Inequality close to home

[Flakjacketon]

Visited my friend last night. She had her heating, lights and TV on.
We, on the other hand are candle lit, no TV and no heating on.
They can afford the (capped) energy price rises - we can't.
Inequality is not between me and the well off but me and my best friend.

But you are also helping the environment by not wasting gas/electric. Always try and find the positive in the negative.

Well presumably she's better off than you, or is racking up debt. I'm not sure what your point is - that "normal" people are richer or poorer than other "normal" people? The real question is, does she know you're struggling, and if so is she really that great a friend to let you struggle like this?

Are you completely broke?

In all societies - even supposedly equal ones, some people have more money than others. You could get a better job and earn more money?

Were you on a super low fixed deal that has ended?! The increase isn’t actually that so with some cut back you can probably keep your bills the same?

Candles cost more to buy than an led lightbulb does to run, heating on for two hours a day max and again tvs cost nothing to run if it’s on for a few hours a day.

She had a guest so made her home feel comfortable. You don't know what it's like the rest of the time.

Candles are more expensive than electric lights, as well as being a fire hazard. Examine carefully what you're actually doing.

Whoops, posted too soon.

Presumably your issue is cumulative cost increases of all types rather than just gas and electricity cost. It's ok to reduce heating at the moment while it isn't really needed, but may be useful to consider other areas to cut back so you can put it on for a few hours when it gets much colder. Meanwhile try not to compare with others, someone will always have more than you.

Agree this could be it.

@underneaththeash what a fantastic idea! Everyone who is struggling should just get a better job 🙄

Not sure what you want from this thread. Comparison is the thief of joy

People managed their money differently. Even on the same income some have saved and invested money and made careful decisions about how big a mortgage they have. This puts them in a position where they can managed to cope with increasing cost of living.

Others have stretched things to the limit that it was only a matter of time before it caught up with them.

This. Candles are wasteful and really only worth using during powercuts.

It doesn't cost that much to watch television as long as you don't keep it on all the time. It doesn't cost much to use low energy lightbulbs, it's certainly cheaper than candles.

Some people are better off than others.only the equally poor in Cuba perhaps but not even there. How many people work in her family ? How many kids? Sometimes is about making the right choices and a bit of luck.

Candles are surely a bit of overkill and not even a saving, LED bulbs use very little energy

Candles seem a bit extreme and more expensive than an led bulb as utters have said. What's your reasoning?

This.

LED lightbulbs and a modern LCD tv will each cost a little over a penny an hour to run, so I really wouldn’t worry about going without either of those. And honestly, I can afford heating but kinda judge anyone (with the exception of elderly or ill people) who puts the heating on in September / October in the UK, we’re still easily in extra layer of clothing and warm slipper socks territory.