Millions of people are now reluctant to turn their heating on because of the increased cost of doing so since the price cap rose by 54 per cent last week.
With that in mind, Money Saving Expert Martin Lewis has given some advice on how you can stay warm without having to put the heating on. The financial expert would normally have given solutions around how to keep homes warm without huge bills, but as the cost of living crisis gets worse and worse he has had to come up with alternatives.
The Good Morning Britain expert pointed out how people can wear heated USB gloves, hand warmers, an electric gilet or an electric blanket to get warm without having to heat the entire house, reports the MEN.
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Martin said: "I felt sad asking my team to put this together, but my emailbag is full of folk so desperate they can't put the heat on, I wanted to try some help. Pls share. Full cost of living survival guide coming soon"
Martin added on his site: "This is a guide I really wish we needn’t be publishing. The reason I asked Sarah and the team to put this together is due to my overflowing e-mail bag of desperation from people who can’t afford their energy bills. So don’t see this as an ‘MSE or Martin says you should do this’.
"It's more that we’re trying to help provide some options and information for those that may need to drastically cut down on energy usage due to financial desperation and some help for others who may want to do it out of a commitment to green issues."
Martin pointed out in his guide that it costs only £14 to buy a cheap electric blanket which in turn, costs 3p an hour to run, even in today's climate of rising costs. That equals a cost per week of £1.37 if used for seven hours a day.
An electric gilet, basically a heated jacket, would cost £46 to buy and just 4p per week to run, while USB gloves would cost 4p per week to run and just £5 to buy.
Another consumer expert Jack Monroe reached out to Martin Lewis for the guide, adding: "Thank you for your vital and heartbreaking service, friend. I know this is taking a hell of a toll on you, please please take care of yourself out here. We need you now more than ever, but we need you well and fit for what’s to come"
Martin responded: "What lovely words - thanks Jack. Yes I'm feeling the pressure, but that's trivial compared to the trauma many are facing being unable to afford to live."
Martin's loyal legion of followers praised the tips, but expressed their disbelief that they were necessary in the world's 5th largest economy (the UK).
Jon Wilson said: "Good tips but it's 2022 in one of the world's wealthiest economies & we're one step away from the Universal Credit journal suggesting claimants Google how Bear Grylls went about sleeping in a deer carcass to keep warm. Anyway, hope your Californian holiday pad is cozy Mr Sunak."
