Nataly from Hoorn is sitting on the couch with her two children, Sam (19) and Puk (16) and cat Thomas, under fleece blankets. With the help of candles, thick socks and duvets on the couch they keep it up well. But with tonight’s cold, Nataly doubts how long she’ll make it without turning on the heating. “It’s within 13 degrees now.”
Since the increase in energy prices, Nataly’s energy bill threatens to increase almost fivefold. The mother of two’s first attempt was to call the energy company, which reduced the advance by more than a third. In addition, the energy supplier estimated that it will probably have to pay an additional 1,500 euros next year. “I hope that next year we will go back to a normal affordable rate,” says Nataly.
The family also cuts back on basic services. “My son showers twice a week at the football club and I only shower once a week at home,” says Nataly. She does not boil water for tea with a kettle, but ‘on a rechaud’: a kind of hot plate that is heated with tea lights. Fortunately, Kat Thomas also provides a little warmth in the house. “This is our alternative heating,” jokes Nataly.
Previously, the family listened to the radio via the television, with the entire screen having to be supplied with power. Now Nataly connects her phone to a wireless speaker and listens to the radio that way. The family also pays attention to small measures that everyone can take, such as not switching lights on unnecessarily, unused adapters from the socket and the offers in the supermarket are closely monitored in the weekly brochures.
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The bill of 1,500 euros that according to the energy company is probably hanging over her head, she cannot pay next year. “No, I’m really not going to succeed. My motto is ‘everything will be fine’ so I assume there will be another solution.”
The family still does fun things like a day out or to the cinema, but always with the help of a savings campaign. Perfect for the family, because that’s what they’ve always done. Nataly is a big fan of websites like ‘Regiodeals’ and ‘Socialdeal’.
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