From Frugal Foundations to Fortified Family Future

greenbee

That's not a big radiator - if it is double panel, check that it is also double convector, as that can make a difference. I put two larger radiators in a couple of bedrooms, and have replaced two double-panel, single convectors with the old double panel double convectors K2/Type 22) and they are significantly more effective and only required a small kink in the existing pipework to allow for the width. Or you can get a K3/type 33 triple panel, triple convector. 

TBH I'd go for the biggest radiator I could fit in the location - so taller and wider if possible, and definitely a K2/Type 22. K3s are very chunky and take up a lot of floor space!

Greying_Pilgrim

greenbee - I "think" it might be a type 21 convector - I'm going by the images/description on the scr3wf1x site.  The plumber was advocating a taller, but still 50cm wide one, to leave the pipework in place, but personally, I don't think it should be any less than a 100cm one.  The one in our hallway (small hallway, but obviously a large ceiling height with the stairs) pumps out discernible heat.  It's crazy that a kid's bedroom radiator doesn't - even if we had to turn the thermostat down, you want to be comfortable in the room.  

I've just had a quick look - most of the radiators are type 21, single fin, double walled radiators.  

Thanks for making me look/think greenbee - I was prepared to take the word of the installing plumbers, who don't have to live here 🙄 It was obvious from the get-go that LG's room was colder 🙄

Greying X

greenbee

As most of my radiators are under windows, I tend to make sure they're the  width of the window and as tall as possible (I think my 'small' radiators are 600 x 600 type 22). I have a couple on internal walls that are sized to fit the space. The hall and kitchen are my problem spaces and really should have had underfloor heating put in whenever the previous owners add the extension, opened up the kitchen/dining room and put hard flooring down in the hall. 

Definitely go wider, taller, and type 22. Don't let the plumber 'dispose' of the old radiator, as you can probably sell it online

My plumber can be annoying, but he does at last put the radiators I want, where I want. And has upgraded the pipework that I asked him to. The last lot ignored what I asked them to do, so didn't get invited back. 

Greying_Pilgrim

The installing plumbing firm didn't get invited back, and won't ever be invited back 😉 The new plumber is at least discussing options, and to be fair to him, at this moment it has only been discussions - if we know what we're now asking for, we'll see what he can do.  

Tea has been munched.  We had lentil bolognese, pasta and broccoli.  Yoghurt and banana for pud.  

I can't think of anything else MSE vibe-tastic at the mo, but can I just say, that as well as being super-supportive on here on all manner of subjects that MFW'rs face, you are all also helping me to maintain the enthusiasm to keep working to achieve our goals.  You all know as well as I do that sometimes you just need a little cheer on to maintain focus or energy.   And sometimes it isn't about achieving the 'big' goals, sometimes it's about the little everyday things that inch you towards the big stuff.  Family Greying have achieved some pretty big things - we're here with a roof over our heads, and we're warm, dry and secure.  That's a great deal, and I'm grateful for it.  

Thanks everyone.  Greying X

beanielou

Happy new windows & doorrs.

Cheery_Daff

Ooh, happy warmer house Family Greying, and I hope you can get LG's bedroom sorted out! I reckon 5-6 weeks from quote to installation sounds super speedy to me, pretty sure we waited longer for ours and we only had a few done at a time!

themadvix

You’ve achieved a lot of big things too in the past month, Greying, don’t sell yourself short - coped with DH’s illness, been on a holiday and had the windows installed - that’s quite a bit for just over a month. And kept to the budget to cover the loss of earnings too. You are making big strides!

Greying_Pilgrim

Brrrr!  Cold start with us. Keep warm folks!

Couldn't get to sleep last night (although once I did, I slept right through until DH turned over and pulled the duvet off me! 🤭).  However, I know why.  I've been turning to my attention to next month's available budget.  The stupid thing is, we know it's going to be less - due to the amount of time that DH had on sick leave, it was a given.  I don't think I'm worrying about it per se - I think I'm worrying about keeping DH chipper about it all.

DH has seen his payslip online, and is getting all down about things.  There is a big(ish) cc bill to pay, and the car tax is due at the end of the month.  Which sounds scary, but most of the things on the card were 'known' expenses - including breakdown cover, which is a motoring expense, and the car tax is another motoring expense, but it's a known, and budgeted for.  So actually the cc bill doesn't contain any 'unknowns'.  As regards DH wages, yes, it's true, come pay day, the wages will be something of the order of just under 1/3rd less than usual.  It could have been worse.  And we're still blessed that the amount is more than when DH was furloughed, and we had rent and CT that had to be paid first.  So we're still in an OK position - and I know we're still very blessed.  Past us didn't splurge every cent of pay, and the bills (as in DD's) are already covered for December, and we can pay the cc bill, and have the money for the car tax.  Do you think I can get DH to register this?  

"Sigh".

One of the good things (to my MSE mind), is that in needing to keep the grocery budget streamlined this month, to illustrate to DH that things are going to be OK, I can legitimately stick to simple, budget dishes, using stores and stocks of food we have.  This also ties in to my 'preference' to keep food in the first 3 weeks or so of December quite 'simple' so that we don't get bloated on the 'good stuff' way before the celebration season actually starts!  That's my personal take on things - don't feel that it's anyway disapproval of what others do.  You do you, boo! 😁There will still be treats - again they've been factored in.   I'm meaning more like the random Thursday night tea will be stew, rather than 6-toppings christmas tree-shaped pizza with a side of curly fries, for us, in our household 😉

So, to that end, I've sort of established my Christmas menu - I think it's about 5 days of 'different' foodstuffs in total.  I will have some bits to get in the grocery shopping in December, but not a 35lb Turkey, 4 kilos of sprouts nor a bucket of whipping cream....  I'm hopeful there will be some deals on Christmas veg this year, and naturally I will continue to look out for any deals and YS'd bargains, as I always do.  

To that end, and given that we've quite healthy stocks of the 'staples' as well as some meals/ingredients etc in the freezer, I'm minded to go 2/3rds for December's grocery budget, which would be £200.  I won't have any vouchers/coupons left - but I can use my remaining £20 insurance comparison site voucher strategically this week.  I also have just under £5 of cash.  

I can't think of anything  else to do differently at the moment.  I have most of LG's presents, so there will be things for them to open on Christmas day.  They have actually mentioned one thing that they would like, so i will try and get hold of that in the next week or so.  It's inexpensive, I just need to go to the metropolitan town along to get it.

Our Christmas gift to ourselves will be - within reason - putting the heating on when needed.  

We're going to be fine, and I'm only 'talking out loud' here with you, because I know you understand.  And I also know we're in a more secure position that a lot of folks.  It hasn't fallen in our laps, it does take work, but we're still very blessed.  I think to a certain extent, DH won't be convinced that he hasn't let us down, but as long as he doesn't transfer any of that negativity to LG, then I think we'll have to let him get on with it.  Showing figures, doesn't work, putting a full tea plate down in front of him, doesn't work, telling him it is all going to be OK, doesn't seem to work 🙄 So in the nicest possible way, I 'give up', and will focus my time, energy and any discernible talent to make the grocery budget s-t-r-e-t-c-h 😁

No washing will dry today, so that's off the table.  Can't think of anything else MSE at the mo, so I'll shuffle orf.

Thanks for listening.  You're all wonderful.  Greying X

newgirly

Sounds like a good plan GP, think I’ll be doing similar myself this year. Usually we have far too much Xmas food early on and it just extends the unhealthy heating over a much longer period. Planning over five days is a great idea, I find we plan for the big meals when entertaining and exist on chocolate and cheese the rest of the time 😆 I shall be interested to see what the festive menu is, I may copy some ideas 😊

KajiKita

Also think it sounds like a good plan and agree that you've achieved a LOT in a short time!

In relation to Mr GP, I think you're right, you've exhausted every 'logical' means of making me feel safe and secure. For now, just relax and 'do you' as well as you always do With the occasional extra hug for him, with a quiet whisper in his ear at the same time, along the lines of 'We got through it last time, all will be well' and then smile gently and carry on - don't engage with any fretting. I wonder if talking about it less and just 'making it happen' might allow Mr GP to relax a bit more about it? If you don't appear to be focused on it as such, maybe he will 'feel' that he doesn't have to be quite so much? 

Also, FWIW, I know he's wasting his own energy on this and it's quite a sad thing to see him in this state, but it would be way worse to be with a thoughtless spendthrift who didn't even attempt to provide for his family! 💖 

KK