What else to save the pennies?

Danni-R

Please may I have a copy of the cookbook too :-)
Many thanks!

iris

drinkupretty wrote: »

This thread is useful but making me feel guilty as heck we spend around £20 a week on our leccy meter and there are only 2 of us! We have no boiler though so our hot water comes from the immersion heater which is pricey to run.
We are in debt with the gas, I have queried the massive bills we keep getting as we only have a gas fire and a gas hob! Any ideas how I can get the gas usage way down even in winter? (gas fire and electric heaters are our only source of warmth as no central heating)

Can't help with suggestions re gas, as we have oil central heating.

There are just 2 of us and we are retired so at home 24/7 and our electric is £37 per month (and we are in credit).

We run a DW and WM, but no TD. I only wash when the weather is OK and hang it outside and if necessary finish it off in the airing cupboard. We have an electric oven and hob (I have a slow cooker which I use a lot). We have 2 TVs and 3 laptops (one is on 24/7). We only have showers.

This time of year we only have our water heating on for 30 mins am and 30 mins pm. We find this is enough for washing up and showers etc. How long do you have your immersion heater on for? Try cutting the time down until it suits your needs, also turn the thermostat down (if you need to add cold water to the hot water then the thermostat is too high).

Can you replace your electric meter with an ordinary credit meter and pay direct debit, which is much cheaper and go paperless.

Don't know what else to suggest, except try reading your meter every day at the same time to try and sort out where all the electric is going.

jackel

Please could I have a copy of the cookbook ? Another OAP. Money gets more of a worry each time we shop - Wholemeal flour was up 10p (1.5kg) in Tes. this week(use 2)
Thanks for all the tips and I'd really appreciate the book.jac xx

PhGage

drinkupretty wrote: »

we only have a gas fire and a gas hob! Any ideas how I can get the gas usage way down even in winter?

Is it practical for you to use a modern haybox for some of your cooking to reduce the fuel bills for that?

I'm seriously considering making wall hangings and window quilts to reduce my winter fuel usage.

seabright

rigsby1967 wrote: »

Well i got a reply about the job interview i went for....i didn't get it....i'm well annoyed as ive been working their as a volunteer for the last 7 years and for the past 4 years for 3 Sundays in August i MANAGE the blooming place and they tell me someone with more experience got the job, my manager even gave me a glowing reference......well maybe i'll start my dream of having my own business and tell them where to go, this is the 2nd interview ive had with them and both times turned down......i'm good enough to be the unpaid skivvy but not good enough to be paid for my time!:mad::mad:

I think you should ask for feedback on the interview, see if they have anything constructive to say. I would also, constructively, point out that you are essentially doing the work for free at present and haven't (I assume) been told that you are doing anything wrong or need to improve in any areas.

Do it quickly, while there is a chance they will reconsider.

[Deleted User]

I use a tumble dryer, I think this is part of the issue. I have just gone out and got an airer so I can use the dryer less so this should help. My tariff for the prepayment meter is with Ebico so it's a cheap tariff compared with many. I don't want to go to DD payments as I am terrified of us racking up more debt. At least with prepay I know its paid. I have incorporated more slow cooker meals into next weeks meal plan. I only heat water with the immersion for 30 mins a day if I need it (for washing up, showers ect) OH has once or twice put it on to have a bath, then fallen asleep in his chair and forgot! so it has been on all night before now! Not a regular occurrence I am relieved to add. We have a PC which is always on (screen gets turned off when not in use) and laptop plus the TV which is on a lot. I am trying to do without TV when I can but I am off uni at the moment and my job doesn't start for a few weeks so need something to occupy myself.

Disdisbiff

Would someone be kind enough to PM me the misers cook book as well.
TIA
Biff

Alton_Towers

Could someone send me the misers cookbook to please? Thankyou very much x

Loving all the tips!

Winchelsea

I don't have DDs for my electricity or gas. I do it the old fashioned way - use it with care, then pay the bill that comes every 3 months. I used to have DDs, but they always set them at higher than my actual usage. I would get the overpaid money back eventually, but meanwhile they were earning interest on MY money! So while it is slightly cheaper with a DD, I seem to be paying less than most people.

Can't remember my payments off hand, but I am very careful, and read the meters every Monday with i-measure. I'm currently using 0.1 units of gas per week (gas hob only, obviously higher in winter with the CH), and about 18-20 units of electricity. And that's it. Granted, I live on my own, but it was not that much more when DH was here. Knowing I'm going to read the meters focusses my mind on being careful.

I bake all my bread, and don't buy ready-made stuff, but NEVER switch on my big oven, unless I have family here and cook several dishes all at once. I have a combination microwave, which cooks two loaves, and a Remoska, which will do one loaf, or, any one of lots of other different dishes. I always use my WM on 30 degrees these days, and have not noticed any change in the outcome.

I have solar reading lamps, and they are happily charging on the window sills at this moment. I always use one for reading in bed. And if I'm on the laptop in the evening I use one focussed on the keyboard and switch off the electric lights.

My CH goes on in the winter, but not automatically. I switch it on when I get cold, and off again about 45 mins before I get ready for bed.

All these savings mean I can afford to have lots of outings (which are all managed frugally of course!) So I have a good life!

415SanFran

PhGage wrote: »

I'm seriously considering making wall hangings and window quilts to reduce my winter fuel usage.

Window quilts make a HUGE difference in the winter!
My bathroom and has a gail force wind coming through it. It was the first one I made for this house they all have them now, apart from the front room.
I have also made a little money making them for children's rooms to match a quilt. Because as well as keeping out the cold they also stop the morning light waking up small children with the sparrows!