To be completely horrified by gas and electric increase?

[Lex345]

I know I should have been expecting it, but this is going to be crippling! Our fixed term ran out in January, was advised to stay on flexi tariff (our bill to fix would have doubled to fix in any case, which I cant afford). We have a smart meter. Our daily usage in winter with heating was maximum £5 a day, even on really cold days with heating on for a good portion of the day. That is with 3 teens using electronics at some point too. Yesterday, no heating on at all and it was £5.50 when i went to bed. I have been around the house and turned everything off I can. Got up at 6am and was on 97p usage already (used to be approx 50p). No heating on. TV hasnt been on. No electronics on. Used oven for 30 mins this am. Currently at £2.50 already. I want to cry :(

@EmmaGrundyForPM

How does wfh save money? DH and I are both wfh, as our offices haven't reopened yet. That means having the heating on, using our electicity for our laptops, putting the kettle on several times a day etc etc.

Well,it doesn't save YOU money but surely you can see how people, with expensive commutes could save. I would (except I'm a key worker so nothing changed).

My direct debit came out this morning.
My £47 a month gas has changed to £73.
And my £88 electric has changed to £124.
That's a really big jump for the exact same usage. We're on a low income and its definitely going to be a bit difficult to work into the budget, especially with petrol/diesel price increases at the same time.

@EmmaGrundyForPM

How does wfh save money? DH and I are both wfh, as our offices haven't reopened yet. That means having the heating on, using our electicity for our laptops, putting the kettle on several times a day etc etc.

Yep completely agree wfh has cost us money not saved it and I used to pay to commute.

When do we get the £150 via direct debit? I thought that was meant to be in April?

I tried to fix in January. It would have taken my direct debit to £300 a month which I cannot afford. This was with current suppliers. I tried price comparison sites, the cheapest to switch was £360. Fixing isnt an option at the moment. I cant afford new appliances which may well be cheaper. The only way I can keep costs down at the moment is to reduce what we use, yesterday was cut back to basics apart from using the oven to cook and using the washing machine on a 30 minute cycle (30 degree cycle, coldest ours does) which didnt feel like a luxury before and it was still almost £6 by midnight.

I dont think this is sustainable. Before I even think about putting the heating on or watching TV or my children using electronics, it will be a struggle and I am watching the meter like a hawk. Its no way to live really, is it?

@anotherbrewplease

When do we get the £150 via direct debit? I thought that was meant to be in April?

My area used it to reduce council tax bill except there was a increase so actually my bill for the year has stayed the same.

I’d think about changing your washing machine. I know this might sound ridiculous at the moment but we bought Beko which was at the cheaper end, it has temperature settings for all wash cycles and some of those are very short. Unless it’s a whites wash or stuff is really really grubby then the machine is on a for 20 minutes and sometimes just as a cold wash. Bought it because it has a large drum capacity and the eco rating was high relative to the cost of the machine.

@anotherbrewplease

When do we get the £150 via direct debit? I thought that was meant to be in April?

My council have said that we will be paid via a transfer into our bank accounts (if we pay by direct debit) from May, but some rebates could take up to September to process. They said it's from May, as people need to pay at least one direct debit this year (do April's payment), before the process can happen.

Those who don't pay by direct debit have to go online to apply for it.

Its a good idea about changing the washing machine, however I cannot afford to buy new appliances of any description.

I have a Ninja air fryer 15 in 1 type

Who’s chicken cooked in 30 mins - saves an awful lot of electricity and no pre heating required. Something to consider

Also if you cook in the oven, use the heat to cook a cake or rice pudding - something cheap and filling for after tea or snacks. Double or triple the use of the heat.

@CurzonDax - Thank you for that explanation.

@Cheesecakeandwineinasuitcase

This is a national emergency and I’m horrified that the Government are doing nothing about it. Are they really going to just sit back and watch families fall into destitution?

Yes.

The only positive in all this is people are starting to wake up to this government - I predict they'll be unrest in the streets come late spring, there's only so much people will take. Maybe around the Jubilee? I imagine it's gonna sting (even more than usual) watching the Royals prance about in gold carriages whilst you're struggling to put food in your kids bellies.

This is the British we're talking about, there's no limit to how much they will take. And the Jubilee will give them such a nice warm feeling of national pride in their tummies, to fill that place where food used to go.