Cheap ways to keep warm when WFH

[gukvguk]

Just had a smart meter installed and the heater I have by my desk during the day is 35p per hour which I'm shocked at. Was using it so as not to turn on full house heating. I'm a warm person usually but it's colder than am used to in my (newish to me) Victorian House.

I'm already in a jumper but can't type in my Oodie as too bulky!

What do other people do that is cheap? I don't mind something with a cost to run but not 35p per hour - and prices will go up when out of contract in Feb too.

Thanks

Heated throw! Saved me last winter and from what I've gathered online they are very cheap to run (and I use it a lot and have never had increased bills).

Do you drape it around shoulders or lap @MrsMcCluskeysCat?

I just have a throw over my legs, doubled over. Keeps my legs and feet warm

I bought a heated poncho from Lakeland for this purpose. It is basically a heated throw with poppers so it doesn't slide off your shoulders. Very toasty.

There is an article about this today in the Guardian OP. Suggestions included thermal clothing to keep your core warm, hot water bottles and heat pads, blankets, heating one room, radiator reflectors, insulation, fixing draughts around windows and between floorboards.

Obviously insulation is not necessarily cheap but would pay you back over time.

woolly hat (not for zoom meetings)
blanket
2 pairs of socks
fleece

Fingerless gloves are a god send. Even though they stop half way up my palm they keep my whole hand warmer. I also use a scarf that I pull up higher than usual on my head, thermal layers, thick socks AND slippers and a hot water bottle if needs be.

I also stand up for phone calls, that seems to help. And if I am properly cold, I run up and down stairs a few times, which works too

@Spudina - sounds labour intensive! Good ideas though considering house is 140 years old.

@applesandpears33 - just googled the poncho, it looks like my Oodie! Are the side flappy bits in the way at all?

@EeeByeGummieBear - am now modelling a throw, lets see how that fares me this afternoon, thank you!

Put something like a rug or a folded up towel under your feet.
Hat.
Fingerless gloves.
Lots of warm drinks, and a warm dinner like soup or a toastie.

Second the heated throw, I got this one from Argos and it's amazing, I checked the running costs on my smart meter and it was 1-2p per hour compared to 65p per hour for the gas central heating.

argos heated throw link

@gukvguk

Do you drape it around shoulders or lap *@MrsMcCluskeysCat*?

I just have it across my legs and that keeps me warm enough, it seems to heat the room up a bit so I'm ok as long as I have a decently thick top/jumper on.

Does anyone know whether you're not meant to sit on a heated throw? I know you're not meant to double them over.

Get some boot slippers, preferably fleece or furry ones.
I wrap a fleece blanket round my legs & wear a fleece jumper.
Make sure the door is closed - but we do have the heating on just lower than normal.
Helps that I'm in a south-facing room.

@KirstenBlest - loving the idea of wearing a woolly hat for a zoom meeting!

@Sparkai - not worn fingerless gloves since the 80s - now I want some bad! Gonna order some right now!

My microwaveable heat pack might be my most used household item!

For WFH I always have a merino base layer and socks, with a bigger pair of socks over the top, fluffy slipper boots, merino or cashmere jumper (all from eBay (less than 10 pounds) or TKMaxx), a rug under my chair and a throw for my knees. And I have a Chrome extension thingy that reminds me to get up and stretch so I take the opportunity to walk around a bit to get my circulation going! In case of extreme cold, the hot water bottle is deployed.

Oh I do quite often wear a woolly hat too, but that might be an autism thing, I love a hood or a hat!

@gukvguk The sides are a bit flappy but I don't find they get in the way for me. I'm just sitting at a desk typing away on a keyboard but I could see they might get in the way if someone were doing something more active.

@applesandpears33 - something more active! Do you mean putting the kettle on? :-D

I can see my Christmas list expanding by the minute with socks, throws, gloves and hats etc. Thanks all.

I have a fleece lined poncho from Piccalilli clothing. Keeps me super warm so far.

Gosh everyone seems to have very cold houses! I'm WFH with no heating on and I'm just wearing a long sleeved T shirt - and in the UK.

Wear an Oodie. I can sit all day in just a t shirt and Oodie and not feel cold.

I'm in Scotland, Its 5 degrees outside and have got my dressing gown on over my clothes!

I just noticed you can't type in your Oodie as it's bulky. Is it a proper Oodie? As mine is tight at the cuffs so makes no difference to my typing.