Keeping warm on a budget!

Hello Dear Reader,

We had a damp and mild autumn so the onset of this recent very cold weather has been a bit of a shock. Even so, I've got used to it really quickly and now I'm not finding it that bad at all. I'm happily wrapping up and popping a blanket on my lap as I've had to face up to the fact that I just can't afford central heating! We've had our meters read and are due a four hundred pound plus refund and we've changed energy companies and more than halved our monthly direct debit payments. I'm hoping to reduce it even further once they read the meters again at the end of the winter.

There are many things we do to keep warm. We eat well and came home to a slow cooker full of stew. We use our wood burner to keep one room warm; it does shrink our house considerably but it's better than having no heat at all. I use oil filled electric radiators in rooms such as my sewing room, keep it on the lowest setting and keep the door closed; it's not warm but it's not cold either. We only use them when we are in there. We take ourselves and the dogs out for a walk every night and the exercise warms us all up. We dress warmly and have extra layers we put on when we get home. 

We have plenty of hot drinks, in my case plenty of herbal infusions. We get to bed early which saves on lighting and logs and we watch TV in bed. 

It does mean our totally unheated bathroom is a trial by ice to get in, washed and out of as fast as possible but as water is flamin' expensive, that's not such a bad thing! It is rather like this.........but without the cheery smile! I thought I was the optimistic one!

Now, if you want or need any other ideas of how to keep warm on a limited budget some great advice can be found on the AGEUK website. It's rapidly approaching my bed time and I'm off to snuggle up between several duvets and I definitely be warm and toasty there!

Over to you....what are you doing to keep warm on a budget?

Until tomorrow,

Love Froogs  xxxxxx

Advice from AGEUK.

Make yourself warmer

• Wear several thin layers, rather than one thick layer. This is because they trap warm air close to the body
• Go for clothes made from wool, cotton or fleecy fabrics, if possible
• Draw your curtains, as soon as it gets dark to stop the heat escaping and the draughts coming in
• Keep any windows and internal doors closed when it’s cold – this will keep heat inside, where you most need it
• A lot of heat is lost through the head and neck, so if you’re chilly indoors, try wearing a hat and scarf
• Your body keeps warm by burning food you've eaten, so make sure you have regular hot meals that contain carbs, such as potatoes, pasta, bread and rice. Try porridge with hot milk for breakfast and soups and stews for lunch and dinner.
• If you’re sitting down, a shawl or blanket will provide extra warmth. You should also try to keep your feet up, because air is cooler at ground level.
• Wear warm clothes in bed. When it’s really cold, wear thermal underwear, bed socks and even a hat.

Some longer-term things you can do to help ward 

off the winter chill

• Have your heating system serviced and chimney swept
• Check your water stopcock is working properly
• Get a keyhole cover – it should only cost a couple of pounds and will help keep the draughts out in cold weather.
• Fit thermal linings to your curtains if you can – this will also help to keep the heat in
• Check out the benefits and grants available to help with insulation and energy efficiency, such as cavity wall insulation

Other ways to keep the fuel bills down

• Turn off lights when you’re not in the room
• Don’t leave electrical items, like the TV and DVD player, on standby – switch them off.
• Only boil as much water in a kettle as you need.
• Use a 30°C programme on your washing machine
• Turn off any electrical chargers once your appliance is at full power, such as a laptop or mobile phone.
• Don’t block your radiators – it cuts the heat they give out
• If you have a dishwasher, fill it fully before using it, so it’s more energy efficient.

What to stock up on

• If you can afford it, you’ll feel more relaxed if you stock up for the winter months. Try to have a store of these, in case you have trouble getting out of the house.
• Batteries for your smoke alarm
• Salt or sand for icy steps and pathways
• Tinned fruit and veg – it’s just as nutritious as the fresh kind
• Cold and flu medicines, as well as any repeat prescriptions
• Pasta and rice will last through the winter months, so stock up now.