Getting ready for winter

[Chillypetal]

I’ve been having a read on other threads about the cost of gas and electricity going up in Winter.

Does anyone have any tips on how to get prepared?

My shopping list consists of:

1. heated throw (I wanted one anyway but now I actually need one!!)
2. lined exterior door curtain (local Dunelm have a sale)
3. Collating slow cooker recipes, microwave recipes and air fryer recipes.
4. Book chimney sweep for disused fire and start buying fire wood while it’s cheap in the summer

I started the same type of thread (different name!) back in 2013ish. And I can’t believe I’m asking again.

Air fryers and heated throws weren’t readily accessible back then (not in the same way they are today!) so I’m hoping to learn some more new tips.

If you WFH a heated throw is a game changer.

We're putting any spare money into the gas/electric account. Bought an air fryer and will use slow cooker more. Have lots of throws already, thinking of getting electric blankets.

Yeah I do WFH 3 days a week but I’m also thinking that they may close the office completely because of energy prices!

this time last year I wanted one for a luxury warm snuggle. But I’ve realised it’s actually a necessity!

@Savingpeoplehuntingthings good plan!!

@Savingpeoplehuntingthings you've just reminded me that we do have an electric blanket for the bed. I’m off to find it and I’ll be using it on DS’s bed when the weather gets colder

Does anyone know the cheapest place to get firewood? I don’t even know how much we need. We have a tiny 2 bed bungalow

I've just made some changes.

Quite stupidly I ordered my wood pile for the hottest day of the year. In the recent heat it took me 3 evenings to move it all. I also needed an extra wood pile store and tarp from eBay as I'd no idea than a full trailer would probably heat two houses completely for the winter!

I've got lots of wood to share now. That full load, seasoned hard wood was £160 delivered. It it easily 2-3 cubic meters. It's filled two of these (photo attached) :

I've got each person a heated throw.

Must book the chimney sweep.

I need to gather decent slow cook recipes, mine all seem come out the same.

I'm also going to hide the bath plug so the children take showers instead. Two of my teenagers can easily use a whole tank of hot water and the rest of us have to put the override on or go without.

We are rural and I've found getting shopping delivered on a saver delivery plan saves me much fuel and time. It also saves me money as I can be ruthless with an online basket. It doesn't quite work in store, they constantly move things and I forget my meal plan.

I always meal plan to make best use of cheaper ingredients and special offers.

Right now I'm buying winter clothes and coats as they are cheaper when no one wants them.

Buy fertiliser if you see it and you grow your own veg. It's getting ever harder to source cheaply.

Following to see if I can glean anything else to help.

@toooldtocarewhoknows great plan!! I also need to get winter clothes and wellies.

have you seen any sales or is it eBay? I need cable tights, slipper socks and Christmas jumpers (for school)

I managed to get a £10 school coat in the Next Sale for my DS. Absolute bargain! It was £45 full price

Buying now what you'll need later is a good idea. Not just for prices but availability too!

Thanks for this! I'll be WFH to till 2/3am... this is genius as I've been thinking about keeping warm in my office without using the heating.

I’ve just bought a sand timer with a suction cup to time our showers to 4 mins! It was £3 from eBay

So I’m hoping this will help save some gas

(our showers are central heated by the gas boiler just like the bath etc)

Not sure what region you are in but united utilities have a whole range of water saving devices that they will send you for free.

This year will be the first time ever that I’ve had all of the kids in school full time so this has come at a fairly good time for us, I’m happy to layer up and drink hot drinks all day to keep warm

I’ve bought a shower timer too, also a flask so I’m not boiling the kettle all day
We already have lots of blankets all over the house but I’m buying all the kids those oodie things to have on around the house so they’re easier to play in
I will be getting the kids that ‘teddy bear’ bedding, I’m planning to get that soon as it’s on sale everywhere and I’ve also just ordered draught excluders for the patio doors and loft storage space
I will be stocking up on soups/cuppa soups and will be utilising the slow cooker more than once a week as I usually do

I’m also in credit with my utilities for the first time all year this month so making a big push to build up some more credit for the winter now for the remainder of the mild months

I also think it’s crazy that we’re having to do this in this day and age, utterly ridiculous!

Good tip about filling a flask with hot water, so you don't have to keep boiling the kettle. There are cheap flasks in Asda at the moment.

Washed and aired all the spare blankets ready, we are getting an air fryer and a slow cooker, reducing dramatically how often we use our rubbish oven. All the basics are gonna be bought from lidl food wise to get the voucher deal at the end of the month. Any savings will be chucked at the gas card /electric key. I am looking forward to the tips on this thread. The flask for working from home is a good one, I work from home and am thinking about a hot water bottle. I have q warm up lavender bag too! My husband has brand new fluffy fishing socks I'm gonna wear those over usual socks on the laminate floor in the winter 😁

Good thread, I don't work from home but my husband does and last year he had the heating on all day! I'm hoping to persuade him to keep warm other ways this year. Has anyone seen any good value heated blankets? I looked in Lakeland but they are quite pricey from there

With flasks, get the most ex9that you can afford as very cheap ones won't keep the water hot for long. Look for double walled, thermos camping flasks from outdoor shops like decathlon and mountain warehouse.

Expensive not ex9

It’s cheaper by far to use a heated throw than use a hot water bottle. Boiling the kettle is a big user of electricity. And hot water bottles go cold.

Any recommendations for heated throws please?

I've just bought a small airfryer. Live alone.

Will buy an electric blanket and electric throw.

I have a heat pump and, together with underfloor heating, it uses masses of electricity

I am also going to buy heated throw. Also, tealights put room temperature by 1 degree or so. Cheaper than gas and they also dry the air.

why did I put "also" 3 times, no idea. Sorry

Yes please can someone link to a good heated throw they would recommend!

www.weeklydeals4less.com/product/glowmasters-luxury-throw-overblanket/

I've seen reccomended in various money saving fb groups, I'm planning on ordering a few soon.

I’ve been using Vinted to source winter things, recently acquired some heat holder socks and a dressing gown, new with tags on there. Also managed to score a Dreamland heated throw last night - new in packet for £45. So hopeful that will be a big help!