Preparing for Winter V

shoei

My waterproofing spray has arrived today.
I have never used it before but I have a number of old coats that are no longer waterproof so I'm going to give it a go!

[Deleted User]

I have ordered a pair of leather waterproof walking boots. I was particularly MSE because I used a site that sells out of season footwear.

Tink_04

Got such a shock yesterday and cannot believe I didn’t think of this for during lockdown !

I got a huge energy bill in which is pushing up the DD cost monthly, I need to find a way to keep the DD low and maybe do a one off payment to help bring it down again.

I think because there is 4 of us at home all the time and kids and DH are on laptops etc daily it’s just been a huge hike in usage! Luckily we have not had the heating on but I just can’t believe it, we are usually in credit over the summer months and then have a bit going forward for in the winter months so I’m not worried about putting the heating on.

I can’t afford for this bill to be this high in June so need to work on reducing this NOW before winter kicks in.

I’m not sure where to start other than switching everything off? 

• DH to use flask for coffee during the day
• Lunch to be a cold meal so no oven/microwave.
• Laptops/electronics not charging whilst in use.
• Electronics not on standby.
• Washing every 2 days.

I’m not sure what else I can do? Help?

Tink

[Deleted User]

Read the meter weekly to see if the measures you put in place work and reduce usage then check if you are on a decent tariff, check on the switching sites and if not then switch to a better one then I'd limit time online for the kids and TV time, while the weather's this good they can happily amuse themselves outdoors.  I don't do a wash until the machine load is full and dry it outside if you can tumble dryers eat electricity, wash on a cooler wash programme if you can, heating the water for hot washes is expensive. Make soup from veg you have in the fridge for lunches, a bowl of soup and some toast with fruit to follow fills you up until supper. For energy switching we use MSE cheaper energy club they notify you when you can save money by switching. Eat vegetarian/vegan meals a couple of times a week, usually delicious and much cheaper than meat based.  Make your own cakes and snacks for the children or better still let them make them if they're old enough, sell stuff on Ebay if you have surplus possessions.  Does everyone shower every day? if so and you can bear it shower every other day and if the kids are little enough chuck them all in the bath together saves money and water.

Good luck with the energy saving, hope you can find things that work for you.

Foofoopuppy

@Noaidi which website is that? (If you're allowed to post it?)

[Deleted User]

Foofoopuppy said:

@Noaidi which website is that? (If you're allowed to post it?)

It's www.sportsshoes.com sorry I can't post links it seems.

suki1964

boazu said:

Read the meter weekly to see if the measures you put in place work and reduce usage then check if you are on a decent tariff, check on the switching sites and if not then switch to a better one then I'd limit time online for the kids and TV time, while the weather's this good they can happily amuse themselves outdoors.  I don't do a wash until the machine load is full and dry it outside if you can tumble dryers eat electricity, wash on a cooler wash programme if you can, heating the water for hot washes is expensive. Make soup from veg you have in the fridge for lunches, a bowl of soup and some toast with fruit to follow fills you up until supper. For energy switching we use MSE cheaper energy club they notify you when you can save money by switching. Eat vegetarian/vegan meals a couple of times a week, usually delicious and much cheaper than meat based.  Make your own cakes and snacks for the children or better still let them make them if they're old enough, sell stuff on Ebay if you have surplus possessions.  Does everyone shower every day? if so and you can bear it shower every other day and if the kids are little enough chuck them all in the bath together saves money and water.

Good luck with the energy saving, hope you can find things that work for you.

Great advice already

I think everyones electric has gone up with most families have more people at home. You are lucky you haven't had to have the heating on, we have only had 10 days so far we haven't

I live by the cook once, eat often approach . meaning the oven costs the most to run, followed by the micro. So if sticking the oven on, fill it. Cook a couple of chickens in one go, stick a lasagne, casserole , whatever in with the Sunday roast, just fill the oven. Then the rest of the week I work away with two rings and maybe the grill and meals take no more then 30 mins to cook. This time of year meals can be so much lighter, swap rice and potatoes for cous cous ( hot water and leave to steam ), use salads instead of cooked veg, use a George Forman or griddle for chops, sausages etc, better still, get the BBQ out. You can use a slow cooker to cook a joint

Make sure your freezer is full. if it isn't, put in empty containers

Save the washing up. You aren't having guests, so if you don't have a dishwasher, stack the washing up till you have enough to use a bowl of hot water ( seriously every little helps)

Tea and coffee drinkers all day? Then yes, fill a flask, boiling the kettle is also high energy use

If you are all home, on furlough or working from home, no need to shower daily, My generation grew up on a weekly bath, we didn't smell and life was a lot dirtier then. Showering/bathing daily is actually very drying for the skin, it will thank you as you age

Wash only when you have a full load. And don't be washing clothes that have been worn just once. I wear jeans 4 or 5 times, I might have 3 or 4 tops on the go. Its only the undies and socks that NEED changing daily. Its summer now so get the wash on the clothes horse or line to dry. My laundry basket always has dirty clothes in it as I am very fussy about splitting washes up, so I might have 2 or 3 delicates sit there for weeks before I find enough bits to warrant a wash

You aren't having guests so why bother running the hoover daily? Your hair has no doubt gone past the sit nicely stage, so why bother with the hairdryer and straighteners? I know, Im sounding a slob, but tbh Im going now where other then the weekly shop so no !!!!!! is seeing me. Shop days I do make the effort, I don't want to scare the kiddies too much ( also the reason for the 3 or 4 different tops on the go )


As for lights, well it doesn't get fully dark here until gone 11pm so theres no lights needed, esp if everyone is sat watching tvs or online. I have the wee plug in sensor motion lights in the hallways incase anyone needs up for the loo at night ( seriously every little helps)  Im assuming you have LED bulbs already?

My electric bill, even with all those things in place is £200+ a quarter for 3 adults, 2 at work part time. Im dreading this next one as all 3 of us have been home. I don't know how that compares, we don't have gas, we use oil for heating and we need 3000litres a year plus coal and wood. Oil can be as little as 20p a litre as now or as much as 80p which is why Im so tight on the electric 

oceanspirit

Tink_04 said:

Got such a shock yesterday and cannot believe I didn’t think of this for during lockdown !

I got a huge energy bill in which is pushing up the DD cost monthly, I need to find a way to keep the DD low and maybe do a one off payment to help bring it down again.

If you're on a water meter, your water bill will be higher too - extra toilet flushing, handwashing, washing up and drinking.

juliettet

Hi Tink, mine is higher too but more than saved by no commuting costs. Maybe look at as a whole?

Mee

Just to add it is worth having an honest conversation with those using the energy/water. With regard to children there is much advice online (OU or this US web page  (https://www.practicalmoneyskills.com/resources/practical_money_matters/prepare_your_kids_for_the_real_world_by_turning_monthly_bills_into_lessons) on using household bills for school lessons. A great home schooling subject in more ways than one.

Re:  personal washing
Miriam Stoppard admitted some years ago she doesn't shower daily. I don't on a daily basis, - the bits get a short shower, but otherwise I use a soft brush or exfoliating gloves.
I also save the water I use for washing my face, the water expelled until it heats up, and general grey water for flushing the loo, cleaning recylables, and watering my plants etc.

I've also discovered the focus mode on my phone which pauses apps - it may save on energy use too.

This may not work for families, but in summer I turn the hot water off every other day, and for the last six months I've reduced the time it heats up by 10 minutes.

Also, I've been using free wifi. Though many shops and libraries are closed their wifi is still on...

Good luck