I May Regret It...
But I have signed to EDF for my electric and gas...duel energy/monthly direct debit. They do seem the cheapest supplier of gas and electric at present. However much I spend. I can leave at any time without penalty and they will tell me if another supplier is cheaper. The agreement/tarriff runs until September 2013.
Having been with British Gas and N Power for years(paying quarterly by cash/credit card) I have 12 days cooling off period. I can give readings so the amount I pay is more accurate and pay more or less depending on what I use. And they say try and think of anything different you did on a particular day that changed the readings. I can give EDF readings anytime that I wish but they check the meters every six months anyhow.
I have been told not to use the tumble drier if I can help it(for now if I remain here I have a garden and a washing line)I am trying to avoid using the washer too often and do a big wash only every so often. I don't need to change all my clothes daily and I can get a few days out of many of them especially jumpers, cardigans, trousers and so on. It's mainly socks, underwear and the like and I have tried to have enough of them to change regularly but avoid putting the washer on often. I'm sorry I may not change my bedsheets that often...
I'll try and be sure that I keep myself clean. I am trying to keep the fridge/freezer full of food, as it uses less energy if you do. It's awful but I switch off the tv and freesat box at the wall when I am not using it. And I am now switching the PC off when I am not using it rather than just returning to it when I want to use it.
But I cannot switch the internet router off as continually doing that means the connection becomes unstable and slows the line down for few days for technical reasons. If I switch to the new FST Tv's they use less electric so I may have to do that...
The bad news is that I have been told that a microwave can use a lot of power so I may not have gained anything by having them. An ordinary oven may be as cheap/expensive to run as the microwaves...I'll have to experiment.
Basically, cooking meat will cost me dearly whatever I do so a full chicken is going to cost a fair bit. I may always stick to chicken pieces or breasts etc...already cooked!
It might be easier to pay a bit more at source and buy a precooked chicken and adding the cost at the supermarket when you buy it. Or where possible grill something. What a way to live in 21st century UK...if I fry I use olive oil or sunflower.
I'd be interested to hear what you do to save money on the gas and electric, what kind of bills you pay and who you are with....we're all struggling whether working, unemployed, retired or ill, whether on benefits or as many are on really low incomes. Life is scary...
Having been with British Gas and N Power for years(paying quarterly by cash/credit card) I have 12 days cooling off period. I can give readings so the amount I pay is more accurate and pay more or less depending on what I use. And they say try and think of anything different you did on a particular day that changed the readings. I can give EDF readings anytime that I wish but they check the meters every six months anyhow.
I have been told not to use the tumble drier if I can help it(for now if I remain here I have a garden and a washing line)I am trying to avoid using the washer too often and do a big wash only every so often. I don't need to change all my clothes daily and I can get a few days out of many of them especially jumpers, cardigans, trousers and so on. It's mainly socks, underwear and the like and I have tried to have enough of them to change regularly but avoid putting the washer on often. I'm sorry I may not change my bedsheets that often...
I'll try and be sure that I keep myself clean. I am trying to keep the fridge/freezer full of food, as it uses less energy if you do. It's awful but I switch off the tv and freesat box at the wall when I am not using it. And I am now switching the PC off when I am not using it rather than just returning to it when I want to use it.
But I cannot switch the internet router off as continually doing that means the connection becomes unstable and slows the line down for few days for technical reasons. If I switch to the new FST Tv's they use less electric so I may have to do that...
The bad news is that I have been told that a microwave can use a lot of power so I may not have gained anything by having them. An ordinary oven may be as cheap/expensive to run as the microwaves...I'll have to experiment.
Basically, cooking meat will cost me dearly whatever I do so a full chicken is going to cost a fair bit. I may always stick to chicken pieces or breasts etc...already cooked!
It might be easier to pay a bit more at source and buy a precooked chicken and adding the cost at the supermarket when you buy it. Or where possible grill something. What a way to live in 21st century UK...if I fry I use olive oil or sunflower.
I'd be interested to hear what you do to save money on the gas and electric, what kind of bills you pay and who you are with....we're all struggling whether working, unemployed, retired or ill, whether on benefits or as many are on really low incomes. Life is scary...
posted by The Great Gildersleeve | 4:08 pm
20 Comments:
I haven't got around to changing my gas and electricity companies yet. It's such a minefield.
My gas is still with British Gas and my electricity is with EDF, a french company. That goes against the grain!
I know that tumble dryers are expensive to run. That's why I haven't got one. I dry my washing on the radiators or on the line in the garden if the weather's ever fine.
Gildy, you say that Microwave ovens are no cheaper to run than conventional ones. That may be so, in theory, but surely they're cheaper in the long run because they are on for a much shorter time. Or have I got that wrong?
Meat has become so expensive that, once or twice a week, I just have a bowl of steamed vegetables, with a sprinkling of cheese over the top for protein. It's rather nice.
Gildy, I don't mean to sound like a Steve Allen fan ;), and I had one before he ever did, but have you looked at halogen ovens?
They are simply amazing and would be so perfect for one person.
Re the underwear and socks - I have been know to give my smalls a little freshen up when I have finished my bath. I have one of those over the bath airers - again highly recommended. Hope I,m not encouraging you to spend money! I think they are very useful and save money, both the oven and the airer.
Cx
Thanks VQ and Carol,
I thought that about microwave ovens too but the lady from the power company said they are fine if you only use them as you suggest for short bursts.
I could've bought a halogen oven instead of that second microwave but I have it now...I'll look into what you suggest.
As I could that airer. I could use the radiators when the heating is on.
I'm not eating as much meat or I make it go further.
I did do a little shop tonight after all...some bread, mushrooms, apples, curly kale and four micro veg sachets(that last item perhaps seems expensive but split four ways it's only 37p per portion)
I got my TV mag free as I had a voucher worth 50p and this time as I did not have much to carry I walked slowly both ways and saved the taxi fare and that paid for the shopping.
Gildy, I don't know if you have a British Home Stores near you but, if you have a printer (I don't) and you have a BHS nearby, this would be a great save.......
http://vouchers.moneysavingexpert.com/vouchers/bhs_voucher.pdf
I've started taking readings of the meters...will this cost a lot of money, I don't know...I've 4 chicken drumsticks in the main oven and I have to cook them for 40minutes...the actual meat wasn't that expensive I have to admit.
I think if I have two with other ingredients I can use the other two tomorrow and I have 4 still in the freezer.
That's a very good offer VQ and worth taking up as you get a meal, save on the energy to cook it and it gets you out. There is one in a neighbouring town(7 miles away)but a taxi one way is approx £13 and a return bus fare is around £4.30.
That gardener who knew Mum keeps saying get into Tesco's and have Breakfast in the café, for meal in a café its not bad value(tea or coffee, a full cooked breakfast)but £4.25 is still quite an amount for one meal.
Allowing for the cost of putting a hob on I can do baked beans, tomatoes, egg, bacon, mushrooms for approx £1.
Well, if you can do that for £1, put up a sign outside. Charge £3.
You'll have a queue a mile long and you'll make a fortune!
I'm only kidding.... I don't suppose you'd be allowed to do that.
But I do remember, years ago, while on holiday in Ireland, we stopped at a sign that said 'afternoon teas'. It was a very ordinary little house and the afternoon tea was very good. There's enterprise for you!
If I buy the drumsticks again...I'll cook all eight at once for the small amount of meat on them.
I hope it's not depression ...I feel a bit strange tonight, I'm missing Mum but also realising how mortal I am and what I am likely to be facing.
I used to say if I had been born earlier I migh be almost a pensioner and be left alone. Then again had that been the case in a short time I'd be in my eighties...If I live that long...on the other hand if I do so now...I've approx 25 years ahead...I don't know which I prefer...
As if I can change things...
I think all these thoughts are normal and part of the response to the situation...
I feel a little less bothered as I have had a cider...
I have to eat...so I'll probably have the chicken drumsticks and some baked beans...possibly have a little desert afterwards(a rice pot or a little strawberry trifle)
Then listen to the radio and go to bed...being able to sleep helps...even if I eat less at least I am still eating...
Don't worry I won't start to drink to dull my emotions...I'd only be fooling myself and would still have to face things...
Its making me sleepy so if I fall asleep so be it.
I won't make a habit of it but it saves the one good pair of trousers that I have being spoilt.
I kept my lounge trousers on when I did my shop...they look a bit like track suit bottoms and so many wear similar it does no harm when walking around the local supermarket.
The lady at EDF said she only puts her heating on for an hour in the morning and an hour at night. She suggested 11pm-1am as a good time if I am sitting up using the PC or going to bed around that time.
I've changed the timer to 11pm-Midnight and 3am to 4am.
I think the early hours are colder than during the day...where you can put more clothes on...
Gildy, I sometimes have similar feelings. I imagine that most people feel like that as they get older. We become more aware of our mortality. I just tell myself that I can do nothing about it and that I must just make the most of things.
I know it's what everyone says but I really do believe that it would be a good idea if you found yourself a hobby. Something that you could immerse yourself in. Painting or writing maybe. Or how about compiling some quizzes. You seem to be quite a knowledgeable chap. Do you have a pub nearby which would be interested in quiz evenings?
There must be 101 things you could do which would give you something else to think about.
Do you have a camera? Make a bird table and photograph the birds. I spend hours watching the birds in my garden. Or grow your own veg. I grow a few in containers which I find easier to manage. I'm sure you'll have much better ideas than I do. Think about it.
I'm off to bed with my book too.
Goodnight.
A very good post VQ. I couldn't have put it better myself.
A good absorbing book is the best thing I know for chasing the negative willies away. I love reading when I go to bed and feeling the eyelids start to droop and then go to sleep like a baby.
Currently reading The Silent Twins by Marjorie Wallace.
Cx
I've done al that, I used to love watching and feeding the birds and we used have such a variety, then like too many people, our neighbours moved in and removed al their trees, bushes and shrubs, put lots of flagstones down and the birds seemed to diappear.
We even had some squirrels, they disappeared too.
If I was able to get all over the place I'd take more photo's...Oh I'll find something to do, it's early days yet, I am probably expecting too much too soon.
Tonight, I'm listening to a documentary about Perry Como(how Mum would've enjoyed that)
I hope that you enjoy your book VQ. I've just had toast, baked beans and chicken from those Drumsticks...and am about to have a mug of coffee. At least I am still eating...
Thanks anon, I'm not ignoring your input either...
Perhaps, I'll download something later in the night as I have broaband...or record something...
We posted at the same time Carol...Do I lend from a library and do it the old way or invest in e-book reader and look for free books...something else I may get into...
My Father was a big reader and always read on his breaks at work and when he came home after a nightshift and went to bed, he always read and he would usually fall asleep with his glasses still on the end of his nose...
And we would remove them and put the book safe...
Well, anyone watching the pennies would surely make use of the library. There's something about holding a book rather than an E-reader. But that's only my opinion.
My legs won't always get me as far as the library so I belong to an online book swapping club called ReadItSwapIt. Can't remember the last time I bought a book although, of course, you do have to pay postage but, if you only swap paperbacks, it's very little.
Looks an interesting idea VQ...who knows in time I may join it myself and thank you for the link...
I love the book swap idea, VQ! :o)
As for what we do, Gildy, we use the oven when it's cold out as it helps to heat the house (it's pretty small) and when it's hot out we try and eat cold meals or use the microwave or cook early in the morning or later in the evening.
We also cook a lot at once and freeze the excess for later. (i.e. We'll make a whole pot of spaghetti and freeze the rest for later in the week.)
I've also found that it works out cheaper to buy a whole roast and butcher it for chops, stew meats, etc... than to buy these cuts separately.
As for chicken, there seems to be more usable meat on the thighs than the drums so we tend to buy those and they are the same price here.
It also helps to do two big trips in the month. I find the more I'm in the store the more things find there way into my cart! :oP
With the electricity, we've switched to florescent bulbs. We shut off parts of the house that aren't being used. We have a gas wall heater which is pretty cheap to run, but have been known to use electric space heaters to warm a room up. Here in California it's the AC that really hurts. It's common to hit 105F for several days in a row in summer and it's running all the time. We use spray water bottles and lots of fans to help out.
It seems it's hard for everyone right now, Gildy. But at least we all know we aren't alone. :o)
Jan
I do wonder if I'll ever run the electric fan to cool the house down...Its funny how we're trying to keep warm here and often the opposite is true wher you are and yet as you suggest once the sun goes in and evening probably arrives it doesn't take long to cool down.
Some great tips there too...
Contary to what the lady at the power company said I do think Microwave ovens are often less to run than a main oven or has been suggested to me somewhere, some things can be done partially in one oven and transfered half way through cooking to a proper oven.
It may seem extrangance but I am determined to get a halogen oven too(just need to choose the right one on size and price)
I'd rather have one and its there to use, then not own one)and if it really is a good addition to the kitchen and space is tight as I said elsewhere I may bring the smaller microwave upstairs so it can used to do an odd ready meal or warm up a mug of coffee and use it in the spare bedroom.
I am tending eat most of meals upstairs anyhow...and I have only a few dishes/plates to wash so the sink upstairs is good enough.
If you are in a hotel most have access to tea making facilities and have a little fridge with snacks)or a few drinks inside so what I am doing isn't much different.
Post a Comment
<< Home