How on Earth do people intend to cut back to meet these new energy bills?

HardyBuckette · 12/03/2022 12:42

@MissMediocre

I plod along saving a little cash but it's going to be nigh on impossible now and I'm going to have to look at cutting back. I've a professional job in the software industry but bills of £300+ a month are going to bite.

How is everyone else planning to cut back?

I'm lucky that I upped my hours not long ago and that extra income should cover most of the energy bill plus NI increase. However I want to use less energy generally.

BankingOnChange · 12/03/2022 12:47

Our central heating will be going off on 31st March, before the rise...should be warm enough to do without it by then anyway.

We've fixed our electric on a decent rate below the new cap but gas is variable. I'm considering whether come Sept/Oct time it would be cheaper for us to invest in some electric-run heaters instead of using the gas central heating.

I know that usually electric heaters are more expensive but considering our decent fix on electric and the probably +50% gas rise in October again I wonder if it would actually be much cheaper?

VelvetChairGirl · 12/03/2022 12:48

embrace naturism in the summer months to save on washing.
stop using toilets and save up poop to create a fire for heating in the winter months.
only shower when it rains.

Pissyduck · 12/03/2022 12:56

I can't cut back much more than I am already, so my options are find a better paying job (unlikely but stranger things have happened)

get a second job (don't think I will physically be able to do this without getting very ill due to health conditions)

Eat less food (I am a bit fat which will be a useful buffer against malnutrition)

AwayInMyMind · 12/03/2022 12:59

I got my letter this morning.

Ive always been really tight with gas and electricity because my dad hammered it into me !

It's possible to cut right back. I used a smart metre and pay as you go, I like to know what I've used.

How on Earth do people intend to cut back to meet these new energy bills?

Beekindbeehumble · 12/03/2022 13:10

No holiday, no takeaways, no coffee shops, no eating out.

Needed some new curtains so made sure they were interlined and thicker material. Going to get draught proffers and check what can do about the loft and insulation there.

No more putting the oven on for jacket potatoes type of economy.

Hot water bottles, thermal vests.

SmellyWellyWoo · 12/03/2022 13:21

Reduced my car payments. Won't get a new phone when I've paid off this one in a few months. Not spend any on beauty treatments, just my hair.

pointythings · 12/03/2022 13:37

I don't know, but I am singularly unimpressed with the government who are doing fuck all to help. Ireland and the Netherlands are putting in hefty VAT and duty cuts - all we get is a measly £200 loan that we have to pay back.

Papertyger · 12/03/2022 13:40

Pointy are they... then we need to press for that

HesGotHisTrombole · 12/03/2022 13:40

FT reporting this morning that the energy cap and prices will go up a further 50% on top of the April rise in October!

frustratedashell · 12/03/2022 13:43

I try to look on it as a challenge! I think a different mindset helps. That's not to say it won't be difficult! It makes you realise how much money you've been wasting. I batch cook, sit with a blanket over my legs and turn the fire off. Etc . Plus walk more and drive less. Which is healthier too. I realise that that's not always possible for some people

ikeepseeingit · 12/03/2022 13:45

I will no longer get takeaways. We already don’t go on holiday. We don’t eat out. Heating will only go on once a day. I have no fireplace to put wood into so I guess hot water bottles will have to do next winter. I could cut Netflix and Spotify but that wouldn’t touch the sides. I might need a second job, we’ll have to see.

daimbarsatemydogsbone · 12/03/2022 13:49

This (and previous Tory) governments created a stupid pretend "market" in energy so their mates could trouser plenty of cash and we are all paying for it. The ridiculous rise in standing charges is for the cost of moving all the customers from the busted suppliers - I mean obviously we should all be paying that.......
Have a think about the fact we get around a third of our electricity from renewables - of course the wind doesn't blow 24/7 etc so some gas/coal is needed to produce it BUT the cost increases are because the governments stupid pretend "market" forces everyone to up their prices - even the renewables suppliers who aren't facing increased costs (God hasn't put the price of the Sun and Wind up). Nice windfall for them, extra costs for us and no competition, like there would be in an actual market.
Privatising utilities was a stupid ideology, of zero benefit to us.

Smeds · 12/03/2022 13:56

We are fortunate that we have just paid off our car and another loan so we have £250 'spare' a month. We were looking forward to things being a bit easier this year, but no such luck. The boiler died at Christmas so most of our savings have gone on a replacement. Another year of plodding along paying for necessities and not much else. We are already very frugal.

nearlyspringyay · 12/03/2022 14:12

I've just had the chimney sweep round, can't see us needing the fire on now in SE but just in case.

Buildingthefuture · 12/03/2022 14:16

Ours has shot up, but we can manage. The knock on effect for small businesses though will be huge…treats like take aways, beauty treatments and eating out are obviously the first to go but if that’s your livelihood…you lose your income AND your bills go through the roof? I don’t know how those people will manage at all, or those already living hand to mouth? I do a regular shop to donate to our local food bank but I’m going to try to increase it, this is going to be utterly shit for a lot of people.

Subeccoo · 12/03/2022 14:34

Thankful for 2 adult dc living at home, so all chipping in an extra bit per month.
Intending on moving to my parents (long story) when the eldest two leave home and the youngest goes to uni, so we're very grateful to not be toooo affected by it however we do all have vehicles that are essential to our jobs, so we're absolutely stitched up running them.

Original poster

MissMediocre · 12/03/2022 14:38

@daimbarsatemydogsbone

This (and previous Tory) governments created a stupid pretend "market" in energy so their mates could trouser plenty of cash and we are all paying for it. The ridiculous rise in standing charges is for the cost of moving all the customers from the busted suppliers - I mean obviously we should all be paying that....... Have a think about the fact we get around a third of our electricity from renewables - of course the wind doesn't blow 24/7 etc so some gas/coal is needed to produce it BUT the cost increases are because the governments stupid pretend "market" forces everyone to up their prices - even the renewables suppliers who aren't facing increased costs (God hasn't put the price of the Sun and Wind up). Nice windfall for them, extra costs for us and no competition, like there would be in an actual market. Privatising utilities was a stupid ideology, of zero benefit to us.

I agree. Really disgusting.

OP posts:

Original poster

MissMediocre · 12/03/2022 14:40

@Buildingthefuture

Ours has shot up, but we can manage. The knock on effect for small businesses though will be huge…treats like take aways, beauty treatments and eating out are obviously the first to go but if that’s your livelihood…you lose your income AND your bills go through the roof? I don’t know how those people will manage at all, or those already living hand to mouth? I do a regular shop to donate to our local food bank but I’m going to try to increase it, this is going to be utterly shit for a lot of people.

I can see this having knock on effects on lots of industries. And of course for renters saving for deposits, they will be well screwed over. Surely it affects the elderly Tory vote too?

OP posts:

ConsuelaHammock · 12/03/2022 14:47

We have never heated the entire house. We use our fire every day in winter which also has a back burner.
We have throws on the sofas for the evenings. Kids have oodies.
We don’t go abroad every year . We have never had new cars or cars on finance. We have always tried to save as much as we can when we could because I could see something like this happening tbh.
I am working fulltime again now that my youngest is at high school.

springisaroundthecorner · 12/03/2022 14:49

We have a small 13 year old car that's paid for and no mortgage. Out house is a small Band A. Can't afford holiday or any other luxuries. We can't cut back

earsup · 12/03/2022 15:13

we raid all the local skips for firewood for the burners....have enough now for about 3 years....all chopped up and stored in big bins....next year going for solar panels....will make thick curtains for the back door as its old and a bit drafty....

heyday · 12/03/2022 15:26

It is simply going to be unbearable for so many people, especially those who are already struggling financially. I can see dire consequences ahead too. With so many people cutting back on non essentials I can see many shops and businesses laying staff off due to them having little custom. The additional stress on people, especially those with children is going to lead to breakups and more abuse.

cuppycakey · 12/03/2022 15:46

I layer up and always have a throw on the sofa for snuggling up under. During work Teams meetings I just have the throw over my lap.

I have quit alcohol which will be better for my health too.

Also walking more instead of driving to save all those little trips that knock the petrol gauge down.

I won't give up my holidays though, that's the last thing that will go!!!

70kid · 12/03/2022 16:09

I got my annul statement for my electric bill today I’m with EDF
I’m on a pay as you go as I prefer this even though it’s more expensive I feel more in control .
Going on last years bill they estimate it will go up by approx £7 a week - £400 a year
So my electric will be around £27 a week
Large 2 .5 bed house
3 adults

We don’t skimp on electric use don’t use the oven much but hob is used daily
Washing machine is on daily although we don’t use the tumble dryer
I have an electric throw that I use as well as I hate being cold

I’m with BG for My gas
bill is similar to my electric last year £7 a week estimate is going to go up by £5 a week but
we use the gas a lot. I refuse to be cold and like the house warm and we often use the heat to dry clothes
At least 3 showers a day as there is 3 of us but I will often have a shower a night before I go to bed .
I’m shocked when read how much everyone seems to be paying