A woman says she's managed to slash her monthly energy bill down to £10 a month. It comes as millions of people in the UK are looking for ways to reduce the amount they're spending on electricity as bills continue to soar.
One of the major keys to her bill-slashing has been an unlikely gadget, which you can buy at retailers such as Argos for as little as £30. Earlier this morning Money Saving Expert Martin Lewis warned that energy bills are set to rise further in January.
The Money Saving Expert warned: "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%). So it will come as a surprise to many to see prices change in January."
READ MORE: Wilko and Argos shoppers take Martin Lewis advice and buy £30 heater that costs pennies to run
Ahead of the price rises, Kerry Collinson, 51, has explained how she decided to ruthlessly cut back on her gas and electric bills. The savvy spender began switching up her habits and says she has slashed two-thirds off her gas bill.
She has also halved her electricity bill and says she now only pays £10 a month after the £60 Government rebate. Kerry, from Crewkerne, Somerset, has not turned on her central heating since February.
And she only spends £1.20 a week cooking after swapping out her induction hob for a camping stove. Despite the cut backs, Kerry says her quality of life is just as good but she's 'saving a fortune'.
"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," Kerry said. "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.
Interestingly, 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.
Instead of charging her phone and electrics from the mains, she has a transportable solar panel that can charge essentials during the day. She said: "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."
At it's highest, Kerry's bill for her three-bedroom bungalow was £230, whereas she says it's now only £95. She said getting a log burner was 'the best thing she's ever done' and that many others are turning to that solution.
She's decided she'll turn on the oven for Christmas Day, using it to cook her Turkey, potatoes, plus other cuts of meat for the days to come. Everything else will be cooked on the campfire stoves and in her air fryer.
She said: "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."
Since this article was published, we have been asked to point out that there is a risk of carbon monoxide poisoning when cooking with a camping stove indoors and it is essential, therefore, that the area in which it is being used is well-ventilated. We are happy to clarify this point.
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