Martin Lewis kettle and washing machine changes to help people 'survive'
UK state pensioners are bracing for a challenging winter as they face being at least £500 worse off. The financial strain comes from the cut in the £300 Winter Fuel Payments and the absence of a £300 Cost of Living payment, all while energy bills are on the rise again after a brief respite.
However, there may be some solace in the form of advice from Martin Lewis, the founder of MoneySavingExpert.com. During the previous cost of living crisis, Martin Lewis provided an extensive list of 'survival' tips to assist those in difficulty.
With the prospect of a harsher winter due to increased energy costs, reduced benefits, and means-tested Winter Fuel Allowance, many pensioners are scrutinising their finances to ensure they can endure the cold months ahead. In his 90-point survival guide, Martin Lewis offered numerous strategies for his followers to maximise their budgets, reports the Express.
He stated: "For some there is sadly no route to cut expenditure below income; that fix will need political intervention. For others, we need a collective endeavour, to work together to take financial pressures off where we can. And that is partly behind this guide."
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Among the tips from Martin Lewis' community is one focusing on laundry. Washing machines consume a significant amount of power, but it's the subsequent drying process that can really hike up energy usage, especially if using a tumble dryer (which is very costly), turning on radiators (still expensive), or employing a heated airer (cheaper, yet not without cost).
One MoneySaver provided advice on how to align laundry commitments with the weather forecast, as well as be mindful of settings on washing machines. @BrylewskaF recommended: "Watch the weather report. Sun due out, washing goes in the day before."
In response to another user's query about which washing machine cycle to use to conserve energy, she added: "Rapid works fine and I think is cheaper. Pre-soak big stains in cold water before washing."
Sharing her experiences, @Traceylou11247 chimed in: "I've used the quick wash for years. Never had a problem. As I live alone I invested in a combi microwave oven so I don't need the big one. Use lids on pans and turn gas/electricity down. Close doors and make door sausages for every room."
Another significant suggestion revolved around preparation of hot beverages such as tea or coffee using a kettle. One follower advised that by boiling water once and transferring it to a flask for future use, instead of re-boiling each time, electricity consumption can be decreased.
She also advocated for foraging wild foods such as nettles for soup. Following the same line of thriftiness, @HeatherHornett explained: "Boil water for hot drinks once a day and save the rest in a flask to save electricity. Forage food (made nettle tagliatelle, nettle and potato soup, dandelion flower jam etc during hard times)."
This week, Martin Lewis encouraged state pensioners to inquire about their eligibility for Pension Credit. This benefit not only entitles recipients to the £300 Winter Fuel Payment under new regulations but also supplements your state pension income up to an approximate annual maximum of £11,300.