As autumn comes and nights draw in, there are two types of people - me, freezing but stubborn, and my husband, wondering why on earth I refuse to turn the heating on.
As a personal finance journalist I've been writing lots about energy bills going up next week, with an even bigger Energy Price Cap leap tipped for January. After a day of crunching numbers, I know that putting the heating on just for me isn't the most economical solution.
So, I’m the one wearing thick fluffy socks, pulling the sofa throw right up to my chin and chain-drinking hot drinks in the hope of thawing out. He, meanwhile, is fine, because he doesn't feel the cold. I do, but I refuse to put the heating on until at least November, maybe December, maybe when the icicles form on my nose.
So, I've been moving my heated throw from room to room, and putting it on the bed at night, because I don't need the whole bedroom to be tropical - I just want my side of the bed to be warm.
At last I've found a solution. The StaySnug 4-Zone King Size Heated Underblanket with Dual Control is my new best friend.
The dual controls are probably the biggest selling point for us. I can have my side warmer while my husband can keep his side cooler. No more me complaining that I'm freezing while he complains that he's too hot.
There are six heat settings, so I have plenty of choice depending on just how cold I am. It's also brilliant for aches and pains - soothing my bad back like a huge hot water bottle. As I say, I don't want the whole bedroom heated - I just want to get into a lovely warm bed on a chilly night.
The four heat zones are another nice touch. My feet are usually the first thing to get cold, so being able to have warmth where I actually need it makes more sense to me than simply heating the entire bed.
Is an electric blanket safe?
I wouldn't buy heated bedding without looking very carefully at the safety features. This one has overheat protection, which is reassuring, along with timer settings of one, three or nine hours. I like the idea of warming the bed before I get in and then having some control over how long it stays on - I always turn it down to the lowest level before I fall asleep.
And because it's an underblanket, rather than something I have to wrap around myself, it sits underneath the sheet and does its job quietly without getting tangled up or falling off the bed.
But - a word to the wise - it does need two plug sockets, which I didn't realise until I got it out of the box, so I have had to move a lamp round, but it's a small price to pay.
Talking of price, if you want one, grab it soon - it's currently on offer at £67.99 rather than £84.99 for the King Size. There's also a Double size, also with dual controls, reduced from £74.99 to £59.99 and a single, down from £44.99 to £34.99 - I've already bought two of these for my daughters this week, because while they don't really feel the cold now, there's a long winter ahead.
Add this weekend's free delivery and it's too good to miss.
Is the Lakeland electric blanket worth the money?
For me, absolutely yes. It's still something I'd think about before buying, particularly when we're all watching what we're spending. But it means I can be warm and comfortable without turning the heating on - while my husband can remain gloriously cool on his side, or slightly warm as he starts to feel the cold.
For the first time, we might actually have found a temperature compromise that works for both of us.
Although I'm still keeping the fluffy socks.
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