Sick of being cold

[dreammattemousse]

I just need a rant!
Me and my children left an abusive relationship, I left with nothing,
Not even a phone.
Ive worked incredibly hard and stayed with family and have just managed to buy a house by myself. (I'm grateful every day for this)
But I'm bloody cold
I can't afford to put the heating on, and my son asked me why there is smoke coming out of his mouth.
I grew up in a freezing cold house and I swore I'd never let my kids suffer like I did.
Im so grateful we are safe and free,
And I used to love this time of year but it's affecting me quite badly, physically and emotionally!
Does anyone else feel the same?
I'm doing absolutely everything I can and it's helping (hot water bottles, layers etc) but the reality is..
I have a pretty constant headache and shoulder ache from being so bloody cold.
Roll on next summer 😅

Where do you live?

Southwest

(Can't be more specific for safety but in a city in the south west ) 😊

This - I think we must be very lucky in the SW as our temp inside has not dropped below 19.5° so far and we haven't needed any heating.

Sending some unmumsnetty hugs

I’m Kent and I have my back door open!

what is the temp that your child can see his breath inside?

It's hard to explain but I just feel cold to my bones?
The kids haven't complained yet but I am dreading when it gets really cold

op lives In SW

Haha, those two replies crossing. I must admit, in the South East we've only had to boost a couple of times this year, and that was for damp more than cold. It's been pretty mild this year.

Sorry you feel cold. It's miserable. Is your house very old and drafty? I know down in Exeter DD feels the damp with all the rain you have had.

it is currently 9-10 degrees in Bristol!

op - it will fall very substantially in Jan. scour marketplace for heaters and layer up

I'm sat on my sofa and I can see my breath
Maybe my house is a cold house ?
Or I have really hot breath 😂😂
I don't have a thermostat so not sure of the exact temp

Thanks for the replies
I actually really appreciate it

whats your movement levels like during the day?

It's a 1950's house
I checked and there is insulation in the loft
And double glazing
So I don't know why it's sooo cold

Get off your sofa and start moving for a start! I promise that will help

Heated blankets cost pennies to run and I always find a bit of cleaning helps warm me up too.

I'm very active usually
I am a support worker so spend a lot of time in my car which is a blessing because the heaters work well
But then I am often out and about so pretty cold most of the day
Having a rare working from
Home day so had no choice but to sit still and I think that's why I felt compelled to post!
The evenings are the worst for me, as much as I'd love to move around that one hour window is my only down time and I need to sit still for a minute 😅

And thanks for the suggestion for a heated blanket:)
I will try and get one! The initial cost of buying one seems like it will be worth it!

I live in the south west and I haven't even turned mine on yet. I don't think it's very cold. Mind you its a terraced house and well insulated.

If you can afford £16 these are a game changer. We work in a warehouse with no heating all winter. One of these as the bottom layer makes a huge difference. They do a pack of two for children. Make sure you buy heatgen plus/medium (not light).
https://www.marksandspencer.com/heatgen-plus-thermal-long-sleeve-top/p/clp60474267?color=DARKRASPBERRY&prevPage=srp#intid=pid_pg1pip48g4r1c2

It is rubbish. Unfortunately we are getting in to the cold season, a few things I’d make sure you had done.

draft excluders for the doors in the main rooms you use
keep all the doors shut in your property
blankets on the sofa
Make sure the beds have thick winter duvets on
Socks or slippers when in the house for you all ( cold feet, make you feel colder than you are!)
Oddies ( or the rip off version from primark. When / if funds allow)
Always a hot dinner in the evening, even if it’s something on toast/ jacket potato
Hot chocolate in the evening For the dc, plenty of tea for yourself

Some houses are just colder than others. When you can’t afford to use the heating much that can be a bit miserable

Thankyou so much!
We have an old drafty conservatory which I've left accessible for the cat but I am going to move her food into the kitchen now. Kids are home from school now so at least I won't stop moving for a few hours!
And I think the initial cost of things like draft excluders etc will be worth it.
I'm going to look on
Facebook market place for some things

Watching with interest. I’m sat under a duvet wfh op, I feel your pain!

Do you have thermals? Not pretty but really good for keeping warm.

Do you have to work from home or can you do it from the library, which might be warmer if you have a cold house?

Have you got a double bed, duvet on your bed? Fold it in half and climb inside, keeps you warmer. Put the sofa blankets on top of the kids duvets for an extra layer. You can get blankets on Facebook marketplace, I got 6 for £30 total last year from someone's clear out.

Are you wearing a scarf? That can make a huge difference especially if you're getting neck/shoulder pain. If you're wearing a hoodie put the scarf on top and tuck the ends in by your chest. It's quite effective at eliminating clothing draughts. Humans lose s lot of heat through their heads so always have a hood/hat.

Polyester, because it's not breathable so your body heat stays near you, and wool helps keep me warm at this time of year. Obviously you're not going to be able to find 100% wool but even something with 5% makes a difference. Look on discount websites for jumpers, I use E5P and it lists the fabric composition.

Hot breakfast like porridge, shredded wheat or Weetabix in the morning. Even hot milk on cornflakes is ok if you don't mind them soggy.

draft excluders
Make your own! Worn out trousers, cut off a leg and stitch it up, stuff with cut up pieces of other worn out clothes.

They are good, but the mens are so much better as they are 35% wool and you can wear more than one pair:

https://www.marksandspencer.com/thermal-maximum-warmth-wool-blend-long-johns/p/clp60464210?color=BLACK#intid=pid_pg1pip26g4r7c4

I'm only 5 foot and size 10 and the small fit me.