it cold. Even now the summer is not very good so at least I am not flapping around at the last couple of weeks trying to get stuff done. If, as happened last year, we get a couple of nice weeks in October it is nce to be able to sit back and know that everything is done and in it's place and enjoy the last blast of heat from a waning summer sun.

The last thing I want to be doing is trudging around the shops in the cold and rain or even snow getting stuff in for winter and paying full price. I had everything to hand last year, everything was done and it was so nice to drive home on a Friday afternoon after work knowing that I didn't have to go shopping and have a ruddy great list of jobs. I had time to spend with the dogs, horses and DH and that to me is very precious indeed especially so when I don't really like shopping very much.

Uniscots97

For those that can't get the Tesco cheap fleeces B&M Bargains do a similar sized fleece (ribbed pattern) in cream, orange, teal, green and white for £2.49. I bought mine in Penrith. I had looked in Blackpool but they had sold out.

For those that want to keep the bulk down in their cars you can get the aluminium sheet blankets. Most of the pound shops have them and I did (when I had to abandon the car and walk home), wrap one of these around my body underneath my coat before setting off home in heavy snow. They take up little room and for those taking public transport could be carried as an extra layer if you needed to walk an increased distance home.

amiehall

I'm not really prepping on purpose but I got a great bargain on an electric blanket in asda yesterday. £12.50 down from £45! Hopefully keep my bed nice and toasty in the winter.

singlestep

melanzana wrote: »

My word, you are all so organised!

But it is only 2nd July folks. Enjoy the Summer, such as it is, and chill out a bit, September/October surely would be time enough for all this forward planning!

But whatever floats your boats I suppose!

Absolutely. Each to their own. I prepare for the good weather as well as the bad and, knowing I can spend a few minutes and a couple of pounds each week towards winter preparations, I can enjoy my summer all the more and spend the money saved on heating/treats in the winter. Many goods useful in winter are better value at this time of year and, as others have mentioned, it helps people to plan. I've had loads of great tips on this thread and long may it continue!

Rainy-Days

Next online have snuggle boots on half price for £6.00 in all sizes worth getting those at that price.

http://offers.next.co.uk/search?p=Q&w=*&cnt=16&nxti=0&nxtv=000&isort=publication&sale=OFFERS&pfg=03tyu3er5&images=on&af=cat%3Awomenswear+sub%3Aslippers+si%3Alarge&div=womenswear&group=slippers&size=large&price=

happytails

unixgirluk wrote: »

For those that can't get the Tesco cheap fleeces B&M Bargains do a similar sized fleece (ribbed pattern) in cream, orange, teal, green and white for £2.49. I bought mine in Penrith. I had looked in Blackpool but they had sold out.

Are you local to Blackpool Unixgirluk? I only ask as we live in Blackpool Well a few miles north.

Just upgraded my phone, new phone but £5 cheaper a month and ill get £220 cashback on my old one :j Planning on saving £100 of that cashback for winter food shopping etc, £100 on the CC and £20 spends Happy Happytails!

Today is another no spend day so i plan on sorting/prepping the house in any way i can. Thinking of measuring hallway window and making some curtains for the window this evening And i need to find my lovely winter hat, i bought it in the sale in January but i cant find it anywhere I remember it being in the car last but i cant find it. Will be gutted if its fell out and blown away at some point!

prepareathome

Picked up the fleeces last night from Tescos, got to admit nice quality, not as thin as others I have bought in past and size is good - colours I ended up with 4 Pink, 3 turquoise ( which I adore), 3 grey. Just ordered another couple for me and for an elderly friend who just told about using them as curtain lining so Tescos must have plenty of them. I think i should have enough now and still got fleeces from last year plus my great charity shop bargain - one of those real snuggle blankets really, really thick fleece, still all packed up unopened that I picked up for £2. I had bought a cheaper version and by golly when got the real one realised how different it was.

Oh on water front - you can ask your water supplier how long they think their water will last to be drinkable - I mean supplier of water out of tap or do what I did and had a word with local Mormons as part of their religion is to have a years supply of food and water to hand always. I found them very helpful when it came to food storage questions and no they didn't try and convert me at all - mind you I only stayed in contact for short time while I asked a few questions.

Rainy-Days

Nearly forgot to mention about the part baked baguettes and rolls. I bought a few packs in last year from Aldi and we used them through the winter with a bowl of soup. I know some of you had also done the same. So if you are freezer stocking don't forgot these as they are worth getting in.

annie123

Who sells the softest, warmest, snugglest (should be a word;)) fleece blanket?

It's for my mum who is elderly, to put over herself during the day.
One of those fleece things with sleeves is no good as she's short now and following a stroke has limited movement.
She loves her fleece dressing gown but it's not practical during the day.

Ikea ones not soft/snuggly enough.