Preparing for winter

Trying_2B_Frugal

Hi 

I was wondering if anyone has started to prepare for winter already? Is it something you do every year or is it the first time you have done this. I always plan to but i never really start. As I have health issues I should really be more organised.

LinLui

I don't now,  but that's because it's all squared away. I'm disabled, and not "poor" ( but not rich either). So over the last few years I've stored up useful stuff that enables me to manage winter without breaking the bank. A few electric hot water bottles. Thermal throws. A sleeping bag that unzips at the bottom to allow you to walk around in it! Which to be fair I've never used but it's there in case there's a power cut. And so on.  I bought cold weather stuff at this time of year - from spring to late summer- because it's often easier to find bargains. Fleeces, for example,  are a pittance today,  but in two months or so the prices will triple for the winter! 

It makes a difference - I can get through winter very comfortably using little energy and yet without being overly frugal. 

EssexExile

I've no idea what one would do to prepare for winter.

victor2

Trying_2B_Frugal said:

Hi 

I was wondering if anyone has started to prepare for winter already? Is it something you do every year or is it the first time you have done this. I always plan to but i never really start. As I have health issues I should really be more organised.

Summer is short enough without having spend it preparing for winter!

Having said that, I have replaced my faulty heating thermostat at my "leisure", as I knew the old one would give me trouble when I switch the heating back on. So I suppose that does count.

PS. Welcome to the forum.

Cherryfudge

I think it's great that you're looking ahead - there's a thread on prepping somewhere, which isn't specifically to do with winter but people are talking about having food in case of emergencies, and other things like alternative lighting and heating. There are all sorts of things that are best done before they become a problem: are your gutters in good shape and clear, does the letter box let in drafts, do you have a chimney that needs to be swept of fuel to order before prices go up, have you got salt or grit in case it's icy in front of your home? Do you have a warm coat, scarf, gloves etc? Waterproof footwear? If you use a hot water bottle, is it leaking? Would it be a good idea to have a slow cooker (background heat as well as nice to have dinner ready in advance)? If you have pets, do they have winter shelter? Should you get a supply of extra pet food in case you can't get out? Do you have elderly neighbours who might need help?

There are lots of things you could consider - that's just a random selection.. Of course it depends on you and your situation. Are you in the town or countryside? Can you get to a chemist if you need an emergency prescription? Is there someone you could call on for help if needed? Do you have dependents and if so, would it be a good idea to have things in for them? Even everyday medication can be a problem if you don't have it (paracetamol, Calpol, cream for cracked skin).

I live in a town but I still try to think ahead. I'd rather live off tins for a few days than go out if it's icy and I'm not well. If there's a storm and the power goes off, I try to keep one of those little power banks charged up so I can charge my phone. A family I know was without power for some while after a winter storm - could that happen where you are?

I'll look up a couple of links to threads dealing with similar things and add them here:

Prepping: the new world... — MoneySavingExpert Forum

Preparing for Winter V — MoneySavingExpert Forum

That second one has lots of links to similar threads from past years in an early post.

Albermarle

About the only thing I do, is get the boiler serviced whilst the heating engineers are in a quiet period.
Maybe get the cars serviced ( now they are both out of warranty and not doing a lot of miles, I do not stick exactly to the 12 month service schedule)

kempiejon

Clean the wood burner. Re stacking some seasoned wood from the big store to the smaller convenient one nearer to the front door.
I too get my boiler service this time of year, my engineer sends me an email with a discount each August.
Last winter I did promise myself I would check some of the drafts in the front room and replace the seals in my back door.

FreeBear

kempiejon said: Clean the wood burner. Re stacking some seasoned wood from the big store to the smaller convenient one nearer to the front door.

I restock my wood shed from the big pile under cover. Do it in the spring, and the logs get baked in the shed, driving moisture content right down. I then have space to cut, split, and stack logs over summer ready for two/three years down the line.

greenbee

Boiler service (and water tank if you have a pressurised system), chimney swept, logs rearranged, general maintenance to fill up rodent access, deal with any draughts/cold spots noticed last winter, check external paintwork (all mine has been redone this year, including dealing with small amounts of rot), gutter clearance and dealing with any blocked downpipes, leaf guards added to downpipes in an attempt to reduce the amount of stuff going into the downpipes. Septic tank emptied (must book that actually) and drains checked. 

This year I've also had roof repairs done, solar and batteries added, and the insulation over the garage/utility room is being topped up. There's still work to be done in the main roof (replacing extractor fans, tidying up the unbelievable mess that previous electricians have made of the wiring), after which the insulation will be tidied up and topped up.... hopefully before winter. 

I've also invested in thermal blinds to go behind curtains (measured so that they can be swapped out for the light-filtering/privacy ones I use in the summer). 

Cherryfudge

I'm not a driver - what would people recommend to be road-worthy for bad weather?

FreeBear

Cherryfudge said:

I'm not a driver - what would people recommend to be road-worthy for bad weather?

Unimog - All wheel drive with a "go anywhere" attitude.