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?

We got shunted to EDF last autumn as supplier went bust. Knew they charged more so tried upping the payments as was on £130 per month which was very low anyway. They refused. Part of the agreement with OFGEM auto maintain same payments when they take over customers. So I now owe £800.

Payments now also going up to nearly £500 per month.

How do we pay ? Save less so we will be ok I guess but I am really worried for other people that have no slack at all. I recall the 1980s with (old) people in cold damp council housing and dying of hypothermia. We will be seeing that

@daimbarsatemydogsbone Renewables suppliers will be facing increased costs. Wind turbines and solar panels don't build and maintain themselves, or attach themselves to the grid. The increase may be less - I don't know enough about the sector to know that, bit their costs will be going up too.

I've taken a second job. It's pretty exhausting having a day job then doing shifts til 2am at the weekends. On Friday I worked 8.30 am to 2.30 am Saturday morning with a couple of hours to pick up dc, give them lunch, have a shower and drop them at my parents in between the 2 jobs. My feet are still aching now. It's just annoying that we'll still just have the same quality of life instead of having some spare cash

@MothralovesGojira

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.

Speak with Macmillan, you can apply for PIP, most types of cancer seem to go through under the 'special rules' and will require a form from your consultant or treating team.

My partner had colon cancer and received PIP without any trouble at all. Many people I know with cancers that are not life limiting have successfully claimed it. Please look into this, it will be an enormous help x

February rain & sleet. Still illegal to tap 3rd party electric though

@Caz1960 I only have the one child but I think this is a plan I can get on board with…Sink or swim kid haha

The hot tubs been permanently switched off. Will empty it and decide if I’m going to keep it for holiday use, or just sell it.

I have a horse which I only afford by doing all the things you are all talking about here. I may have to part with him, which I can’t even think about properly, but I can’t have my children miserable in a cold house.

Won't be able to save now.

Will need to stop heating and be more frugal.

Cut down on meat. A tin of beans or lentils costs much less than the meat equivalent. We have lentil bolognaise and meatballs and bean chillis and curry’s.

@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 😭

Something can't be right there, £980/year is half of £177/month.

I think that was ‘go up by another £980’ not ‘go up to £980’, Dragon.

Ah, that makes more sense. Roughly a 50% increase.

@AgentJohnson

I was fortunate enough to move into a very energy efficient apartment three years ago and the heating only really needs to be on for three months of the year. Triple glazing, underfloor heating, blackout curtains, a smart meter and smart thermostats have been very kind to my wallet.

Estimated bills are a anxiety inducing hell that I have no wish to return to, a smart meter is where it’s at. I know how much I am using/ spent and how my usage compares to others in similar sized homes and occupancies.

I hope that this current crisis provides the impetus for creating more energy efficient homes.

I hope to improve insulation etc but in the middle of this the government seem to have abolished a lot of the grants you can get for insulation.

I've bought an air fryer and in the two weeks of having it I've not put the main oven on once

I've also bought a one cup kettle and it's brilliant.

Bought an indoor clothes airer and in three weeks have only used the tumble dryer for around 2 hours and that's just airing off stuff

Although today it's raining again so no line drying and I've got two loads to get dry by tonight

We both work full time and a few months ago took on a second job between us to help after two years of covid ravaging our finances.
We were hoping the extra after paying off debt accrued from covid could be put away as a buffer but it's now looking like that won't be the case and we will have to work two jobs each for the foreseeable.

The dc get timed in the shower now and dh and dd shower at the gym every time they go which saves

We've down branded on whatever we can and I'm getting creative with the slow cooker and air fryer.

Petrol is a big problem and our fuel budget per month will only do three weeks now so that another £80 a month to what it was.

No more random lifts to the next town or village anymore and we are doing food shop and any other errands at the same time to stop wasting fuel.

I've had the thermostat turned right down for weeks now and just boost it for an hour when it's really chilly.

We all have oodies and thick bed blankets and socks etc so have made the dc actually get them out and use them rather than walking round in shorts and t shirts.

The dishwasher now only goes on every other day and on the 30 min cycle and the washing machine has a good eco wash setting and a low temp.
I'm using half the washing capsules I did and only a tiny bit of comfort.

It all saves as last month we would have spent £15 more normally on just washing and dishwasher tabs etc

@mogsrus

It’s very interesting to read how many people say they are charging phones etc at work, it costs less than 60p a yr to keep a phone charged, but apart from that, you are actually stealing someone else’s electricity, as I was told many yrs ago, you do not have the right to actually do it.

Are you being serious??! 😳

Not shaming employees for charging their phones at work 😂 new Mumsnet low...

Can I shame my employer for expecting me to use my WiFi and my electricity to run my work laptop and phone ?

And before some smart arse mentions the measly 26 quid wfh allowance, that doesn't cover the cost of turning the heating on alone anything else

@wtfisgoingonhere21 what air fryer did you get? Been planning to do the same but a bit confused by all the different types. Wondering if it's worth splashing out on one of the pricier ones that have lots of functions like the ninja foodie or just get a basic, or one with a a rotisserie. So much choice

I've got a digital one but not a ninja.

It's got a rotisserie basket in it and is a large size one.

I've also joined a air fryer group online and it has some fantastic ideas so you can practically cook anything in it.

Currently have a butter basted chicken joint in the slow cooker and will be marinading small cut potatoes skin on with garlic infused oil before putting them into the air fryer to cook plus veg on a steamer on the hob.

If I can do a roast without putting the oven on for hours I will be over the moon.

Il let you know how it goes

@liveforsummer

Sorry forgot to tag you in my post above

I do often cook a chicken in the slow cooker but it's not always practical to have to wait so long for it. I wonder if an AF exists were you can cook the meat and potatoes at the same time. Do you have a link at all for your fryer?

I’m wearing a thermal vest and keeping the heating off as much as possible.

To be honest, it’s not that I can’t afford the increases, I just don’t want to give the energy composes any more money.

@Cheesecakeandwineinasuitcase I have no clue either apart from a potential conflict of interest?

It will crash the economy, small businesses will go under and it will be fatal for some people. I think the Tories know they are done for in the next election and it's a last minute milking for themselves and their shareholder friends.

Even if they don't want to windfall tax they could very easily decide to cut all the duties that we have on petrol and energy but they won't 🤷🏽‍♀️

Me personally, I will start planting veg in my garden anyway just to make things any tiny bit easier, again I thank God every day how lucky I am that I have the outdoor space to be able to do this.

dipdye

I’m composing a naughty/nice league table.
The least favourite child will be released into the wild at Easter“

😂😂😂

Joking (?) aside though, how millions who already get into debt that takes all year to clear to provide some semblance of a Christmas for their kids are going to even think about that this year is just beyond me.

I know there are far bigger problems but when kids who have nothing all year and often go to bed hungry can’t have just that one day a little bit special, that’s a new low in modern Britain.

[quote Notyourtypicalvirgo]@Cheesecakeandwineinasuitcase I have no clue either apart from a potential conflict of interest?

It will crash the economy, small businesses will go under and it will be fatal for some people. I think the Tories know they are done for in the next election and it's a last minute milking for themselves and their shareholder friends.

Even if they don't want to windfall tax they could very easily decide to cut all the duties that we have on petrol and energy but they won't 🤷🏽‍♀️

Me personally, I will start planting veg in my garden anyway just to make things any tiny bit easier, again I thank God every day how lucky I am that I have the outdoor space to be able to do this.[/quote]
Yes, especially with the NI rise as well and they must be getting loads more in revenue at the moment

I’ve just gone through my outgoings and cancelled the following

Life Assurance - don’t need it anymore
Contents insurance and taken a much more basic policy- never claimed in 30 years
Pension payment- the way the world is going I won’t need one.
Sky sports/Cinema
Lottery

Saved about £200 a month so that will help.