[wizard]

There is some sound ideas .the general pattern seems to provide a fund for difficult time like these. Don’t let this thread die as I think the best ideas are still to come as we brain storm this challenge. There is some thing in putting heads together that brilliant thoughts come forth. Its something like a new years resolution for each of us. Well done to those who have contributed so far.

[sparklebright]

Just a comment about global warming first...

IMO jury still out on that one, the problem for us is that global warming (if true) could move the gulf stream that usually keeps us warm. Part of the reason it's so cold is because the wind is blowing from the east. Normally the prevailing wind is from the west, which is warmed by the gulf stream. Look at a map and you will see that quite a bit of scotland is on a similar latitude to russia, but we are normally kept warmer than Moscow by the gulf stream. If global warming does move that, we will be v chilly actually.
At times in the past when the gulf stream has stopped large parts of europe including us have been under ice, or so they say

What a boring post sorry.

Next For what I would do different this year...

[tonyoliver]

save up put money aside jokers  i have been bled white recently no chanceto save let alone spend

[sparklebright]

This year I plan to insulate my external storage tanks use polystyrene sheets and plywood. Perhaps mount an aquarium heater in there as well.

I insulated my previous van with self adhesive foam and that worked well.

I also plan to do my books after year end and save for my tax bill instead of scratching round in November again

[dai]

Two lessons:

1 - Have an ICE fund (ICE = In Case of Emergency)

2 - Have a sideline - involving indoor work

That's what mini cash ISAS are for.

[lee_dewing]

Have a sideline - involving indoor work

wally out of intrest what do you do?

[ccmids]

first thing im gonna do is lag the back of the van out roof floor sides the lot , then im gonna save as much money as possible
so next time im ready for it .

[pingu]

Refresh the slush funds that I am currently using.

Re-build the static r/o system and it's cabinate..i.e complete insulation and 2x boat style tube heaters with thermostats.

Whole round has now been jiggled around and my aim to is to make the money I need for the year between Mid Feb and Mid December...anymore is a bonus but not replied upon.

Buy 2x600litres IBC and have them built into the r/o cabinate (full insulation) pump to move water between ibcs and van tank..so I can empty the van tank at will.  Run all hoses in van so they can be drained with minimal effort possibly with the aid of my compressor. Rebuild the cleantech pumpbox so that it is insulated.

Holidays in Jan/Feb 3 to 4 weeks away.

Considering something like Veritech Hot.

Cheers
Dave.

[Clive McDonald]

Hi Matt,
I've wondered about aquirium heaters and read the threads.I don't like the idea that they are glass.

I'm probably like everyone else and want something i can plop into the lid of my ibc or van tank, will heat the water, and not electrocute me.

You are the most clued up on this stuff so what is this 3kw heater you have?

Regards Clive

[traps7]

Hi Matt,
I've wondered about aquirium heaters and read the threads.I don't like the idea that they are glass.

I'm probably like everyone else and want something i can plop into the lid of my ibc or van tank, will heat the water, and not electrocute me.

You are the most clued up on this stuff so what is this 3kw heater you have?

Regards Clive

Not all aquarium heaters are glass.

[paulben]

look on bright side if we are not earning nor is tax man 

[Pureandclean]

I bought a 3kw emersion heater when I first started wfp(2004) and used it a bit the first winter, and have just pulled it out again. It cost me about £200 then, but you can get them much cheaper than that now.
3 problems, at 3kw they use a lot of electric
I have blown a number of extension leads with it
and if you leave them on to long the ibc tanks begin to sag.

But they keep the garage warm and also when the warm water is pumped into the van, it also keeps the van warm.

Should have started to use it earlier, maybe could have done a bit more.

After thawing everything out, got to work about 11.30 today, couldn't get the microbore to work, 1/2" hose worked but had to clean an unheated consv and it just froze solid, so gave it a miss.
Thankfully some cheques are starting to be delivered by postman, so had something to put in the bank, first time for quite some time.

If still bad next week, will def heat the water up, but those hot machines are looking more attractive evryday.Maybe get one instead of contributing to taxman's bonus.

[michael papworth]

Have a sideline - involving indoor work

wally out of intrest what do you do?

Believe it or not - I give private tuition for GCSE maths and science students. It doesn't pay that well, but it's real fun and keeps the brain cell working at peak capacity.

[lee_dewing]

nice 1

[JSMC]

i started out 18months ago and this yea ri already have purchased a 2kw oil filled radiator and aquarium heater for tank. I also have money by for my tax which i may have to use but maybe ok also. i have reasonably low outgoings i think so i am doing ok.

this year save more i reckon

[JSMC]

dont take three weeks of in december.. but then ive been lucky ive been able to work this week a bit.to start to catch up..one good move i did make for this winter was get myself a good pair of boots..horse mucking out boots made  by moutain horse. cant praise them enough....

link to where you got em?

[BORBRYCE]

Have a sideline - involving indoor work

wally out of intrest what do you do?

Believe it or not - I give private tuition for GCSE maths and science students. It doesn't pay that well, but it's real fun and keeps the brain cell working at peak capacity.

What field of science?  What field of maths?  Just curious.

[gewindows]

Hi Matt,
I've wondered about aquirium heaters and read the threads.I don't like the idea that they are glass.

I'm probably like everyone else and want something i can plop into the lid of my ibc or van tank, will heat the water, and not electrocute me.

You are the most clued up on this stuff so what is this 3kw heater you have?

Regards Clive

Slumpy this 3KW monster, and by aquarium standards it is big! isn't made from glass; so safetywise its the bees bollox; its made from Titanium.

One of the nice things about this bit of kit is that it can just be plopped into your IBC/van mount and starts heating the water.

I put it in my outside tank today and bearing in mind that the tank is uninsulated and standing in minus temps throughout the day got 400 litres up to 40°C. Id expect it to be able to heat that tank up to 50° in about 4 hours most times of the year.

[michael papworth]

Have a sideline - involving indoor work

wally out of intrest what do you do?

Believe it or not - I give private tuition for GCSE maths and science students. It doesn't pay that well, but it's real fun and keeps the brain cell working at peak capacity.

What field of science?  What field of maths?  Just curious.

I do mainly maths. At GCSE there is no real specialisation. My own leanings are towards geometry first and foremost and I'm pretty hot on  algebra as well. At A level, I'd be struggling with A2 Pure maths, but the Applied maths is easy for me.

As regards science, my forte is physics, but I'm pretty good at chemistry as well. My biology is good enough for GCSE.

I particularly love working with youngsters in what is known as the third quartile. These are the youngsters who are slightly below the Government's cherished 5 A* to C category. I'm probably in that quartile myself for most things, but I have two wonderful gifts.

First of all, I have a gift with maths and physics

Secondly, I have a gift in helping youngsters sort out their thinking.

Errr ... and I'm a pretty crap businessman!!!!

That's why I'm looking for the lessons here.

[BORBRYCE]

Thank you for your informative reply. I have been reading some of your recent posts and although I am by no means accademical by any standards, I have enjoyed reading almost all of what you have written.
I feel you may be lost on most of these egostistical guys however and will eventually deem yourself to move to better pastures.

Good luck wally.
Ronnie.