Money Saving Expert founder Martin Lewis has shared a new guide on how to keep warm in the face of spiraling energy bills as people can longer afford to heat their homes. Martin says people may be able to get by by 'heating the person, not the room'.
He asked the team at the advice website to create a new guide filled with advice on cheaper alternatives to trying to keep your home warm when you can't afford to pay for gas and electricity. At the start of this month the maximum amount energy firms can charge you for gas and electricity went up by 54%.
Now Martin has shared the MSE guide which includes tips such as using heated gloves, hand warmers, an electric gilet or an electric blanket while leaving the central heating off. 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," reports YorkshireLive.
Martin said it costs £14 to buy a cheap electric blanket which in turn, costs 3p an hour to run or a cost per week of £1.37 if used for seven hours a day. An electric gilet would cost £46 to buy and 4p per week to run, while USB gloves would cost 4p per week to run and just £5 to buy.
Cost of living campaigner Jack Monroe said: "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."
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."
