The ongoing cost of living crisis is causing bills to rise for many with people now trying to save as much as they can.
On the run up to Christmas, one of the busiest and most expensive times of the year, people are trying to cut back now so more than ever and one woman has managed to do just that.
Using the £30 gadget from Argos, the woman has said that she has managed to slash her bills to £10 a month.
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Kerry Collinson explained that she has managed to cut back on her gas and electric bills after the savvy spender began switching up her habits and slashing two-thirds off her gas bill, according to MEN.
The gadget from Argos is a portable camping stove which the retailer is currently selling for £30. And thanks to the government's £60 rebate, her bills are low with the 51-year-old statin that it costs her just £1.20 a week to cook on it.
It comes as Money Saving Expert's (MSE) Martin Lewis has said bills are set to rise again for some next year. He explained: "The energy price guarantee was meant to guarantee prices until the end of March - when we know the cost people pay will increase by 20 per cent. So it will come as a surprise to many to see prices change in January.
"For most people the change will be trivial, but it is disappointing to see more substantial increases, with some on prepay meters seeing rises of one per cent, which include most of the poorest in society. I have already been in touch with the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy to ask if this can be looked at, as it does not seem fair.
"The bump up for those who pay in receipt of bills takes the premium for paying that way to more than 10% over direct debit – so while many like the extra control, it's important to be aware that with typical bills from January you'll pay £260 a year for it."
Having swapped out the induction hob and keeping her central heating off since February, Kerry says her quality of life is just as good but she's 'saving a fortune'.
She explained: "I don't want to cut back on the nice things I've worked hard for my whole life so greedy energy firms can put it in their pockets.
"I'm very happy, I've still got what I need and I haven't had to give up the things I love to do like going out for dinner or Netflix.
"I've more than halved my energy bill, even from before the price rise. We never put the central heating on, we got a log burner instead, and we use electric blankets when we're cold. We never turn on the oven, and we stopped using the induction hob because I could see the smart meter literally spin every time I used it.
"So now I have two camping stoves and use an air fryer or a microwave to cook - it costs me £1.20 for the whole week whereas before it would cost 70p per meal." Solar lights are also something Kerry has used to help her cut costs.
The commercial cleaner never turns her lights on in the evening, and instead relies on solar lights that charge through the day, her log burner, and some chargeable tea lights from Amazon. She has also stopped used the tumble drier, which she says is an 'inconvenience' but not essential.
She even has a window vacuum cleaner that removes moisture to ensure the house doesn't get damp. Her most important tip was to be aware of turning things off when they're not needed.
Kerry also finds other savvy ways to cut back and instead of charging her phone and electrics from the mains, she has a transportable solar panel that can charge essentials during the day. She continued: "We started buying solar stuff in the summer because, with the war, we had a feeling that we should be prepared.
"So we bought lights, lanterns and a fold up solar panel that charges our devices for free. We don't use the oven anymore and generally day to day we make sure all our lights are off and make sure everything's unplugged when we don't need it."
Kerry, who lives in a three-bed bungalow, says her highest bill was £230 however this has also slashed to just £95 - a saving of £135.
With Christmas approaching, the 51-year-old has said that she will use the oven for Christmas Day for her Turkey, potatoes - and any other cuts of meat for the days to come - and everything else will be cooked on the campfire stoves and in her air fryer.
She added: "A few people I know have said they don't know whether they could do this but that I have a few good ideas. It's mostly about being more aware, turning things off when you're not in the room and being more frugal.
"In the past I'd pay my bills and just think it's a thing I have to do as an adult, but now it just rubs me the wrong way. Why should so many people have to cut back on other things to put money into the pocket of someone who doesn't deserve it. I'm not a political person at all, but I don't want to give my money to people like that - I'd rather spend it on other things I love."
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