Looks like winter is going to be a financial nightmare for many people. Has anyone already started to make changes in their fuel usage?

Maybe we can use this thread to make energy saving ideas?

ie, One of my neighbours never irons their clothes. Simply hang them out to dry, then straight onto clothes hangers. By the time you wear anything any creases will have disappeared.

I was thinking of using the kettle once in the morning but filling flasks to use throughout the day.

Let’s have your ideas….you might help someone through the winter months!

I wouldn’t say I’m worried for my household but I am worried for those less fortunate who will be hit hard, if you have family members you can help, I really think you should as they won’t ever forget that help.

It’s just a really horrible situation, up **** creek with no paddle through no fault of your own struggling to get by! I certainly remember the help I got during Covid/lockdown from my Step Dad and Grandad when my income was badly hit, I never asked and was embarrassed to take it but they were fortunate not to be effected and wanted to help.

Might I suggest, just at the moment, that people turn their central heating off.

The latest projections are £550 per month average from January.

Something will give before that, either Poll Tax style riots or the government will fall.

If the government don’t sort something out pretty soon I can see society breaking down.

I always buy the same Flora Proactive Spread from Sainsbury's that was £3.85 (not on special offer) when I last purchased a tub a couple of weeks ago. Popped into my local Sainsbury store this afternoon and now priced up at £4.50.

Not just energy costs that are rising. Luckily an alternative spread was on Special Offer at £3.25 so got that instead.

As a single bloke on a decent wage in Prague, im not too bad tbh.Leccy is about 60 quid a month now (im leccy only) whch has now been added on to my rent rather than as a lump every 3 months, which feels sensible.

Still 2 more foreign holidays planned in September and October, and ireland for a weekend in November.

The below is a brilliant organisation - and we have a shop in Burnley too.

https://communitygrocery.org.uk/

kentonclaret wrote: ↑

Thu Aug 11, 2022 6:26 pm

I always buy the same Flora Proactive Spread from Sainsbury's that was £3.85 (not on special offer) when I last purchased a tub a couple of weeks ago. Popped into my local Sainsbury store this afternoon and now priced up at £4.50.

Not just energy costs that are rising. Luckily an alternative spread was on Special Offer at £3.25 so got that instead.

I tend to stick to French salty butter. its around 3 quid for 250g now

Very.

My wife and I are on what would’ve been classed as good wages a couple of years ago, but we’ve no spare money as it is having three kids at school age, a mortgage, a newish car etc.

I'm not too worried for myself but I am concerned for relative youngsters like my daughters who have all grafted through the Uni system to get decent careers and, for two out of the three, a first home.
I hate the fact that these are the people who will bear the brunt of our so called leaders' idiocy, I include the Opposition, politicians who are too stupid, complacent or greedy to actually grasp the scale of the problems unfolding.
Perhaps a healthy dose of Poll Tax - style rioting might wake the buggers up.

My landlord has managed to sort out some good fixed rates so we should be fine
My rent may have to go up a little but it's nothing I can't manage

I know people are struggling, but if anyone can afford even a few spare pounds go down to your local animal rescue. They are really struggling (like most) with the current uplift in costs.

Living in the EU I’m as happy as a pig in sh1t.

Tricky Trevor wrote: ↑

Thu Aug 11, 2022 6:55 pm

Living in the EU I’m as happy as a pig in sh1t.

All jokes aside moving to the Middle East or Europe has never appealed more

Recently i switch onto a fixed rate with UW and also helped some family members switch to.
i then became a UW Partners myself to help other people save time and money on their utility bills.

I personally wouldn't have been able to absorb the 81% rise in Oct followed by a predicted 19% hike in Jan following April 22's 58% rise.
a person paying £100 p/m in Jan 22 on a flexible rate will be paying £326 p/m in Jan 23 (thats just not on at all) hence why i fixed b4 the oct rise.

If anyone is on a variable rate and needs help, drop me a email on the address below and i can run you though the figures and try and help some fellow clarets out

keiron.sagar@uw.partners

Things will sort themselves out it’s pointless worrying now it’s better to cross that bridge when we meet it especially as nobody has any sort of an idea of what kind of winter we will experience recent winters have been very mild, as a nation we are a hardy lot & very resourceful we’ll be ok in the main & the 1s less fortunate will get the help if we collectively make sure they are looked after.

claret2018 wrote: ↑

Thu Aug 11, 2022 6:24 pm

The latest projections are £550 per month average from January.

Something will give before that, either Poll Tax style riots or the government will fall.

Agree. Unless something is done I can see it becoming another Poll Tax situation. It's obviously a vastly complex situation but while the French are putting up prices by just 4% and Shell and the like keep announcing multi billion pound profits, it's going to turn ugly.

I'm not at all worried from a personal point of view. But I really feel for those on low wages or universal credit. There needs to be more support targeted at the most vulnerable, rather than people like me benefitting from general tax cuts.

If a single man with his own house loses his job.

He will have 72 quid a week to live off, with the average fuel bill expected to be 75 quid a week from October.

People are turning a blind eye at the minute until it affects them.

Jakubclaret wrote: ↑

Thu Aug 11, 2022 7:03 pm

Things will sort themselves out it’s pointless worrying now it’s better to cross that bridge when we meet it especially as nobody has any sort of an idea of what kind of winter we will experience recent winters have been very mild, as a nation we are a hardy lot & very resourceful we’ll be ok in the main & the 1s less fortunate will get the help if we collectively make sure they are looked after.

I think now is exactly the time to be worrying and trying to see what savings can be made ahead of further rises.

Neither potential PMs has said they will take the fuel companies to task.

Predictable but worrying.

Jakubclaret wrote: ↑

Thu Aug 11, 2022 7:03 pm

Things will sort themselves out it’s pointless worrying now it’s better to cross that bridge when we meet it especially as nobody has any sort of an idea of what kind of winter we will experience recent winters have been very mild, as a nation we are a hardy lot & very resourceful we’ll be ok in the main & the 1s less fortunate will get the help if we collectively make sure they are looked after.

Couldn't disagree more. Those who are going to struggle the most in a whole range of ways should be making plans right now, which is what the spirit of this thread is about.

dougcollins wrote: ↑

Thu Aug 11, 2022 7:21 pm

Neither potential PMs has said they will take the fuel companies to task.

Predictable but worrying.

I guess the it’ll be cheaper than the McDonalds chips that they can no longer buy, for the Russians.

Very much worried.

Our 5 year fixed rate is up on our mortgage in November which is also a concern at the same moment with the interest rate at the minute. We’re considering our options and thinking of possibly taking a £140 a month bump in our mortgage repayment on a new 5 year fixed rate, and ‘taking back’ £10k from what we’ve paid off the house/adding £10k back onto our mortgage to get rid of our other debts (car, a loan) allowing more monthly flexibility for what is to come. Everyone is thinking of the January rise but there is no guarantee it ends there, and it’s unlikely we would be looking at moving house till 2025/2026 as is (especially at present) so it seems a possible option to prepare to deal with what is coming. It’s a struggle.

taio wrote: ↑

Thu Aug 11, 2022 7:22 pm

Couldn't disagree more. Those who are going to struggle the most in a whole range of ways should be making plans right now, which is what the spirit of this thread is about.

It’ll sort itself out & people will dig in & help each other whether it’s a pint or a meal or a sack of coal it will happen I’d personally give anybody a flask of bovril at winter if anybodys struggling & plenty of others are like me & far more generous.

jedi_master wrote: ↑

Thu Aug 11, 2022 7:27 pm

Very much worried.

Our 5 year fixed rate is up on our mortgage in November which is also a concern at the same moment with the interest rate at the minute. We’re considering our options and thinking of possibly taking a £140 a month bump in our mortgage repayment on a new 5 year fixed rate, and ‘taking back’ £10k from what we’ve paid off the house/adding £10k back onto our mortgage to get rid of our other debts (car, a loan) allowing more monthly flexibility for what is to come. Everyone is thinking of the January rise but there is no guarantee it ends there, and it’s unlikely we would be looking at moving house till 2025/2026 as is (especially at present) so it seems a possible option to prepare to deal with what is coming. It’s a struggle.

Remember you shouldn't have to wait until November to agree a new deal before interest rates rise again.

kentonclaret wrote: ↑

Thu Aug 11, 2022 6:26 pm

I always buy the same Flora Proactive Spread from Sainsbury's that was £3.85 (not on special offer) when I last purchased a tub a couple of weeks ago. Popped into my local Sainsbury store this afternoon and now priced up at £4.50.

Not just energy costs that are rising. Luckily an alternative spread was on Special Offer at £3.25 so got that instead.

Have a little look at the size now of that Flora spread as well…

taio wrote: ↑

Thu Aug 11, 2022 7:30 pm

Remember you shouldn't have to wait until November to agree a new deal before interest rates rise again.

Yeah cheers, already getting the quotes and hoping to sort in the next month or so!

It's not just the Utility costs it's also the costs of the council tax. Where I live we pay £2;100 for a 2 bed apartment and £2,850 for a 4 bed detached its crazy then you have your utility costs, WiFi, mortgage etc

Jakubclaret wrote: ↑

Thu Aug 11, 2022 7:28 pm

It’ll sort itself out & people will dig in & help each other whether it’s a pint or a meal or a sack of coal it will happen I’d personally give anybody a flask of bovril at winter if anybodys struggling & plenty of others are like me & far more generous.

It will require significant short-term action and support for the most vulnerable. It certainly won't just sort itself out. Things are going to get much worse before they get better and that needs mitigating through additional support and individuals preparing, rather than your suggestion of doing nothing.

I'm worried for people who are on low wages and have families. Also for businesses. Quite a few of my customers are ready to throw in the towel and are incensed at piliticians for allowing this situation to occur. Too weak to stand up the minority eco nuts. But its a plan. The indu3strial revolution has to be reversed and the majority have to be in penury is what these nutters want. But the fat cats continue to make billions. Why dont they attack them these freaks?

We can cope with the increase but I’d rather not have to and rather put the money elsewhere, but I’ve been taking a few measures to prepare as we are now on variable fuel and see the projection of 400 a month v 120 last year on gas and electric:
-really over paying heavily now to build some buffer
- ordered x3 the amount of logs we would normally use in the main fire. Already delivered before prices go up
- unplugged loads of things. DVD player (not used in 3 years) is a good example
-All things in the garage off, no standby.
-absolutely no tumble dryer!

Get loads of friends over every weekend now and then we can go to theirs over winter (joke)

DCWat wrote: ↑

Thu Aug 11, 2022 7:17 pm

I think now is exactly the time to be worrying and trying to see what savings can be made ahead of further rises.

I agree. Start planning and even make some changes now, especially if they involve making a property more heat efficient.

Those with log burners could start stock piling fallen wood and whilst it is dry.

Stayingup wrote: ↑

Thu Aug 11, 2022 7:36 pm

I'm worried for people who are on low wages and have families. Also for businesses. Quite a few of my customers are ready to throw in the towel and are incensed at piliticians for allowing this situation to occur. Too weak to stand up the minority eco nuts. But its a plan. The indu3strial revolution has to be reversed and the majority have to be in penury is what these nutters want. But the fat cats continue to make billions. Why dont they attack them these freaks?

If the crazy eco nuts had their way we'd have an independent renewable power supply and be protected from the worst excesses of profiteering energy companies. Not to mention meaningful progress against climate change. What loons!

Mainly worried for the family not so much me and.my wife we are OK in a smaller well insulated house now. Folk on low income with families must be dreading winter.
Apparently Teresa May dropped subsidising gas storage and it wasn't reintroduced when she left and that has really compounded the issue. Typical penny pinching pathetic politicians with no bigger picture.

Duffer_ wrote: ↑

Thu Aug 11, 2022 7:44 pm

If the crazy eco nuts had their way we'd have an independent renewable power supply and be protected from the worst excesses of profiteering energy companies. Not to mention meaningful progress against climate change. What loons!

To be fair Duffer the expense that would be required to achieve that is extraordinary. As would be the upgrades to the infrastructure.

It’s possible but I suspect for energy companies to be able to achieve that, costs for the consumer would continue to rise so they can raise the capital to build renewable power supply infrastructure

Newcastleclaret93 wrote: ↑

Thu Aug 11, 2022 7:47 pm

To be fair Duffer the expense that would be required to achieve that is extraordinary. As would be the upgrades to the infrastructure.

It’s possible but I suspect for energy companies to be able to achieve that, costs for the consumer would continue to rise so they can raise the capital to build renewable power supply infrastructure

Yeah, but those crazy eco nuts wanted to start this years, no, decades ago. Them weirdos with their spooky, not to be trusted, foresight.

Duffer_ wrote: ↑

Thu Aug 11, 2022 7:50 pm

Yeah, but those crazy eco nuts wanted to start this years, no, decades ago. Them weirdos with their spooky, not to be trusted, foresight.

Not sure it’s as simple as your making out. But I get the sentiment

Interesting thread and I'd appreciate people's thoughts on this...

I have a standard central heating system using a boiler and radiators. I also have underfloor heating for almost the entire downstairs footprint of the house. Is it more efficient/cost effective to use the central heating or the underfloor heating? Similarly, should I leave the thermostats at a set temperature or turn them off and heat the house up from cold each day when I return from work?

My logic says the underfloor should be more efficient, but the spike in Electricity usage when it was on last winter was significant to say the least.

Duffer_ wrote: ↑

Thu Aug 11, 2022 7:44 pm

If the crazy eco nuts had their way we'd have an independent renewable power supply and be protected from the worst excesses of profiteering energy companies. Not to mention meaningful progress against climate change. What loons!

Yes but you might have noticed we haven't got an affordable ready supply of renewable supply. Nowhere near. I saw some of these windmills here inthe East Midlands today. Guess what. No wind. Have a guess. Anyone who wants people to suffer and maybe die ofcold this winter is to me a freak and potty.

Stayingup wrote: ↑

Thu Aug 11, 2022 8:01 pm

Yes but you might have noticed we haven't got an affordable ready supply of renewable supply. Nowhere near. I saw some of these windmills here inthe East Midlands today. Guess what. No wind. Have a guess. Anyone who wants people to suffer and maybe die ofcold this winter is to me a freak and potty.

Yeah, I went past a massive solar farm in Wales today. Guess what? No su...wait, my bad.

No sane person wants anyone else to suffer, letalone die, from cold but, with all due respect, I think you are missing the point.

Newcastleclaret93 wrote: ↑

Thu Aug 11, 2022 7:47 pm

To be fair Duffer the expense that would be required to achieve that is extraordinary. As would be the upgrades to the infrastructure.

It’s possible but I suspect for energy companies to be able to achieve that, costs for the consumer would continue to rise so they can raise the capital to build renewable power supply infrastructure

And how will they pay for wind that doesnt bow on a day like today? Have yiu got an EV? Ifso wait till the powercuts kick in on yiur way to Burnley. You coukd well be stranded over the moors.

Personally I think we'll be fine, but I genuinely fear for people who will not survive this winter, either through lack of heat or lack of food.

I'm absolutely sick to the pit of my stomach at the thought of what it is to come, and the shoulder-shrugging going on by those in power. Things are going to get very, very ugly in the next 12 months.

Octopus has a quite a useful tool that shows based on your historic use, direct debit and government help what your payments and balance are predicted to look like for the next 12months.

I'm somewhat worried, going to take up an increasing percentage of my earnings and I'm not on a fixed income. I'd rather plan to make some changes and it not be as bad as feared than the other way around.
I fear for a lot of people in much worse situations than myself, millions are already in fuel debt, one in five adults have less than £100 savings to call on in an emergency.

As a single bloke, I do not do a lot of the things people suggest stopping, ironing clothes, tumble dryer, DVD player etc. All that really leaves is energy to heat, light, cook, work/entertain (PC/TV).
The main things I could considering is only heating one room and cooking meals which only use one device.

Stayingup wrote: ↑

Thu Aug 11, 2022 8:01 pm

Yes but you might have noticed we haven't got an affordable ready supply of renewable supply. Nowhere near. I saw some of these windmills here inthe East Midlands today. Guess what. No wind. Have a guess. Anyone who wants people to suffer and maybe die ofcold this winter is to me a freak and potty.

Some dozy git forgot to turn the big fans on - that’s why there’s no wind…

I forgot to add - the profits the energy companies are making and are forecasting to make. Wow.

ksrclaret wrote: ↑

Thu Aug 11, 2022 8:20 pm

I forgot to add - the profits the energy companies are making and are forecasting to make. Wow.

They haven't added new customers, been more productive or efficient. It's simply that the price of the thing they sell has gone up so they take their profit cut of that.
Causes a large portion of inflation too. No one's had a real terms pay increase in decades.

It never ceases to amaze me how many can still afford to go to away games, given that we keep selling out each match.

Some folk must be very well paid!

Mrpotatohead wrote: ↑

Thu Aug 11, 2022 7:58 pm

Interesting thread and I'd appreciate people's thoughts on this...

Similarly, should I leave the thermostats at a set temperature or turn them off and heat the house up from cold each day when I return from work?

My logic says the underfloor should be more efficient, but the spike in Electricity usage when it was on last winter was significant to say the least.

Electricity is around 4 times more expensive than gas, tariffs vary, so the electric underfloor option is going to be more expensive.

As to whether you should turn the heating off whilst you're out, probably yes.
The sure way to find out is to try both ways, take start and end meter readings, and run it for a full 7 days so you include weekends.

Apart from the obvious worries, like being able to pay bills, and being cold in the winter. My main concern is, how on earth has this been allowed to happen? The energy companies are making massive profits when people could be literally freezing to death in the winter. I always presumed there was some type of safeguarding ombudsman who would step in and say "No, this is morally wrong ". It feels like a mass transfer of wealth. A robbery. Its obscene.