New gas and elec tariff! Oh my!!

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Our fixed rate gas and electric tariff for which we paid £156 a month comes to an in September. We have been v lucky to have been protected from the April rises.
We have just had our new tariff come through - it’s going up to £702 a month. Wtf do I do? I know everyone is in the same boat but holy crap, I had about £500 in my head not £700!

Not every supplier was/is offering rates that were a good deal to fix at. If you were offered a good deal then good for you but I wasn't so I'm not fixing right now at a stupidly high price

I wasn’t offered a good deal, I was offered more than the current rise slightly, but had to take the gamble it will pay off in January. It was more the people who thought this rise announced today wouldn’t happen or was an optional think to opt to pay what we now know is the price cap. We don’t get to opt to pay half price for diesel when it goes up and we’re all screwed now from 1st October, or more so January of everyone stops paying the DD increases advised and wait for actual usage bill to come in after 3months.

I'm lucky enough to be fixed until Jun 23 but I checked the lowest prices I could get yesterday - the standing charge is quadrupled, the gas price is 5 x what i'm currently paying and electric 3 x todays rate. Then the bloody government adds CCL and VAT on top! Some people (somewhere) are getting very rich off the backs of the rest of us 😡

If you have a smart meter you don't need to submit readings monthly, do you?

I'm in the same situation.
I've never had a fixed DD, but they recently tried to persuade me with what they described as a 'great offer'. It really wasn't. I'll still be better off not fixing on that even if the next rise is higher than is currently predicted.

@BlueReindeer I took the exact same deal this week. It feels odd overpaying at this point but it's at the 'hope' we have saved ourselves more misery in January. I have just gone on to mat leave so every penny counts.

It’s hard to line dry clothes when it’s -5 outside

Are you working the maximum hours? Most places will let you have upto 45 hours per week. Or if on a salary then see if a promotion/extra project is available so you can increase your earnings.

My boss has offered me extra work which can be done in the evenings (I'm already at maximum hours).

@EverydayIsPJday it felt so wrong didn’t it, and so strange that you used to be able to pick across the whole market. Today my supplier says, we would love new customers but you’re better off staying where you are today.
I really hope I am wrong betting and it doesn’t go to that price for everyone in January.

I fixed early this month after months of agonising. I closed my eyes and held my nose and plunged in on the big news day (10th Aug)

This morning was bittersweet. I’m am fixed on practically the new cap price until next year. Zero exit fee should prices plummet. So my sick joke of a gamble paid off. Prices have practically doubled and I feel what ?? Relief??? I guess there is some relief in there but very little at a time when the whole country feels it’s going to hell in a hand-cart. It was a sensible financial decision however…

I am still looking at ways to reduce my usage. My smart meter has finally been set to my new tariff and I watched my monitor clock up faster than ever before today when I cooked my tea. I’ve already made changes. I’ve put thicker curtains on my big window. I turn off the shower while lathering etc. I be turned my dishwasher to a lower setting. I’ve set rules for myself for winter. So. Cold! Want to put heating on? Try another layer or two first. Could I use a blanket first? Could I use my heated throw instead? I’m also considering an air fryer. I am working late Tues and Thurs so I’ll reheat something there for tea. We joked about taking a flask of boiled water home!