Keeping Warm with Blanketsby Mary Ann Romans | More from this Blogger 15 Oct 2007 07:07 AM Using blankets is a very frugal strategy. The cost savings over many years makes blankets earn their keep many times over. Think of it this way: each layer of blankets that you add to your bed at night saves you many dollar a year in your heating cost. The weather is certainly getting crisp here. After having temperatures in the high eighties in the beginning of last week, we have plummeted down to the fifties and sixties. The sudden shift makes us all feel really cold. Although we toughed it out for a few days, my husband finally turned on the downstairs heat this past weekend. I guess he was tired of getting frostbite from the wood floors. Okay, so it isn't as bad as that. But we still keep the heat off upstairs during the day, and yes, even at night. Instead, we layer on the blankets to keep us warm. Sure, the bed is a bit cold when we first slide in, but it warms up quickly, keeping us toasty all night long. I love lots of blankets, and to tell the truth, we probably have too many. One year, my parents asked us what we wanted for Christmas, and we told them a down comforter. It has been one of the best presents we have ever received. It is sometimes hard, however, to find heavy blankets for children, especially toddler beds. Our strategy there is to layer many blankets. Layering works better than one large blanket anyway, as it allows warm air to be trapped between the layers. You can also make your own blankets. Knitting or crocheting can serve two purposes: as a relaxing hobby and as a way to give you more blankets. I love hobbies that result in something useful, and what can be more useful than a blanket? Once your babies no longer need them, sew your baby blankets together to make a larger blanket. You can then sew two larger blankets together for extra thickness, if you like. Not only will these blankets get a new life and keep your children warm, but they will offer comfort and familiarity. How will you stay warm this winter? Mary Ann Romans writes about everything related to saving money in the Frugal Blog, technology in the Computing Blog, and creating a home in the Home Blog. You can read more of her articles by clicking here. Related Articles Save Money on Home Heating: Install a Dryer Diverter The Three-Tier Method for Saving Money Using Blankets to Block Drafts New Uses for Old Baby Blankets Learn more about Mary Ann Romans  Mary Ann Romans is a freelance writer, wife and mother of three children. She lives in Pennsylvania with her husband, the kids and a 16-pound cat. Relevantfrugal tags User Comments jonesx6 (1606) 15 Oct 2007 07:53 AMBlanket sleepers are great for babies, toddlers and younger children. Our daughter sleeps in one every night during the winter months. For Christmas last year my mother in law purchased nice down blankets for all of us, they have been a real blessing. We have them scattered throughout the house. A few downstairs and some in our bedroom. Flannel sheets are a must as well. My hubby had me put the flannel sheets on last week when it was pretty chilly. Laura  Mary Ann Romans (26886) 15 Oct 2007 10:54 AMBlanket sleepers are great! We recently found new blanket sleepers (without the feet) in boys sizes from baby to 12 at Sears! We bought the appropriate size for Andrew, and he has been warm these past few days. Community Tags blankets, frugal, heating, thrifty, warm Discuss this article
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