It's getting tough out there. Feeling the pinch?

YorksLass

I didn't know the shingles vaccine was a newer two-part version now.  I had mine about four years ago (single dose) when I'd gone for the winter flu jab and a reminder pop-up on the Health Assistant's screen appeared to say I was eligible so she did it at the same time.  The same thing happened when I went for my annual diabetic screening but this time for the pneumococcal vaccine - waylaid again!     

Today here has been a beautifully sunny and dry day but much, much colder.  I'm trying to not have the heating on for as long as I can but it's getting closer to the point where it will be a case of needs must.  I wasn't cold this afternoon though when I did my most hated household task - cleaning the oven.  I'm pleased with the results as it now looks brand new even though it's 14 years old.  I don't do the Lottery but, if I did and won a decent amount, I'd happily pay for a professional clean twice a year!  

fritzie-65

@YorksLass...there are two types of Shingles vaccine.
One shot and two shot.
There are certain conditions and medications ( e.g some auto immune conditions ) where a one shot shingles jab is not permitted.

sammyjammy

fritzie-65 said:

@YorksLass...there are two types of Shingles vaccine.
One shot and two shot.
There are certain conditions and medications ( e.g some auto immune conditions ) where a one shot shingles jab is not permitted.

My parents had the one shot, I got the two shot. I assumed it was that which made me poorly but may well have been flu jab as the symptoms were flulike.

elsien

Had some Asda milk which had a use by date of tomorrow. I only opened it yesterday and it’s already gone off and separated. I’ve had this a few times and couldn’t remember the supermarket. Now I know.

Longwalker

elsien said:

Had some Asda milk which had a use by date of tomorrow. I only opened it yesterday and it’s already gone off and separated. I’ve had this a few times and couldn’t remember the supermarket. Now I know.

Ive stopped buying milk from the supermarket for that reason, short dates and it goes off. If I buy locally - IE the local spar/vivo/costcutter the milk was bottled just a few miles away and very very long dates. I buy 1 pint of semi skimmed to make my coffee, I need it to last me 10 days at least , I dont drink coffee daily, only when I know I have the time to sit and enjoy

Datchet

Yes on short dates. 2 Teens consume a lot of milk, so 2 out of 3 2ltr are frozen. They have to remember to defrost! Relented and heating is reset to 18c in the mornings only. Breaking out winter duvets & apple porridge for breakfast!

Longwalker

Ive had to have the heating and hot water on constant this past few days - visitors from Australia , they are finding the cold difficult. Its very disconcerting to come home from walking the dog in the morning to what I consider a very warm house and finding your guests sat having breakfast with coats and scarfs on 

Ok so we have had snow but its still not cold, we got to 5oC yesterday  

Thankfully the sun has made an appearance today and it actually feels warm on the skin, however the southern softies are still cold.

Its so weird, we are all heading to Tuscany next week for a wedding, we from NI are looking forward to the heat of 18oC and they are saying nope, they wont be swimming lol

Gave in and got a bag of coal. OMG, £20!!! we didnt buy any last year but the last time I bought it was £8. Im going to have to buy some for this winter, we dont have enough dry wood 

Having visitors is ruddy expensive is all I can say 

YorksLass

We've got the heating on now since it's turned a lot colder these last couple of days.  An hour in the morning and at midday (on the timer) and, if needed, an hour or so in the evenings (manual).   Last year we were quite frugal with it but this winter we'll be having it on a bit more - us oldies don't cope well with being cold!      All the knitting I've been doing to use up my yarn stash - cardigans, jumpers and throws - will be well used.

I've finally given in and am wearing socks to keep my tootsies warm and have also dug out scarves and gloves for when I'm out and about.  I had a nice surprise last weekend when I was doing a bit of decluttering and found two pairs of slipper socks that I'd forgotten about.  I got them from a charity shop (new), either CRUK or BHF, two pairs for £5 in their sale.

The freezer is pretty full but I need to make some room for Xmas goodies.   With that in mind, I've made a list of what I can make from the contents. So far, there's leek & potato soup, pasta sauce, chilli, pork casserole, beef stew x 2, liver/bacon/onion casserole x 3 and rhubarb crumble.  There's also some cooked pork slices and a small portion of mini chicken fillets, plus bread for toast, morning goods (crumpets etc) as well as some odds and ends that can be used up..  We're short on fish so I'll need to stock up on that but, all in all, plenty to keep us going as well as saving some cash.  

I'm on the look out for some new flannelette sheets; one pair is relatively new but the other two pairs are wearing rather thin after many years of use.  It's some time since I bought any so I dare say I'll be shocked at the price!      

Floss

YorksLass said:

I'm on the look out for some new flannelette sheets; one pair is relatively new but the other two pairs are wearing rather thin after many years of use.  It's some time since I bought any so I dare say I'll be shocked at the price!      

Look in charity shops, as new ones are nowhere near the same quality.

ladyholly

I havent had to put the heating on yet other than a 10 minute test to check the radiators didnt need bleeding and I am still wearing a short sleeved polo shirt. I did have to shut the back door though as it got a bit too chilly. It is about 18 in our lounge at the moment. The advantage of a terraced house.