Welsh pensioner forced to light up home with fairy lights to avoid big energy bills

It's one of the many tricks Brits are using as the cost of living soars

A Welsh pensioner in her 70s has resorted to using battery-powered fairy lights to heat up her home in a bid to avoid hefty energy bills amid the cost of living crisis. From electric blankets to nettle soup, Brits are thinking up all sorts of savvy ways to save money as the cost of energy, and cost of living in general, rises. And this woman from Anglesey, who didn't wish to be named, said her hack has made a massive difference to her electricity bills. She told North Wales Live: "At night I don't have any of the lights on, I just put the fairy lights all around the living room and in the bedroom. "When I go to bed, I've got a battery operated lamp, which I use rather than a plug-in light, to keep the costs down. Especially with the prices as they are at the moment, I've noticed a big difference in my bills. It's a marked difference." [caption id="attachment_330421" align="alignnone" width="1536"] She said the fairy lights have saved her loads of money (stock image)[/caption] While the recent 54% surge in gas and electricity prices only came into effect at the start of April, this woman has actually been using battery-operated lights for three years. She said: "I've noticed a big difference. I'm not talking pennies. I've saved a lot on electric since I started doing this. "At the moment I pay £3.99 for 12 batteries - that's much cheaper than switching the lights on. I'm not a skinflint but I object to unnecessary bills and I think other people could benefit from it too. "Especially when you're a pensioner, you don't have any extra money coming in so you have to work with what you've got. I use oil for heating and I was horrified when I got a quote and saw the price had doubled since last time. The prices just keep going up." [caption id="attachment_330425" align="alignnone" width="2048"] Rishi Sunak has come under fire for his handling of the cost of living (Getty)[/caption] Energy prices are not the only cost hitting bank accounts across Britain right now. National Insurance also increased to 13.5 per cent this month - seeing workers and employers pay 1.25 per cent more tax than before while inflation is at its highest level in 30 years. Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak has faced criticism for his handling of the crisis, as it's estimated to push 1.3m people into absolute poverty. Brits have even resorted to setting up fundraisers asking for financial help. And with energy prices due to increase again in October, thousands of us are likely to need all the help we can get. Related stories:

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