Hoping for the all goods in life to come in this year such as pay rise, government lump some help to run family, access to more benefits etc. The fear for the cold that coming up and how to cope with the soaring energy bills.

Same old story from here at the moment, absolutely no chance of the heating being used in this house due to the cost. It has not actually got too cold here at the moment and no snow yet but I am well stocked up this blankets for us to wrap up in and a hot water bottle for my daughter, despite this we both suffer with circulation problems, mine due to other health conditions so I am already suffering with pain in my hands and feet so not looking forward to it getting any colder or having heavy snow which is forecast. This winter is going to be another long and cold one spent largely at home alone now my daughter is more independent.

Yeah, is super tricky with the heating costs, when the kids aren't in, there is no chance that heating is going on in the house, which is a big issue for me. I've got a mess. I'm supposed to have like an even temperature about 19/18 or else I have a lot of pain, like lots of pain in my legs. So, especially in my back.

Very kindly, my church last year, gifted me, electric blanket, which is amazing if you're sitting down. So, if I'm watching a film or something, or just sitting in the living room, I use that. However like my kitchen has got no heating whatsoever is horrific. You can see my breath when I was in there making tea, there's nothing I can do about it, it's just not possible or can't afford a refit of a kitchen.

I just have to wear as many jumpers as I can physically put on to go in there and I'm in and I'm out. And then the doors will be short. And I'm constantly saying, shut the door, shut the door, shut the door, to the kids. So that's it. We've got thermals a trying heat, the person rather than the house because we're in and out of different rooms.

I'm constantly, we've got curtains everywhere thermal stuff everything from the charity shop. Wherever I can find to mummify the house problem is it's a it's a Victorian semi with no cavity walls and stuff. So there is limits to what I can do. So I'm trying my best but I am worried about the bills coming in. I'm not going to lie, I'm trying to squirrel a little bit of money away and just be frugal as even more frugal to try and stop it.

I'm finding this cold snap quite challenging, especially keeping my very old 3 bedroomed house warm whilst the cold snap continues.

I recently checked to see if my postcode would qualify for some cold weather payments throughout it, but sadly have seen that it doesn't.

Initially I couldn't quite understand why my sons school remained opened during this challenging weather, but then looked at the bright side of things when I realised that at least when my sons at school I won't have to have the heating on in the house during the day.

In fact, I can just go to a local 'Warm Zone' facility, like the library to keep myself warm when he is at school.

I also feel especially concerned about some of the pensioner s who have also missed out on some financial assistance from the Government during this time.

Also having to switch from Asda delivery for groceries (my disabilities mean I can physically shoo so do the big shop online twice a month with small local stores in between as needed) to a different store. Cos the prices are comparable to M&S these days but while the delivery drivers are super helpful, the subs and unavailable goods have become too inconsistent for me to keep using them. So I've spoken to different people in the disability community to find good quality goods are cheap prices but consistently (like if I order bread, cheese n butter, an unsuitable sub for the bread is more cheese you know, bread's more important than cheese and why not sub for a different loaf FFS). Most of the feedback said ocado is best for quality, support and product availability. Other suggestions were Sainsbury's or Morrisons. All stores that in the past I'd have laughed at for being luxury or fancy stores. But I did a basket comparison with my usual goods and Morrisons and Sainsbury's both came out almost the same as Asda, and once I join nectar card the Sainsbury's one became cheaper than Asda. Ocado was only about £10 more for my usual shop. That's nuts to me. I suspect it's largely cos Asda stopped selling their essentials range online so had to buy fancier items, to force online shopper to spend more.

I bring this up as it's not as aspect that people think about much. On the scope website they have forums and chats there disabled folk can get advise on issues related to living with disabilities. Their website has pages upon pages of advice on various things, but the lack of options for those forced to rely on online deliveries and the costs associated with that aren't fully realised amor explored anywhere. Cheap stores are mostly only cheap cos they're not managing online deliveries much so can keep staff numbers down more, like Aldi n Lidl. And lots of aldis and Lidls in my town, but all take half hour to get to from my address by bus, an hour walking each way, so cos of my disabilities I'm forced to pick a shop and stick to it. No shopping around for cheapest prices or checking for yellow labels when online shopping. It's called the convenience costs, added costs if the convenience of everything being in one spot. But its only convenient for those not forced to use those services. Glad it's available but I often think with all the tech available these days, there should be better services available for the disabled and poor.

It's soooooooo cold. Currently we are sleeping in one bed to stay warm. Layering up in the day time but we have had to put on the heating to try and combat the black mould. The pre payment meter seems to be like a ticking time bomb ready to go off. Without a thermostat were either on or off and when I turn it off it cost a fortune to heat it up again

I'm so grateful nursery is still open because at least my youngest is warm there for a few hours. I cannot wait until warmer days. Having to cut back on food shops , driving journeys for fuel and general day to day cost to be able to top up these pre payment meters. Also the government cold payments aren't kicking in in my area because it keeps popping up above 0 then back down the day after and I think it needs to be 0 for 7 consecutive days

Fingers crossed this snow and Ice disappears soon.

To save on heating we've been staying in my bed during the day, with electric blanket on and extra blankets n duvets and cuddly fluffy pjs on. Playing boardgames or watching videos. Limiting ourselves to mainly one room saves a lot, but my bill was still over £130 this month. I was dreading next months bill when I realised my contract for utilities runs out this month, so I found the cheapest in my area, sticking to a 12 month contract rather than longer in case the prices go stupid again. But even then I've only managed to reduce bills to about £110 per month. £20 cheaper roughly, barely touches the sides but better than nothing. Mostly eating sarnies and snacks, picnic style, to save on turning oven on.

Finding ways to cut costs everywhere. Trying to prioritise which food items I can live without. Which room is cheapest to heat. Not even worth it to go out everyday, find a warm hub or something, cos of new bus fares.

Buses have gone up by £1 each journeys, so for us the rise means tough from £60 per month to little under £90 per month now (cos bus passes don't cover all bus routes in our town - plus needing taxis for places without near by bus routes), still struggling to get a disability pass cos my local Authority doesn't want to accept my disability means I'd be unable to drive.

Hopefully spring with come warm and early with a nice warm summer to help prepare us for next winter.

I want to start open uni part time but everytime I think I can start, something happens to prevent it. Like cos of my disabilities I need to get multiple drs notes, letters and signed Docs, each appointment is about a month's wait and each time I'm they charge £20 (and I've friends in other parts of the UK charged £40+ for these same letters). And cos I'm disabled I'm forced to take out a maintenance loan even for part time open uni study, so forced to take out more debt just cos I'm disabled. Even if I don't take the loan, my benefits will still be deducted cos I'm entitled to said maintenance whether I want the loan or not. Etc.

So plenty to keep us stressed in this cold weather.

And I'm one of the lucky ones.

Hello everyone today has been a great the weather is so good in Glasgow you are enjoying our oats meal my son is taking his nap so am feeling myself and having a moment to myself, i hope you all are keeping warm.

I actually feel better since walking into 2025 with everything it's still going to be a little hard till April when our wages goes up by pennies.

I hope to get a better paid job so we can start digging ourselves out of debt. I fear getting through this month as I am already skint

Hello It was a nice day because it was snowing today. Took my baby out to station and play a bit with snow. Although it was so cold, so it was a very good day with everything

My hope for this year. It's looking forward for the new project meeting new people giving us new ideas, zoom meeting. And my fear is my finance and the cost of living. I'm going to look forward for the new year