Perhaps it’s odd, as we approach the Christmas season, to come to the defense of Ebenezer Scrooge. But I think it’s fair to say that the old miser does make a good point and seems to be an early proponent of frugality and personal finance efficiency (at least in this video version of “A Christmas Carol” from 1984 starring George C. Scott as Ebenezer Scrooge).
You can save a considerable amount of money during the heating season by not heating your home to the point where it’s comfortable to walk around you house with bare feet wearing shorts and a t-shirt. At my house, where the heat doesn’t come on until after Thanksgiving, I simply do not hear pleas to turn on the heat from people who are wearing shorts and no shoes. Scrooge points to coats and waist-coats, but today we have flannel shirts, sweaters, sweatshirts, and (my favorite) flannel- or fleece-lined jeans. Don’t burn coal or gas to heat your entire house. Warm yourself with comfy clothes and snug slippers. Stay cozy under a sherpa blanket while reading or watching television.
In my experience, flannel shirts and sweaters are easily obtainable at thrift stores at very low cost. I’ve never seen flannel- or fleece-lined jeans at my local thrift stores, so I’ve purchased them at retail prices, but as Scrooge says, once purchased they may be used indefinitely.
A fleece-lined flannel shirt (practically a jacket, actually), a long-sleeved shirt and a long-sleeved t-shirt with fleece-lined jeans is my indoor uniform during the winter. I actually don’t wear my fleece-lined clothing out of the house. I’ve even thought about buying fleece-lined overalls.
Experts claim you will save 2 to 3% on your heating bill by lowering your thermostat 1 or 2 degrees. Are you frugal enough to see how much you save if you set your thermostat to 65°? 62°? 60°?
(Interestingly, this exchange between Bob Crachit and Ebenezer Scrooge does not appear in the original text of Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol”.)
