Winter "Wake & up save the pennies"

[Deleted User]

TA I too have an electric heated throw and they are brilliant ,my daughter bought it for me last winter and its saved me a fortune in heating

Gers

JackieO wrote: »

TA I too have an electric heated throw and they are brilliant ,my daughter bought it for me last winter and its saved me a fortune in heating

I bought one too - well worth the money. They are fairly large so can stop any draughts swirling around feet. I live in a very old stone house so know all about cold.

A neighbour made me a very thick curtain which hangs over the front door. It directly faces the sea and those winds don't have get through everything.

I use my wood burner as a cooking / heating stove in winter too. It's got the rings outlined on top so is perfect for the task. A friend recommended an Eco-fan to sit on top of the woodburner, it directs the rising heat straight out into the room so makes an efficient woodburner even more efficient.

TravellingAbuela

GERS and JACKIE it was thanks to your recommendations on the Daily Thread last winter that I bought one! One of my best purchases ever!

YorksLass

When it comes to fresh foods there's a lot to be said for storing these correctly to prolong their shelf life and avoid waste. As an example, veg for dinner tonight chez nous will be a mix of swede and carrots. Last two carrots in the bag, with a bb date of 16th August. Still crunchy. As well as having a freezer inventory, I also keep a list of fridge contents pinned to the door with a magnet. Instant visual of what's in there without having to open the door and let the heat in!

I also make use of MOCs and always look out for items that are reduced or on promotion (but only if it's something I know we can and will use). This morning's small shop saved me £0.81 on ys (fine green beans and 2 avocados), £1.35 for promo stuff (stock cubes and noodles for stores) plus I also used a 50p MOC (paper tissues).

I tend to use cash for grocery shopping and have a monthly budget based on a 4-week month. Most weeks I have a little cash left over and that goes into a jar. Come next month I'll withdraw the month's cash less the jar stash Of course, we all know that some months have 5 weeks and when that happens I have a week of living out of stores.

One thing I try not to skimp on is footwear (T2 diabetic so I need to look after my tootsies). I like the Hotter brand (well made, comfortable, lasts a long time) but it's sometimes eye-wateringly expensive. To keep the cost down I check their website for sale items and then look for a voucher code. I got a pair of summer sandals in the winter sale and 2 pairs of winter shoes in the summer sale, all half price, and all with an extra 20% off voucher code, two with free delivery. I was a really happy bunny!

Blackcats

Yorkslass - you can go through Quidco too for Hotter - saves another few £'s.
Great thread - so much good advice and handy hints.

quintwins

I also have a heated blanket and I have a heated for pains but I used it a lot last winter even when I wasn't too sore I used it for comfort.

VfM4meplse

I'm a 2x15 tog duvet girl myself, and duvet #2 was dragged out for the winter on Sunday rather than wasting money on HWBs. I am also a big fan of Aldi fluffy blankets, one under the duvets means I get to sleep fast. I wrap two around myself on the sofa whilst watching TV and that has the same effect

Its actually very temperate at the moment but wen we get to autumn proper I shall be wearing my base layer thermals.

[Deleted User]

Remember the cheaper cuts of meat like shin of beef and neck of lamb, belly pork and chicken thighs are good tasty value if you pop them into a slow cooker and give them a long slow cook to deliciousness. Slow cookers too save a lot of money in fuel and are convenient in time too as they look after themselves once you've done the initial chopping and prep.

Snowy_Owl

Brilliant new thread Primrose- thank you!!!! I'm off work on maternity leave just now with a view to going back around the beginning of Feb and am now on SMP so all these wee hints and tips and reminders are fab!!!!!

For me - working my way through the freezer. Had the idea of making breadcrumbs myself and freezing for use in the future!!!! Will have to go through this thread again over the next few days and list the tips that practical for us.

One of the things I did at the weekend was make an extra loaf of bread. We have a breadmaker which I've recently started using again. Hubby doesn;t work weekends so can help with wee one when i'm in the kitchen so was able to second loaf on. currently in the fridge in a sealed bag. Hoping it will be ok when I start using it (prob tomorrow) so will save me hassle and time during the week - also helpful hacks when we have a 4month old on the go!!! Just need to make sure we keep having enough to make a loaf if snowed in or having a "lazy" day at home.

[Deleted User]

Look for 'small breads' recipes and get used to making things like soda bread, potato cakes, boxty, scones, American biscuits, bannocks, chapattis, flatbreads, tortillas etc. and you'll still be able to have a bread substitute if you don't have time or ingredients in to make a yeasted loaf. All or any of them are good with soups, stews, casseroles and many of them make acceptable toast and sandwiches.