Winter is coming and it is coming with a high blow to all and sundry especially here in the UK.

Winter is here, it is not looking fun to many people across the globe, or may I say here in the UK where I live.

Apparently, our issue here is not only that of gas fee inflation though, it is on top of the inflation cause due to almost triple hike in energy bill (Electricity) that also affected rents but also, there are other self-inflicted inflation causes that got us a good date to the stage of current economic quagmire we are heading into. These past months, it seems like watching a television show looking at what is happening within our leadership systems. Though politics had always been a live show itself but it’s never at the stage of what seems like a trial-and-error style. Well let’s hope we are headed to a fixation journey.

Therefore, it is not winter as usual but winter that calls for everyone to make extra preparation to maximize cost on energy bill at least.

In case you are thinking, there is no time, there is nothing I can do, and winter is already here.

Relax; you can still get fully prepared to save money in the long run.

Here are eight things you can do to stay warm this winter on a budget.

Heating system.

My first go is getting your heating ready to work well all through the winter. This is very essential where the elderlies and children are involved.

Ensuring your heating works well is one thing you have to look into now, in case there is need for fixing it or topping up the gas etc.

Remember everything was turned off since the summer period so, now is a good time to check and bleed the radiators if it feels cold at the top and hot at the bottom or cold altogether.

You never know, they could have trapped air in them, which stops warm water from circulating that may cause the heating system not to be working, as it should. In case you will need to bleed your heating or reset the meter,

Here is a link on how to do that. How to bleed a radiator

Check everything, turn them on to make sure they are working perfectly well to avoid delayed home heating which could cost you more money as you will need to have the heating on for longer if you have to wait till winter period to start.

Moreover, this will be a good time to get gas service men fix things up for you quickly because it takes longer time to get an appointment date with them in winter period.

In case you do not know how to set the meter, this will be a good guide. How to set your electronic heating programmer

Weatherizing your home

Some people may go further to using sealants to seal off doors and window edges of their house for extra trapping of cold from entering the house, but this may require a little more work, time and may cost more than the other tips.

However, it is a long-lasting solution, which may help across changing weathers and in other ways like preventing rodents and ants from sneaking into the house too.

Here is link for good sealants for you home and more tips and steps on how to weatherize your home Real home quick fix.

Interiors

Using thermal curtains in your home is highly advised especially this period regardless of if the window in your home is double glazed or not because it helps in trapping any external cold from getting into the rooms while also retaining the heating temperature in the rooms.

It does the reverse during summer, which is the reason why I think it is the best type of interior curtain to use for your home decoration at all times.

See this video review to learn more about thermal curtains. Review of thermal curtain in my home

Beddings

Investing in a good thermal duvet and thicker or thermal bed covers is another great move. I guess this one is a no brainer but the reason why I still mentioned it here is that to me, duvet pass duvet. There are duvets and bed cover that can keep you extra warm so you can save money on heating and energy bill.

Go out there and get a good quality thermal duvet, bed covers and sheets. I suggest these ones.

Wears

Thermal night wears and housecoats that can keep you warm in case the situation gets to a level where you will require rationing heating times to save on energy bill is advised.

However, governments support towards gas fee is retained but not every family is qualified for it, and it may still not be sufficient for some people that are still qualified to getting it.

Almost all my most loved thermal wears are from mountain warehouse, you may like them too.

Health

This is a season of flu and all kinds of weird bacteria and virus diseases. Therefore, it is very important to know some sustainable home remedy tips that will help in case you find yourself under the weather.

For me I got a hack that I had been using for years to fight flu during winter, it is my no 1 flu hack.

Here is the recipes down below in case you may have to use it instead of the YouTube link.

Lung cleansing drink recipe

You can also check out the full video here to see how I prepared it to include additional tips. The founders #1 respiratory cleansing hack

It is also a good time to take flu jab and any other jab if your body tolerates it.

Personally, I believe in maintaining healthy eating habits and regular exercising to naturally keep my immune system on the high to fighting infections, unwanted bacteria and viruses.

Basic Supplies

This is one we never do bother about in the previous winters but since the pandemic, it has become something to consider with inflation and gas fee price additional to it. I will advise having basic supplies in case you have to leave home quickly or if your power and water got disrupted.

It is worth putting a ‘grab bag’ together with water bottles, first aid kits with basic medicines, Torch light, battery powered radio, meaning you have to grab some extra batteries too, copies of important documents and change of clothes.

Making sure you have storage supply of foods with long shelf life is also a good idea especially foods that can retain its rich nutrients longer in storage.

Miscellaneous

Have you ever taught about internet pandemic? Well, we are so reliant on the internet but what if major energy crisis happens, affecting power and mobile phone networks. What would you do?

Therefore, consider a separate battery charger that will last for some days or solar powered lights. Of course, any daylight can charge a good mini solar light.

This is a good suggestion of the kind of solar powered battery used in some parts of Africa where power outage is a part of life to boost energy supply for days. Lithium ion battery (LFP)

In addition, store key information such as the power cut helpline and other numbers on your phone. You may need it. You can read more about the UK ones here. Energy network organization for power cut issues