Considering DMP - SOA advice please

AliceBanned

Ps also decided I won't switch the heating on before 1st October. I don't think I will need to - if I do it is just indulgence. I might even go beyond that depending on what the weather does. Recently got a Cosy smart thermostat (free from First Utility) and it is helping as I can clearly see the reading rather than just going on what I feel. If it says 21 degrees I hardly need the heating on, when beforehand I might have switched it on.

HappyMJ

AliceBanned wrote: »

Ps also decided I won't switch the heating on before 1st October. I don't think I will need to - if I do it is just indulgence. I might even go beyond that depending on what the weather does. Recently got a Cosy smart thermostat (free from First Utility) and it is helping as I can clearly see the reading rather than just going on what I feel. If it says 21 degrees I hardly need the heating on, when beforehand I might have switched it on.

It really depends on where you live in the country (if you live in the highlands of Scotland it's highly likely you'll need heating now), how well insulated your property is (very well insulated properties lose less heat in the evenings and may not need the heating on for a few more weeks compared to a neighbouring poorly insulated property), your age (young children - under 5 - and much older people - over 75 - need more heating) and the weather. I'm aiming for November the 1st as the average October temperature for my area is 14 degrees C but there'll be a few days that will be too cold.

I refuse to turn on the heating if the outdoor temperature is above 10 degrees C and if the indoor temperature is above 16 degrees C. If I'm on the sofa I'll wrap myself in a blanket first before considering turning the heating on. I also turn the heating off overnight and do not turn the heating on in the morning if all I'm up and doing is getting ready to go out shortly.

I also don't heat the bedroom allowing the heat from other rooms below to keep the bedroom from freezing and use both a summer quilt and a winter duvet to keep warm. An electric blanket is much cheaper to run than central heating and that can also keep you quite warm.

rockm87

you could get an electric blanket? cheaper than putting heating on and you can still be warm.

foxgloves

Alicebanned - Good idea to get used to using your slow cooker so you can come home to ready-cooked meals to help stop you impulse buying takeaways, etc. I love my slow cooker. I've just put a smoky chipotle black bean chill in there for tonight. I got the recipe from a book I borrowed from the library, which was the point I wanted to make. The resurgence of interest in slow cookers over the last 2 or 3 years has meant lots of books being published on the subject. I've found a really good selection at the library. I was new to slow cookers too, & the books had lots of tips on things like not adding nearly as much liquid as you would when cooking conventionally. The other benefit is that you can cook tasty cuts of meat which need long slow cooking to make them tender. Last winter I regularly made stews from neck of lamb, beef skirt, beef shin, ox cheek, etc......these are cheap cuts of meat which turn out so tender you could cut them with a spoon. Ham hock is another good one - £3 to £3-50 each, also pork shoulder when it's cheap or yellow-stickered, as slow cooked pork makes fab pulled pork & does sufficient for several meals.
But I do recommend borrowing some slow cooker recipe books from the library as they'll build your confidence - I didn't know it was possible to cook such a wide variety of meals in a slow cooker, but I'm testing out loads of recipes now.
Good luck!

AliceBanned

HappyMJ wrote: »

It really depends on where you live in the country (if you live in the highlands of Scotland it's highly likely you'll need heating now), how well insulated your property is (very well insulated properties lose less heat in the evenings and may not need the heating on for a few more weeks compared to a neighbouring poorly insulated property), your age (young children - under 5 - and much older people - over 75 - need more heating) and the weather. I'm aiming for November the 1st as the average October temperature for my area is 14 degrees C but there'll be a few days that will be too cold.

I refuse to turn on the heating if the outdoor temperature is above 10 degrees C and if the indoor temperature is above 16 degrees C. If I'm on the sofa I'll wrap myself in a blanket first before considering turning the heating on. I also turn the heating off overnight and do not turn the heating on in the morning if all I'm up and doing is getting ready to go out shortly.

I also don't heat the bedroom allowing the heat from other rooms below to keep the bedroom from freezing and use both a summer quilt and a winter duvet to keep warm. An electric blanket is much cheaper to run than central heating and that can also keep you quite warm.

I live in the south east, and in a very well insulated flat 12 year old flat (heating bills almost half my previous 1950s flat, despite it being bigger). I never have the heating on overnight. At the moment it is set to 'hibernate' so won't go on until below 5 degrees C. I will probably need it on at around 15 degrees but will see how I go, as I haven't tried this before. I am also on the middle floor of 3 so get heat from below. Ground floors are so much colder! I keep the bedroom window slightly open at night for as long as I can. Having just gone camping I am not so afraid of the cold and fresh air as I can be but then again it isn't cold outside yet. Sometimes I go round to friends' houses or get a lift in their cars and they blast out dry electric heat and I hate it!

Not had an electric blanket since I was a kid - I believe they are far safer than they were in the 1970s. I feel warm enough in my bed with warm duvet for now but my bedroom is the coldest room in the flat so an electric blanket might be a good idea this winter.

I will see how it get on with the no heating until 1 October challenge that I have set myself and if ok might decide on 1 Nov after that. .After all that will probably still mean 4 months of heating being on at least..unless November is mild in which case it may not be needed even then.

rockm87

Slanket is the best investment too! 100% pure acrylic (i think) so keeps you crazy tostie, ours is usually slung over the sofa in winter, and can double as an extra blanket on the bed...helps you warm up quicker...


....can you tell I hate the cold and am always trying to keep warm!

AliceBanned

I saw those nice 'teddy' blankets in Dunelm - super soft so may get one for the sofa. It's a bit early for electric blanket but will try later in the year. I have a hot water bottle. My parents' house is freezing so I always have both if I stay there.

I don't like the cold either. Luckily my flat is well insulated so there are no draughts.

AliceBanned

foxgloves wrote: »

Alicebanned - Good idea to get used to using your slow cooker so you can come home to ready-cooked meals to help stop you impulse buying takeaways, etc. I love my slow cooker. I've just put a smoky chipotle black bean chill in there for tonight. I got the recipe from a book I borrowed from the library, which was the point I wanted to make. The resurgence of interest in slow cookers over the last 2 or 3 years has meant lots of books being published on the subject. I've found a really good selection at the library. I was new to slow cookers too, & the books had lots of tips on things like not adding nearly as much liquid as you would when cooking conventionally. The other benefit is that you can cook tasty cuts of meat which need long slow cooking to make them tender. Last winter I regularly made stews from neck of lamb, beef skirt, beef shin, ox cheek, etc......these are cheap cuts of meat which turn out so tender you could cut them with a spoon. Ham hock is another good one - £3 to £3-50 each, also pork shoulder when it's cheap or yellow-stickered, as slow cooked pork makes fab pulled pork & does sufficient for several meals.
But I do recommend borrowing some slow cooker recipe books from the library as they'll build your confidence - I didn't know it was possible to cook such a wide variety of meals in a slow cooker, but I'm testing out loads of recipes now.
Good luck!

Thanks foxgloves. That is what happens - craving chips early evening because my blood sugar is low and I should have eaten earlier or had something prepared. Slow cooker sounds fab. I'm a bit meat-squeamish (always have been for some reason) so can't imagine trying ox cheek etc. . But great for those who can!

Will definitely have a look in my local library at the weekend - it is open on Sundays too and I don't use it often enough - it is a fairly good one.

Bit nervous about leaving the slow cooker on all day as I leave about 7.30am and get home at 6.30 or later. I suppose I will have to though. I'll do some research and have a practice. Feels like it will make life a lot easier and not just cheaper! It is better to plan meals in advance I agree - means I am more likely to eat healthily.

crazy_cat_lady

I put my slow cooker on a timer switch when I'm doing long days, but honestly - if it's on low - 12 hours + of cooking will probably make your food even tastier rather than ruin it. I wouldn't be without my slow cooker...

AliceBanned

crazy_cat_lady wrote: »

I put my slow cooker on a timer switch when I'm doing long days, but honestly - if it's on low - 12 hours + of cooking will probably make your food even tastier rather than ruin it. I wouldn't be without my slow cooker...

OK good to know. Just wondered if I put the wrong amounts it etc and it set fire. I can get a bit OCD about leaving the iron on as it is..but I suppose you get used to leaving slow cooker on?