Getting through the austerity in an Old Style, practical way.

fuddle

So we have the 'supporting each other through very tough times' thread. A thread that is such a support emotionally in these times. It's a place we go to let off steam, to share our woes, to talk about the awful things that are happening nationally and even to ourselves.

I wondered if it would be ok to have a chat thread that enabled us to only talk about how we're getting through these times.A practical thread, a thread full of knowledge.

It might seem a bit daft to have another thread but sometimes I worry that we get so bogged down with the worry of it all in the 'tough' threads that we have lost a valuable resource in sharing hints, tips and ideas. It would be lovely to get that resource back... a place that we could check into and think that's a good idea, i'll do that without having to read through a lot of upsetting things that maybe we aren't quite strong enough to read?

It's just an idea. I will not at all mind if it's moved or deleted. I just wanted to try to get the resource back of the old days tougher threads before it actually got so darned tough!

FrugalFranny

Great idea!

:T

My tip: "Bubble glazing"

I can't recommend this enough as it means I still don't have me heating on even now.
I didn't use the 'stick it to the window by wetting it' method alone, I also taped around the edges with gaffer tape to ensure a good seal.

---

1.Basically cut it to size, wet it so it sticks to the window right up to the edges and over the window frame as well to just over the outer frame attached to the bricks is (this will make a good seal for 'leaky' windows)

2.Use a strong tape, I used gaffer tape but this make look ugly to some, ordinary sticky tapes should work, just use enough of it.

3.Keep an eye on things incase something starts to grow under it (not happened to mine tho) and don't forget to air the house when/if you can to keep any damp down. One window at each end of the house has ordinary sticky tape half way down so that they can be opened for airing, and make sure your boiler is up to scratch before you seal yourself in. I'd recommend a cheap detector like this one:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Honeywell-H450EN-carbon-monoxide-detector/dp/B003BNNZTQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1354128704&sr=8-1

Or these:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Manor-Carbon-Monoxide-Detector-2/dp/B001J9GHKS/ref=sr_1_7?s=kitchen&ie=UTF8&qid=1354128793&sr=1-7

If you're not using Amazon (the tax evasion issue) don't worry, these were just examples and you'll be able to buy them direct from sellers or at a good D.I.Y store.

[Deleted User]

wd fuddle
re hob kettles and the one I posted about. I cannot actually find it on amazon any more or even on circulon. I have managed to find it in red and have ordered one to put away for when my present one pops its clogs as I fear it might well be discontinued. I love the kettel and I love the extra space on my worktop by not having an electric kettle. I had mine for two years now and it could well keep going for many years yet. It also works on induction hobs, like mine
https://www.designercookshop.co.uk/gifts/1944-circulon-whistling-kettle.htm

Re it being os, well there is less metal and less mass so it will not be absorbing as much heat before it heats the water inside

Butterfly_Brain

The best thing that we have done is building a large stock cupboard and filling the freezer with as much meat and veg as we can afford to help weather the storm of rising prices and benefit cuts next year.
I also have made door curtains for the front and back doors and lined all of the others with cheap fleece blankets from Ikea.
We are saving hard to have a multi-fuel stove installed, having the double glazing done this year wiped most of our savings.
We also want to try to have enough money put by to cover the mortgage and bills for at least six months.

fuddle

Thank you FrugalFranny Bubble glazing :rotfl: I have used it myself on the toilet window and really does help, especially when the north wind does blow.

Kittie that's the discussion's I'm having with DH at the moment about whether to invest in a stove top kettle or not. He said it will take more time to heat the water using gas so any savings would be wiped out. Interesting point about the kettles being made of thinner material. Thank you.

[Deleted User]

It`s all about mass and specific heat capacity fuddle. It will use less energy provided you keep the flame compact enough to not go outside the kettle. It does save a lot of space as well when the worktop is not so big, like mine

HariboJunkie

fuddle wrote: »

Thank you FrugalFranny Bubble glazing :rotfl: I have used it myself on the toilet window and really does help, especially when the north wind does blow.

Kittie that's the discussion's I'm having with DH at the moment about whether to invest in a stove top kettle or not. He said it will take more time to heat the water using gas so any savings would be wiped out. Interesting point about the kettles being made of thinner material. Thank you.

Someone did calculations for usage comparisons on the utilities board once and I think there was very little difference but it depends on the kettle and the stove. I replaced my electric kettle years ago for a cast iron stove top one. My main thinking was that OH would put the kettle on, walk away come back and it had boiled and cooled down so he'd boil it again and wander off again. This could happen several times a day. With the whistling stove top one he has to come when it whistles or it will boil dry.

He makes upwards of 10 cups of coffee a day with it and both my ovens are gas (our only gas usage in the house) and our gas bill is £10 a month. The elctricity bill is another matter. :rotfl:

Also we have a woodburner so the kettle can be kept warm on there between boilings but OH forgets to do this.....

[Deleted User]

you probably can`t beat an aluminium kettle standing on a coal fired aga but yes keeping a kettle on a wood burner is the best way.

Fuddle I had a large heavy electric kettle in my head and thinking more about thermal mass and conductivity, then probably a small plastic kettle is best at saving the pennies as the heat will not be lost to the air

cutestkids

HariboJunkie wrote: »

Someone did calculations for usage comparisons on the utilities board once and I think there was very little difference but it depends on the kettle and the stove. I replaced my electric kettle years ago for a cast iron stove top one. My main thinking was that OH would put the kettle on, walk away come back and it had boiled and cooled down so he'd boil it again and wander off again. This could happen several times a day. With the whistling stove top one he has to come when it whistles or it will boil dry.

He makes upwards of 10 cups of coffee a day with it and both my ovens are gas (our only gas usage in the house) and our gas bill is £10 a month. The elctricity bill is another matter. :rotfl:

Also we have a woodburner so the kettle can be kept warm on there between boilings but OH forgets to do this.....

I could have written this as my OH is exactly the same, not only does he always fill the kettle to the top regardless of me telling him to just use enough for the drinks he is making he then does the same boils it wanders off comes back boils it again, he did it 6 times the other day for one cup of coffee, I was ready to throttle him :rotfl:


Great Idea for a thread by the way FUDDLE. :beer:

fuddle

It's not my idea unfortunately. Far too many good OSer's had the idea before me. I just felt OSer's needed a place to read hints and tips and discussions about how to make the OS pennies go further as that element has slowly been lost now it is blummin' tough.

cutestkids

fuddle wrote: »

It's not my idea unfortunately. Far too many good OSer's had the idea before me. I just felt OSer's needed a place to read hints and tips and discussions about how to make the OS pennies go further as that element has slowly been lost now it is blummin' tough.

I couldn't agree more especially at this time of year I seem to be forever opening my purse, it is hard enough all year round but this time of year there is a constant stream of letters from school and the kids clubs wanted a few pounds for this that and the other or donations to raffles etc.

Wish you could get seeds for a money tree :rotfl: