Energy prices

[Needanewadventure2021]

I've been really worried about writing this as millions will be feeling the same but it's giving me really bad anxiety now.

My tariff is due to end in June and if prices remain like they are (I don't for a second think they will reduce) I will be paying 150 a month to my current 89, but for 10 years before this I have NEVER paid more than 65 a month and have always been in hundreds of credit. I am using no more units than normal and my summer bills were nearly as high has my full monthly payment. It's making me feel sick. I am a single parent, working 32 hours a week on a relatively low income. I am barely putting the heating on. We are barely getting by and it's breaking my heart that my little boy is being raised in this poverty. I am trying to get a new job but its hard when it has to work around your child and finding childcare isn't cheap for which for some reason I don't get full help for (earning just over 16k and receive tax credits).

Sorry for my rant as I know there is no way out of this. Was just wondering what low income households are going to do and how you feel about it? I literally have no money left, not even anything I can cut from my outgoings to make money available. I've already stripped everything back.

Sorry to rant just wondered what the hell are people meant to do?

@needanewadventure, you sound like a great Mum always thinking of and putting your son first. As he gets older he will note it is you that made his childhood so nice. I am hoping the government takes off VAT. That would help s bit.

No my mortgage was fixed a few months back into a better deal. I do have debt though which I pay each month. Every one of my bills has increased but the gas and electricity, diesel and food is crippling me.
Yes my tax credits are right too.
I've always considered my insulation to be good. I had more put in in 2012 and had new double glazing in 2015.

Ahhh thank you. That's nice to hear. I hope so.

I spoke to his teacher today and I said I was getting nowhere with the senco so someone who oversees the whole year will speak to me tomorrow. He is already down for counselling with the school due to the anxiety he shows in class when doing work but that isn't going to be until summer term due to the waiting list

I know this requires an initial spend - though maybe some second hand around - but my electric heated throw is AMAZING.
It’s been 2-3° outside today, which is about 10° in the coldest parts of my house I think. I can put that over me and not have the heating on at all, all day or evening or night. I have a meter, and it barely registers I’m using it.

I'm sat here miserable in my dressing gown and clothes underneath. That sounds lovely

Second the pp who mentioned the £10 a day thread. The easiest (and quick paying) one to get into is prolific surveys. I also like opinium, but it takes a while to build up to the £25 cash out. Might help bridge the energy bill gap.

Thank you

Also, if you need other stuff (could look out for electric throw?) Free cycle can be great, depending on how active it is in your area.

Our company went under recently. we were paying £70-90 per month, this has just jumped to £175 a month. It's ridiculous and we are now struggling. We both work- husband full time and myself part time.

I find it all so sad. It's affecting everyone. It was always going to affect me as I am a low sole income household. But its even tough of those with 2 incomes.
My house is a 2 bed small starter home. Come June I am likely to be paying around 150 a month. I feel sick at the thought. I barely have my heating on now. Before it was all the time I didn't hesitate. I sit in my house in layers, miserable

Abit of a sideline, but school have actually confirmed my son is under supervision and they are 'aware' of him. he is currently having additional support and being monitored. I'm a combination of relieved and angry. Relieved that finally they seem to be on the same page as me and have similar concerns, but very angry that still, no one told addressed the schools concerns with me, or even informed me of the additional support he is getting (1-1) despite me expressing my concerns for the last 4 years.

Anyway I know this is ongoing and I have also requested to speak to our GP (again) to push things forward, but I did look through the DLA application and I was shocked at how much relates to my son and how it highlights his struggles. It's just became our life because we have had no other choice. I havent filled it in as it seems very daunting. Is this something that can easily be completed by myself or would you recommend getting help?

The cerebra organisation do a guide to help fill in the forms. The rule of thumb is what do you need to do more than a child his age without his needs. For example my son can't walk to school independently like his peers. He has little sense of traffic. Poor Spatial awareness and easily distracted. And vulnerable to strangers. He would help anyone who had a lost puppy. Write some notes. The more details the better. It's great that school are putting in more support that will add to your information and updating the gp is also a good step. I know the form seems over whelming. Do get it done and on its way. Hopefully you will get a good outcome and you will financially be in a better position soon

Hey! Are you best sticking to a variable once it ends? Think I'm planning that. Mine is £71 a month and if I tie into a fixed it's £160!!! It's ridiculous isn't it

Also check with your local council about the household support fund. If you qualify then you will get a gift voucher to be spent at a supermarket of your choice. I'm not sure if it is the same criteria at all councils but my friend applied to ours last week and received a voucher payment yesterday so can be sorted quite quickly.

You're definitely not alone OP. I'm terrified. This along with other price and tax increases means we wont be able to meet our outgoings. I dont know what to do, there is almost nothing we can cut back on.

Hopefully it will allow me to put things in place for him. My son is worrying when out. If he would allow it I'd still have reins on him! He races everywhere, often out of sight and I'm having to run after him, screaming at him to stop. He sees no danger at all. He often doesn't hear me shouting or screaming but I'm certain it isn't deaf. He just zone's out. I often explain to him why he cant do these things but it makes no difference. He does it all anyway. I often end up in tears because he doesn't see how dangerous the things he does are. Doesn't wait at the roads, charges out, no awareness of people around him, would walk in from of people, bikes, cars. His easily led. To be honest even just saying this upsets me as this is just a small part of our lives. We don't go out much if I can help it as its hard work. We have battles inside the home too, many like dressing himself, fastening things (he simply can't so now refuses, even velcro shoes!), cleaning himself, wiping food off himself, although he is obsessively cleaning his hands, several several times a day. He can never clean himself after the toilet to the point he will literally sit there and not move, he bounces off everything, including on the spot when simply watching TV. He can't use cutlery and still drinks out of a lidded straw cups as he has no sense of a glass or open cup and smashes then down on a surface or on the walls. If he could choose he would live in his pants and vest so no material is touching his feet, arms, or legs. Dressing before school takes him easily 40 minutes to complete by himself and then I will have to tidy him up. But its the reactions, protests, distress and aggression that comes with it all. I idolise my son but at times it's hard with him as I dont understand

Op, apply for DLA and you will also get an increase in tax credits. You don't need a diagnosis but I would get that started. When you fill in the forms, describe your worst days. There are lots of SEN FB groups and you can get a lot of help with form filling. I do hear you, I worry too. I've left my DD as it is and pay whatever I use over it separately. I will not increase the DD to cover a massive amount that I won't use. Speak to your provider and particularly mention your child as they will put things in place if you are "vulnerable". Also ensure you apply for the warm home discount. Good luck.

This really makes me sad hearing how others are struggling too.
The price increases in energy are absolutely shocking.
We recently had pay reviews at work. I didn't. The only one who didn't really. I got pennies an hour where all others had significant increases. There was no justification. To say I was/am devastated is an understatement. When NI goes up in a few months I too won't be able to meet our outgoings.
I would love to say I can cut back on a social life, luxuries, takeaways etc, we indulge in nothing. My household bills also cannot be cut down any more.
I've heard it's better to stay on the variable rate but those figures I was getting the other day were variable rates.
I'm seriously thinking about getting us heated throws. The cold in the house makes me miserable

I'm in exactly the same position single working mum on same salary. Not entitled to working tax credits as I 'earn too much' bloody joke. I was paying £57 a month for both now it's gone up to £137 a month. My tariff ends June too I'm worried sick. My rent is definitely due to go up to. How are people supposed to cope ??

Earning too much!!! It's an insult isn't it.

I was doing calculations on upping my hours and paying for childcare. I was shocked to see how little help I got with childcare despite only potentially earning 18500 maximum on increased hours. It really doesn't seem alot to run a house and family on as well as afford his childcare. It worked out an extra 40 hours a month would only leave me with around 68 extra a month. That's terrible

OP I also bought an "Oodie" type giant hooded fleece in Primark. It's down to my mid calf. That keeps me very warm, especially with joggers and warm socks. I don't need the heating on for very long as a result. It was 18 quid and you can get kid sized ones for around 12 quid on eBay. Definitely worth getting.

@flapjackfairy

Have you checked out the earn £10 a day threads on here? There may be some ideas to help there. And what about online surveys etc that you could do in the evenings for a few pounds. May not be much but could help.

Please please stop pedalling this. This sh@$ is absolutely time-wasting nonsense and is not going to help those who have jobs or families. Don't waste your time working for £2/hr when you could just have a min wage job instead

OP, sorry to hear that you are struggling, it's just an awful situation at the moment, with the bills going up. I would definitely look at a heated throw. They really cost very little to run and I often do not need to turn on the heating at all. They are lovely on the couch and sometimes I take it to bed too. I also have an electric blanket on the beds, also very cheap to run and you can get into a warm bed, which is nice.

Can you also look to see if you can plug up any draughts? It makes quite a bit of difference and can be done very cheaply. It'll be your windows, doors to the outside, key holes, chimneys etc - go around and see where you feel the cold air. I got some foam tape (Poundland or Wilkos might have) to put around the frames where there were gaps and some door snakes (the kind that move with the doors) and that really helped. Another area that was letting in the cold air was the bathroom fan - so I put a door snake on that door and it made a difference.

I know it won't help with the bills but it will keep you more comfortable.

I've seen those giant fleeces. They look good.

I caved and the heating went on at 7pm. Was left on the 2 hours tonight, the whole time I was thinking oh shit oh shit, but my god what a difference being warm makes. It's felt wonderful and abit normal again. Unfortunately this can't be a regular thing but it was so lovely. I just needed it. Im at all new levels of miserableness at the moment.

Hearing how others energy bills are increasing is frightening to be honest. As the problem is so huge and widespread. Absolutely no one can secure a competitive rate anymore. What the hell is the alternative to this mess?

That's also a fantastic point about the draughts. I consider my house well insulated, double glazed etc and in all fairness in 30 minutes it's lovely and warm. BUT I do notice considerable cold areas around doors, windows, basically anywhere directly leading to the outside. The front hall is horrendous. It's a composite door but the draught is terrible. It's so cold in my tiny hall. I do use a draught excluder and heavy thermal lined floor to ceiling curtains but it is so cold. I will have to go round the house and find a solution to the others so hopefully help us. The house is abit strange. In the summer it is unbearable. You cannot escape the heat inside even with windows wide open it's way too hot. But in the winter unless the heating is on, the house is freezing. It's only small and areas/rooms cant be closed off. My son doesnt seem to grasp closing doors and basically each colder room leads to rooms that are mostly used

Def worth doing the thing with the draughts. I know it seems like a small thing but its made such a difference in my flat. If it means that the place never gets freezing and/or you can put the heating on for a short time and it holds the heat, it'll be well worth it.