Parkvale pensioner Joy Paul does not bake any more.
"It's too expensive," she said.
Mrs Paul has cut back on key things in her typical grocery shop simply because she is no longer able to afford it. Gone are the fresh fruit and vegetables. And forget about using the oven. That pushes the power bill up too much to be used regularly, she said.
Mrs Paul said she was not alone.
"Most of my friends, younger ones as well, they are finding it difficult.