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Category: Cost of Living

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Cost of Living

I live in the countryside and use electricity from the grid for heating and lighting but use solid fuel to try and keep costs down. The cost of all my energy has dramatically increased, and I am finding myself cutting back to the point I am freezing in my own home. Can you help?

Consumer Spending, Cost of Living, Energy / March 3, 2023

  The cost of energy has increased considerably for everyone, but people who rely on off-grid or unregulated fuel such as oil, coal, or wood face additional challenges. People in rural and remote areas are often reliant on electricity, and often an additional unregulated fuel, usually used for heating. These fuels are not subject to …

I live in the countryside and use electricity from the grid for heating and lighting but use solid fuel to try and keep costs down. The cost of all my energy has dramatically increased, and I am finding myself cutting back to the point I am freezing in my own home. Can you help? Read More »

I moved into my first home in November last year after living with my parents and provided the electric and gas meter readings to my supplier. I have received a massive energy bill that I was not expecting and do not have a clue what half of it means. Can you help?

Consumer Spending, Cost of Living, Energy / March 3, 2023

Energy bills can be confusing at first, with lots of information and abbreviations, and understanding them can be challenging. The bill should outline information about your account, including your personal details; your account reference number; the period you are being charged for; as well as the readings and amount you owe to the energy company. …

I moved into my first home in November last year after living with my parents and provided the electric and gas meter readings to my supplier. I have received a massive energy bill that I was not expecting and do not have a clue what half of it means. Can you help? Read More »

Prepayment Meters this Christmas: Staying On Supply & Getting the Support You Need

Consumer Protection, Consumer Spending, Cost of Living, Debt, Debt & Money, Energy / January 4, 2023

With many energy suppliers and sources of support closed over the Christmas and New Year periods, it’s important that we get our ducks in a row early enough to make sure that we don’t go off supply. With approximately 300,000 prepayment customers in Scotland, it is important for us to understand how this type of …

Prepayment Meters this Christmas: Staying On Supply & Getting the Support You Need Read More »

Energy Bill Support Scheme (EBSS) Payments (EBRS and EPG Schemes) through landlords / intermediaries

Consumer Rights, Consumer Spending, Cost of Living, Energy / December 15, 2022

In September we looked at the Energy Bill Support Scheme (EBSS), and how payments are being made through the scheme to help with energy costs between October 2022 and March 2023. The package of support for all eligible UK households is providing £400 to help offset energy price increases, with the discount being supplied monthly, …

Energy Bill Support Scheme (EBSS) Payments (EBRS and EPG Schemes) through landlords / intermediaries Read More »

Food Waste, Avoiding Overspending, and Sources of Support this Festive Season

Christmas / Seasonal, Cost of Living / December 9, 2022

Many of us are seeing increases in our food shopping bills at the till, and this will be no different moving into the festive season. Ten pence here, and twenty pence there quickly adds up to pounds at the checkout, and with many budgets tighter this year, understanding how to make the most of our …

Food Waste, Avoiding Overspending, and Sources of Support this Festive Season Read More »

Christmas Shopping Online: Avoiding Payment Pitfalls and Knowing Our Rights

Christmas / Seasonal, Consumer Protection, Consumer Rights, Cost of Living, Counterfeit Goods, Scams / February 10, 2023

The way we interact with retailers and other traders has changed considerably over the course of the last few years. With many of us turning to online shopping out of necessity during the pandemic, and continuing to do so now, many high street retailers have reduced the number of physical stores they have as a …

Christmas Shopping Online: Avoiding Payment Pitfalls and Knowing Our Rights Read More »

I purchased a car from a dealership and have had ongoing technical issues with it since I got it home. There has been a lot of back-and-forth with them about how we are going to sort the problem. Can you help?

Consumer Protection, Consumer Returns, Consumer Rights, Consumer Spending, Cost of Living, Vehicles / November 16, 2022

When you purchase a car or vehicle from a trader, the Consumer Rights Act 2015 states that it should be of satisfactory quality. This means it should be in the condition expected of a car of its age and the price you paid. If it has been 30 days or less since you bought the vehicle and …

I purchased a car from a dealership and have had ongoing technical issues with it since I got it home. There has been a lot of back-and-forth with them about how we are going to sort the problem. Can you help? Read More »

SCOTS URGED TO BE ‘SAVVY SPENDERS’ AS NATIONAL CONSUMER WEEK LAUNCHED

Consumer Rights, Consumer Spending, Cost of Living / November 14, 2022

Scots have been encouraged to make informed spending choices as National Consumer Week gets underway. With the cost-of-living crisis hitting household budgets, consumers are being urged to carefully consider purchases in the run-up to Christmas. National Consumer Week operates across the UK, and in Scotland it is led by Advice Direct Scotland – which runs …

SCOTS URGED TO BE ‘SAVVY SPENDERS’ AS NATIONAL CONSUMER WEEK LAUNCHED Read More »

Cost-of-Living – Making the Most of Our Energy & the Support Available

Cost of Living, Debt, Debt & Money, Energy, Finance / October 5, 2022

Increases to prices and the cost-of-living are affecting us all. With energy costs soaring and inflation making everyday items increasingly expensive, it’s more important now than ever to understand the ways we can reduce our outgoings, and to be aware of the sources of support that are available that can help. It’s not always easy …

Cost-of-Living – Making the Most of Our Energy & the Support Available Read More »

I am in a considerable amount of debt with three credit cards and a personal loan and recently lost my job. I cannot meet the repayments and have been told that a Trust Deed would be the best option for me. Can you help?

Cost of Living, Debt, Debt & Money / September 28, 2022

Credit cards and personal loans are unsecured debts and are sometimes referred to as ‘non-priority’. Despite the title, it is important that we do not overlook these commitments, as the people we owe money to, sometimes known as our ‘creditors’, can take legal action against us to get their money back. This includes going to …

I am in a considerable amount of debt with three credit cards and a personal loan and recently lost my job. I cannot meet the repayments and have been told that a Trust Deed would be the best option for me. Can you help? Read More »