With surreal energy bills crippling so many, I’d be happy if a guest just loaded my dishwasher instead of bringing a gift
All I want for Christmas is…. nothing. It’s strange but, oddly, I don’t seem to be alone. I have lost count of the number of people who have told me that they’re not buying or expecting presents this year. Gifts for the children, yes, of course, but not for adult relatives or friends.
A lot of people simply can’t afford it. A survey showed that consumers are postponing their Christmas shop for as long as possible. In case a heart attack fells them at the checkout, presumably. Estimated ambulance arrival time for cardiac arrest: January 2023.
Energy bills are surreal. I spent a morning on the phone to our provider, trying to figure out how a combined gas and electricity bill for October could possibly be £613 and that includes the £66 the Government is “giving” us a month towards higher energy prices. “We’ve only had the heating on four times,” I protested plaintively. And turning off switches has become an addiction. Who knew?
A friend with four people living at home says their bill is closer to £1,000. Heated towel rails are under suspicion. It turned out that ours was an average “estimate” and not based on actual usage. So, I switched us to “monthly in arrears” and will have to read the meters myself. Will be watching like a hawk.