God bless the electric blanket.

[Workingman]

I have used it on number 1 these past few nights and it's a dream.

Turn it on 15 mins before getting into bed then dream the night away for a few pence.

I do like a cool and aired bedroom, but I also like a warm bed.

Number 2 in a few weeks.

Then the winter duvet comes on.

[victor]

I agree about the electric blanket WM.

[Kaz]

I have a small version, a heated pad, that D gave me. It's lovely in the winter, especially if I come in all achey from Pilates - bliss

[Suff]

I may consider this. The van loses its heat very quickly and although I have the winter duvet on, it is very cold when I get into bed at night and the only way to avoid this is to turn the heading on about 20 minutes before going to bed. Whilst the boiler is extremely efficient, it still chews its way though the gas for a simple fix.

However it will have to wait for a bit. I've been spending so much money recently that the benefit of the van will now take 2 years....

Latest acquisition is a washing machine and an outside steel box to put it in. Which, of course, needs plumbing, electrics, etc... Lucky I can do all that I guess.

[saundra]

Why ever don't you just go to the launderette stuff so much easier and no wet clothes hanging around

[Suff]

Why ever don't you just go to the launderette stuff so much easier and no wet clothes hanging around

£40 a month and the inconvenience of times. The other launderette I was using was open from 7am to 10pm. The local one here is 8-8 and somewhat more expensive and I have to use cash whereas the other laundrette had switched to cards which was infinitely better for me as I have to keep going to the bank to take out £30 in coins.

When I was renting I had started to restrict places to with free parking and with a washing machine. That could cost me up to £500 a month more. Convenience in my life is important.

At £170 for the machine plus a bit to fit it myself, I can use the dryers at my convenience for £5 a go or so and avoid the £40 a month washing costs.

Mostly it is about convenience but cost also plays a part. Same with buying a runaround car so I can fly to France and back but still have my car with the towbar in France. I'm going to push my car over 100,000 miles by next December and I'd like to avoid that. So £1,500 to buy the car and about £300 to fix it up are, to me, well worth the cost. I have the time although it has to work around my odd hours, unlike the launderette.

As I do this my life simply gets easier. The Launderette is not "easy" for me. Especially with my working hours. I can wash my stuff whilst I'm working in the evening then dry it the next day, if needed, at the launderette without having to get up at 7am. Remembering that my working day ends between 10pm and midnight depending on what is going on.

A bit complicated and not a "normal" life but it is still easier and cheaper than renting.

[saundra]

Ho dear shaking my head life gets to complicated
Or I'm to logical take care

[Workingman]

Suff, a perfectly serviceable blanket job can be got for £25 - £30 and for only a few pence per night it will pay for itself in no time when set against the gas.

[Suff]

When you start looking for 140x 160 with dual control, prices climb over £30 pretty rapidly. Then it depends if you want any kind of timer or not.

I found around £35-£45, I'll have a look at it.

[Workingman]

Just go simple, an on-off switch. You do not need dual controls and timers.

I sleep all night on my blanket and it costs about 3p on control #1.