I got one a few years ago for $20-$30 and it was well worth the investment. We turn it on when we come up to bed – then by the time you’ve brushed your teeth and gotten ready, the bed is nice and toasty. You can set the temp – but we mostly use low – and it automatically goes off after 5hrs (I think). But the awesome part is that it’s warmer at the bottom (near your toes) than at the head end. Having the heat under you instead of over you (like an electric blanket)where it easily disapates into the air I think also makes a big difference.

We keep our heat set at 68 most of the winter and pay $100 a month to power our 800-square feet house. I don’t know how people can function with their house temperature in the 50s, but I admire them for their resilience. Wearing hats inside the house makes a huge difference in comfort, and my bald boyfriend even sleeps in a stocking cap. I’m addicted to fuzzy booties and sleeved blankets, and I use pillows to block drafts when I’m near a window.

Our second story doesn’t get nearly as warm as the first (isn’t hot air supposed to rise?) so I’ve started wearing scrub pants and socks to bed – it definitely helps.

Also, after you’re done using the oven – leave the door open and let the heat filter into the house. We used to do this in our old 800 sq ft home and it made a huge difference.

With the oven, once I am done, I open it and let the rest of the heat go into the kitchen. This is a little tricky with kids (we have a gate to keep him out of the kitchen), but if you leave your oven closed after you’re finished, you’re not getting the full benefit of the heat you already paid for.

Am also a fan of the warm socks and the long johns. :~)

I completely agree about the thick socks. My husband just got me 3 new pair as part of my birthday presents and they are so cozy! I’m not big on tea, but I love decaf coffee, so we’ve upped our intake on that as well.

Closing the vents is kind of like an old wives tale. It makes sense in your head, but when it really comes down to doing it… it’s not a good idea.

Especially like tip number 8! Snuggling with friends and family is the best way to spend chilly winter evenings.

And go outside! Our house never feels so warm as the first half hour after we come in from a snowy day. I walk my son to daycare in the morning, and that makes our 55 degree house seem positively balmy in winter. It also helps your body acclimate in general.

And I will try the fleece hat.

First thing we do is seal up the windows on all but one window in the bedroom and living room. And by seal, I mean insulation (foam)on the sides of the windows where it’s “open” and then putting up clear plastic film and affixing it all over the window to literally seal it. We’ve done two rounds of that on some windows that get a lot of wind (we face the water–the good news and bad news).

We do the same for our one AC unit since it can’t come out. It’s a very improvised method because no sealing kit actually works. But if we do it right, we’ve prevented major air leaks.

We then switch out one set of curtains to a much heavier set (with an insulated back), which we can close.

When it gets VERY cold and windy, we have an old comforter that we’ve fashioned into a window “drape” and that goes over the windows in the coldest room (bedroom).

FYI: We always have one window unsealed to get fresh air. When it gets cold, we do a temporary seal or cover it with the heavier curtain.

And the window always stays a bit open in the kitchen.

We also keep scarves and sweaters and warm house “boots” around to put on when it gets too cold, which isn’t often.

The easiest thing to do at times is just do more stuff in the living room (Our office is in the bedroom) and we sometimes sleep in there if it gets too cold in the bedroom. (Which happens even with heat and window insulation.)

It feels silly wearing a scarf or hat at times, but what are you gonna do? I suspect it’s a lot colder in many homes around the U.S., especially the older ones with poor insulation.

We’re also huge tea drinkers and that hot tea really helps. Just holding a hot mug is great at times.

The trickiest part is staying warm in the bathroom, because it can get mighty cold. We have big, thick terrycloth robes that really help.

They say there is no global warming, but it’s been years since we’ve needed our insulated “underwear” (I can still remember wearing it under dressy clothes at the theater. A good thing I did; it was freezing.)

The upside of a city surrounded by water is that weather is, for the most part, mitigated. And when it gets damp and cold, we heat up these special “wraps” for our neck, body and hands and feet. Really great (aromatic and warm) if you don’t have anyone around to snuggle with!