• SELF LOVE & BODY IMAGE
  • MOTHERHOOD
    • Pregnancy
    • Babies
    • Kids
  • ADVENTURE
  • STYLE
    • Interiors
    • Fashion
    • Beauty
  • FOOD

Mother's Always Right

Mum life, body image, style

  • ABOUT
  • PRESS
  • Podcast
  • Public Speaking
  • YOUTUBE
  • WORK WITH ME
  • #FreeFromDiets campaign
You are here: Home / STYLE / Our annual budget overhaul with Be an Energy Shopper

Our annual budget overhaul with Be an Energy Shopper

October 17, 2016 by Molly 11 Comments

sunflower

Around this time every year I start to get the panics about Christmas. With only two pay cheques left until the big C-day, I worry that I haven’t budgeted enough for presents and tasty food. It feels like the summer holiday was a minute ago and I’m still playing catch-up with the finances. And so, predictably, October is always the month of a budget overhaul in our house, as we check we’re making the best spending decisions and seek out better deals.

One thing we regularly look at each year is our energy supplier. In the past we’ve switched providers a couple of times when we’ve realised we’re paying way over the odds for our gas and electricity, and this has made a huge impact on our monthly income. Switching energy suppliers is like some kind of life milestone. I remember the first time we did it and feeling like we’d reached proper “adult” status. It felt terribly responsible and grown-up.

If switching supplier is a daunting prospect for you then it’s worth checking out the new Be an Energy Shopper – website from Ofgem, the energy regulator. There are three categories to the site to help you get your head around the options; a section explaining your bill, a section looking at energy deals and tariffs, and a section dedicated to switching suppliers.

We went onto the energy tariffs page to check we’re on the best tariff to suit our family and house. There’s a wealth of information in this section explaining different types of tariffs, as well as the potential benefits of various types of payment options (eg. pre-payment or direct debit). It’s all broken down into easily manageable chunks, so when you’re trying to process all this information at 9pm after a long day (as we were), it’s not too taxing.

Another part of the BAES site which we found really useful was the energy saving advice on the tariffs section. Although we don’t use a tumble dryer and I like to think of myself as pretty energy savvy when turning off “vampire appliances”, there are other ways we can save money which I’d never thought of before. Did you know, for example, that turning down your thermostat by one degree could save you £75 over the course of a year? No, me neither.

We’re still yet to decide if we’re going to stick with the same supplier or switch to a new one, but it’s always something worth considering as it could make a big difference to your household bills. There’s a really useful list of Ofgem approved comparison sites now available, which means the whole process of seeking out the best deal is painless and simple – even if you’re stuck for time which I always seem to be.

Have you got any other good energy saving tips to share? Leave them in the comments below as I’m always partial to a bit of energy saving advice!

 

**

Thanks to BAES for working with me on this post. For more information about how I work with brands check out my Work With Me page.

 

Save

Filed Under: Interiors, STYLE Tagged With: budgeting, energy bills, household bills, household budgeting

« When you think you’re doing it all wrong as a parent
Tried and tested breastfeeding outfits for autumn and winter »

Comments

  1. Laura says

    October 21, 2016 at 10:07 pm

    I really need to overhaul my out-goings and gas and electric as I know we are paying too much but have just been time short to do anything about it – thanks for this post for reminding me it doesn’t need to take up loads of time

    Laura x

    Reply
  2. Lottie | Oyster & Pearl says

    October 18, 2016 at 1:48 pm

    Very glad of this reminder. We’re very skint so looking to save as much as possible!

    Reply
  3. Kathryn says

    October 18, 2016 at 1:10 pm

    I have to say Greig is really good at shopping around for our suppliers and has managed to find some pretty good green options too x

    Reply
  4. Alice says

    October 17, 2016 at 5:08 pm

    Ooh I think it’s almost at the time of year when I like to make sure I’m getting the best deals on my energy – thanks for the reminder! It’s such a small switch that can make a huge difference. This is a comparison website I haven’t looked at before, I’ll check it out now x

    Reply
    • Molly says

      October 17, 2016 at 6:09 pm

      There are loads of tips on here, with links to various comparison websites worth looking at. Gosh I feel marginally old talking about this sort of thing!

      Reply
  5. Slummy single mummy says

    October 17, 2016 at 5:01 pm

    Gosh, I have loads of things! One thing we’ve done recently is to get new thermal curtains for our bedroom. Always open curtains in the day, even when it’s cold, as the sunlight does help to warm the room. Close them once it’s dark though to keep out the cold. Where I have radiators under windows, I tuck the curtains behind them.

    Reply
    • Molly says

      October 17, 2016 at 6:09 pm

      Ooh that IS a good tip. I’m going to try this in the girls’ rooms as theirs seem to suffer most from the cold and draughty fireplaces. x

      Reply
  6. Alison says

    October 17, 2016 at 4:18 pm

    I’m so with you – we try to switch suppliers as often as we need to. It definitely pays to shop around. Very useful post Molly!

    Reply
    • Molly says

      October 17, 2016 at 6:10 pm

      It does doesn’t it? And it’s really easy to do these days – not a huge hassle like I used to think.

      Reply
  7. Polly Davies says

    October 17, 2016 at 2:37 pm

    Great post – it’s something that we all think about this time of year I thinik – when we’re in more, and need the lights and heating on all day! I try and keep my thermostat turned down and don’t use a tumble dryer either

    Reply
    • Molly says

      October 17, 2016 at 6:11 pm

      We don’t have a tumble dryer either. I do often moan about this when the washing’s piling up and there’s nowhere to dry stuff in the winter, but I know I’d notice the increase in cost.

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Hello and welcome! I'm Molly Forbes - podcaster, presenter and blogger with a passion for positivity, confidence and body image chat. Regularly writing and vlogging about empowering female issues from a motherhood angle, I also cover lifestyle and fashion topics for like-minded mums who want to rediscover themselves after having children. Thanks for stopping by! Read More…

  • Bloglovin
  • Facebook
  • Google+
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Twitter

YOUTUBE

INSTAGRAM

Back in January I was on the brilliant @school.for Back in January I was on the brilliant @school.for.mothers.podcast - we talked diet culture around kids and practical things we, as parents, carers and teachers, can do to dismantle some of the messages and create body happy environments for children to thrive in. Here’s a little snippet and you can listen to the full episode wherever you get your podcasts ❤️ 
.
Reminder: my book, Body Happy Kids is out 1st April and available to order now!
.
.
.
[Video description: a pink square with blue audio wave and closer captioned text of a clip from an episode on diet culture and kids with Molly on the School for Mothers podcast.]
I am not “bossing” it. Or “slaying”. Or “hustling”. Or “smashing” it. I’m not even juggling or spinning plates or doing any of the other words we use as a glossy, marketable, Instagram friendly way to package up burnout culture, under the guise of “empowering” women (💪🤢). 
.
What I have been doing, though, is working too hard. Call a spade a spade. I’ve been working too hard, neglecting my health, my relationships, my life away from my laptop. I cannot be everything to everyone AND work at the level I’ve been working at BECAUSE I AM A HUMAN BEING. And you are too. We are not robots.
.
I care deeply about all my work, and things aren’t always this intense, but I wanted to sprinkle some reality into the Gram because I am so over this lie that *any* type of success or achievement doesn’t come at a cost, or involve many failures in the background, or require many other people to help make things happen. 
.
I guess what I’m saying is, let’s be real about all that, as well as showing the achievements. I’m bloody proud of my book. And I’m so excited to launch the social enterprise @bodyhappyorg properly next month. But that doesn’t mean it’s easy, and that there isn’t a price. 
.
And with that, I’m taking the weekend off. See you on the other side 🥰🥰🥰
.
.
.
.
[Image description: Molly sits in her office with her hands covering her mouth. On the back of one hand is written “Not bossing it”. She is wearing a pink boiler suit with a black and white top underneath. She has pink leopard print earrings on and her hair is tied back.]
This was taken at the start of half term, when the This was taken at the start of half term, when the kids were still enthusiastic about going for a walk. 1,705 walks around the same bit of countryside later... not so much 😬 
.
If you’re struggling to get your kids motivated to move their body at the moment, go gentle. You’re not alone. Bad weather coupled with boredom coupled with the lure of screens is a heady recipe for lethargy - and that’s just me! 
.
Seriously though, remember: all movement is valid. Even if it’s just a ten minute @cosmickids sesh or a little kitchen disco, it all counts. And if it comes from a place of enjoyment and fun, kids (and adults!) are going to be far more likely to want to get involved.
.
What joyful movement activities are your kids enjoying right now (if any?!)?
.
.
.
.
.
[Image description: Molly and her two daughters are standing in a field. They’re wearing colourful wellies, holding hands and smiling.]
I founded a social enterprise 😵 . Introducing: I founded a social enterprise 😵
.
Introducing: @bodyhappyorg 🎉
.
We are a Community Interest Company dedicated to promoting positive body image in children. We help adults help the kids in their care be friends with their bodies 🥰. 
.
Through workshops and classes, digital and physical resources (both free and paid) we help parents, carers, teachers, youth leaders - and any adults who are ever around children - create body happy settings for kids to thrive in. 
.
We launch officially next month with a beautiful new website and lots of resources which we’ll continually be adding to. In the meantime give us a follow at @bodyhappyorg - we start posting from today and our page has been designed as a free resource on its own! 
.
I’m privileged to work alongside an incredible team of people on this. Shout-out to the original dream team @chelseacoxstrategist @amysnellingpt @effinitupfaye @lottie_storey @bodyconfidencecards_db @rachel_hobnobs & @aceandping 💕 LOVE YOU ALL! 💕
.
.
.
.
.
[Image description: A blue square with yellow and white text which reads “the body happy org”. This is the logo for The Body Happy Organisation CIC]
Proof that I did wear clothes other than a tea-sta Proof that I did wear clothes other than a tea-stained hoodie and tracksuit bottoms at least once in the past month 😐
.
.
.
.
.
[Image description: Molly is wearing pink dungarees with yellow buttons over a black rollneck long-sleeved top. She has a monochrome striped hairband on and her hair is pink. She is also wearing earrings with boobs on them. She looks very pleased, both with her earrings, the pink hair and the fact she’s not wearing sleepwear, for a change.]
A new report from the Education Policy Institute h A new report from the Education Policy Institute has concluded an obvious gender divide in the well-being of young adults. If you’d like to read more check out this article by Eleanor Peake in @newstatesman (I’ve linked to it in my Stories).
.
Every week I get messages from parents and teachers concerned about the impact of social media on their kids’ body image. And of course, I couldn’t write a book about body image in kids and teens without covering social media - there’s a whole chapter in Body Happy Kids dedicated to the subject. 
.
The thing is, social media isn’t going anywhere. And just like it can be a force for anxiety, shame and general angst it can be a force for good too. The trick is in knowing how to use it positively (and in holding the platforms to account for not moderating the spread of harmful viral trends and online abuse, and creating algorithms that deliberately create division and harm mental health... but that’s a story for another day). 
.
But how can we expect our kids to have a handle on it when we, as adults, don’t ourselves? 
.
I don’t believe the answer is to ban social media, but I don’t think kids should be given unfettered access to it either. 
.
They need help navigating this stuff, learning about boundaries, developing media literacy skills so they can think critically about the content they’re consuming (just like many adults).
.
And we also need to explore how we might be inadvertently contributing to the problem, perpetuating appearance ideals and creating a culture where kids learn it’s ok to body shame under the guise of health and to value each other based on the way they look.
.
As ever, it’s complicated. I’d love to know what you think? What are some of the boundaries you have around social media in your house - both for yourself and your kids?
#BodyHappyKids 
.
[Full text in Alt Text]
Follow on Instagram

Copyright © 2021 · Mothers Always Right. Design by Stacey Corrin

This site uses cookies: Find out more.