Preparing for Winter V

Eenymeeny

I don't know if this suggestion would be useful but it works for me.
I keep all scarves, hats, gloves etc. in a nice, winter- themed bag for life. It stands tidily in the wardrobe during the summer and adds to my winter hall decoration as the temperature drops!

Witless

I'm not happy about the way fuel prices are rising.

I normally use approx 2000 litres of oil per year.

Last purchase was 23/11/17 @ 39.87p.

Today was 50.56p: I bought 1000 litres and will get another top up in June / July.

I may have bought before a 'fall' but as I said in the prepping thread I intend being as comfortable as possible so it's a chance I'm prepared to take.

mardatha

I wonder what prices of heating oil and coal will be this winter...

[Deleted User]

If we make the move we're hoping to make my biggest expense to prepare for this coming winter will be a multi fuel stove installation in the new house and until we find local sources of wood that we can process, season and use to run it on we'll have to buy in logs. We put our winter fuel allowance to just that use so I wonder how much seasoned firewood has gone up also?

Witless

It was 49.9p on Tuesday.

If my maths is correct the rise from Nov 17 to May 18 was 26.7%.

Witless

Coal seems to be up about 50p per 25 kilos if buying multiples of 5, individual bags are up 95p. I didn't buy any from Mar to Sep last year, looks like the same this year as I've about 4 x 25kg left, doubles & rough slack.

Witless

MrsLurcherwalker wrote: »

I wonder how much seasoned firewood has gone up also?

Not too bad round here at the moment (though mine is free)

2 Cubic Metre Kiln Dried Hardwood – Birch 10!!!8243;/250mm
£265.00

Lucy5781

Personally didn't feel a lot of the cold over the winter as I was pregnant and boiling hot the whole time. DH no longer working outdoors so he's no worry either and next winter DS will be two and moving to a big bed as his new little sister will need the cot by October. Then I'll be worrying about both of them getting cold at night in the back bedroom.

RebeccaAnn

Sorry, I am going to be a complete pain and ask for lots of advise/lots of questions. I have been reading through the posts and learning so much. Should say that I was bought up in a new build and my parents were well off, we never had hot water bottles or extra blankets. My mother also never cooked from scratch, all convenience food.

We have massively overspent on gas and electric last winter. We now have a massive debt (massive to us!) to pay off. I would love a wood burner and to make other improvements but we live in a rental . Next winter we will be having to cut back majorly and I am trying to get organised now. My slow cooker recently packed up so I will need a new one, we need a curtain to cover the front door (I have searched the charity shops for the last few months but not found anything), new flannelette sheets, gloves, hats. pjs etc.

Does anyone know of a list that I could use as a template of things to buy, check or fix? I really don't want to wait until the last minute, I would rather be prepared.

Does anyone know where there are any sales on now, any recommendations or know if aldi/lidl have sheets etc on sale at a certain time of year?

We have a few window that let in a draught, I have seen this furry tape type stuff that I assume plugs gaps. Does this work? Any ideas for the cheapest window coverings,we currently have curtains but they are not thick even though they are lined? I looked into blackout blinds but some of the windows are large and this would be expensive. I can sew and own a sewing machine but we only have limited funds.

Thank you to anyone who has read this far I'm sure I have missed out or not thought about lots of important stuff. Any advise would be really appreciated.

Lucy5781

RebeccaAnn wrote: »

Sorry, I am going to be a complete pain and ask for lots of advise/lots of questions. I have been reading through the posts and learning so much. Should say that I was bought up in a new build and my parents were well off, we never had hot water bottles or extra blankets. My mother also never cooked from scratch, all convenience food.

We have massively overspent on gas and electric last winter. We now have a massive debt (massive to us!) to pay off. I would love a wood burner and to make other improvements but we live in a rental . Next winter we will be having to cut back majorly and I am trying to get organised now. My slow cooker recently packed up so I will need a new one, we need a curtain to cover the front door (I have searched the charity shops for the last few months but not found anything), new flannelette sheets, gloves, hats. pjs etc.

Does anyone know of a list that I could use as a template of things to buy, check or fix? I really don't want to wait until the last minute, I would rather be prepared.

Does anyone know where there are any sales on now, any recommendations or know if aldi/lidl have sheets etc on sale at a certain time of year?

We have a few window that let in a draught, I have seen this furry tape type stuff that I assume plugs gaps. Does this work? Any ideas for the cheapest window coverings,we currently have curtains but they are not thick even though they are lined? I looked into blackout blinds but some of the windows are large and this would be expensive. I can sew and own a sewing machine but we only have limited funds.

Thank you to anyone who has read this far I'm sure I have missed out or not thought about lots of important stuff. Any advise would be really appreciated.

Before now I've safety pinned or used cheap shower curtain rings to put cheap fleece blankets behind curtains for extra insulation whilst in a rental flat.