Featured Image Credit: TikTok/@adventuresofthewests
Topics: Money, Shopping, Christmas, Cost of Living
Rhianna Benson
Topics: Money, Shopping, Christmas, Cost of Living
While the UK plunges deeper into the devastating cost of living crisis, many Brits are looking for innovative ways of saving money during the infamously expensive festive season.
And one finance guru has this week lent a helping hand by showing how homeowners can preserve energy in the house - and, in turn, save some cash.
According to the TikTok star - who goes by the username @adventuresofthewests on the video-sharing app - this can be done by clicking a single button on your boiler, twice.
Advert
By lowering the flow temperature a couple of degrees on your combi boiler, the temperature of the water going into radiators will be lowered.
The social media user's calculations suggest savings of three percent - estimated to be around £65 - on an energy bill calculated to be around £2,000 per year.
She told viewers on the now-viral video: "This doesn't even affect the temperature of my home; it just means the radiators take a tiny bit longer to heat up."
And to put sceptical minds at rest, EDF Energy have confirmed that her handy hack is, in fact, true.
They agreed that the trick reduces energy usage without dropping the temperature of your home, meaning you'll be able to stay warm whilst watching Elf from your sofa this year.
They did issue a warning, however, that the hack might not be useful to everyone, directing their advice to those who are "more vulnerable to the cold"
"Having a higher flow temperature can help get your home up to the correct temperature more quickly," they emphasised.
When it comes to other ways of saving money this Christmas, one grandmother has revealed she'll be charging her family members for their dinner on 25 December this year.
The 64-year-old has sparked a mixed reaction to her financial advice, however, by demanding an upfront payment from all diners - grandchildren included - and claims it teaches them an invaluable lesson.
"If you don't pay by 1 December, you're not coming," she told BBC 5 Live last year.
"Obviously, there were a few moans and grumbles saying 'I've got a few children', but at the end of the day that's not my problem really, is it?"
She also told The Sun: "I don't allow late payments and the kids know it.
"Some complain about their bills and other costs, but I simply tell them they'll get uninvited. Everyone pays up."
The mum-of-five and nan-of-six charges her sons £15 and her daughters £10, while the cost for the grandchildren varies between £2.50 and £5 depending on age.
"I know many people will criticise charging for the Christmas meal, but I'm not bothered," she insisted.
"It's not money-grabbing, it just makes budgeting sense and spreads the cost fairly between everyone at the table."
Caroline says she usually spends about £300 on the festive celebrations from Christmas Eve to Boxing Day, so reckons it's only fair her family chip in too.
She added: "Expecting one person to pay for the entire meal and prepare it, clean up, have their heating and electricity used is too much.
"The amount I charge for dinner includes electricity. It's a no brainer for me… it's the only way to go."