It's that time of year again when we all love nothing more than to snuggle up on the sofa in front of the fire on cold wintery evenings. Although it all comes at a cost! Especially if you have a gas fire. Here are a few ways you can keep the costs down this winter and still keep warm.
Wear plenty of layers
Instead of putting the heating on first thing in the morning layer up. Wear a t-shirt, light sweater and even a hooded jumper if you have to. If you feel cold add another layer before putting the heating on. I know its different with young children as you want to ensure they are warm and don't catch a cold but it really does make a difference just by layering up. With newborns and babies, dress them in a baby gro, vest, t-shirt, and cardigan/jumper. They should always be wearing at least one more layer than you are.
Get out the blankets
I'm sure you'll have plenty of blankets lurking around the house. Snuggle up on the sofa with a few blankets to keep you warm. You can now buy blankets which can be worn as jumpers and cover you from head to toe. I prefer thick wooly blankets as they tend to keep the heat rather than lighter ones.
Turn your thermostat down
Having the heating on all day can run up a bill instead turn your thermostat down slightly. Even turning it down by 10 degrees can save a lot of money and slash your heating bills. Decide which rooms in the house you wish the be the warmest, for example the living room and the kids bedroom perhaps? Turn off the radiators in all other rooms or have them on the lowest.
Ensure your home is insulated
A well insulated home can make a world of difference. By keeping your home warm it means it won't take as long to heat it up everyday. Make sure you have good wall and loft insulation, most newer houses will more than likely already have some but older houses tend to not.
Use hot water bottles
It's time to get the hot water bottles out. I love sleeping with a hot water bottle at night. Its also a great way to warm up your bed before you go to sleep. Stick on the kettle and place the hot water bottle under your duvet about half an hour before you are going to bed.
Keep active
If you keep busy during the day you are less likely to be cold. Doing some mild housework can keep your body temperature up as well as stop you from being tempted to put the heating on. Get on the wii fit or even have family fun evenings to keep you all active.
Use hot water bottles
It's time to get the hot water bottles out. I love sleeping with a hot water bottle at night. Its also a great way to warm up your bed before you go to sleep. Stick on the kettle and place the hot water bottle under your duvet about half an hour before you are going to bed.
Keep active
If you keep busy during the day you are less likely to be cold. Doing some mild housework can keep your body temperature up as well as stop you from being tempted to put the heating on. Get on the wii fit or even have family fun evenings to keep you all active.
Go out instead
Instead of sitting at home wracking up the heating bill go out and enjoy the winter. You could even go to public places such as the local library or play gym and keep warm there instead. Go round to a friends house, perhaps take it in turns once a week or even go out for lunch or window shopping.
Do you have any tips on saving money this winter?

I love getting cosy under a blanket with a hot cup of tea - onesies are great as well ;) xx
ReplyDeleteWe have heated bead bags rather than hot water bottles - I think they are safer & they keep their heat.much longer x
ReplyDeleteI think a nice quality electric underblanket is an essential, having had one when growing up I cant live without mine now and saves a fortune on heating over night.
ReplyDeleteAh.. hot water bottles. Need to find mine!
ReplyDeleteAlex x
Extra layers, a cuddle & a hot water bottle is all you need xx
ReplyDeleteThis may stop you getting too warm.....check your smoke detector! More people use candles during the festive season and accidents can happen.
ReplyDeleteGood advice.
ReplyDeleteGreat tips!
ReplyDeleteI'm still refusing to put any heating on, a nice warm onesie's all you need!
ReplyDeletewe all keep warm in one room to save
ReplyDeleteGreat advice, always good to save pennies where possible x
ReplyDeleteGood advice
ReplyDeletesome great ideas here
ReplyDeletegreat tips
ReplyDeleteAshleigh
Some great advice!! :) xx
ReplyDeleteFab advice :) x
ReplyDeleteI always encourage my daughters to put their cardis on in the house
ReplyDeleteThanks for this post! I'm always telling my husband we don't need to have the heating on max to be warm. I think he thinks I'm an Eco warier! I will be showing him this. X
ReplyDeleteI ahve to find some wa of keeping the gas bill down it's getting silly now
ReplyDeleteTurn the heating down 10 degrees might be a bit extreme. Mine is set to 16 in the day and 18 early morning and evening, 13 overnight.
ReplyDeleteMake sure there is enough heat in the house (whether you are in or not) to stop any freezing pipes.
great advice :) gonna have to put some into practise...I'm always cold :S
ReplyDeleteClose your curtains before it gets dark to keep the heat in! This makes a great difference.
ReplyDeleteHazel Rea - @beachrambler
Love the ideas here ... I like the use of hot water bottle under a blanket ... but my hubby swears by layering of clothes
ReplyDeleteReally simple one, don't block your radiators by putting furniture in front of them, let them radiate!
ReplyDeleteMaking sure I don't heat upstairs when we spend most of our time downstairs anyway
ReplyDeleteDon't cover radiators, blanket and extra layers. We aalso have an electric blanket x
ReplyDeleteIve just invested in a wood burning stove - got a massive pile of wood from a local timber yard for £80 which will keep us warm all winter
ReplyDeleteGreat site. V. pleased to have found you.
ReplyDeleteI wear an attractive, warm fleece jacket when the temperature drops inside.
We have hot water bottles every night and lots of snuggling :)
ReplyDeleteWe keep the blinds down further in winter and close the curtains earlier to keep the heat in
ReplyDeleteI dont think I could possibly wear any more layers! I already have my whole wardrobe on! (logged in as scott broomhead)
ReplyDeletei just steal my partners body heat :)
ReplyDeleteI do everything you have mentioned as I need to keep warm with my low immune system & already have bronchitis! What I do with hot water bottles as I have one after the other is have a separate kettle just for the hot water so instead of pouring the water down the sink I re-use the same water.
ReplyDeleteI have fished out my hot water bottle as I'm really noticing the nights are colder now. I'm all for thick socks, slankets and cocoa too!
ReplyDeleteGreat tips! Dressing gowns and blankets are great for keeping warm in the winter! :) x
ReplyDeleteI bought onesies for everyone so that we don't have the heating on all day and night
ReplyDeleteMore clothes, hot water bottles and blankets for us
ReplyDeleteinsulation makes a huge difference
ReplyDeleteWear a big fluffy dressing gown and slippers and you won't need the heating on as much!
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI'm out of work and it's difficult to keep my flat warm so I stay out and keep myself occupied as much as possible.
ReplyDeleteI am really trying to save money on our fuel bills as they are so high. I am off work with a bad back at the moment, and being cold makes things worse. One thing that drives me mad is that my children (three of whom are teenagers and one is 7) all seem to be incapable of shutting doors, which cause draughts everywhere. I have turned down our thermostat and am trying my best to keep the heating to only being on as per our timer - which is a couple of hours in the early morning and then for about 3 hours from about 4pm when the children get in from school. Thick onesies, blankets and layers all help.
ReplyDeleteOh i hate and love winter...for this reason!!! Hate cold mornings and i struggle getting out of bed at the best of times!!! so if its Freezing i dont like to move lol
ReplyDeleteWe hide in onesies and under throws to avoid putting the heating on!
ReplyDeletewe love our snuggle blanky and cuddles
ReplyDeleteGreat tips there.
ReplyDeleteGreat advice. We moved in the summer and are just finding out how cold our new house is! So badly insulated. There seems to be a hole somewhere at the back of the cupboard where I keep plates and they come out so cold they feel like they could shatter!
ReplyDeletefreezing here, keep making hot water bottles brrrrrrr
ReplyDeleteSome fab tips there - thank you! x
ReplyDeleteI'm trying really hard to keep costs down this winter. We turn off all the rads in rooms we're not using and only turn the bedroom ones on as and when needed.
ReplyDeletehot water bottles
ReplyDeleteUse draft excluders at doors and door curtain to keep the warmth in.
ReplyDeletethank you so much for the advice we need all the help we can get with the energy prices going up :(
ReplyDeleteFab ♥
ReplyDeletetin foil behind radiators to reflect the heat back into the room helps.
ReplyDeletesome very good tips there
ReplyDeletekeep doors and curtains closed x.
ReplyDeletesome fab tips! :) x
ReplyDeleteget a cat! she sleeps on my lap and is better thana hot water bottle because she doesn't go cold :)
ReplyDeleteClose the doors and turn off the radiators in rooms not being used.
ReplyDeleteThe sofa blankets are essential in my old, cold house :)
ReplyDeleteClose the curtains early as soon as it's dark to retain heat.
ReplyDeleteI love getting the blankets out and snuggling up with my family - perfect! :)
ReplyDeletehot chocolate in front of the fire, bliss!
ReplyDeletewe love snuggling on the sofa with a blanket and watching a DVD, we don't subscribe to movies, you can pick up cheap DVD s anywhere!
ReplyDeleteI think an electric blanket is the way to go to keep cosy in this cold weather!
ReplyDeletegreat advice we use to hav a coal fire when we were young really miss this in the winter
ReplyDeleteI don't really feel the cold, so I don't have the heating on very often. I feel sorry for my hubby as he sits on the sofa in his jacket with a quilt over him, while I'm fine in short sleeves.
ReplyDeleteI am the same as Julie I can walk around in shorts and T-shirt indoors while my other half has about 4 layers on and a scarf lol
ReplyDeleteWe're lucky enough to have a coal fire (it also heats the water for nothing!) and don't have any heating on the house except for a small pipe type heater ( very low power usage) which takes the chill off in the bedroom. My hubby is pretty much bedbound so it needs to be slightly warm. We also have a lovely new goose feather duvet which I won in a comp!!
ReplyDeleteGo to bed early - it saves on heating and lights, and if you're anything like me cuts down the food bill because I have late night munchies if I'm sat downstairs watching TV!!
ReplyDeleteLots of layers, keep the heating on low and wrap up in a duvet when cuddling on the sofa
ReplyDeleteReally good advice on these comments :)
ReplyDeleteFab tips! Hate being cold!
ReplyDeleteGreat tips, i feel the cold terribly
ReplyDeleteEnjoyed reading some great tips here.
ReplyDeletegreat tips
ReplyDeleteTake full advantage of the heat you've got...
ReplyDeleteI dry my clothes on the radiators so time it so I do the washing just before getting in the bath on a colder day so I have more excuses to put the heating on, and after the bath the hot water stays in the bath to help heat...same after cooking, cooker door stays open so warms up kitchen.
Jadea
Thanks for the advice /suggestions. We need all the assistance we can get. As the cold weather can kill. The media has reported that the number of elderly (one of the most vulnerable groups of individuals) who have died over the winter months, has increased over the last few years. We know that people are living with 'fuel poverty', there are some people attending Food Banks.
ReplyDeleteGovernment really need to take action if they are to support and protect individuals :- particularly the vulnerable. As I believe a bad / cold winter has been forecast.
Rachel Craig
Your mention of blankets has got me thinking. As we have all become so used to duvets. Do we need both, considering the cold weather forecast / prediction. Whilst we are all trying to budget, as fuel bills/ charges have and are increasing. Blankets may once more become a popular household item.
ReplyDeleteRachel Craig
great advice, we all need to think with rocketing energy bills
ReplyDeleteGreat tips, I much prefer being snug under a blanket than have the heating on
ReplyDeleteA blanket and snuggling keeps us very warm...
ReplyDeleteGreat tips there. We only recently turned down the thermostat - it should make a difference to our bills. We have lots of nice fleecey blankets and cushions for snuggling up at night :)
ReplyDeletegreat tips, onesies, duvets and cuddles i love
ReplyDeleteLove being cosy and warm inside when it is cold outside.
ReplyDeleteFantastic tips! i feel the cold all the time will definatley use these tips :)
ReplyDeleteIt makes such a difference to keeping warm being well insulated.
ReplyDeletenothing more cosier than sitting in living room with lamps on, fire on, tree, onesie & a blanket :)
ReplyDeleteGreat tips and that is a great looking front room! x
ReplyDeleteI really want that front room! xx
ReplyDeleteive invested in draft excluders to save money on gas this winter
ReplyDelete@cee_cee54
Good tips! :)
ReplyDeleteExcellent advice
ReplyDeleteSome very useful advice here, thank you x
ReplyDeletesome very useful tips
ReplyDeletegreat tips xx
ReplyDeletegreat tips and gloves in the house are great
ReplyDeleteMy advice? Don't leave bed! I've taken to wearing my coat a lot more recently and only filling the kettle to just above the amount needed by measuring it first.
ReplyDeleteStick a thick cardi on
ReplyDeleteThe only way other than to turn down the thermostat significantly is put on more layers and get more blankets!! i don't see the CEO's of the Big Six having to do this
ReplyDeleteApparently you can velcro your curtains to the wall... I might give it a go since mine have to be light enough to go in the washing machine due to a dust allergy so they're not heavy enough to provide much insulation. Or maybe I should make detachable backing for them!
ReplyDeleteIndividual thermostat valves on each radiator in the house so rooms that are used less are heated less
ReplyDeleteI can't live without my thick socks in this weather
ReplyDeleteI just like to keep active to keep warm!
ReplyDeletefrom Julie McLaren
Put on some shorts and turn up the heating :D
ReplyDeleteGoogle tea lights and plant pots for a really cheap way to make an effective heater.
ReplyDeleteSome really useful tips here, thanks x
ReplyDeleteWear lots of layer cause it traps the heat, stay cosy and warm and socks if your feet are warm then you will be xxx
ReplyDeleteI'm nervous about hot water bottles after reading a story in a magazine about a girl who burst hers and got very badly burned, bean bag ones all the way
ReplyDeleteReally good advice! x
ReplyDeletesome really good advice on here
ReplyDeletewhat a handy post!
ReplyDeleteoneies and snuggle blankets
ReplyDeleteI love a nice warm pair of booties and my fleecy pyjamas with a cuppa tea and the fire on mmm cosy
ReplyDeletejust put me next to that fire and thats me warmed up
ReplyDeleteextra layers
ReplyDeleteAh you cant beat getting snuggly under a blanket in the winter :) x
ReplyDeleteI agree with wearing plenty of layers - and the most important layering of all I have found is socks, two pairs is much warmer than one thick pair.
ReplyDeleteIn the highlands, it's lots and lots of layers..wooly hats, scarfs, gloves & thermals!!
ReplyDeleteGreat tips, thanks.
ReplyDeleteGreat advice x
ReplyDeleteGreat ideas, wish I had a fireplace like that.
ReplyDeletesnuggle up close
ReplyDeleteGreat tips, I like lots of cosy throws
ReplyDeletei live in my dressing gown!
ReplyDeleteWrap up in lots of snuggly blankets! That's what me and my housemates do. :)
ReplyDeleteWood for warmth andsmell
ReplyDeleteGreat post!
ReplyDeleteWe love watching films under big snuggly blankets :)
ReplyDeleteGreat tips to pass on to my clients who may be in fuel poverty
ReplyDeleteI would love to be snuggled under a blanket watching TV nibbling something from Hotel Chocolat and sipping prosecco mmmmm lush. Merry Christmas.
ReplyDeleteme and my daughters wear our onesies indoors whenever it's cold :)
ReplyDeleteNatalie Gillham
A hot water bottle - keeps me lovely and cosy
ReplyDeleteMe = always cold, hubby - always hot. The answer? Snuggle!
ReplyDeletedog acts as a hot water bottle!
ReplyDeletewe have hotwater bottles for bed time and an extra jumper during the evening if were cold. we love snuggling up together watching a film perfect for this time of the year
ReplyDeleteHot baths Hot water bottles hot snuggles simple
ReplyDeleteI've just got a wood burner - all that chopping wood keeps you warm
ReplyDeletegreat tips
ReplyDeletekeep room doors closed and heating off in unused rooms - closing all bedroom doors until heat is needed in them will greatly reduce heat loss.
ReplyDeleteBuy good quality draught excluders to put by doors. We also have snuggly blankets that we love to curl up in watching TV.
ReplyDeletegood thermals always keep you snug
ReplyDeleteWe snuggle together and watch movies in the evening. I have two hot water bottles so put one at the bottom of my bed and the other in my sons cot while I get him ready for bed, then move it before putting him in. He goes down almost instantly :)
ReplyDeleteThermals all the way
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeletelayered clothing is good because it traps air and keeps you warm. As you warm up you can take a layer off.
ReplyDeleteMy heating has broke so its hot water bottles ,blankets slippers and star jumps
ReplyDeleteI simply love the winter
ReplyDeletemy kids love to jump in puddles,
we love building lots of snowmen
but my favourite things' the cuddles!
Huddled up, just to keep warm
there is nothing quite as nice
to warm up our freezing bodies
turned as cold as ice!
The school run in the morning
leaves me cold as cold can be
I can't wait til hubbys home
for a hug or three!
Good job he likes his cuddles too
sat in front of the t.v.
Its the most fun way to keep us warm
well, thats what I believe!
lots of layers and blankets in this house x
ReplyDeleteWe just spend a lot more time together by heating one room in the day!
ReplyDeleteGreat ideas
ReplyDeleteNice.
ReplyDeleteGet a dog, they will lie all over you and always keep you warm x
ReplyDeleteKeep doors & curtains closed.
ReplyDeleteGood ideas.
ReplyDeleteHot cup of tea whilst wrapping up in my duvet with loads of warm clothes on and a hot water bottle
ReplyDeleteA nice brew and a blanket
ReplyDeletegood advice! we recently spent £30 on gas in a week! chris always puts the heating on
ReplyDeletei love being snuggled under the blanket infront of the tv with a great film and my family, just wish my lilltle girl would sit still for more then 5 minutes lol
ReplyDeletegreat ideas! im always cold!
ReplyDeletegreat tips
ReplyDeleteSome great tips. I love hot water bottles,make me feel so cosy under a fleece blanket :)
ReplyDeletethis is really helpful, thank you x
ReplyDelete