Statement of intent

StuartGMC

Well cold weather continues and is set to be here for some time. I've noticed in the French doors that one area is not sealing well (draft) and don't know why that is; can't do anything about it but may try to find some foam to drop into the door tomorrow. Heating running like everyone for longer over weekends and have extended timed period a little too. It will cost but then that's why we have monthly direct debiting and meter readings to hopefully spread the pain...

We've got in some yeast and flour etc in case things get worse, but I hear rumours now of fruit and vegetables becoming pricey due to delivery issues etc.

Meanwhile my commute has so far been relatively ok considering it is 27miles each way; just lucky as colleagues who live closer and come from the other direction have had more delays than I have - snow fall is a lottery in this area. I have been topping up fuel tank more frequently as I know one time the 35min commute took 6hrs and burned a quarter of a tank. Also as my car is rearwheel drive it helps to keep some weight over the axle.

Financially trying to keep spending down somewhat but not yet doing much on pro-active aspects of money saving other than staying in the house so not spending. However I did go to the pub last night and had a great few hours there with my mates - hang the expense I needed a laugh. One annoying thing is that the heating element in the fan oven has just failed; it was only replaced in March last year but I don't think OH had a receipt from the local chap who did it. Hope she can call and discuss it, but either way that will be about £70 for a new one. Not what we need right now!

uzubairu

StuartGMC wrote: »

Meanwhile my commute has so far been relatively ok considering it is 27miles each way; just lucky as colleagues who live closer and come from the other direction have had more delays than I have - snow fall is a lottery in this area. I have been topping up fuel tank more frequently as I know one time the 35min commute took 6hrs and burned a quarter of a tank. Also as my car is rearwheel drive it helps to keep some weight over the axle.

Financially trying to keep spending down somewhat but not yet doing much on pro-active aspects of money saving other than staying in the house so not spending.

It took me 50 minutes to drive 6 miles home on Monday night (normally takes 12-15 minutes), so I decided that I'd better not risk it for the rest of the weeek.
I've opted to take a few extra days off work (that I'm owed) given the bad weather and the 12 mile round trip (on foot) to work.
Staying at home in the warmth and not using my car is much cheaper.

I can gossip to my friends on the phone for hours in the evening for free, so I'm not completely cut off from the rest of society.

MoneyQueen

StuartGMC wrote: »

We've got in some yeast and flour etc in case things get worse, but I hear rumours now of fruit and vegetables becoming pricey due to delivery issues etc.

We have a well stocked pantry and freezer but not sure if we should stock up on Water in case Mains Pipes freeze

MQ

StuartGMC

MQ
Water needs replacing regularly because the chlorine will evolve and you risk bacteria growing (although bottled water usually has more bacteria than tap water....). Temperatures are unlikely to get lower than we've had, so if pipes have been ok, then it may no longer be an issue?

Today we had a thaw here although snow forecast for this evening; still chilly however and heating running again all day.

Been inside keeping warm and spent time with DD on the Wii playing F1 (she's good at it too ) and the Winter Olympics (again I have to try hard to beat her - and she's only 12!). Stopping at home tomorrow so no commute which will be nice.

Tesco_points_addict

StuartGMC wrote: »

MQ
Water needs replacing regularly because the chlorine will evolve and you risk bacteria growing (although bottled water usually has more bacteria than tap water....). Temperatures are unlikely to get lower than we've had, so if pipes have been ok, then it may no longer be an issue?

Today we had a thaw here although snow forecast for this evening; still chilly however and heating running again all day.

Been inside keeping warm and spent time with DD on the Wii playing F1 (she's good at it too ) and the Winter Olympics (again I have to try hard to beat her - and she's only 12!). Stopping at home tomorrow so no commute which will be nice.

Are you rubbing in the Wii F1 thing?! Tesco now being processed for hubbies order..whatever that means

TPAx

MoneyQueen

StuartGMC wrote: »

MQ
Water needs replacing regularly because the chlorine will evolve and you risk bacteria growing (although bottled water usually has more bacteria than tap water....). Temperatures are unlikely to get lower than we've had, so if pipes have been ok, then it may no longer be an issue?

I just have a kettle full and will replace it with fresh water every night. I just hope that we don't get anymore snow/ lower temperatures. Kitchen drain pipe has not thawed yet so can't cook/ wash dishes

Thankfully we had some meals in the freezer so not desperate yet :j

MQ

StuartGMC

Tesco_points_addict wrote: »

Are you rubbing in the Wii F1 thing?! Tesco now being processed for hubbies order..whatever that means

TPAx

Sorry wasn't the intention
Hope you get it soon!

StuartGMC

MoneyQueen wrote: »

I just have a kettle full and will replace it with fresh water every night. I just hope that we don't get anymore snow/ lower temperatures. Kitchen drain pipe has not thawed yet so can't cook/ wash dishes

Thankfully we had some meals in the freezer so not desperate yet :j

MQ

MQ
Now I understand the reference to the pipes; guess it is a need to wash up in a bowl and throw water onto the (frozen) veg patch so you can dig in any "bits" once you have a thaw?

Daily replacement would be fine on the water. You can keep a jug full in the fridge too if you want.

Mortgage_Reduction_Novice

I don't think my snow days have done my gas usage any good either. But hopefully have saved on petrol, even the days I've gone in, the commute has been 20mins shorter due to less traffic!

Am I being foolish... I haven't stocked up on anything and other than my usual Britta filtered water jug (gets filled when I'm waiting for hot water to run through), I hadn't thought about keeping water extra water for an emergency.

Oh and I don't think this snow will have done my spring cabbage and cauli in the veggie patch any good. It still hasn't thawed enough for me to see either of them! Hopefully the underground garlic, red onions and white onions will be ok. As for winter lettuce, I've loads of seeds left so not too precious about that!

StuartGMC

MRN
Stocking up on a few non-perishables/long life items never does any harm at such times; either because you are snowed in/ill, or due to deliveries not reaching stores. Things like the part-baked bread, yeast and flour etc plus things in the freezer (but if you lose power the contents could be lost....)

Fingers crossed we'll be moving out of this soon, but who knows what February will bring?

Water is not often cut-off unless mains bursts etc and then the supplier should get bottles to people after a while.

Keep warm.