Our house is older, not well insulated, and has big windows. We haven’t turned on the heat yet, so it’s quite cold in the mornings and evenings. As I work, I usually have a big mug of hot tea to help warm me up. But hot tea only stays hot for a limited time, and I can only drink so much of it!
We do have a space heater, and although I haven’t worked out the numbers, I think that running it all morning, every day, would defeat the frugalness of having the house heater off in the first place.
Yesterday, I filled a gallon-sized ziplock bag half-full of white rice (I get rice in large quantities so it’s pretty cheap) and microwaved it for two minutes. Then I sat with it in my lap. Ahhhhh.
The rice was so hot, I had to move it around. It became a nice soothing back pillow for a little while.
I was warm for the rest of the morning.
6 Comments
What a great idea! I’d have never thought of the rice. I hate being cold. Thanks for the tip!
We also have large windows that tend to be drafty – I cover them with plastic every winter (the kind that you shrink with a hair dryer) and it’s amazing what a difference it makes. We have a gas fireplace that is the primary heat source for our home and I sit by it a lot – with the dogs.
Stay warm!
Lisa — you too!
I’ve loved the mornings when we’ve made a fire and I work out in the family room… but I’m usually too lazy to build myself a fire.
i’m a cheapy and never run the heater until the thermostat reads 44. have found that taking a super hot shower and then sitting in bed with my down comforter works for me! or if i am watching a dvd, my sac kings blanket works well. (at least the kings are good for something!)
That’s a great idea!
love the rice idea. why didnt i think of that?
ddrdancer – I combined a blanket AND rice when I was working this morning. It worked well.
Angela and Robert – Thanks for commenting!
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