Is frugal the new normal?

greenbee

ivyleaf wrote: »

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**starts panicking, what on earth to bring? :eek: **

Have you kondoed the lot already then?:cool:

Living_proof

mardatha wrote: »

The one thing I won't skimp on is heating. I refuse to sit in a cold house. A coal-fired multiburner takes a lot of money to keep on 24/7, but by god it's worth it to have a cosy house, a big deep hot bath daily and washing dried overnight.

I am totally with you on this. I feel the cold very badly and would rather go hungry than suffer with cold, but hopefully it won't come to that! I made a deliberate choice to move to a new, well-insulated house, had solar panels put in and don't stint on having the heating on if I feel uncomfortable, but neither do I live in a hot-house. It's a question of balance, isn't it

Caterina

ivyleaf wrote: »

[/B]

**starts panicking, what on earth to bring? :eek: **

Anything, or just yourself! And stop worrying, it is a long way away! not even set a date yet!

ivyleaf

mardatha wrote: »

The one thing I won't skimp on is heating. I refuse to sit in a cold house. A coal-fired multiburner takes a lot of money to keep on 24/7, but by god it's worth it to have a cosy house, a big deep hot bath daily and washing dried overnight.

I'm definitely with you there Mar. If I really had to choose between "heating or eating" it would have to be the heating! I could put up with being hungry as long as i was warm.

Oh, how I'd love to have a big deep bath! but I can't get down to sit in the water any more, and if I did I wouldn't be able to get out again How OH manages it when he's less mobile than me is quite beyond me.

ivyleaf

greenbee wrote: »

Have you kondoed the lot already then?:cool:

Kondoed most of the books that don't bring me joy, and don't really have things like spare vouchers!

Last time I had a meet-up with Caterina and some other very nice ladies, a couple of them had brought veg seeds to swap/give away, which was a lovely idea

ETA Hi Caterina, I hadn't seen your post when I posted but have caught up now! I had to miss the last meets as I wasn't up to coming, but am rather better atm, thank goodness.

lessonlearned

Living_proof wrote: »

I am totally with you on this. I feel the cold very badly and would rather go hungry than suffer with cold, but hopefully it won't come to that! I made a deliberate choice to move to a new, well-insulated house, had solar panels put in and don't stint on having the heating on if I feel uncomfortable, but neither do I live in a hot-house. It's a question of balance, isn't it

I picked up some leaflets in Ikea the other day about solar panels, not had time to read them yet but it's definitely something I want to think about for my next house.

I hate being cold, it makes my muscles ache so I want to go the whole energy efficient route. I need to do some research on energy stuff.

I love a nice deep bath, one of life's little pleasures but in my case I also find the warm water very therapeutic, helping combat my aches and pains. :rotfl:. I'm not looking forward to being unable to use a bath. A shower, no matter how luxurious, just won't be the same........

Living_proof

lessonlearned wrote: »

I picked up some leaflets in Ikea the other day about solar panels, not had time to read them yet but it's definitely something I want to think about for my next house.

I hate being cold, it makes my muscles ache so I want to go the whole energy efficient route. I need to do some research on energy stuff.

I love a nice deep bath, one of life's little pleasures but in my case I also find the warm water very therapeutic, helping combat my aches and pains. :rotfl:. I'm not looking forward to being unable to use a bath. A shower, no matter how luxurious, just won't be the same........

I think to get the most out of solar panels you will need to get your skates on as the gvt is trying to cut the subsidies by January 2016 so you would need to have them fitted and registered by then. For the 4kw installations you are looking at just over £5K I believe. Don't look at the guys in Ikea - I think the company that sells out of there have just gone into administration. Look for a good local electrical company who have lots of previous experience. There will be a big demand between now and new year to get them done as the subsidies will go from around £500 per year to £100-ish.

[Deleted User]

ivyleaf wrote: »

I can't get down to sit in the water any more, and if I did I wouldn't be able to get out again How OH manages it when he's less mobile than me is quite beyond me.

I couldn`t get out of the bath in my last house, 10 years ago, it was deep enough to drown in. I have a shallow bath in my eco house and got used to taking showers anyway. I decided that I needed more magnesium and the best way is through skin absorption, so started using the shallow bath. I placed a long non slip mat on the bottom and a safety handle on the side, I don`t use it but always check that the settings are on green and not red, just in case. I have worked out a good way of getting out and it just involves turning over onto my knees, so no heavy lifting with my arms. I always sleep like a babe after a magnesium bath

Anyone want/need any info on PV or solar panels, insulation etc (not about makes though) just ask. My total house heating plus electricity is between £500 and £600 and I don`t skimp on anything.

greenbee

There are a number of threads on solar panels on the Green & Ethical board, and some very knowledgeable people who are willing to answer questions. Well worth a look.

I'm having a new bathroom put in at the moment (the old one is out, the new one will go in when the sun stops shining and they stop doing the outside work). One of the things they will be doing is putting loft insulation round the bath so that it retains the heat for longer. As the bath is VAST this is very necessary!

I was thinking about this thread earlier as I was walking into the village (to post my expenses, so counts as work...) and trying to get my head round some work stuff. I was thinking of the saying about 'knowing the price of everything and the value of nothing'. I think being frugal or thrifty is being financially responsible. It's about spending money where you get value - and whether that is the return on investment for a business or the joy, comfort or usefulness of a personal item, we should try to look at value not cost.

For example - my current oven was a cheap one (and cost me nothing as someone was getting rid of it). It is unreliable and unpredictable. And I hate it. So I rarely use it. My old oven was a top of the range one bought by my grandmother that lasted her and me through 30 years and was left in my last house when I moved. I cooked a LOT. So when (eventually) I get a kitchen put in, I will be spending a fair amount on an oven, as I will get more value from one that costs more than I will from continuing to use this one.

lessonlearned

Thanks for the tips re the solar panels. I won't be buying my house until next year so,won't be eligible for the current deal anyway....but yes I will definitely shop around and do my research.

I second RainynDays comments about looking after stuff. I had this drilled into me as a child and have never really forgotten those lessons, so clothes are always well cared for, shoes polished etc, little repairs dealt with promptly. I am Very hot on all kinds of maintenace, both with my wardrobe but also with the home, my car, etc.

Taking care of things and keeping up,with maintenance really does pay dividends.

My dad vacated his house and went into sheltered accommodation. Whilst the house was being sold I advised him to leave some heating on low. He refused saying it would cost him money. The house was on the market for 15 months during which time it stood empty getting more and more run down and neglected and damp took a hold.

In the end he had to slash the asking price. for the sake of a coule of hundred pounds to keep some heat ticking over I reckon he lost at least £10k off the value of his house.

I warned him but he wouldn't listen. Now he is what I would call a miser and of course a classic example of the Pennywise Pound foolish school of economics.......

It just doesn't pay to skimp.....so yes I think the same rule applies to things like cookers and some appliances. Whilst we all love a bargain cheapest isn't always best.