Missy’s Surviving the storm so we can dance in the rain.

joedenise

I think we're all worrying about the huge hikes in gas and electric prices which are coming up.  I think things like batch cooking and making full use of the oven when it's on will definitely have to come into play.  Also using more lentils and pulses and lots of veggie meals using the cheapest in season veg.  Only buying in season fruit, using frozen and tinned fruit as they are the cheapest.  Also frozen and tinned veg rather than fresh.

Meal planning and using what you already have in will also need to make an appearance!  Make sure you only buy what you can use and write out a list and stick to it!

Don't know if any of this is any good to you.

jwil

missymoo81 said:

Ok I think I can work it so that I have 2-3 days off per work, it means 2 very full days but hopefully it should work. It should settle down in the next 2 months too. 

I am increasingly worried about our electricity and gas bill, it has already gone up astronomical amounts and I’ve just read it will go up again in April by another 50%. What are people planning to do about The huge hike, how are you planning to pick up the slack as I’m struggling to come up with ideas!

That sounds like a good plan - I'd prefer to do 2 full days and have the extra time off.

I don't know what's going to happen about energy bills.  Ours haven't really gone up yet.  Do you submit regular readings?  I'm just going to try and reduce our usage, we don't use excessive amounts but we can still cut down.  It's going to be a shock for the system for sure!

missymoo81

Some great tips @joedenise and thanks @jwil. We have a start meter so do we need to submit readings? I’m not sure.
I’ve just readjusted our heating. It was on for 6 hours in the evening. So I’ve cut that right back, so hopefully that will all be ok. I might turn the hot water part of the boiler off, As it’s one of those that heats as you use, and we only use hot water for showers, so could switch it on before hand? Not sure if that would work. Just trying to think of everything. 

Does anyone know if any threads dedicated to this? Really worried about everyone struggling.

Bluegreen143

I think the scary thing about these energy prices hikes is that there is little we can do to control them because there won’t be much ability to switch and get cheaper deals.

So it will work out that those of us who have money left to save each month will be OK but will have less to save; but those who are already really struggling will have no choice but to use less or even not heat their homes at all… seems outrageous that in the 21st century so many people won’t be able to afford power & heating bills and I worry about people living on the state pension and benefits which are so low anyway 😔 when added to the rise in food prices and in petrol prices (essential for many people to get to work) there will be a lot of household budgets at breaking point.

RelievedSheff

Energy price rises are a big problem at the minute. We are not huge energy users and have just had out first monthly bill over £100. 

In some ways it is handy that I am now back in the office. I won't be heating the house during the day and will be using less electricity. 

We will have to look to make some savings somewhere come the next round of price rises though.

missymoo81

I just don’t know how people will cope. You’re right @Bluegreen143 fuel prices have also gone through the roof too. Along with the cost of food. I just can’t see how families on the breadline will cope. Such a difficult time for people. 

I’ve just gone around switching everything off. I have a duvet on the sofa in case I get cold. I’ve just watered down the milk and the fabric softener. Need to feel like I’m doing something. 

slm6002

We always have jumpers and slippers on and blankets on the sofa.  I have a duvet and a blanket on my bed, as do the children.  We also have a spare duvet under our flat sheet, which seems to help with the heat. If boiling the kettle lots, perhaps boil it once and keep the hot water in a flask for next time. Our heating only comes on when I turn it on as it is not on timer.  We keep doors shut as it stops draughts between rooms - our hallway is particularly cold so shutting the door keeps the heat in the living room where we are most of the evening.
With the tax bill have you asked if you can pay monthly? If you have the money for this year, maybe pay something each month to help with next years bill

missymoo81

Hey @slm6002 thanks so much for posting. We all have duvets and blankets on our beds. Having the duvet on the sofa really helps keep me warm. I have booty slippers which keep my feet warm. I’ve turned all of the radiators down and pretty much off in the rooms we don’t use very often. 

I need to go shopping tomorrow without fail to get the £10 off from lidl. I’m going to try and make the shopping last 2 weeks but be realistic about it. So I was going to try and spend £30 + the £10 extra. But it’s more likely to be £40 + £10 as we need tea and lots of things that have been used up and to actually make it last the 2 weeks but even that is going to be tight!

Dinners are as follows, but not in any sort of order:

1 Fajitas

2 Bolognaise

3 Salmon spaghetti 

4 Burgers and sweet potato

6 Chilli x2 (bulk out with beans)

8 chicken Curry x 2 (bulk out with chickpeas and spinach)

10 Chicken pasta x 2 (bulk out with tinned toms and broccoli)

11 Stuffed chicken

13 Chicken stew x 2 (use broccoli stalks)

missymoo81

In some sort of order: 

Mon - chicken stew
Tue - Fajitas
Wed - chicken stew
Thur - omlette / chilli
Fri - chilli
Sat - stuffed chicken and wedges
Sun - poss roast with family
Mon - chicken pasta
Tue - Bolognaise 
Wed - chicken pasta
Thur - omlette / chicken curry
fri - chicken curry
Sat - salmon pasta

missymoo81

Jobs for today:

Pay Tax!
Food shopping - absolutely must do this 
Work 9-1130
Make Stew
Washing
unload Dishwasher
Tidy up 
put 4 million loads of washing away
message K
look at starting plan for customer
go for walk
empty frisge
empty bin
put shopping away.

Am going to pay for my shopping in £ coins! As you do! And it’s not self serve. So I’ll be smiling away as I hand over my £30 🤦🏻‍♀️ Needs must.

I’m £117 short next month. What with the tax and everything. I’m hoping to get 2 more membership packs sold as I know 2 are on their last session this week, so they should hopefully buy a new one next week, fingers crossed. But I will need to get OH to pay for all of the food shopping or use any cash and try and eek things out the best I can. 

But at least I have a plan!