Preparing for Winter

smileyt_2

Hi All

I have just ordered 4 SnugRugs (they seem exactly the same as Slankets to me) from Grabitnow.com. They are today's 'daily deal' and are £6.24 each, free post and package.

I have no idea of the quality of course, but I don't think I'm going to find them cheaper. Anyway, they're bought now and will be on their way soon, so it is too late now....

The deal finishes just before midnight tonight, but they seem to advertise these fairly often. So if anyone misses it tonight but is interested, let me know and next time they advertise I'll post on here again.

Linky: http://www.grabitnow.com/

muffin_man_7

if anyone got b n m near them they're selling slanket type wrap for £3.99 not sure how good they are not picked one up yet cos i didnt want anyone finding pressies like last year

Frugaldom

Still not got our log burner fitted, but the store of wood and kindling is growing and tiles are all sat out ready for doing the new (old) hearth. I've managed to get all my tiles either free or via my local LETS group, so no cahs needed for them. 4 more pallets dismantled, the cross struts being cut for firewood and the main support straps being stripped down to build the framework for winter accommodation for my ducklings that are no longer ducklings.

Update on coal prices here - I just topped up our coal cellar with cheapest coal available and it came in at £11.50 per bag delivered, so no increase here, as yet, but there was no summer decrease, either.

Saving all the flour and sugar bags, which get twisted into kindling sticks. All the toilet roll inner tubes get saved and folded inside one another, again for burning, and my stash of pine cones is growing steadily. I haven't made any paper bricks this year, as the newspapers have been getting used for other things. (I rely on what gets saved by others, as we don't buy newspapers here.)

After last winter's salt shortage, I have a 5 litre bucket is almost filled with the stuff. It keeps forever, so I just keep adding a packet to it whenever I get the chance of the 20p packs.

I think I'm pretty well prepared for this winter, thanks to having been on here last year. Brilliant thread, I can recommend that all newcomers read it in its entirety to ensure there's nothing gets missed.

NualaBuala

Frugaldom wrote: »

Saving all the flour and sugar bags, which get twisted into kindling sticks. All the toilet roll inner tubes get saved and folded inside one another, again for burning, and my stash of pine cones is growing steadily. I haven't made any paper bricks this year, as the newspapers have been getting used for other things. (I rely on what gets saved by others, as we don't buy newspapers here.)

Great tips for kindling Frugaldom, thanks! :T Crikey, you've had a long old wait for your wood burner - but it will be well worth it, what a cosy winter you'll have.

I've been saving the ends of old candles - I was thinking of melting them down and making new candles. But now I'm thinking of using them to make firelighters. Maybe combining them with waste paper/cardboard or dipping pinecones if I have any. Has anyone tried this?

^!£$&

Got my nice big rug down from the loft yesterday and lay it down in my room, much better than putting your feet on lamenate first thing in the morning also found my cosy comforter for the end of my bed & purchased a wheat bag from john lewis in the clearance last week, roll on winter lol!

P.S. for those thinking about getting wheat bags the works have some for £2.99 or 2 for a fiver

http://www.theworks.co.uk/search.asp?keywords=soothe+away&x=0&y=0

mardatha

Good idea re salt, a lot better than me squirrelling lots of packs away in every spare corner ! Well I've focussed on makign sure we can cook on calor and also on electric- so that if one goes off or freezes then we can still eat. Got a crockpot & a Foreman grill & a Remoska to back up the calor cooker.
Next on the list I want a wind-up radio and light. Also looking into solar powered lights so we can see to get coal in. We have a big powerful outside light at the back door but if the power goes off then its pitch black. Dont want OH falling down the steps !!

BigMummaF

Apparently there's a shop somewhere that has already got it's c-word stock on sale :eek: twas on this morning's breakfast news from Auntie, so fairly reliable source

ETA:- try W!lkinson &/or R0bert Dy4s for wind-up things Mar. Their prices are pretty comparable & I think you can buy on line, if you don't get on with 4mazon.

mardatha

We dont have Wilkinsons, but Amazon is great- ta pet

KittyBoo_2

jamanda wrote: »

DH has spent all spare time in last few weeks chopping logs for winter, and I'm freezing peas and kidney beans. Strung up the garlic and will be doing the onions when they are ready. Hot water bottles are 1.99 in Home Bargains.

Does anyone know where to buy cheap hot water bottle covers, please. Or should I just make a couple?

I just stick mine in a pillowcase.

katrina_suzanne

mardatha wrote: »

Also looking into solar powered lights so we can see to get coal in. We have a big powerful outside light at the back door but if the power goes off then its pitch black. Dont want OH falling down the steps !!

They have a solar power spotlight here for a tenner:

(search Google for Aspect Two Solar Spotlamp)

or they have solar fairy lights for £15...

I've not tried them, so I'm not sure how bright they are, but likely better than pitch black... although it may look like you've left your Christmas lights up ;-)