A STRUGGLING woman only allows herself one meal a day and a weekly shower – but she’s still in debt while spending money on her dog.
Tracy Birrell, from St Leonards-on-Sea in East Sussex, has resorted to drastic measures to try and climb out of a debt hole worth thousands of pounds.
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As the cost of living continues to bite, the 65-year-old is barely scraping by in her one-bed council house.
Tracey is forced to make daily sacrifices as she lives in fear of turning on the stove, boiling the kettle or washing her clothes.
The desperate grandmum-of-14 has resorted to combining laundry with showers, and doing it all by hand.
While the dog-lover goes without, she never lets her pooch of 12 years Bailey feel the pinch of existing on the bread line.
She told i News: “I’ve cut back to eating one meal a day for the last eight months because the price of food is just so expensive.
“I can’t afford to eat any more.
“I’m even too frightened sometimes to boil the kettle for a cup of tea.”
Tracey explained food essentials such as milk are now too expensive, and she lasts the whole day on a measly bowl of porridge made with water.
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“I’ve lost weight and am diabetic so know I shouldn’t be eating like this,” she added.
“I would sooner my little dog was fed than me as she has been my constant companion for 12 years.
“It’s not her fault money is such a struggle.”
At present, the mum-of-six is paying back a £2,000 gas and electric debt in monthly £30 installments.
She also owes above £1,000 for her water bill, despite washing in the sink and washing her bedding just once a month.
“Sometimes, I even take my washing in the shower with me and tread on it as I think I may as well clean them while I’m running hot water to save on costs,” Tracey added.
As temperatures continue to drop as the nation braces for an icy winter, the 65-year-old is only putting her heating on in one room.
She lets it run on low for an hour in the morning and an hour at night.
I’m even too frightened sometimes to boil the kettle for a cup of tea.”
Tracy
“Having had a big family, I’ve always been used to budgeting and making things go further,” explained Tracey.
“However, everything seems impossible now as bills are so expensive.”
The disappointed grandmum said she dreams of buying her 14 grandchildren their own presents this Christmas.
“I feel awful as I know there’s no way that I can,” she added.
Tracy is surviving with her Employment Support Allowance and Disability Living Allowance but is looking forward to receiving her state pension next month.
Independent Age, a charity supporting older people facing financial hardship, explained Tracey is not alone in her struggle.
Joanne Elson, chief executive of Independent Age, said: “Times are incredibly tough for older people on a low income at the moment.
“We’re hearing every day from people like Tracy, who feel unable to wash daily, are forced to isolate by cancelling their broadband and can’t turn on the heating during the colder months. This is unacceptable.”
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The charity discovered about 50 per cent of people over 65 on a low income aren’t keeping up with their rising bills, according to their research.
“National and local government and utility companies should do all they can to support people in financial hardship to cope with high costs,” Joanne added.
