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How To Stay Warm This Winter On A Budget

Updated on June 11, 2013

Winter Wonderland - Beautiful To Look At But Not Much Fun With Heating Costs Rising

My mountains after 24 hours of snow - Can someone remind me I live in the Med please !
My mountains after 24 hours of snow - Can someone remind me I live in the Med please !

Have No Fear - It Is Possible To Keep Warm On A Budget

Now that winter has arrived in many places throughout the world, and with the cost of keeping warm ever spiralling upwards, many of us will be worrying about how we are going to stay warm and still meet the cost of our winter heating bills.

As always, the very old and the very young are most at risk and vulnerable when the temperatures drop. But do not despair, there are ways to keep warm whilst keeping those heating bills down to a manageable amount, and I sincerely hope that the ideas here will help you stay cosy throughout the winter months.


External Roll Down Blinds - Persianas

If you don´t have these, Heavy or thermal curtains or blinds inside the house will do the same job.
If you don´t have these, Heavy or thermal curtains or blinds inside the house will do the same job.

No No No I´m Not Going Anywhere !

by imagerymajestic http://www.freedigitalphotos.net/images/agree-terms.php?id=10090943
by imagerymajestic http://www.freedigitalphotos.net/images/agree-terms.php?id=10090943

Keeping The Heat In

Check For Draughts From Badly Fitting Doors And Windows

It is worth doing a quick check around your home before winter really sets in to see where heat may be escaping or draughts entering.

Check around door and window frames, particularly if they are wooden, see if they are properly sealed when closed. If not, buy and fix some self adhesive draught excluder tape all around the inside of the frames. It only takes minutes, but you will feel the benefit.

To stop draughts entering under the door, you can either buy or make your own draught excluder. As a last resort, even old towels can be rolled up and tied with string, they do the job just as well as anything else. Sticking a few self adhesive hooks onto the bottom of the door and fastening your draught excluder to these will make sure it´s where it should be at all times.

If you don´t have double glazing, then sheets of clear plastic wrap can be fastened over your windows with double sided adhesive tape. It may not look great, but it will help to keep the heat inside the house where it´s needed.

Alternatively you may wish to buy insulating blinds or curtains for the windows. Either for inside or outside use. I live in the Mediterranean but don´t be fooled into thinking it´s permanently warm here, far from it, and we do get sever winters with snow. Outside roller blinds ( persianas) are standard here on almost all houses , and I do keep mine down or half down during the summer to keep the heat out, and during the winter to keep the heat in unless the sun is shining on them. Even with double glazed windows. Every little helps.

Chuck Out The Old Boiler And Get In A Hot New Model !

Steady boy´s, I am referring to the heating and hot water boiler, not the missus !!

Heating boilers in general have a life span of about 10 to 15 years. If yours is older than this, it may still function, but is most likely far less efficient ( therefore costing more to run) than a new gas condensing boiler. Gas being my choice of fuel as research tells me that it is around a third cheaper than electricity. Whilst oil fired heating systems are probably dearer still, and with oil getting scarcer by the day, prices only have one way to go and that is UP.

So if you have the funds to change your old boiler for a new one go for it and quick, it will save you money in the long run.

Have You Got Enough Up Top ?

Insulation in the loft that is. If not maybe you can get a grant from your local council to add more. If this is not possible then it´s still worth the outlay as research suggests that badly insulated, or un- insulated lofts cost you a packet as heat disappears through the roof. With the right depth of insulation you could be making a saving of 15% to 20 % on your present winter heating bills. Your loft will need between 270mm to 300mm depth of insulation, depending on the type used.

Loft insulation is another easy D.I.Y. project, well once you have the rolls through the loft hatch that is. It´s vital that you wear protective gear though due to the fibreglass present in most loft insulation material. Goggles, gloves and overall´s are a must, as is a protective face mask to protect your eyes and stop you from inhaling fibreglass particles and dust. I would bind tape around the cuffs and bottom of the trouser legs too, to stop the itchy fibres getting in and onto your skin.

Rug Up

It seems that recently it has become fashionable to rip out the wall to wall fitted carpeting and go for the stripped flooring look or even tiles..personally I think this is utter madness in places like the UK which can get very sever winters, and only marginally better summers, but this is just my own opinion.

Here in the Med all house´s have tiled or marble or wooden flooring installed when they are built. Great in the hot summer months, but very cold and uncomfortable in the winter.

To overcome this freezing floor problem and help to conserve the heat you just have to lay as many rugs as possible on your floors during winter months to have any hope at all of making and keeping your house warm. So rug up and enjoy the benefits.

( Be sure to put some anti slip fabric under the mats as it can be dangerous without)

No Central Heating Or Can´t Afford To Have It On All Day And Night

Heating in the room you use most often is essential in the winter. If you don´t have central heating or cannot afford to have it on all day, or think it a waste to heat the whole house when you are only using part of it, then your only option is to turn off radiators in the rooms you are not using or invest in some other form of space heating, be it a calor gas portable heater, or an electric oil filled radiator, or an oscillating halogen heater ( said to be a quicker and more efficient method of heating a room) Any of these solutions will give you instant controllable heat when and where you need it. Choosing a smaller room to heat this way in the winter will save on costs too.


Check out different energy providing companies to see who is offering the best deals. Some companies offer discounts to pensioners who sign up for a fixed rate monthly direct debit deal. Even if this is not an option for you, a fixed amount payment per month will save you from worrying about meeting your fuel bill costs during the winter .


Make sure you wear lots of layers to keep in your body heat. Invest in a heated throw, and keep having those hot and comforting drinks , not alcohol though as this can be dangerous in cold weather because it can actually rapidly cool the core body temperature even if we are feeling a rosy glow from drinking it.

Eat warming and energy giving foods at regular intervals ( more on the benefits of this later)

Buy an electric blanket or hot water bottle and a hi tog rated quilt for the bed, plus flannelette sheets, which are much more cosy than cotton in the winter. Don´t forget your bed socks and warm pj´s or nightwear. It´s also a good idea to put a thermal mattress topper on your bed as this will help to warm it up quickly and keep it warm once you are tucked up for the night.

Take some exercise every day. Going for a brisk walk costs nothing and does help to warm you up and will also boost your mood, which can be low in the gloomy winter months. If it´s just too cold or wet or slippy to go out, then put on the radio or a CD and get your groove on, jigging about in your house, or even a good cleaning session will all help warm you up, and the dancing may just make you smile or even laugh at yourself !!

If you are a stay at home mum or a pensioner, or out of work, why not join a club ( free heating and company) or organise a rota for visiting friends and vice versa, so you can spend time in the warm or spread the costs of heating between you ( no need to have your heating on whilst out of the house)

Solid Fuel Burners

If you have one of these in your home, always be on the look out for free fuel.

Rubbish skips ( Dumpsters) walks on the beach , trips out into the countryside, and visits to your builders merchant ( broken wooden pallets) or wooden pallet making company can all provide you with free wood.

I have a friend who always carries a petrol chainsaw in his truck , and he collects free wood wherever he goes. Tree branches after a storm, or trees he has felled or trimmed for neighbours in return for the wood, washed up flotsam on the beach, thrown away old wooden windows, the list goes on and on and he never has to buy a thing to keep his wood burning stove going in the winter.

Wrap Up Well And Go For A Brisk Walk When You Can

"Man And His Dog In The Snow" by Tina Phillips http://www.freedigitalphotos.net/images/agree-terms.php?id=10072046
"Man And His Dog In The Snow" by Tina Phillips http://www.freedigitalphotos.net/images/agree-terms.php?id=10072046

Keeping Your Body Warm - Layer Up

You may feel like Heidi going up the mountain to grand fathers house, but who cares if it stops you freezing to death ? Lots of layers will keep you warmer than one big chunky item. layering your clothes helps to trap your body heat. Light layers are better than tight heavy ones, as these are more effective at keeping this vital heat from escaping.

Now vests may not have a whole lot of sex appeal, but they do help to keep you warm. As do thermal sweaters and body warmers. And there´s nothing more comforting than a nice snuggly shawl or blanket to wrap round you, if it´s an electrically heated one, even better. It is now possible to buy heated throws and blankets and shawl/lap covers as well as foot warmers, these don´t use a lot of electricity, but do keep you toasty warm.

It´s also true that if you keep your extremities warm, you will automatically feel warmer all over. Hands feet and head should all be protected in the cold, as they will lose your precious body heat quickly, leaving you shivering and miserable.

keeping warm in winter is equally about keeping your body heat in, and the cold out.

Winter - Warming Foods And Drink

Most of us will find we crave certain foods in the winter, this is our bodies way of telling us we need to eat in order to stay warm. As certain foods break down in our systems they release energy and this energy helps keep us warm.

Soups and stews and casseroles are all packed with the goodness we need at this time of year when they include lots of vegetables and pulses ( dried beans). Pulses and whole grain foods contain complex carbohydrates and when these break down they fire your body with the energy needed to keep warm.

Breakfast on porridge when the temperatures dip. It´s good for your heart, and being a whole grain product will heat you from within. I love my porridge with a good dollop of Greek yoghurt and a swirl of honey on the top. OK Greek yoghurt may be fattening, but a good brisk walk later in the day will take care of that if you are concerned about weight gain.

Or why not opt for a lovely thick slice of whole grain toast spread with honey ? Honey is really good for you, even more so in the winter as it contains antioxidants with powerful antibacterial and antiseptic properties, very beneficial with everyone around you coughing and sneezing !! Add a glass of orange juice to the mix for your daily shot of Vitamin C and you will really have a great and healthy start to the day.

Spicy foods will also help to generate body heat, but don´t go too mad because if they cause you to sweat this will quickly cool you down. Sweating is the body´s way of getting rid of excess core heat. That´s the whole reason spicy foods are eaten in very hot countries like India and Thailand.

Warming Drinks

Are also vital in the cooler months. Herbal and fruit teas, tea and coffee in moderation, or just plain boiled water with maybe a slice of lemon will all help to warm you up.

Try a cup of ginger tea at least once per day. Ginger root is naturally warming,helps to fight off cold and flu symptoms. Lowers LDL ( bad) cholesterol in the body. Aids digestion and boosts your immune system too. Simply peel a small section of root and then grate into a mug. Pour on hot water and leave to brew for a few moments before drinking.


Cinnamon is also naturally warming and this can be sprinkled onto many foods and drinks. Like Ginger root, Cinnamon also helps to lower LDL cholesterol, and has anti clotting and anti bacterial properties. ( caution is advised if you are taking medication for diabetes or suffering from a hormone sensitive disease or taking certain blood thinning medications)

Many people believe a drop of Brandy or a nip of Whisky will help them combat the cold but this is a fallacy and can actually do you more harm than good, especially if you take more than a drop. Alcohol can very quickly lower your core body temperature whilst fooling you into thinking it is actually warming you. This is because it sends blood to the surface of the skin giving you a rosy glow and the feeling of warmth, when it should be sending it to your vital organs instead. Drinking alcohol during cold weather is putting you at risk of hypothermia, and this can be fatal.

Hi.

I am bac2basics and write on many different topics here on Hubpages.com.

As well as money saving hints and tips for frugal living, I also write recipes for the time short and thrifty cook. Travel guides and some of my own happy holiday memories. Life and in particular the wildlife in Valencia Spain. My recollections of living in a haunted pub and visits from loved one´s in spirit. Health problems and cures. Product recommendations, and the odd poem or two . I really just write about whatever takes my fancy at the time.

Please feel free to dip into some of my other topics as you may be pleasantly surprised by what you encounter :)


The Last Word

I hope this hub has given you all some pointers on how to stay warm this winter on a tight budget.

I once knew a lovely, and very sweet old Gentleman who died from hypothermia because he didn´t know how to look after himself, and was frightened to put on his gas fire in case he couldn´t afford the bills. I would hate for this to happen to anyone else.

As My Mum used to say," If you can´t pay a bill , they can´t hang you for it". So no matter what , keep warm this winter and keep well.

Your comments are always really appreciated , so please do feel free to leave some. Thank you for reading.

Please Take A Moment To Answer This Question

In view of spiralling fuel costs are you worried about keeping warm enough this winter and being able to pay your bills?

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