Preparedness for when

ALIBOBSY

maryb wrote: »

When you look at things like the payback period on energy saving measures, don't look at the headline figure. Instead, think of it as an index linked return on your savings to the extent it reduces your expenditure. Much better than annuity rates. It works if you are in a place that you won't need to/want to move from - it's different if you think you might want to sell

We are thinking that we will never be in a position to move to a bigger house anytime soon, so are looking to maximise the current house we are in and hopefully clear what's left of the mortgage asap. The more the fuel prices rise the more a log burning stove looks a good investment.
We have done the loft and wall insulation, draft excluders etc.

Now OH is working as a volunteer woodland worker and could source some free wood as well as some cheap logs through them as well as doing gardening so again being able to source cheap wood, the stove looks more and more attractive.

We have a area by the shed which could become a wood store and plenty of opportunity for free and cheap sources of wood. It's just that initial outlay.

I have passed the initial stages for an internet assessor with Lionbridge (you can see the thread on the up your income board if you are interested lol). Will start the exams tomorrow and hopefully if I pass can earn the extra we need to get the things do we want to to maximise where we are.

Ideally we would 1)finish the kitchen, we got reclaimed doors/fronts from freegle and cut them down/fitted them ourselves with the addition of some bargain handles from wicks. Got tile paint and just need new kick boards and worktops and its finished so say £200 max plus our time.
2) Convert garage to a forth bedroom for our eldest who is nearly 16, we will do a lot of the work ourselves or get BIL in (not the one who was ill earlier this year btw) who is a builder/bricklayer by trade so we reckon can do for around 2-3k max.
3)Move second eldest to her own room and put littlest out of our room to share with her sister (so 10 yr old gets her own room and the 3 and 5 yr old share), so need a new single bed and some d!cor which we do ourselves, so around £100 max.
4) finally get a woodburning stove fitted in the main living/dining room, would require a new chimney as none in our modern house, already had old gas fire blocked off and removed and its on an outside wall so we reckon 2-3 k fitted all in-we hope.

So in total if I can raise around 6k we can do everything and get the house perfect for us, ALOT less than moving lol.

So if I can pass the exam and hit say 500-600 a month we can get everything we would wish for in the next 12 months, well that's the plan of attack anyway lol. Not a huge wishlist really and I suppose some would laugh at such a modest "dream". But other than wanting some more land we are happy with the area we live in. Good schools, not too expensive, low crime rates, near to parentals and family on both sides, semi rural so good local farm shops and plenty of foraging, but not so far out we can't use the big store when we need to.

BTW What does it say about our lifestyles and parenting that DD2 (age 5 nearly 6) was off sick today and was lay on the sofa this afternoon watching TV. What made me laugh was she had stuck the discovery channel on and was watching some kind of survival/travel through the wilderness to and extraction point programme lol. The way she seriously pronounced that that they needed a fire quick to warm up the guy who went in the water after doing some rafting made me chuckle.

Ali x

greenbee

GreyQueen wrote: »

After nearly 2 years on iron tablets I now have a haemoglobin count of 14.2. Much improved on the measly 9 I used to have. Yayyyyyy! Ferratin still pretty low at 49 tho, in the lowest part of the normal range (upper normal being 500). I'm to be tested again in 6 months.

Well done on getting your iron levels going up. My ferritin went down below 15, they got it back up to 150 in three months (taking just below the toxic dose daily...) and it's been steadily dropping ever since. Back down to 40 and your post reminded me to check - definitely have symptoms: poor concentration; leg pain; headache; tinnitus; reflux/choking; fatigue; grumpiness...

Guess I'd better start taking the tablets again!

[Deleted User]

ALI it's a wonderful vision of a dream love, not anything to laugh over, more something to hold up in inspiration as others might not have your drive to achieve it but, with you and yours as an example to follow, they might just have the confidence to try it themselves!!! Your home, made the way you want it with your own efforts doing the making, oh yes, it doesn't get any better than that, wonderful stuff!!! Lyn xxx.

VJsmum

THing is, surely it's better to dream of the achievable than the completely risible? I think it sounds like a lovely plan.

I would love a wood burner but at the moment it just isn't achievable without a major garden alteration. I know that sounds odd but when we extended our house to the side, we put in a narrow path to the gate and there isn't room on that end wall to put a chimney or even a flue, so we would have to demolish a retaining wall and dig back the raised bed in order to do it.

We will probably leave here within 5 years anyway so I guess it isn't worth it for us - will certainly be a consideration in our next house though.

fuddle

I'll be looking into a solar light or two in the future. Lyn will my nearest Ikea be Southampton? To have solar lamps while the kiddies are up and about and then move onto a jar candle or two while DH and I relax of an evening. I know it may not be much in monetary saving but it's something I can buy and invest in when I have the spare cash as opposed to adding to an electric bill.

We've already spoken about not heating the house for any longer than 30 mins morning and evening and try to fit all the evening ablutions in while that heat is on.

The answer for us all has to be use less energy and it's going to take a hit in the pocket for people to pull back.

Was the Ikea solar lamp called sunnan?

pineapple

Well I am downsizing with fuel costs and maintenance in mind. It will have to be something very small as my cottage is already tiny!
So the last few weeks have been about clearing clutter, repairs etc. I suppose I could do a car boot sale or Ebay but I've been procrastinating about this for ages and just got to the stage where I need to do something about it now! :mad:
So friends, neighbours, Sue Ryder and the local tip have been the recipients of my ill gotten gains. Once I got over the hurdle of getting rid of something that I've been about to wear/use for the last 10 years, it got easier and I'm still going .
It does go against one's natural prepper instincts I suppose. On the other hand, it does help focus on what is important and actually necessary. :T

fuddle

pineapple I have been packing for weeks and at the point now where we're living quite comfortably with the bare bones. I'm ashamed to say that I still have too much stuff that is not really needed. It's certainly an eye opener.

Wyre

ALIBOBSY wrote: »

2) Convert garage to a forth bedroom for our eldest who is nearly 16, we will do a lot of the work ourselves or get BIL in (not the one who was ill earlier this year btw) who is a builder/bricklayer by trade so we reckon can do for around 2-3k max.

Is it complicated getting change of use to living space for a garage? My Mum has a garage attached to the front of the kitchen which is really only used as a hoarding area. For years she and Dad were contemplating changing it to a bedroom or other living area but were put off due to paperwork. If it's easy I may talk to her about it again as she would love more downstairs space.

[Deleted User]

Wyre wrote: »

Let's not forget the Fallen Madonna with the big boobies! I loved that show as a kid.

I think it was an excuse for the, incredibly lovely, Kim Hartman to take off half of her clothes, on a regular (say every other episode) basis.

[Deleted User]

FUDDLE I think it most likely is the closest, the bigger one is in Bristol and that is massive. Check online to see if they have the lamps in at them moment as last time I went I didn't see any solar lighting at all in the lamps and lighting department, Lyn xxx.

Yes the lamp is called SUNNAN.