‘I wear an extra sweater, because the heating only turns on at the end of the day’

Image: Nine IJf

Jannine Berkelaar is editor-in-chief of Kek Mama. Together with her husband Erik, she has daughter Elin (10) and son Mats (7).

When the new installment amount was set by our energy supplier at more than 900 euros per month, it was time for action. On a home working day I put on an extra sweater and nestle next to my infrared panel. The heating only comes on at the end of the day and only downstairs. There is a timer at the shower and on the couch we usually sit under a blanket. The app with the variable gas and electricity prices of our new energy supplier is in our favourites.

Read also – Save money while cooking? This way you use less energy >

Energy prices

As two-income households, we do not immediately panic about these and other price increases, but it is certainly worrying. Especially now that poverty is lurking in more and more families. That is shocking. The responses to our Big Money Survey show that our readers know very well what goes in and out. I was pleased to see that more than half of the mothers indicated that they were financially independent, but I was also shocked that 35% regularly worried whether they would be able to make ends meet that month. You can read all the results here.

30 day challenge

What we offer completely free of charge at Kek Mama this month and for the rest of the year is the 30-day challenge, with which you build a healthy routine. A challenge that I grab with both hands. Because especially in the dark and cold January, it is important to eat healthy and keep moving. Are you in? Show it on social media with #kekinbalance.

Happy healthy new year!

PS We made the challenge together with Mom in Balance and you can find it at KekMama.nl/mominbalance

This article appears in Kek Mama 01-2023, available in stores from 3 January.

With a subscription to Kek Mama you enjoy great benefits:

*Cheaper than in the store

*Read Kek Mama first every month

*Shipped for free

Subscribe now and pay only €4.19 per edition.