Anyone else can't afford heating? How to save money on bills...

[ParsleyCake]

My son will be seven months old in December. I'm going to struggle to pay my bills with the current debt I am in. I could use some advice on the best way to approach this, and tips on how else to save money on bills. Usually we go almost completely without heating, but I obviously can't do that with a baby in the house.

I think the best thing would be to spend half the day in the living room, and half the day upstairs in the bedroom, and only heat those rooms while we are in them, wearing extra layers and snuggling under blankets. I have always thought that using our gas central heating costs more than running plug in oil heaters, is this correct? And Would i be better off investing in a calor gas heater? If I dress the baby in a snuggly snowsuit style onsie, can we have the heating off for parts of the day if we get really skint? We sleep snuggled in the same bed already at night so he'll definitely be warm at night.

We already do the most obvious things to save money like wash clothes at 30 degrees and we dont watch tv. Im considering turning the fridge off as we only really use the freezer and itl be cold enough that the milk wont go bad quickly if we leave it out anyway.

Any tips? Especially on how to keep my son warm.

Have you looked into whether you would qualify for debt relief help or similar via one of the charities that exist? Would reduce your debt repayments to affordable levels without incurring more interest.

In terms of heating you do need to be careful that you don't overheat your baby wearing a snowsuit in the house as it will make it difficult for him to self regulate his own heat.

You need debt advice more than anything, you need to pay them at a rate you can afford. This will free up money for heating. So tell us about the debts

Go out to heated places, museums, libraries, galleries, shopping centre. There's no reason to stay at home in the cold.

I don't think gas central will be more expensive than oil heaters - they eat electric, usually. Check your efficiencies, but I'd be surprised if that was the case.

if you cook soups and stews and dried beans etc from scratch, that will warm up the kitchen and save on food bills . Exercise is great for warming you up and it keeps you fit. Find one you like on the internet and follow along. Libraries and shopping malls are heated - spend some time there when you get too cold at home. Wear a woolly hat inside the house and warm socks and shoes. When you keep the extremities warm it helps your whole body to keep warm. Wear woollies - mohair is amazing and angora. 2nd hand stores sell them cheaply because people get too warm in heated places. If you have hot water a bath is great for warming up.and hot water bottles to hold on to. Get advice and help on how to improve your financial sit.

We drawing pin fleece blankets over our windows in the winter.

just remembered when my kids were small and i was pennilesss, i used to do cleaning jobs that i could take my kids to. = that would be heated places !Or a job helping a child minder where your dc can come with you. =to a heated place!

What are the debts? Secured or unsecured? Is interest being charged?

You need to workout a realistic budget for household expenses, one that includes being fed and warm. Any remaining income should be shared between your debts. If interest is being added it possible to get it frozen. Contact a free debt adviser such as National Debt Line.

I'm sorry I don't have any good advice but for you. Hopefully you will get some brilliant mumsnet advice to help you.

We don't have our on much in the day due to skin problens and find a quick burst early morning and early evening are good times.