Frugal prepping for Autumn/Winter

[kat360]

As its getting colder I thought it would be a good idea to share how to prep for colder weather frugally.

MSE Winter checklist

Warm Home Discount Scheme - Not everyone gets it but its worth a try

Which guide to free insulation - Not everyone gets these either but there is some interesting links on there

*I got some radiator reflector foil quite cheaply from lidl last year, it was on a roll so you could cut it to size. Ideal for our unusual shaped rads.
Found this in screwfix direct Radiator reflector roll
I'm sure you can make your own but I think the backing makes a difference.

*Checking the sealent around windows and doors, I didn't realise how much I needed to do this

*Hang a door curtain if possible, This makes a lot of difference

*Layering, I mostly have my dressing gown on in the house in the winter. So do my kids, Slippers or slipper socks also help keep you warm.

*Hot water bottles in beds before bed, pop the kids pjs on top and it warms them up too.

Thats all I can think of for now but feel free to add.

[TheJunctionBaby]

Grumpyoldblonde we've been foraging rowanberries, elderberries, rosehip, blackberries etc and made lots of hedgerow syrup which is high in vit c and a to help ward off winter bugs. Much cheaper than buying supplements (apart from sugar and lemons its free!) and very tasty. My kids look forward to their daily dose :-)
I've also been making batches of fermented veg like sauerkraut, honey garlic and lemons. They are packed full of probiotics and vitamins and again, way cheaper than anything you can buy in a shop. Plus they are yummy. These are a couple of the ways we stay healthy on a budget.

We've just spent the last 5 years in Canada where winters can be brutal. We would wear leggings under our regular clothes as a cheaper option to base layers. Even my son had his own black pair lol!

[Tryingtosaveup]

Thanks Fluffy, I will both Google and look on YouTube. I really need to do something as conservatory windows leak....yes let in water.

[Fluffycloudland77]

Trying It's a clear film attached with strong tape, 3m make it in kits.

Google window film kits. YouTube videos are good too.

[Grumpyoldblonde]

Can someone tell me what the radiator foils are supposed to do? Do they make The room warmer?
The foil reflects heat back into the room

[Grumpyoldblonde]

The first colds of the year have arrived here, good idea to make sure you have plenty of tissues, paracetamol and suchlike in, As this is a frugal thread it's worth pointing out that 20p paracetamol and 30p Ibuprofen is the same thing as the pricey brands, same goes for stomach meds, £4 for Immodium or 80p for Wilko own? Same ingredients.
I love the MSE prep threads previously mentioned, they think of everything! Has anyone mentioned a car kit yet? Torch, blanket, snacks etc.

[HateSummer]

Can someone tell me what the radiator foils are supposed to do? Do they make The room warmer?

[BarefootCuntessa]

Had a long message typed and it has disappeared 😠 If you can't afford to replace draughty windows a great tip is to replace the handles and the black foam insulating tape .My husband does that a lot for people who can't afford to get new windows.We rent so can't replace ours crappy windows and he did it to ours last winter and it made a huge difference for very little cost. Yes to draught excluders very easy to make from old jumpers just cut off the arms and stuff with newspapers or if your anyway crafty they are easy to knit too

[SantasLittleMonkeyButler]

that anyone has outgrown

[SantasLittleMonkeyButler]

Now is the time people start thinking about buying winter clothes, especially coats.

If you have any that anyone had outgrown or doesn't wear anymore, pop them on eBay. Coats, jumpers and jumper dresses are fetching really good prices at the moment!

I was watching a George jumper dress yesterday for a 5 year old - somebody ended up paying £9.61 for it! It probably cost less new!

[BarefootCuntessa]

Have made loads of blackberry jam also bought 4 raspberry plants from lidl last year they were reduced to 50c each planted them and they have self seeded and now I have a massive clump so loads of raspberries which I use to make jam,freeze for smoothies and also eat fresh. I also make hedgerow jam using all sorts of berries found in most hedgerows.Have an apple tree in the garden so make loads of jars of apple sauce and my mil makes lots of apple tarts and freezes them.If you have any rose hips growing near you you can also make a lovely oil that's really easy to do and is great for face&body for all the family.

[Helgathehairy]

The threads about prepping for winter on the money saving expert forum are epic. This is the latest one.

[Tryingtosaveup]

Hi, please can you explain the clear film over windows and patio doors ? How exactly is it done? I have cold draughty patio doors and the whole house needs new windows so I need to draught proof the lot.
And the foil for radiators? Do I put it on the wall behind and above? Help please?

[afferal]

The radiator foil rolls mentioned in OP are coming into lidl 25th sept, £4.99 a roll x

[Fluffycloudland77]

Electric heating on the weekend is a really good idea.

[Grumpyoldblonde]

Really good point about the heating Kat
I also give the radiators a good dust behind them and move any furniture around so they are not blocking heat from the rads.
This is a good time of year to check if anyone needs scarves, gloves, new wellies etc.
I now get free electric on a weekend day - it's a deal through british gas so this will be used for batch cooking and I plan to use electric heaters rather than the central heating to take full advantage of the deal.

[kat360]

Just a quick reminder for people to check their heating is working before it gets cold, it's going to cheaper if it needs fixing now.

If anyone is looking for a deuhumidifier, I can recommend this one:
Dehumidifier

I'm thinking of making some quillows for our sofas but I'm just beginning to learn to sew on my sewing machine

[Ememem84]

We've put clear film over one window in our flat - it's the only one which isn't double glazed but it's in our hallway so not an area we spend a huge amount of time in. The window also can't open. But again not a huge issue.

We put summer duvet under the sheet on our bed to keep things toasty.

[Fluffycloudland77]

You can store summer duvets under the bottom sheet during winter. Toasty and easily washable.

We will be using clear film over the patio doors this winter. It's a brand new window but still cold down that end of the room due to the size of it.

[FrogTime]

That £13k does include new conservatory glass work and doors too

I love Yankees in the winter, a little bit of extra warmth is always good - plus they smell so good (cinnamon stick and spiced Orange are my fave winter smells)

I'm going to do the oven door one! Thanks

[Grumpyoldblonde]

Much cheaper in the short term than the £13k for new Windows!
I paid £1700 for my new windows, used a local company rather than one of the big rip-off merchants (Anglian type companies)
Before I had the new windows, my bathroom was icy so I put bubble wrap over the window, with drawing pins and it helped a lot to keep the chill out ( you couldn't see it as it was hidden behind a blind and from outside it just looked like frosted glass)
Candles add a tiny bit of warmth but also make a room look cosy and warmer.
I have freezing feet so wear a very thin pair of socks then a pair of fluffy ones over those, keep feet really warm. I have loads of pashmina type shawls to wear around the house.
I always keep the oven door open a while after cooking to let the residual heat around the kitchen.

[victoryinthekitchen]

Yes to hot water bottles, not just at bedtime but also when you settle down in the evening on the sofa, make sure the bottle has a cosy cover on as they stay warm for hours and hours then.

[BackwardElephants]

Marking place for tips.

[FrogTime]

This is a brilliant thread.

We've loved in our house almost 2 years and have only bought 1 pair of curtains so far! The blinds arent cutting it in winter so will need to buy at least 1 pair from ikea. Theyre about £45 and will go on pole or track and are so long that you just hem to the length you want.

Much cheaper in the short term than the £13k for new Windows!

You can quite easily put together draft excluders from old duvet covers or cheap fabric from offcuts at the haberdashers and a little filling too.

As daft as it may sounds too I used to iron in the bedroom in the early evening with a DVD on and that used to heat up the room a bit!

[victoryinthekitchen]

Last of the blackberries being picked and made into jam or being frozen for free winter puddings. Anything left in the garden being made into soup and frozen. On cold days wear 2 pairs of socks inside slippers and a scarf to keep the warmth in if you're in a freezing house like mine.

[OrlandaFuriosa]

Draught excluders for doors. Buy or make one. Makes a huge difference. Make sure you've got blinds or curtains at every window.

Change to higher tog duvet. If no electric blanket, put a blanket under the sheet.

Porridge in the morning, warming, healthy and cheap. Delicious with enhancements ( possibły a little less healthy). Esp if you put the oats on to soak the night before, just as fast as cereals ( well, not quite, but only 1 minute longer). And real porridge, not the microwave rip off stuff.

Starting to fill freezer with fruit. And make the Christmas presents, plum vodka or gin.