[Ricci]

Staying Warm on a Budget​

Like almost all of us I am totally over the rising costs of everything and am continually looking for ways to save.

The prospect of keeping warm this winter was filling me with dread as even though I have a reverse cycle air conditioner which all the experts say is the most economical form of heating, I could see the dollars clicking up, then I heard an expert talk on the matter.

I listened carefully to what he had to say and it seemed to make sense to me. His recommendation was to heat the person and not the room.

I already owned a heated throw and tried that. While it worked fine when I was sitting watching tv or whatever it was not conducive to visits to the loo or the kitchen for snacks. It needed more thought and a different perspective.

I landed on two long sleeve vests (one on and one in the wash) which I already had but can be bought from Kmart for $12 each, a pair of teddy fleece elastic cuff pj pants ($15 Kmart) and one of those oversized fleecy hoodie thingies (also from Kmart $25). So for $52 for a complete set I was ready to give it a go. I used my own house slippers and haven't included them in the costs as I would be wearing them anyway.

It is now almost a month since I've had my heating on and I can honestly say I've never been toastier, even though we've had a couple of polar blasts and temperatures have been way down. Now I will be the first to admit it's maybe not the most glamorous look I've ever rocked but warmth and comfort far outweigh high fashion as far as I'm concerned. I can get up and wander around and my warmth comes with me. Over the next couple of pension days I will buy a second set to ensure I've always got a clean set.

Ok, so my total outlay might be $104 which I'll agree is a fair amount, but I'm sure that's a lot less than my electricity bill would be for the winter and what's more I will already have them for future years use.

I hope this might help someone, you don't have to freeze if you are prepared to think outside the box.

 

[Luckyus]

you don't have to freeze if you are prepared to think outside the box. At my age thinking outside the box is all I've got?

 

[Veronica]

I agree. It’s easier to keep warm and save towards the summer heat where it’s harder to cool down
I have a heated throw and I wear my dressing gown and warm slippers Haven’t used the heating this winter hardly at all, I’m toastie warm even with bathroom breaks
I would recommend the heated throws to everyone they are real game changers. I bought mine 3 years ago, next winter I’m investing in a new one
Need to get in early round about April they start appearing in shops they sell out quickly, so that’s a good indication how good they are

 

[Singomate]

Thanks ,I also use a beany to keep the ears and head toasty.

 

[Cazz55]

I, too, rug up. Only myself in the house. I close doors to vacant rooms. I wear leggings under track pants. Warm socks in slippers. Long sleeved top and windcheater under my Oodie and a beanie on really cold days/nights. Electric throw great for watching T.V. too but toasting when doing other jobs. Heater comes on if family/visitors expected.

 

[Barbara V]

As I posted previously,invest in a infrared heater so cheap to run . No moving parts . No servicing, no exposed elements to catch on fire. Comes in different sizes for different sized areas and its moveable to any part of house. Had mine for 2 years now best thing I invested in . Cost me $340 and it's paid for itself in how much electricity it uses.

 

[Suzanne rose]

As I posted previously,invest in a infrared heater so cheap to run . No moving parts . No servicing, no exposed elements to catch on fire. Comes in different sizes for different sized areas and its moveable to any part of house. Had mine for 2 years now best thing I invested in . Cost me $340 and it's paid for itself in how much electricity it uses.

I always thought they were expensive to run. Thank you for letting us know

 

[Suzanne rose]

@Ricci My daughter said it's been freezing down your way
Great thinking outside the box.
My daughter got the granddaughter's those huggle things and thick socks and they are so cosy

 

[mylittletibbies]

@Ricci My daughter said it's been freezing down your way
Great thinking outside the box.
My daughter got the granddaughter's those huggle things and thick socks and they are so cosy

I bought myself and my daughter something similar from Temu, very cheap
Trackie pants and loose top with very thick fleecy lining, snuggly and warm.
I have a wood fire but wood is extremely expensive these days here in WA. I paid $450 a ton last year and have heard of people who paid even more.
I needed 4 ton to get me thru winter last year.
This year, since my husband passed, my friends husband has
bought me a load of wood every fortnight. Such wonderful friends.

 

[Luckyus]

I bought myself and my daughter something similar from Temu, very cheap
Trackie pants and loose top with very thick fleecy lining, snuggly and warm.
I have a wood fire but wood is extremely expensive these days here in WA. I paid $450 a ton last year and have heard of people who paid even more.
I needed 4 ton to get me thru winter last year.
This year, since my husband passed, my friends husband has
bought me a load of wood every fortnight. Such wonderful friends.

I don't know whether you can still buy them, but quite a few years ago there was a gadget that pulped waste paper into a size resembling a house brick, these would burn for hours?

 

[mylittletibbies]

I don't know whether you can still buy them, but quite a few years ago there was a gadget that pulped waste paper into a size resembling a house brick, these would burn for hours?

I remember those, haven't seen them for years.
Many years ago, when I was a young army wife, stationed in Puckapunyal where it is extremely cold, everybody used to buy hessian bags full of briquettes for heating.

 

[maggiej]

I don't know whether you can still buy them, but quite a few years ago there was a gadget that pulped waste paper into a size resembling a house brick, these would burn for hours?

We made these paper type blocks when we had a wood fire so economical we probably still have the block frame up the shed it was made of metal

 

[franzp]

I don't take cold showers in the winter, or take ice baths, but I try to wear the minimum of warm clothing to make the body work harder at keeping me from feeling cold. (get your mitochondria working). It takes days to get comfortable, but then when I put on warmer clothing I actually feel the cold more. So wear the minimum of warm clothes but keep them handy in case you want to give your body a rest occasionally.

 

[Suzanne rose]

I bought myself and my daughter something similar from Temu, very cheap
Trackie pants and loose top with very thick fleecy lining, snuggly and warm.
I have a wood fire but wood is extremely expensive these days here in WA. I paid $450 a ton last year and have heard of people who paid even more.
I needed 4 ton to get me thru winter last year.
This year, since my husband passed, my friends husband has
bought me a load of wood every fortnight. Such wonderful friends.

I'm so sorry I had no idea your hubby had passed away this last year.
I hope you and your daughter are doing OK.

I also have a wood heater and love the heat from it . We actually purchased a ton of wood from flower power delivered for $200.

That's very kind and thoughtful of your friends hubby

 

[BeautifulMousey]

I don't know whether you can still buy them, but quite a few years ago there was a gadget that pulped waste paper into a size resembling a house brick, these would burn for hours?

Never heard of them. But I don't have a wood fire so no good to me

 

[Suzanne rose]

I love my wood heater. The heat spreads right through the house.

We managed to pick up a ton of goid wood delivered from Flower Power for $200. Should last us all of winter

 

[mylittletibbies]

I'm so sorry I had no idea your hubby had passed away this last year.
I hope you and your daughter are doing OK.

I also have a wood heater and love the heat from it . We actually purched a ton of wood from flower power delivered for $200.

That's very kind and thoughtful of your friends hubby

Thank you Suzanne Rose. We are getting there. It has been very hard on my daughter, as my husband choked on his lunch and collapsed in front of her, and with me in a flat panic, trying to help and not being able to, it has been very traumatic for her.
My priority now is to concentrate on her, which keeps my mind occupied, which is a good thing.
One of the advantages of living in a small country town is the people are so friendly and every is so kind, I've really appreciated all the help I've received.

 

[Suzanne rose]

I don't know whether you can still buy them, but quite a few years ago there was a gadget that pulped waste paper into a size resembling a house brick, these would burn for hours?

My uncle did this with newspaper.

 

[Suzanne rose]

Thank you Suzanne Rose. We are getting there. It has been very hard on my daughter, as my husband choked on his lunch and collapsed in front of her, and with me in a flat panic, trying to help and not being able to, it has been very traumatic for her.
My priority now is to concentrate on her, which keeps my mind occupied, which is a good thing.
One of the advantages of living in a small country town is the people are so friendly and every is so kind, I've really appreciated all the help I've received.

What a tragedy we were only talking about choking the other night. My daughter was telling us how many people this happens to each year.

We are here for you

 

[BeautifulMousey]

Thank you Suzanne Rose. We are getting there. It has been very hard on my daughter, as my husband choked on his lunch and collapsed in front of her, and with me in a flat panic, trying to help and not being able to, it has been very traumatic for her.
My priority now is to concentrate on her, which keeps my mind occupied, which is a good thing.
One of the advantages of living in a small country town is the people are so friendly and every is so kind, I've really appreciated all the help I've received.

Sorry to hear that. You take care