Since the gas prices have doubled ive had to cut down on what I use. It amazes me at how many electrical and gas appliances we use on a daily basis.
During March we were all informed on the rise in gas and electricity costs that were due to be in place from 1st April 2022, so I thought it would be best to start taking action now!
Taking action!
I stopped using the heating as much and demanded my husband and son to add another layer if they were cold. Given that my husband is in his late 60s he has tried his best to do this, my son finds it great to wrap up in the blanket he knitted himself. I, being a knitter have just worn most of my woolly makes, (including socks!)
The first few days of April were cold and down to freezing temperatures, so I had to put the heating on for a short time to warm us all through. The evening was the same, but I tried to time it with the bedtime schedules. Luckily the weather warmed up shortly after and we were able to keep the heating off. Now it was down to cooking and showering!
Cooking
So our cooker (owned by the landlord) is gas. The hobs, grill and oven all get used quite frequently. But on one particular day in March the grill refused to stay lit! The landlord notified the man for the job only to find the safety for the ignition had broke, it needed a new one and was going to cost as much as a new cooker to repair it! The landlord vetoed that idea and said she’d get back to me on that.
Later that same day after talking with her husband decided to drop off a halogen air fryer they had spare, (there was a great offer at Xmas so they bought it!) They came round the next day with it. I have to say I was not feeling the love and thought to myself here goes my savings on gas!
Once we got it set up I thought I’d make a plate of chips for lunch. Thinking this was going to cost a fortune I took note of the smart meter, £0.46p, okay here goes…
20 minutes later chips perfectly cooked I checked the costs, £0.48p. I was shocked, 2 pence for 20 minutes! That was amazing and I had to admit to I really thought it would cost a fortune to run!
Since then we have cooked, fried and toasted in the air fryer. For vegetables though we have used the hobs, but the hasn’t been using as much as the main oven.
Plastic
I’ve had many adverts for eco soaps and never really looked into them, until I’d finished my shampoo. I clicked on a couple but they were too expensive, but one kept popping up on Instagram with a code for “a free bar just pay postage” link, so I clicked on it. I found one for coloured hair and paid the postage like it said.
Once it arrived in its no plastic packaging I thought I’d give it a try straight away. It smelled great! Once my hair was dry it looked smooth and felt soft, perfect, I could not have been happier! This is the best shampoo I’ve ever had before, you should try it!
Slowly but surely I’m buying less and less products with plastic and I’m moving towards the better way of using bags. I even make my own reusable bags which are great for shopping!
Gardening
I’ve got into growing my own fruit and vegetables now (as well as flowers to help the bees!) So far I have some little shoots from the turnips, I’ll be able to have some really good casseroles with all the vegetables I’ll have.
So as it is, the saving energy part is a work in progress. Soon I hope to reduce my energy usage save a few pennies too! How well are you coping with the rise in costs? Let me know in the comments.
Thank you for reading. Have a good day x
A Cottage Crafter 