Put away your purse & become debt-averse

foxgloves

@Tescodealqueen - I so agree! I think I will turn our thermostat down to 18.5 or even 18 & see how this weekend goes weather-wise. My hands have been stiff & sore this week (athritis) which I put down to lots of gardening & furniture moving, but now you mention the effects of the chilly weather on your knees, I'm wondering if that is maybe a factor with my hands as well.
F

Baileys_Babe

Our house is also around 15°c will have relented and put some heating 🙁 I will be frequently checking the family are appropriately dressed, including socks, slippers, jumpers.
To rub salt in the wound our gas & electric bill arrived this morning, it is ridiculously high for the time of year. Most years we turn our heating off in the first fortnight of April, currently, it feels highly likely the heating will still be coming on in mid June.

foxgloves

Yes, I agree about the appropriate layers of clothing @Baileys_Babe. I have pointed out to Mr F that when he said he was cold last night, he had been sitting around in a t-shirt & although I had quite a wintery tunic top on, I could have fetched a cardi. I have a top under my dress today plus a handknitted shawl & am back to thick tights AND socks. Ridiculous! We have now set our thermostat to 18.5 degrees & 19 just first thing in the morning when it initially comes on, as 15 degrees did feel very chill earlier. I also received an energy bill today but am rather annoyed that it is still only for gas consumption. When we had smart meters fitted recently, I was told it would be "about 3 weeks before the electricity comes online". It's now over a month & the smart meter is still working only on gas usage. My next job this afternoon is securing some kind of live-chat slot with the tentacled provider to see when this is likely to happen. Today's bill is showing quite a large credit, but the figure is inaccurate as it includes our payments for both, but usage for just gas. Grrrrrr. 
F x

foxgloves

Hello May Ice cubes,
Just noticed the rain has deigned to stop for a moment or two, so must leg it down to the greenhouse in a minute to water under-cover veg.
Odd sort of day - most of the jobs I need to do are garden-related so the weather has prevented me from getting on with those. I've made a list of jobs I can usefully do in town tomorrow, phoned about a query on an invoice, which I paid once my mind was put at rest about the niggle & caught up with a bit of admin. Not a no-spend day from Savings Pots either, as Mr F booked in our car for 4 new tyres first thing this morning. He chose the earliest appointment so as to maximise the rest of his day off putting the Man Cave back to normal now that the new upstairs carpets are all fitted. So naturally he got there bang on time only to be told the tyres weren't in stock. He pointed out this appointment has been booked since Sunday so maybe it would have been a bright idea to order them. Turns out they were ordered but didn't arrive. Next supplies van will be here at 11, etc, etc, can you give us a ring then & we'll confirm the tyres are here. They weren't. Distribution centre had got confused & sent something else. We'll phone you at 2pm, etc. So he is there now. He has been offered whatever wheel alignment, balancing, etc, he'd also booked free of charge. I should think so! 
Last year, I really missed doing our sealed pots. We gave up on them because we just weren't getting any coins, with everything being card payments because of Covid. Instead, I decided to leave my Pr*lific survey money until Christmas before cashing out & it was really nice to have £63 arrive at a spendy time of year. This year, I am doing the same, but working harder at it. I don't check anything like every day. but even so I am up to over £53 already. I am going to step up the action & see how much I can earn before Christmas. I have also decided to build up JL vouchers to add to the Presents Pot ready for Christmas. I can collect those from two survey sites plus from my 'just for points' credit card. I have about £16 in loyalty points currently on my card & a £10 voucher from a survey cash-out. As I have paid another large invoice today & there will be others to come from the Home Improvements budget, I think there could be a useful little stash of JL vouchers ready for present shopping. I am defo going to sit on them until then, & not spend them.
Well, it's not my cooking night so as soon as I have dealt with my energy bill query & watered greenhouse babies, I shall be cracking on with bedspread squares. All the grey ones (textured hexagon) finished now & have moved onto cream ones (textured triangle pattern). Not looking forward to sewing it all up!
Keep cosy m'dears,
F x

scandimore

Hi Foxgloves. Sitting here reading in my thermal fleece. Weather is horrible! Allotment probably washed away. Good ideas as always re the survey sites, vouchers etc. Thanks to your prolific mentions I signed up and am up to £80 already. Have been using it for small, guilt-free treats for myself but am leaving it in now to build up. 

foxgloves

Hi @scandimore, I know what you mean about your allotment. The rain is currently hurling itself at the windows & the heating thermostat has kicked in again, despite us lowering it.
Yes, PA earnings can mount up pretty well if we keep at it. I need to check in every day instead of whenever I remember. It would be good if I could get to £100 by Christmas as it will feel like spare money. You've inspired me with your £80. I'm on it!
F x

foxgloves

P. S @scandimore - I note your thermal fleece..... & I raise you..... one hot water bottle!! Yep, couldn't get my feet warm. Thick tights, hand knitted socks & slippers. IN MAY!! And still cold!
F

ladyholly

I have a blanket and 2 dogs to keep me warm. However as dh is a very chilly mortal our house is usually stupidly warm. Anything less than 20 he wants the heating on and than with thermals jumpers etc. 

Baileys_Babe

I am wearing knee high wool socks and we have lit the fire.
I am also saving my vouchers for Christmas presents, I am hoping to pay for all of our present giving with free money & vouchers.

Blackcats

It is indeed ridiculously cold - I had my gas/electricity bill today and my direct debit is almost exactly right - I've got about £12 credit built up this month but it's supposed to be the time of year to start building up some credit.  

The number of meals you get from the beef joint is incredible.  I've been really disappointed by the last couple of roast beef dinners I've made - tough and lacking in flavour.  We've got pork this weekend - there's enough for 1 roast for 4 and Monday night dinner in some form.  As a child I hated Monday night tea - cold meat from Sunday and mash 🙁