Gas prices are lower here due to an oversupply of oil right now. Last time I looked it was down to $2.05 per gallon, which is much better than we've been paying this year.
We've been keeping the heat off for the most part except for the bathroom when taking showers. I like having a lower electric bill and keeping the heat off helps. Blankets, warm hoodies, socks and hot drinks all help in the process to save money.
Pictured above is a Cherry Pit Bed Warmer that I made last year. I first learned about them years ago in a book from Mother Earth News. We saved cherry pits every summer to be able to make this.
Last night I heated this in the microwave and put it under the covers at the foot of my bed. It definitely kept that part of the bed warm for a long while or as long as it took for me to fall asleep.
It definitely helps to save money by keeping the bed warm since I kept the heat off last night.
My Christmas cactus was in bloom for Thanksgiving this week. I think it bloomed early because it was unusually cold here for this time of year.
We sold our old dog house over the weekend. None of our pets were using it, so it was time to go. We earned $25 in the process.
We haven't been out of the house since last week saving gas money and wear and tear on our cars. My plans for now are to go out on Thursday as I have to work that day and do any errands afterwards.
Belinda, I love your honest, down-to-earth posts. You have a wisdom that is uncommon these days and a sense of self-worth and ability that shines through in your postings of good ways of saving money and being frugal. No apologies or trying to keep up with the Jones'. And your life seems to be very full and happy, too. Keep up the excellent and encouraging posts! Pam, Knoxville
Sounds like you are tucked in and cozy and I love the cherry pit bed warmer. I keep the heat down but do have an electric blanket, tho I turn it off when I am ready to fall asleep. Of course, I'm in Minnesota.
It seems i spend most of the time in my kitchen or in the bedroom where it's always nice and cozy with a big south window and warm at night when the cat, Homer and my lab, Chance snuggle in - I know they say to not keep electronics in the bedroom but between the three of us, my laptop, the tv and the alarm clocks, oh, and the electric blanket the bedroom is cozy and warm even tho the rest of the house is at 50 degrees.
Thank you so much. You are very far north from here for sure, and so it is much colder where you are. I grew up 30 miles south of Chicago and we had cold winters there. I admit that I do not miss that kind of cold. My heart goes out to you and I would be using n electric blanket too. LOL I have electronics in my bedroom too, I couldn't sleep without those. LOL
So glad you are experiencing nice weather, Nil. It's just the best. I read about keeping pets warm too with hot water bottles. My cats would probably love that. I hope you have a wonderful week too. :)
I use home made rice socks to heat up the foot of my bed or anywhere else that needs to warm up on me. Blankets and socks on feet in the evening while watching TV. And almost always a sweater or sweatshirt on in the house. I make rice socks the lazy way - Just take a clean long men's white tube sock and fill about 3/4 of the way with rice. Maybe a little less. The rice needs to move around so the sock can mold to where it is needed. I then tie off the end of the sock in a knot and it's done! Plain but they work oh so good. If I was crafty I would make little pillow cases for them. lol.
We are trying to keep the heat off here too or I am keeping it low but this week will be warmer so lots of no heat time. I think I ruptured an ovarian cyst. In a lot of pain and can't see the doctor till Monday. I am slightly better. Going between hot flashes to chills. Can't decide where to set the heat or how many blankets I need, lol. The waiting for my cyst. I was changed hospitals and providers without my insurance telling me. Can you believe that? I had to go find all new providers. A relative works in that network and was a godsend. He's in ER and he even told me not to go because they would fob me off. American health system, huh? It would have been a quiet week with no shopping but needed things to help with pain and DH lost a day of work because we didn't know where to go for help.
Oh no, I hope you haven't ruptured an ovarian cyst. Insurance companies can be terrible like that about not letting you know they changed your hospital and provider. I'm glad you had a relative to help you thru the process. I'm glad you are feeling a little better now, but hope you are feeling MUCH better soon.
Belinda,
ReplyDeleteI love your honest, down-to-earth posts. You have a wisdom that is uncommon these days and a sense of self-worth and ability that shines through in your postings of good ways of saving money and being frugal. No apologies or trying to keep up with the Jones'. And your life seems to be very full and happy, too. Keep up the excellent and encouraging posts!
Pam,
Knoxville
Thank you so much, Pam. That means a lot to me. I appreciate your kind and sweet comments.
DeleteSounds like you are tucked in and cozy and I love the cherry pit bed warmer. I keep the heat down but do have an electric blanket, tho I turn it off when I am ready to fall asleep. Of course, I'm in Minnesota.
ReplyDeleteIt seems i spend most of the time in my kitchen or in the bedroom where it's always nice and cozy with a big south window and warm at night when the cat, Homer and my lab, Chance snuggle in - I know they say to not keep electronics in the bedroom but between the three of us, my laptop, the tv and the alarm clocks, oh, and the electric blanket the bedroom is cozy and warm even tho the rest of the house is at 50 degrees.
Thank you so much. You are very far north from here for sure, and so it is much colder where you are. I grew up 30 miles south of Chicago and we had cold winters there. I admit that I do not miss that kind of cold. My heart goes out to you and I would be using n electric blanket too. LOL I have electronics in my bedroom too, I couldn't sleep without those. LOL
DeleteRemember the old bed warmers people had that they put coals in and stuck under the mattress? We are so spoiled now.
ReplyDeleteWe are spoiled, aren't we? LOL
DeleteThe weather here is very nice now. I didn't use AC or heater for the last two weeks. When it gets a bit too cold I wear a sweater and socks. :)
ReplyDeleteI've heard of hot water bottles, but not cherry pit warmers. It's a great natural way to stay warm and save money.
I hope you have a wonderful week.
So glad you are experiencing nice weather, Nil. It's just the best. I read about keeping pets warm too with hot water bottles. My cats would probably love that. I hope you have a wonderful week too. :)
DeleteI use home made rice socks to heat up the foot of my bed or anywhere else that needs to warm up on me. Blankets and socks on feet in the evening while watching TV. And almost always a sweater or sweatshirt on in the house. I make rice socks the lazy way - Just take a clean long men's white tube sock and fill about 3/4 of the way with rice. Maybe a little less. The rice needs to move around so the sock can mold to where it is needed. I then tie off the end of the sock in a knot and it's done! Plain but they work oh so good. If I was crafty I would make little pillow cases for them. lol.
ReplyDeleteOh, that is such a neat idea, Crystal. I need to make up some of those as we have plenty of rice here. Thank you so much for the idea.
DeleteStaying home that long sounds divine to me. :) I'm not where I can do that, but I would love to!
ReplyDeleteHopefully someday you'll be able to do that too, MamaHen. :)
DeleteSuch a pretty cactus plant. Keeping warm now is the name of the game. Great gas price, too.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Anna.
DeleteWe are trying to keep the heat off here too or I am keeping it low but this week will be warmer so lots of no heat time. I think I ruptured an ovarian cyst. In a lot of pain and can't see the doctor till Monday. I am slightly better. Going between hot flashes to chills. Can't decide where to set the heat or how many blankets I need, lol. The waiting for my cyst. I was changed hospitals and providers without my insurance telling me. Can you believe that? I had to go find all new providers. A relative works in that network and was a godsend. He's in ER and he even told me not to go because they would fob me off. American health system, huh? It would have been a quiet week with no shopping but needed things to help with pain and DH lost a day of work because we didn't know where to go for help.
ReplyDeleteOh no, I hope you haven't ruptured an ovarian cyst. Insurance companies can be terrible like that about not letting you know they changed your hospital and provider. I'm glad you had a relative to help you thru the process. I'm glad you are feeling a little better now, but hope you are feeling MUCH better soon.
ReplyDelete