Soaring heating costs, what's your plan.

I agree Norah. There’s nothing wrong with working harder and longer if you are capable of doing so, rather than expecting the State to top up your wages. Benefits are not there to give A the option of working less hard than B.

Blondiescot

*Norah*, you do realise that with the cost of childcare now, it's simply not an option for some people. One girl I used to work beside did all the maths and would have been left with about £20 a week from her wages by the time she'd paid for full time childcare. What was she supposed to do?

I understand maths. I follow that childcare is expensive.

I think £20 a week, after expenses is wages. I'm not in favor of diminishing the value of working long hours.

are aren't

Oh OK. We get to ignore it if we think most people are like that or it doesn't fit our world view?

However much you try to wriggle out if it there's no argument here. You really have no idea how the other half lives.

Also disagree with Norah. If hours are short and pay is low the answer is surely better pay to keep pace with inflation.

That’s a pretty extreme example volver. I don’t doubt it happens, but Norah’s point was about people who work few hours and could do more. Or maybe find a better paid job.

Dickens Whilst huge profits are being made alongside the energy price hike, I find it quite abhorrent that those who are working are being told to work even harder and longer, when there are other options that a government can take.

I don't think expecting a government to take action on every issue is positive, when most people should be able to care for themselves.

I'm in favor of smaller government. Many would agree.

I'd like to see better funded schools and healthcare, less expenditures beyond a minimal safety net for those truly in need.

What did she do?

Norah, you do realise that with the cost of childcare now, it's simply not an option for some people. One girl I used to work beside did all the maths and would have been left with about £20 a week from her wages by the time she'd paid for full time childcare. What was she supposed to do?

I think this thread has deteriorated beyond repair. I apologise for keeping on with the diversion but sometimes, needs must.

An anecdote...

Where I used to work, the cleaning was done by a contract cleaning company. The cleaners who worked for it started at 5 in the morning, and generally finished at 8 or 9 at night. They cleaned several different premises and were bussed about in a minibus. I spoke to one who had a couple of hours off during the day, which she used to look after her elderly mum. She was on the minimum wage, whatever that was at the time.

Norah, do you have any suggestions for how she could have worked more hours?

Dickens

^Without some of the roles which some people clearly view as pretty meaningless and worthless, no society would be able to function^

Many moons ago now, in between jobs I once worked as a cleaner. One of my employers was a lady who ran a very successful business as a dancing instructor / teacher. She told me that without my help, she would be unable to take on as many clients, nor build her business because she would be too busy cleaning, washing, ironing, shopping, etc. As I was 'good on the 'phone', I also did some of her admin - booking in clients etc and keeping her diary.

The going rate at that time for cleaners was around £1 per hour. She paid me £2.50 per hour, plus a bonus at Christmas and free lunches. That was around 40 years ago.

Some people do appreciate the fact that menial work is absolutely essential to a functioning and affluent society. And sometimes, that so-called 'menial' work requires skill and expertise... educators, teachers, carers etc have a skills-set that is undervalued, culturally and economically.

I certainly value underappreciated/ underpaid work as necessary to society. However, I question workers not taking on more work, paying childminding, thus earning enough to fully support themselves.

I admit I don't understand not working extra hours. It truly seems to me if hours are short and pay is low - the answer is more hours.

Of course some have partners who work shifts, there is value in childminders who take care of children so people can work.

Because people keep bringing it up, however hard others try to drag things back to the point of the thread?

Heated gilets and thermal knickers, anyone?

Wow how did a simple conversation descend into mud slinging. Thanks to those who replied with good solutions, we are all from different financial brackets I'm sure, but GMS your comments were really mean to some people. Never look down your nose at people if you can't say anything nice, say nothing

I’ve bought fleece lined thermals from M&S, thanks to someone on GN who recommended them. Radiators are switched off in the spare bedrooms and family bathroom, we use the en suite. Washing will at least part dry whenever possible outdoors and the fake log fire (electric) in the living rom won’t go on. We can’t do much more.

Barmeyoldbat

Just to say I bought some wonder merino wool long johns and long sleeve vests in Aldi last year, they were advertised as cycling gear but anyone can wear them they are not padded. They might have them in this year,

How did they wash, BOB? I've considered merino tights before, but was concerned that they'd be hand-wash only. I don't mind hand-washing jumpers, but with undies that need to be washed after every wear it would soon become a pain.

I too use heatgen tops from M&S or Heatech from Uniqlo, although I have not needed them yet this year. The basic ‘everyday warm’ tops are very thin- like stretchy silk, but really help (as underwear) to keep you warm. They wash well and dry quickly. They are not suitable for hot conditions as you can overheat in them. I like the long sleeved tops under my normal clothes in winter.

Without some of the roles which some people clearly view as pretty meaningless and worthless, no society would be able to function

Many moons ago now, in between jobs I once worked as a cleaner. One of my employers was a lady who ran a very successful business as a dancing instructor / teacher. She told me that without my help, she would be unable to take on as many clients, nor build her business because she would be too busy cleaning, washing, ironing, shopping, etc. As I was 'good on the 'phone', I also did some of her admin - booking in clients etc and keeping her diary.

The going rate at that time for cleaners was around £1 per hour. She paid me £2.50 per hour, plus a bonus at Christmas and free lunches. That was around 40 years ago.

Some people do appreciate the fact that menial work is absolutely essential to a functioning and affluent society. And sometimes, that so-called 'menial' work requires skill and expertise... educators, teachers, carers etc have a skills-set that is undervalued, culturally and economically.

We’re very frugal with our heating anyway (AC visiting always complain of the cold!) - but plan to turn it down a couple of degrees once we start using CH. I’ve bought thermal curtain linings and have been putting those up this week. Usually wear, say, a jumper indoors in the winter, but I’m not going to resort to wearing a dressing gown over my clothes, etc. I think we should manage the bills, with the govt support

Just to say I bought some wonder merino wool long johns and long sleeve vests in Aldi last year, they were advertised as cycling gear but anyone can wear them they are not padded. They might have them in this year,

OnwardandUpward

Some of the nicest and well brought up people I know who do actually earn "telephone number" sums of money would never ever talk about it. These people are kind to the waiter and gracious to all people. They give to charity and help the less fortunate without any complaint. Perhaps they feel superior inside, but they act outwardly humble and kind at least. They would be horrified to hear someone demanding to know what tax bracket someone is in!

It takes all sorts to make society work. Show me a surgeon, solicitor or director who doesnt need a cleaner, hairdresser, nanny, someone to deliver their shopping, builders, decorators, caterers, someone to educate their kids, maintain their car, teach the kids tennis, to swim ... ride a horse... teach drama or dancing, martial arts, piano lessons...I could go on. They need help! Yes, they might be in the highest tax bracket, but they cannot do everything else as well as their massive career. Something has to give.

The most important jobs are those educating our kids and grandkids. Whatever is put into a kid lasts for the rest of their life, for good or for bad.

Well said! I was about to post something very similar. I'm very grateful indeed that I was brought up to never look down upon something, no matter what job they did. Without some of the roles which some people clearly view as pretty meaningless and worthless, no society would be able to function - so in reality, those roles are very meaningful indeed, even if they are low paid. And some of us value them very much indeed.

My plan is to use my log burner more and my central heating less ( we get free logs thru my partners work) .....I automatically take my coat of and out my dressing gown on when I come in now.....even if its still daytime.....i have bought my 3 GD onesies to keep at mine to wear when they visit .....I am retired and returned ( nhs) was going to leave completely next year...now rethinking that

Soaring heating costs, what's your plan.

Just to remind you what the subject of this thread is.

What a very sad turn this thread has taken but at least when members out themselves we then know what they are truly like under the veneer.

Some of the nicest and well brought up people I know who do actually earn "telephone number" sums of money would never ever talk about it. These people are kind to the waiter and gracious to all people. They give to charity and help the less fortunate without any complaint. Perhaps they feel superior inside, but they act outwardly humble and kind at least. They would be horrified to hear someone demanding to know what tax bracket someone is in!

It takes all sorts to make society work. Show me a surgeon, solicitor or director who doesnt need a cleaner, hairdresser, nanny, someone to deliver their shopping, builders, decorators, caterers, someone to educate their kids, maintain their car, teach the kids tennis, to swim ... ride a horse... teach drama or dancing, martial arts, piano lessons...I could go on. They need help! Yes, they might be in the highest tax bracket, but they cannot do everything else as well as their massive career. Something has to give.

The most important jobs are those educating our kids and grandkids. Whatever is put into a kid lasts for the rest of their life, for good or for bad.

I wish I could find it again.

I read a brilliant article once that showed low ìncome familes cost the average tax payer less than a latte a day.

I know many low income families who would gladly give that much and more to someone who needed it.

Thanks to the voices of reason, you are appreciated