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

[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 currently sticking my head in the sand. I feel that otherwise it will be the proverbial final straw. My biggest worry is petrol, I use a tank every 5-6 days, and it was over 60 pound earlier this week.

We are 'fortunate' that we have a significant buffer (recent inheritance) so won't be in dire straits, but I don't want to see that as an extension of monthly income.

In terms of Netflix though I have the basic package (1 device) which I top up with a gift card. If someone else is on it, tough luck. Disney+ I use my clubcard vouchers. I did the three months, cancelled my subscription (before it ran out) then did a second lot of clubcard vouchers.

I have a log burner which has been a bloody godsend, I've always foraged for wood since it was put in 5 years ago, it's become a habit I'm glad of.

Stopped using the oven unless absolutely necessary, now using my Ninja Foodie for just about everything or microwave meals.

Stopped boiling kettles, now heat water in the microwave for cups of tea etc.

WiFi, small fish tank (want to get rid of but it's my DP') TV, oven all get turned off overnight.

Phone is charged in the car instead of overnight,

Taken out every other light bulb in my ceiling lights (they are led anyway but everything counts)

Heating set to 16 for an hour each day and going off as soon as its warm enough

Stopped drying my hair with the hairdryer,

Tumble dry only if absolutely necessary, (I rarely have anyway due to historic frugality)

Shower every other day instead if everyday

Meal plan and shop once a month at a local discount, short date foods shop (absolute godsend) and freeze as much as possible. I literally empty the fridge, freezer and cupboards before I shop again

Use HelloFresh type Meal plans only if on heavy discounts. The last one cost me 15 quid for 5 days of meals @ 2 portions per meal and most were enough for 3 portions so worked out very cheap indeed.

Cancelled Virgin TV, my ancestry account, Prime.

Selling stuff on Vinted, Marketplace etc

It's going to be a tough few years :-(

@Legalconundrums

I have a log burner which has been a bloody godsend, I've always foraged for wood since it was put in 5 years ago, it's become a habit I'm glad of.

Stopped using the oven unless absolutely necessary, now using my Ninja Foodie for just about everything or microwave meals.

Stopped boiling kettles, now heat water in the microwave for cups of tea etc.

WiFi, small fish tank (want to get rid of but it's my DP') TV, oven all get turned off overnight.

Phone is charged in the car instead of overnight,

Taken out every other light bulb in my ceiling lights (they are led anyway but everything counts)

Heating set to 16 for an hour each day and going off as soon as its warm enough

Stopped drying my hair with the hairdryer,

Tumble dry only if absolutely necessary, (I rarely have anyway due to historic frugality)

Shower every other day instead if everyday

Meal plan and shop once a month at a local discount, short date foods shop (absolute godsend) and freeze as much as possible. I literally empty the fridge, freezer and cupboards before I shop again

Use HelloFresh type Meal plans only if on heavy discounts. The last one cost me 15 quid for 5 days of meals @ 2 portions per meal and most were enough for 3 portions so worked out very cheap indeed.

Cancelled Virgin TV, my ancestry account, Prime.

Selling stuff on Vinted, Marketplace etc

It's going to be a tough few years :-(

this sounds hardcore😳

We have always been mindful of energy consumption, we can afford an increase but don't want to be wasteful and pay more than we have to. Appreciate its a privileged position to not have to worry. After mat leave did consider leaving work and being a SAHM but glad I didn't as my salary is bloody handy and we have the 30 free hours in April (which will knock a fair bit off).

@Kitkat151 to be fair, I've always been frugal with energy. I would rather spend that money on wine and a weekend away now and again.

I'm not skint, have 2 jobs and I've always been a saver rather than a spender. It's working in my favour right now x

Currently glaring at the fucking fish tank and plotting how to sabotage it ...waste of bloody money that it is

I've embraced the 'navy' shower: turning the water on to get wet, then off to soap and shampoo, and then on for a minute to rinse. Can still have my daily shower, but should only use the equivalent of less than 10 minutes water a week.

Oh and stopped ironing!

@SaggyBlinders

I've embraced the 'navy' shower: turning the water on to get wet, then off to soap and shampoo, and then on for a minute to rinse. Can still have my daily shower, but should only use the equivalent of less than 10 minutes water a week.

Oh and stopped ironing!

Ohhh I'll try the Navy shower:-) I only iron for Court appearances and funerals, I don't even own an ironing board

I gave up ironing years ago, waste of time and money imo.

I’m heading to Tenerife from October to March and renting my house out. Saves a fortune.

Is ironing a few pieces really that expensive?

I have to say some of the things mentioned e.g. microwaving hot water rather than boiling a kettle just seem like a drop in the ocean.

I have no idea, apart from not heating the house. Haven’t had any heating on for the last three days, we’re all wearing lots of layers and a blanket as it’s 13 degrees in the house. I’m off sick from work with breast cancer, I’m the middle of my treatment and no idea when I’ll be well enough to go back. My DD is currently £177 per month, been advised it’s estimated to go up £980 per year 😭 I’m worried sick 😭

@icelolly12

Is ironing a few pieces really that expensive?

I have to say some of the things mentioned e.g. microwaving hot water rather than boiling a kettle just seem like a drop in the ocean.

Anything that gives out heat via electric use is very expensive. It will save a a fair amount over a year. I'm sure someone more mathematically adept than I can do the sums

Going to have to cut down on energy use and on food. All our other expenses are minimal. Christmas and birthdays will have to be smaller scale too. Nothing else to cut!

I've taken on extra work already, and will be taking on whatever else I can

@MCLQC

I’m heading to Tenerife from October to March and renting my house out. Saves a fortune.

Would you let us know.. are the schools any good in Tenerife?

@TwoBigNoisyBoys

I have no idea, apart from not heating the house. Haven’t had any heating on for the last three days, we’re all wearing lots of layers and a blanket as it’s 13 degrees in the house. I’m off sick from work with breast cancer, I’m the middle of my treatment and no idea when I’ll be well enough to go back. My DD is currently £177 per month, been advised it’s estimated to go up £980 per year 😭 I’m worried sick 😭

I'm sorry to hear this. It sounds horribly stressful for you. I'm annoyed that you've been put in this position. The government need to sort this out rather than have sick people stressing out.

It doesn’t really affect us at all thankfully but there will be millions of people completely screwed by this shameful increase. I feel so sorry for all those who are going to be put into difficult positions, making yet more cuts to already tight lifestyles.

What I'm worried about is that even if I switch the heating off, the standing charge has doubled.

I agree.
I enjoyed frivolous spending for +/2 years out of my 41 years, thought life was good, back to scrimping.

The only thing I can really do is stop using the heated airer. But then clothes won't dry for days so.. I'm not sure on the answer for that as I can't dry stuff outside - frustrating as the place is insulated so well it's cool in summer!!

Heating is on and off briefly, usually enough to keep it around 17c, off all night. I've always been careful with gas/electric and water. Every light bulb is low energy, I don't have a dishwasher or tumble or hot tub
Everything is switched off at night except the fridge freezer, I batch cook etc

We only have the heating on when our youngest is home from uni at weekends and on the day that we look after our grandchild (when we set it at 18). Other days, we wear layers and put rugs on while we watch tv.

We are managing ok. But I was diagnosed with cancer in January. I had surgery three weeks ago and will return to work on Monday because on the day I had my op I was 40 days short on completing my probation period at work so I'm on lower rate SSP only. We won't be able to manage on my SSP going forwards so I have to go back before chemo starts to complete my probation and work as much overtime as I can so I can save something to cover the wages shortfall which will happen as I won't be able to work as much during chemo and radiotherapy etc.
In December, my DP got a promotion and I was working so we thought we would be comfortable this year after all the years of financial struggle in bringing up children. I have now cancelled everything I can and sit at home feeling guilty for having to have the heating on while I try and recover from life saving surgery. We've received three letters from our energy provider this week alone each getting more experience and dramatic. Our car cost us £800 to get through it's MOT yesterday and we can't do without it while I'm having treatment as it's two trains and a bus journey to the hospital and then the same back home again - a taxi is currently £40 each way now. We've cancelled our holiday to save money. We are now waiting for things like water and rent to increase so I'll be back to work before I've fully recovered from my treatment because there's no extra financial help for cancer sufferers who temporarily lose earning capacity plunging the household finances into chaos on top of the new rises we're all facing.

You just need a member of your household registered as an MP. Then all your houses will get public payments for energy bills. It is very straight-forward: www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10404277/MPs-charge-3-500-energy-bills-second-homes.html

Mostly being more mindful about energy usage.

I also take public transport (train) and avoid using the car as much as possible.

I have also switched to a cheaper phone plan, and not replaced phone after the last 36 month contract ended.

Don't watch TV so no outlay there. Kept Netflix/Prime as they are still reasonably good value for money (I use Prime a lot for deliveries).

Getting carpet and furniture cleaned…I was going to get it replaced.Heating off apart from one hour a night. Shopping in lidl rather than Sainsbury’s . Walking dog from home rather than driving a few miles to nearest forest ,woods etc