Frugal fuel tips

NoraNoir

So we’ve probably seen the news about the hefty rise in fuel in April, and then probably again in October.

I’m feeling pretty worried about the inevitable big bill, as I know many others are.

Having just read here about ‘hay box cookers’,and also refilling the kettle after emptying to capture the warmth for the next boil, I’m wondering what other tips and tricks people might have up their sleeves to keep the bills down? 

It would be great to hear them! 

NoraNoir

Ok, I’ll start. I swear by heated throws! You can get them relatively cheaply (often on groupon). I use mine all the time for whenever I’m sat down for any period of time. I rarely use my central heating, and find I can do without when I’m under one of these. As far as I understand they are relatively cheap to run, and usually have a timer so you can set it for an hour on, hour off etc - also meaning it will turn itself off if you forget. The only problem is getting out from under them when you have to get up! 

Prudent

I would second the heated throws. I have mine on just now and feel really snug even when the house is cold. It keeps me warm enough to take downtime to read or watch Tv etc. I try and keep active around the house doing housework or exercises (I have a physio programme to work through due to a disability). Batch cooking helps. I also find getting warm food inside me helps. I make porridge in the microwave for breakfast and have soup for lunch. I make a big pot of soup and then re-warm portions in the microwave at lunchtime. Now bills are increasing I will also make up a flask of tea at a time. 

London_1

Spot on I agree a bowl of porridge in the morning will definitely warm you up.I make my own soup and its so easy to do,especially if you are using wonky veg or veg thats getting a bit elderly. I find that with all soups if I add a couple of diced up potatoes it makes the soup pretty thick so once blended it will look like condensed soup which, if you want to when you use it then add a little water to thin it slightly and you get maybe a cup or more extra from the soup. Bit like Campbells stuff but a darn sight cheaper

I can make a good two litres of carrot and coriander soup and I add a good dollop of lazy garlic and maybe some curry powder or chilli powder  and a good sprinkle of mixed herbs ,just to give it a bit of a lift and zing. Home bargains sometimes have a big bottle of sweet chilli sauce which also adds a bit of clout to any soup that you might feel a bit bland and its about a pound for a good sized bottle. a bag of carrots can be got for under 50p and two litres will do a good 7-8 bowlfuls ,add a crusty roll maybe with a sprinkle of cheese and you have a good warming lunch for very little money

joedenise

Slow cookers and pressure cookers are much cheaper to use than the big oven.  Also good for batch cooking and can get plenty of HM ready meals into the freezer which just need reheating once defrosted overnight if possible so you don't need to use the microwave!

Rosa_Damascena

I've cut down the heating to the barest minimum and I too am snuggling under throws with my HWB in my cosy library. I sleep under 2 x 15 tog duvets, plus 2 furry blankets, with the electric blanket on all night...bliss! 

Paspatur

I would love to do the porridge for breakfast thing, I love porridge but end up starving by 11 am whereas if I have boiled, poached or scrambled egg and 1 slice toast I am fine until 1pm. Not sure on the difference in fuel to cook egg by gas and use toaster but definitely difference in price between egg, (real) butter and bread and porridge. I do eat batch cooked homemade soup for lunch and batch cooked  homemade meals for dinner but porridge just leaves me looking for snacks at 11am and I don't buy snacks

joedenise

That's probably because protein fills you up more than carbs.  I try to have protein for breakfast as often as I can for that reason, usually eggs of some sort.  I suspect an omelette is the cheapest form of egg to cook on the hob as it cooks much quicker than anything else.

Brambling

Thick curtains help to keep the heat in, if you don't already have them look for curtains in charity shops which you can use to back your existing ones.  Door curtains keep out drafts and close internal doors to keep the heat in the room. 

 I use my oven about once a week and then I menu plan to ensure it's full.  I only boil the kettle with the amount of water required. Lids on saucepans mean they come to the boil quicker  

JackyO offers good advice 🙂 this time of year I eat porridge and fruit for breakfast, I use 40g of oats and microwave using half milk to water, I find the instant oat sachets are less filling and work out a lot more expensive.  HM soup is a filling lunch you don't need a soup maker a cheap stick blender works, it's a good way of using all the odds and sods from the veg drawer. 

I run to hot these days but layer your clothes if you need to turn down your heating, tights under trousers, vests or long sleeve T shirts etc.  Look out for thermals in the sales, they usually start to come down in price by spring 

Mademoiselle

What about hard-boiling several eggs at a time and then having them cold for breakfast.  They keep fine hard boiled in their shells in the fridge, I do a weeks worth for my OH's lunches

littlemoney

An electric foot warmer boot is great if you suffer from cold feet when sitting any length of time. Heated throws and electrical blankets keep you warm and cosy when  sitting or in bed. I wear several layers of clothes including insulated trousers in a larger size to wear over  another pair of trousers.