Cost of living crisis - practical advice, signposting & ideas: heating & eating etc.

[Castleton]

Southwark has now relaunched it's HERE TO HELP COST OF LIVING FUND.

To be clear, it's for low incomes and people NOT on benefits but worth a look.

Search cost of living fund on the council website

 

[IlonaM]

Guardian article re: 'Energy price cap in Great Britain to fall by 14% in April, says forecaster: Cheaper oil and gas expected to fuel drop in annual bills by £268 to £1,660'

https://www.theguardian.com/business/2023/dec/20/ofgem-energy-price-cap-to-fall-by-14-per-cent-in-april-says-forecaster

[SpringTime]

Still haven't turned the heating on. We've managed millenia without it so why grumble when it's still +0° outside on a so-called cold night in London.

Anyone else happy with their long-johns, etc. ? I'm no Edwina but FFS people, man up.

It's not at all cold

2 hours ago, SpringTime said:

Still haven't turned the heating on. We've managed millenia without it so why grumble when it's still +0° outside even on a cold night in London.

Anyone else happy with their long-johns, etc. ? I'm no Edwina but FFS people, man up.

It's not at all cold

 

Edited December 29, 2023 by SpringTime
Everything

[jazzer]

Why is the price cap rising in January so we "collectively" have to pay for all those who can't budget or won't pay their gas and electricity bills, seems unfair to me. 

[IlonaM]

'Energy bills in Great Britain forecast to fall by 16% in April

Charges will plunge by equivalent of more than £300 a year as price cap drops to £1,620, say consultants'

https://www.theguardian.com/money/2024/jan/22/energy-bills-great-britain-fall-price-cap-cornwall-insight

[IlonaM]

Mixed article in Independent with a couple of well-worn tips as well as a reminder of help available re: energy costs:

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/government-help-with-energy-heating-bills-col-b2483795.html

[IlonaM]

Energy price cap to fall to £1,690 from April, its lowest in two years

https://www.theguardian.com/money/2024/feb/23/energy-price-cap-great-britain-april-gas

And, an article in the Independent for Martin Lewis update:

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/ofgem-price-cap-energy-bills-2024-latest-b2501154.html

Edited February 23 by IlonaM

[jazzer]

And the daily standing charge for electricity to RISE by 65%, an absolute outrage, to pay for the non payers and defaulters, absolute disgrace that Ofgem has done this and the news was only broken by Martin Lewis yesterday. 

Scrap Ofgem, thought they were supposed to be on the side of the consumer but the last 2 1/2 years has proved that is anything but the case. 🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬

[SpringTime]

Nighttime temperatures this coming week in SE London are due to be in double figures. Is anyone actually still using central heating or is it about time to be opening the windows? (If you're not already doing so...)

[malumbu]

I'd like to turn ours off ASAP.  Separately I am a bit grumpy about government's campaign on heat pumps, we need to sort the insulation out first.  And why are we still building houses with gas central heating and no heat pumps such as the new development in Dulwich Village.  OK this is wider discussion on the Lounge.

[Castleton]

On 10/03/2024 at 22:32, malumbu said:

I'd like to turn ours off ASAP.  Separately I am a bit grumpy about government's campaign on heat pumps, we need to sort the insulation out first.  And why are we still building houses with gas central heating and no heat pumps such as the new development in Dulwich Village.  OK this is wider discussion on the Lounge.

I can't believe we still flush perfectly clean water down the toilet! Grey water systems should be mandatory too

[malumbu]

On new builds absolutely.  Harvesting rain water too.  More challenging to retrofit.  We water some plants but  certainly not the garden, but even with 300 litres capacity that will not last all summer, then it is syphoning bath water and got to move the taste of soapy water.

[IlonaM]

Reminder to read & submit meter readings at end on month before change in energy price cap:

https://www.theguardian.com/money/2024/mar/28/uk-households-urged-to-submit-meter-readings-ahead-of-energy-price-cut

[IlonaM]

Next fall in energy cap: https://www.theguardian.com/money/article/2024/may/24/energy-price-cap-in-great-britain-to-fall-in-summer

'Energy price cap in Great Britain to fall to £1,568 in summer. Drop from £1,690 driven by fall in wholesale gas prices but household bills still substantially higher than three years ago.'

 

And for all you pub beer drinkers: https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/pints-beer-short-measure-pubs-b2550636.html

'Stop the froth: A shocking number of pints served in pubs are short measures. CAMRA said that the pint measure should not include the head and consumers should have a right to a 100% liquid pint'

[IlonaM]

The Guardian has an article on energy fixed deals and and potentially saving next winter:

https://www.theguardian.com/money/article/2024/jun/01/energy-bills-fixed-price-deal-ofgem-cap

Worth also having a look at Martin Lewis' advice & tool for deciding whether fixed rate is right for you [Updated 28 May 2024]:

https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/utilities/are-there-any-cheap-fixed-energy-deals-currently-worth-it/

 

Edited June 2 by IlonaM

[IlonaM]

Guardian article regarding potential increase in water bills:

https://www.theguardian.com/money/article/2024/jul/11/water-bills-in-england-and-wales-how-much-more-might-you-be-paying

[IlonaM]

sually I find the comments under the line more interesting/helpful than the article itself, but it might be of interest for those looking for frugal ways to culture this summer:

https://www.theguardian.com/culture/article/2024/jul/13/culture-offers-hacks-to-save-money

 

[IlonaM]

Re: savings rates - article in today's Guardian:

'Savers urged to lock in best deals before UK interest rate decision

With Bank of England meeting on 1 August, people are advised to take advantage of top-paying accounts now'

https://www.theguardian.com/money/article/2024/jul/27/savers-best-deals-uk-interest-rate-top-paying-accounts

[IlonaM]

Observer article: 'How to find cheap (or free) days out for the kids, come rain or shine

Amid the cost of living crisis, and the high price of attractions, many children are stuck indoors. But there are affordable, but no less exciting, trips'

https://www.theguardian.com/money/article/2024/jul/29/how-to-find-cheap-or-free-days-out-for-the-kids-come-rain-or-shine

[IlonaM]

Re: Martin Lewis' advice on energy costs:

'Martin Lewis says people should act now to save money on energy bills before next Ofgem price cap

Customers may want to check they’re getting the best deal'

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/martin-lewis-energy-bills-mse-tracker-ofgem-price-cap-b2588888.html

[IlonaM]

[IlonaM]

Guardian article 03082024: 'Energy customers urged to switch to beat winter fuel payments changes

UK suppliers’ new fixed-rate tariffs could keep household bills down – and beat forecast energy cap rise'

https://www.theguardian.com/money/article/2024/aug/03/energy-customers-switch-winter-fuel-payments-tariffs

[IlonaM]

Guardian article today: 'Grocery price inflation in Great Britain rises for first time in 17 months

Shoppers turn to supermarket promotions as they come under pressure from price rises'

https://www.theguardian.com/business/article/2024/aug/13/great-britain-grocery-price-inflation-rises-supermarket-prices

[IlonaM]

'Energy bills could rise to average of £1,714 a year in Great Britain from October

Cornwall Insight analysts predict quarterly price cap through to end of December will increase by 9%'

https://www.theguardian.com/money/article/2024/aug/19/winter-energy-bills-rise-great-britain-price-cap

[IlonaM]

Price cap rise confirmed: 'Average annual energy bill to rise by 10% to £1,717 in Great Britain from October'

https://www.theguardian.com/money/article/2024/aug/23/average-annual-energy-bill-rise-great-britain-october-ofgem

 

 

Edited August 24 by IlonaM