Britons resorting to drastic measures to save money on energy bills ‘It’s like the 1930s’ | Personal Finance | Finance
As the cost of living crisis continues to pile pressure on people in Britain, some have been talking to Express.co.uk about the drastic measures they have been taking to make savings. One 55-year-old Bristol resident shared how he’s been sharing baths, while another 90-year-old pensioner said it reminds him of growing up in the 1930s.
The UK’s inflation rate returned to a 40-year high of 10.1 percent in October despite a slight drop last month, according to latest figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS).
Those figures will come as little surprise to people who are feeling the pinch every day when it comes to rising food prices and soaring bills.
Express.co.uk spoke to Bristol residents and asked them how the cost of living crisis is affecting them personally.
One resident, 55-year-old Nigel Pedley, said his bills have risen by hundreds of pounds a month and his family have resorted to sharing baths.
READ MORE: Pensioner’s traditional money saving tip could save you £960 a year
Mr Pedley said: “I remember experiencing this in the ‘hungry 30s’.
“I’m on about 1932 when I was born – between then and the beginning of the war.
“My parents were really struggling because they had to keep a big family.
“Later on, I was the youngest of nine siblings, when they got older and started working it made life easier for our mum – but it was a struggle.”
READ MORE: ‘Competitive’ savings account now boasts an interest rate of 4.60%
The pensioner continued: “I had a bath in front of the fire – it was a tin bath. I don’t want people experiencing things like that in this day and age.”
While the cost of living crisis shows no signs of easing anytime soon, other pensioners have been sharing how they have been saving money.
Veronica Northam, 75, told Express.co.uk she really feels for the younger generation, including her own children, who are struggling due to the cost of living crisis.
She shared a simple old fashioned tip for saving money which might help others during the current financial crisis.
The pensioner said going without a daily treat like a cup of coffee – could save the younger generation £20 a week or £960 a year.
Veronica said: “They do still tend to like their treats – I know not everybody does – but going out for a coffee has become part of our culture, hasn’t it?”
“It’s amazing how much that adds up. I do keep a note of what I spend on things and I think many young people don’t.
“Keep a record of what you spend and you’d be really surprised how much you spend on things.”
