Live Life Without Spending a fortune !

Hello Everyone

Life isn’t easy at present and whatever your circumstances, bills have skyrocketed and we all need to save money. I know there’s a wealth of information on line but if you don’t have spare cash how can you fund these changes? In this blog I’ll only relate frugal methods my friends or I have tried and evaluated, which have worked for us. First, I would like to mention the report in the I Newspaper below.

When Will Ministers Restructure the Electric Costs?

When Liz Truss was PM, Hugo Gye, the Business Manager with I Newspaper, authored an article entitled Ministers Restructure Electricity Costs. The article noted that the cost of electricity is pegged to the price of gas even though the global price has not increased. The article, attached, said the electricity price would be restored to the original price by the new year. Obviously, the Business Secretary has changed since then and Grant Shapps is now Secretary of State at The Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, 1 Victoria Street, London SW1H OET. I’ve written to him, enclosing a copy of the article {attached} and asked him to confirm that this restructure is still proceeding; I will update you. You can access this report on the I Newspaper site. Every note on social media, letter to Grant Shapps or lobby to the local MP will ensure they proceed with this price decrease.

Reasonably Priced Warm Clothing

I’ll start by explaining the inexpensive options of how to keep warm. Layer your clothes. Start off with a thermal vest, you’ll have to fork out for these as you rarely find them in the charity shops, but they don’t cost much as I found a ladies thermal vest on eBay for £2.30 with free postage. Wearing thermal underwear is certainly better than switching on the heating. Over that wear a roll top, you can find these in charity shops for little money, and it’s good to recycle as there are mounds of unwanted clothes in overseas countries. Wear a jumper over the top of those and look in charity shops for sweaters which are made out of wool, which is much warmer. It’s amazing what you can find in charity shops I bought a 100% cashmere sweater for £4.00. If it becomes colder, add a cardigan over the jumper. Everyone knows heat evaporates from your head so wear a hat in and out of the house and if needed gloves as well. Very thick tights in the winter also keeps your legs warm. When the weather gets colder I wear six layers of light clothes; in the evening I put a jacket under my coat – so far only switched the heating on in the morning occasionally to get dressed.

Affordable Winter Coats

Do you need a winter coat? The on-line company lightinthebox sells heated vests, socks, hats, scarves, gloves and even shoe insoles, they also sell padded jackets at reasonable prices. Preloved Kilo sells coats and jackets on line at low prices. They have events all over the UK where you can buy men’s, and women’s clothes and accessories and pay by the kilo. The Original Factory Shop has reduced winter coats from £40.00 to £20.00. Wrap up London is offering free coats, they’re based in Camden and I’m not sure of the area where they’re distributing the coats. You can contact them on wulvolunteers@handsonlondon.org.uk. You can also check for coats in your local charity shop.

Warm Nests

In the evening you might want to switch on the heating if you have credit, if not I know you’re aware of warm nest with blankets you can wrap around yourself on the couch. At my local hospice charity shop I saw lots of blankets hanging on the bedding rail. You could add a duvet, pillows, and it’s cheaper to buy an additional hot water bottle to add more warmth. Microwave heating pads give eight hours of heat, they’re inexpensive and can make an enormous difference when you're cold. Use a heating pad on your hands and feet when you're sitting or lying down to feel warmer overall. There are sales on at present; or look on line and make your own heating pad.

Other Ideas to Generate Warmth

I use a single Slumberdown electric blanket which heats up the bed in 10 minutes, I remove it before sleep. I also have a hot water bottle which I hug against myself {sad me} to warm up my perpetually cold hands. A friend told me a microwave hot water bottle would be a better option but the heat doesn’t linger like a hot water bottle. You may wish to put the heating on in the bedroom for ten minutes to get undressed, this is better than having it blasting for hours downstairs.

In fact, warm air rises, aim to spend more time upstairs to take advantage of the warmer air there. The warmth could be due to the airing cupboard and hot water heater or tank. Obviously keeping moving is the key to warmth. Dancing in the house will warm you up and this can be fun if there’s more than one of you. Doing an exercise DVD (check the range in charity shops) also helps warm you up, as does cleaning and walking the dog briskly outside or going for countryside walks, all free items.

Also keep warm with hot drinks, cuppa soup, soups and stews cooked in a slow cooker. I bought my Lakeland slow cooker, which was new and in a box, from Emmaus in Colchester a large charity shop, located all over the UK, which sells tested electrical items, furniture, and other items all at reasonable prices. Slow cookers cost 29.58p to cook a meal over four hours on a high setting, smaller slow cookers use less energy, less expensive than other methods.

Warm Banks/Winter Warmers Collection Points/Local Warm Places

If you’re reluctant to switch on the heating during the day and don’t work, libraries are good places to spend time either on the computer, reading or joining classes. Councils have set up warm banks which will be open when the temperature falls below 15 degrees. Contact your council or look on line for information. I know Ipswich has warm banks where they provide hot drinks, a microwave to heat up food and phone charging points. Also look up your local council Foodcycle site for free meals. Check if your area is running free weekly meals, there’s a Foodcycle in Clacton, and your local church might provide free meals too. Check if the community voluntary services are running winter warmers collection points in your area. Libraries have posters or phone the local CVS.

Warm Benefits and Warm Grants

An older friend has told me he receives the Winter Fuel or Cold Weather Payments automatically. If you or someone you know is eligible visit gov.uk/winter-fuel-payment.

You may also be able to claim an affordable warmth grant, to make the house cosier. I must admit since applying to the Green Homes Grant and receiving an email on 3 March 2022, a friend has heard nothing. There’s an ECO 4 government scheme for EPC ratings E to G and also the Warm Grant Scheme.

That’s all for now, but I’ll be back soon with ideas on how to make extra money, all tried and evaluated. Take care, Jules