Martin Lewis, the renowned financial guru from BBC and ITV, has issued a stark warning about energy bills that he “really wishes” wasn’t necessary. On the Money Saving Expert website, amidst the ongoing Cost of Living crisis, Martin published a guide focused on “heating the human – not the home” He expressed his concern, saying: “This is a guide I really wish we needn’t be publishing. The reason I asked Sarah and the team to put this together is due to my overflowing email bag of desperation from people who can’t afford their energy bills.”
Martin clarified the intent behind the guide: “So don’t see this as an ‘MSE or Martin says you should do this’. It’s more that we’re trying to help provide some options and information for those that may need to drastically cut down on energy usage due to financial desperation and some help for others who may want to do it out of a commitment to green issues.”
To assist those looking to stay warm on a budget, MSE has identified the most cost-effective products currently on the market, including electric blankets, heat pads, and footwarmers. The site provides guidance, stating: “There are lots of options out there – we can’t vouch for which will keep you warmest, but we have tried to work out which is cheapest to run.”
The analysis by MSE suggests that items chargeable via USB tend to be the most economical, although they are often smaller and might only heat specific body parts like hands or feet. They also advise considering the upfront cost if you don’t already own one of these products, providing an estimate of the lowest prices found at retailers such as Amazon*, Dunelm, and Superdrug.
Martin Lewis’ MSE website suggested: “Of course, the cheapest option may not be the best quality. Do your own research, read reviews before buying and check safety advice before using any of the options below.”
For people without heating, the website has proposed a string of alternatives too, such as donning additional layers of clothes to retain body heat. Further suggestions from the website include eating frequent meals and enjoying at least one steaming hot meal per day, reports Birmingham Live.
The experts also recommend keeping toes toasty with snug rugs and slippers, opting for the right pair of socks to wear – ideally thermal or thick fabric – and even switching into a fresh pair during the day. Additionally, the website adds that something as simple as getting mobile by moving around or stretching one’s limbs can work wonders for warming oneself up.