How to fall in love with saving money

Yorkie1

Just read through this thread and you're all doing really well:T

I found this post by a forum regular quite useful in looking at the different 'types' of savings:
http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showpost.php?p=63108027&postcount=5

cathybird

WantToBeSE wrote: »

Morning All

i am at my sisters house for the weekend, house sitting for her. Instead of buying lots of food while we are here, i worked out our mealplan for the weekend and bought everything with us from our house, so i shouldnt have to spend any £ on food.

it's my sisters b'day on Sunday, so i am going to buy her a snood from fatface and leave it here for when she comes back. Thats the only spend this weekend, about £20.

Morning WantToBeSE!! Good strategy on the food. I admire your motivation given your recent setbacks with the migraine Nice idea on the snood too

cathybird

Yorkie1 wrote: »

Just read through this thread and you're all doing really well:T

I found this post by a forum regular quite useful in looking at the different 'types' of savings:
http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showpost.php?p=63108027&postcount=5

Thanks, Yorkie1 - that's actually a very useful table.

atush

cathybird wrote: »

I have Crittall windows, which are not double-glazed - they are original 1930s windows. My house for good or ill is in a conservation area and I couldn't replace them without getting like for like. I wouldn't mind getting double-glazed Crittalls, which the company still makes, but it would cost £30 grand to do the whole house, because they are not cheap. As it happens, I love the windows and the fact that they are original to the house - it is one of the main reasons I bought the house. I could consider secondary glazing in the winter though. It's something I've not really looked into enough.

I don't keep many lights on in the house at night either and have eco bulbs in the ones I do use. Don't possess a tumble drier and only do full loads of washing. I do have an oven but am a hugely keen cook so could not live without it. I also (mostly) dress warmly in the house including sheepskin boots to keep my feet warm.

I suspect in fact the weakest link in my house and habits is the Crittalls.

Crittals are notorious- something you can look to avoid in your next place lol.

If you dont own, don't replace. If you do *(as in your case) you can get the retrofitted.

Consider your options (you have a few). I would, at least, for this winter use secondary double glazing. Your comfort and heating bill will be much better.

Eco_Miser

cathybird wrote: »

I suspect in fact the weakest link in my house and habits is the Crittalls.

Metal frames, the heat flows straight through the wall. At the very least get thick curtains.

Otherwise, you do seem to be fairly energy efficient.

115K

Getting double glazing and having the attic insulated has made a massive difference to our house. Downstairs is still chilly when it's cold though as we have a cat flap which was fitted badly so it sticks open.:mad:

I was trying to find a way to insulate the cat flap actually. I need to make a homemade draft excluder for the kitchen porch door too.

cathybird

atush wrote: »

Crittals are notorious- something you can look to avoid in your next place lol.

If you dont own, don't replace. If you do *(as in your case) you can get the retrofitted.

Consider your options (you have a few). I would, at least, for this winter use secondary double glazing. Your comfort and heating bill will be much better.

I like it here though, and don't plan to move at any time in the foreseeable future - this is my ♥forever house♥, as far as I am concerned, unless I decide to move out of London when I retire. I also love the windows. and hate curtains!! :eek: The blinds I have across them do seem to help with keeping out draughts. I do need to look into secondary glazing. Otherwise I suspect heating will always cost me just too much.

I could put curtains in both sets of bay windows at the front of the house just for the winter - I have venetians just for privacy, but they're no good for keeping out cold.

cathybird

115K wrote: »

Getting double glazing and having the attic insulated has made a massive difference to our house. Downstairs is still chilly when it's cold though as we have a cat flap which was fitted badly so it sticks open.:mad:

I was trying to find a way to insulate the cat flap actually. I need to make a homemade draft excluder for the kitchen porch door too.

Worth replacing the cat flap altogether perhaps? ... Or refitting it at least?

I need to look into the homemade draft excluder option meself - there are bad drafts from both front and back doors (which does not help).

PippiShortsock

cathybird wrote: »

I could put curtains in both sets of bay windows at the front of the house just for the winter - I have venetians just for privacy, but they're no good for keeping out cold.

My grandparents used to have a thick curtain behind the front door, let alone in the windows! I think we forget some of the methods of keeping warm which pre-date double glazing and central heating. Instead, I have a broken letter box which allows full access to any passing gale-force wind . I do have a draught excluder - but it's split in two and the cat keeps on dragging it away from the door to play with it. Fortunately I'm happy with my flat being at 19 degrees, so my energy bills are still quite modest.

cathybird

PippiShortsock wrote: »

My grandparents used to have a thick curtain behind the front door, let alone in the windows! I think we forget some of the methods of keeping warm which pre-date double glazing and central heating. Instead, I have a broken letter box which allows full access to any passing gale-force wind . I do have a draught excluder - but it's split in two and the cat keeps on dragging it away from the door to play with it. Fortunately I'm happy with my flat being at 19 degrees, so my energy bills are still quite modest.

Cats, always such helpful critters :beer: