Cost of Living #8

[nightshade]

I want to buy a curved hot water bottle for this winter. You can get them that go around your neck, so I want one if those.

So far though I've not needed the hot water bottle, just the lightweight aka knock off oodie.

I've requested the hot water bottle for Christmas, and might ask for more slipper socks too.

I've started using the heated airer, but I did remember that the supermarket does have a tumble dryer outside, so I might look at how much that is, and maybe use that every so often. Getting washing dry in winter is a nightmare, so maybe for stuff that takes forever to dry it could help, and it's 24 hour, so not restricted like the launderette.

 

[NotASlayer]

I've started using the heated airer, but I did remember that the supermarket does have a tumble dryer outside, so I might look at how much that is, and maybe use that every so often. Getting washing dry in winter is a nightmare, so maybe for stuff that takes forever to dry it could help, and it's 24 hour, so not restricted like the launderette.

Martin Lewis was calling the tumble dryer the demon appliance that burns £1 a use. Which may be true, but other options are limited in winter. Hang it outside? Too many wet days, and even on sunny ones it might not dry. Inside, it really needs to be near a source of heat.

 

[nightshade]

Martin Lewis was calling the tumble dryer the demon appliance that burns £1 a use. Which may be true, but other options are limited in winter. Hang it outside? Too many wet days, and even on sunny ones it might not dry. Inside, it really needs to be near a source of heat.

I neither own a tumble dryer or have an outside in which which dry, so it's the heated airer and the dehumidifier.

 

[HowiMetdaSlayer]

At home I just have a travel washer & 'spin dryer'. So I'll hang them near heater vents if it's cool enough to have heat on

 

[Joan the Vampire Slayer]

I've requested the hot water bottle for Christmas, and might ask for more slipper socks too.

I've been thinking about ways to save on my gas bill this year. My heat is gas. I did purchase a small space heater, which I plan to use in my bedroom at night, so I can keep the gas heat low. The electric is cheaper than the gas, so it should work out. We'll see.

I do prefer it colder when I l sleep, and always use extra blankets and wear flannel pajamas and wool socks, but even doing those things, it can get real cold at night...and I can't turn the heat off entriely to save money because it could damage my pipes.

 

[NotASlayer]

I've been thinking about ways to save on my gas bill this year. My heat is gas. I did purchase a small space heater, which I plan to use in my bedroom at night, so I can keep the gas heat low. The electric is cheaper than the gas, so it should work out. We'll see.

I do prefer it colder when I l sleep, and always use extra blankets and wear flannel pajamas and wool socks, but even doing those things, it can get real cold at night...and I can't turn the heat off entriely to save money because it could damage my pipes.

Is that American gas or British gas? 😀 Here, using electricity to heat your house rather than natural gas can get very expensive very quickly if it is something you plug in.

I have similar problems with my pipes, specifically those under the kitchen sink. It is a LOT colder under there and a long way from a source of heat, so it has to rely on the rest of the house being reasonably warm.

Other than that, I finally bought an Oodie, as there is a deep discount currently. The plain purple is meh but the burgundy is nice. As well as the actual Oodies, they have a variety of warm sleepwear. They aren't cheap at full price, but it may be worth you looking into it if you can get them or similar.

 

[November]

Electric is cheaper than gas in Australia. Its very very rare the pipes will freeze here though haha. So I tend not to keep heaters on overnight. The electric heater has a timer too, so I can set it for an hour before I wake up. It will be aircon time soon and Im not going to be stingy on that. Im already suffering in the heat.

Im having some reactions to food again 🙁 I dont want to have to increase the food budget but looks like I have to or suffer again. I am really trying to save some money to have a buffer, but the cost of bills means there is no room for it.

 

[Joan the Vampire Slayer]

Is that American gas or British gas? 😀 Here, using electricity to heat your house rather than natural gas can get very expensive very quickly if it is something you plug in.

I have similar problems with my pipes, specifically those under the kitchen sink. It is a LOT colder under there and a long way from a source of heat, so it has to rely on the rest of the house being reasonably warm.

Other than that, I finally bought an Oodie, as there is a deep discount currently. The plain purple is meh but the burgundy is nice. As well as the actual Oodies, they have a variety of warm sleepwear. They aren't cheap at full price, but it may be worth you looking into it if you can get them or similar.

Well, my stove and heat run off gas, but my air conditioner runs off electric. So in the winter, the gas bill can get really high, especially if I cook a lot, which I do. Yeah, I am worried about the space heater but it will be interesting to see if it significantly hikes up the electric bill.

What is an Oodie?

 

[nightshade]

Well, my stove and heat run off gas, but my air conditioner runs off electric. So in the winter, the gas bill can get really high, especially if I cook a lot, which I do. Yeah, I am worried about the space heater but it will be interesting to see if it significantly hikes up the electric bill.

What is an Oodie?

Have a look at what uses the most, my most expensive ones are the heating, which I don't use, the oven, very rarely use, and the shower. Obviously I have to shower but I spend as little time as possible, washing my hair only when it's needed, so roughly twice a week.

 

[NotASlayer]

Well, my stove and heat run off gas, but my air conditioner runs off electric. So in the winter, the gas bill can get really high, especially if I cook a lot, which I do. Yeah, I am worried about the space heater but it will be interesting to see if it significantly hikes up the electric bill.

What is an Oodie?

I had to use electric heaters when my boiler broke and it really racked up my electric bill for those two weeks. But electric prices can vary, so hopefully you won't have the same issue.

Oodies: The Oodie UK | Oversized Wearable Blankets & Accessories

The Oodie original is the, well, original, and what I just got. But they have a range of other things too. They aren't cheap, but the one I bought is currently half price and in winter it might well pay for itself in saved heating rather quickly.

 

[nightshade]

I do love my oodie, and it is really warm.

I've just realised that I am paying a fixed amount currently for electricity so I could put the heating on! I'm so used to counting how much it costs, that I forgot to switched to a fixed deal. Glad I did now as its going up again in January.

 

[Ethan Reigns]

I do love my oodie, and it is really warm.

I've just realised that I am paying a fixed amount currently for electricity so I could put the heating on! I'm so used to counting how much it costs, that I forgot to switched to a fixed deal. Glad I did now as its going up again in January.

Is this a fixed price or a payment levelling deal where your monthly payments are one twelfth of your previous annual bill? If that is the case, you will still be paying but it may not hit you as much during the heating season.

 

[November]

I need to win lotto and move somewhere with a more stable climate. This weekend has been horrendous, and I still have summer to go 🙁

 

[November]

Renters need to be earning a six-figure income to be able to comfortably rent a house in any of Australia's capital cities,

"Sacrifice and ingenuity are really the only things keeping a lot of people afloat at the moment. It's just a matter of how long that will last."

Capital city renting now comes with six-figure-income price tag

The average income needed to comfortably rent a median-priced home in any Australian capital city is now more than $112,000, according to new analysis.

www.abc.net.au

Ugh not a good time to want to move somewhere cooler haha. Bleak out there. One of those times I am lucky to be so far removed from it. But it just means that the government is going to be forced to have to start making enough social and affordable housing or start dealing with homelessness in the millions. Or they can make pensions higher again. Either way ends up better for me in the long run. They were relying on private investors to build new homes and be new landlords but its beyond that now. Ghettos are gona make a comeback! I just dont understand why they dont start developing small towns inland, especially in WA, it was the plan at the turn of the century but no one wanted to move, there has to be a reason to, good enough facilities to. They cant keep chucking pensioners in the bush cos we're the ones who need the doctors and shops and pools the most! Im hopeful this will turn around, because it cant get much worse (Did I just jinx it?)


I've cut down my meals a lot and somehow put on 3 kilos. That SUCKS! I have been eating less meat, but way more potatoes and rice. Grr.

 

[Joan the Vampire Slayer]

We are already seeing a homelessness crisis here in the United States that is only going to get worse, the difference is our government couldn't care less that working Americans can't afford to live...

 

[NotASlayer]

But it just means that the government is going to be forced to have to start making enough social and affordable housing or start dealing with homelessness in the millions.

Whenever a new development is done here, the builders have to make some affordable housing as well as everything else. A couple of sets of friends rented affordable housing on otherwise pricey to seriously overpriced estates thanks to that.

 

[November]

Kids are getting $50 vouchers for holiday event entries. I'm jealous. I want $50 to go out to do things! They are trying to incentivise more parents to use the government apps to claim these things, but last time they did it, heaps of money went unclaimed cos the process was too hard for a lot of people.

Whenever a new development is done here, the builders have to make some affordable housing as well as everything else. A couple of sets of friends rented affordable housing on otherwise pricey to seriously overpriced estates thanks to that.

Yeah they do similar here but its only a small amount that hasnt kept up with demand. I duno how it will be fixed, but I am just expecting it will be. Hospitals are already overrun and the more homeless, the worse the healthcare system is going to struggle, especially over summer. So it makes more sense to make more homes that will lead to reduced costs across the board. Although governments are not really known for having much sense.

 

[nightshade]

Bought a bunch of birthday presents in the sales, so now don't have to think about for the next few months.

Also got Christmas cards and paper in the sales too.

 

[nightshade]

There's a board games group starting up in town, it's free to go, so I might go, but would it be terrible of I took my own drink to keep it free?

 

[November]

I got a hot chook from IGA tonight. Sad to think two pizzas from pizza hut would have been cheaper 🙁 but pizza isnt as shareable with the dogs.