Yankee 2.0 - All Comments

re: What's your thermostat set at?

webangel211 — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 01:13:23 GMT

My heat is all electrict and all thermostats are turned off. I use an oscolator heater and run that when I am in the room. In the morning I worm up the bathroom with it, then put it back in the main room. I like a cold bedroom so I close the door most of the way. I will have to try the blanket over the door and the heavier curtains. I have double plastic all my windows and a/c inside and out. I do all I can because I am on a fixed income and if anyone has other ideals I am willing to try anything. I can't get any more frugal than I am. I even have extra water in my frig. so it doesn't run much because being one person my frig. isn't really full. All my electrical items are on power strips and I turn everything completely off with the light switches. The only things that are running is a clock radio in the kitchen, cordless phone w/answering machine, frig. & hot water heater. Microwave has no clock.

Thanks for listening.

Denise

re: What's your thermostat set at?

cheap_yankee — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 16:24:52 GMT

We keep our thermostat set at 63 degrees when the kids are home/awake, 58 at night. 63 is plenty comfortable when moving around doing things, but it gets cold when you sit down to read or watch TV. We keep 2-3 comfy afghans on each sofa and chair to compensate. 63 degrees became a lot more comfortable since we had our local utility come in and air-seal and super-insulate our house to seal off drafts.

re: Gearing up for winter

haverwench — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 13:13:55 GMT

What do you use for waterproofing boots?

re: What's your thermostat set at?

livingcheapinpa — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 20:47:26 GMT

I keep it set at 62 degrees here in central PA. Bring on the flannel pants, sweatshirts and fuzzy slippers!! I have gas forced air with the register vents on the ceiling. I put fleece blankets over my sheers, behind my curtains this year to see if it makes a difference. My house is tiny with 2x4s instead of standard studs with very little insulation (I rent). But I also have a little electic heater for the bedroom and the cats keep me toasty at night.

re: What's your thermostat set at?

Anne Cross — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 12:16:14 GMT

Hi Charly,

My house is quite old -- it was built in 1872. It's brick, with no insulation in the walls, but a double-brick construction which keeps the heat in pretty well. I did have the ceiling insulated on the top floor (it's a four-story house). I'm in a row house, so there are neighbors heating their homes on either side of me, and I have oil powered steam heat. I do have old drafty windows and doors, but I weatherproofed them, filled gaps with foam, and have heavy heavy home-made drapes. I also open all the windows on the sunny side in the morning and get lots of heat that way.

It feels pretty warm in here. I think that even though the thermostat is set at 62, the rest of the house might be warmer, since the thermostat only measures that one room. Maybe I'll bring a thermometer around to the different rooms one day and see what the temp is in these other rooms.

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re: What's your thermostat set at?

charly — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 05:23:13 GMT

what do you heat with, propane, natural gas, electric, 62 seems very cold ,but every body does adjust to their surroundings. do you live in older home(many people dont like to admit that their house is older or what i like to say has many memorys is what you could call it, but that does have a lot to do with holes, cracks, and seems and bad insulations) are the windows and the seals may be loose on them. I grew up in trailer and trust me it would be very cold at times to were there was ice on the very back part of house. at times i remember sleeping in same room as rest but those are actually good memories. I am only 34 so this isnt like 100 years ago.

re: Gearing up for winter

mary2 — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 16:10:13 GMT

My favorite are the CuddleDuds! Not that they get much wear here in Florida

re: Gearing up for winter

tunesmith — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 22:23:26 GMT

I recently moved from toasty California to chillier New Mexico. I discovered something here (at garage sales, naturally - it's where I shop) that I never needed in CA. Sleeveless warm (sometimes quilted)vests - they fit under my regular coat or jacket and add a lot of extra warmth without making it a "Charlie Brown winter outfit" (so thickly clothed you can no longer move your arms...) I have 3 of them in varying thicknesses - one is even made with washable down filling! They also have a couple of pockets each - more room for kleenex and/or gloves. They really knock the chill out of a cold winter morning without getting in the way! You can also wear them around the house to stay warmer without having to turn the thermostat up so far - and you can still move!

re: Surprise career change

Kim_Mango — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 19:33:35 GMT

Anne -

I came into your post late since I just joined but I feel your struggle. I'm working towards a career change, but in my case, I'm the one making the move.

I've begun moonlighting by doing freelance writing and so far I enjoy it, but it would hardly cover my income if I lost it tomorrow. I'm doing the best I can to generate contingency plans.

For example, if I were to only make two-thirds of my salary, what changes would I have to make to be comfortable with that income. Walking to work is a great option - plus you could burn calories too!

It seems that marketing and drumming up business is 50% of the equation when working for yourself.

Best of luck and thank you for the inspiration. You got me thinking today!

Best,

Kim