With energy bills a huge concern for households across Scotland this year, it has become commonplace to look for cheaper methods of keeping warm.
Like so many others, the past twelve months have proven to be quite a challenge for my bank balance, particularly with regard to the heating bill. There have been times when I have genuinely questioned if popping on the heating is worth racking up an enormous bill.
To help during the colder months, I considered purchasing an Oodie, which I had heard through the grapevine - and Martin Lewis' Money Saving Expert website - was great for keeping you warm. Unfortunately, I wasn't particularly keen on the £59+ price tag, but luckily, B&M came to my rescue.
Its Ladies Snuggle Hoodie that looked identical to the viral Australian branded oversized hoodie with its fleecey lining and kangaroo pouch. Priced at just £18, I considered the massive saving worth a try.
The discounted retailer's cosy hoodie comes in a variety of different designs featuring stars, koalas, shooting stars, a grey print and black hearts. There's a good selection, which is better than I can say for some other retailer Oodie 'dupes' that are generic at best.
B&M says that its wearable blanket hoodie is "perfect for turning up the cuddle factor while the thermostat stays down" and, as someone who has been avoiding the heating, I felt like that summed up what I was looking for.
After purchasing the pink love-heart patterned Snuggle Hoodie from my local B&M store at the end of last year when the weather dropped to minus figures, I immediately rushed home to give it a try to see if it has been worth all the hype I have been hearing.
As soon as I slipped it on, I immediately felt like I was cocooned in a fluffy blanket of warmth, and I genuinely almost forgot that the weather outside at the time had slipped into freezing conditions.
I had never purchased a wearable blanket before, so I wondered if it was worth the hype - and it really was. The fleece lining kept me warmer than most of my regular hoodies in the wardrobe.
I was a little sceptical at the beginning, as the B&M Snuggle Hoodie only came available in one size, and I wondered if that smaller price tag compared to the Oodie would also mean a smaller size.
It turns out my fears were in vain, as the hoodie was absolutely massive, which made me feel even cosier. It genuinely comes to my knees and I could wear it as a dress if I felt like it - granted, that is not going to happen, but you get the picture.
With its decent size and thick material, I found that I could wear this while working from home or just watching TV without ever really needing to pop on the heating. That's great news for my energy bills, especially over the past few months when certain parts of Aberdeen plummeted to -10C.
And you don't just have to take my word for it. The main reason that I nabbed B&M's Oodie 'dupe' was because of decent reviews I had read online, with many hailing them as "brilliant" for the colder season.
While I can't compare B&M's Snuggle Hoodie to the bestselling Oodie, at just £18, it has been an excellent purchase for someone like me who has been trying to keep warm for less recently.
It's kept me warm enough to not pop on the heating as much as I would have before. It also helped that it looked cute, which was always a bonus for me.
If you want to try and grab one for yourself, then the Ladies Snuggle Hoodie is priced at £18 online and in B&M stores. Always check with your local store for stock availability, as this may vary.
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