Martin Lewis-inspired £8.50 item means I've barely needed heating on this autumn

Reporter Emma Gill invested in a £8.50 wearable hot water bottle after taking the advice of money expert Martin Lewis, who recommends people "heat the human, not the home"

A savvy shopper has recommended an £8.50 item that has significantly reduced her need for heating this autumn. Following the advice of financial guru Martin Lewis, Emma Gill, a reporter, sought cost-effective ways to stay warm.

In an article for the Manchester Evening News, she shared how Martin suggested people "heat the human, not the home" as a simple method to lower energy expenses. Consequently, Emma purchased a wearable hot water bottle, currently discounted from £13 to just £8.50 on one online platform.

Specifically, she bought the Faux Fur Adjustable Hot Water Bottle Belt from the Greater Manchester-based Online Home Shop (OHS). As the name implies, this product is essentially a wearable water bottle that fits around your waist.

It comes with a fur cover and a hot water bottle that slots inside it. The adjustable design allows you to customise the fit and heat distribution according to your needs.

"I've been wearing it in the evening when the temperature drops and have hardly needed the central heating on at all yet," Emma wrote. "It's also great for helping with back pain and period pain as the heat soothes those too.", reports the Express.

The belt is available in three colours - grey, blush pink or black - and folds up small when not in use.

Similar hot water bottle belts can be found on other platforms, including Amazon, where animal-themed ones are priced at £14.99, or Dunelm for £15.

The Amazon-listed product boasts a customer rating of 4.5 stars out of five, based on 4,321 reviews. One satisfied customer shared: "I purchased this for my partner and she absolutely loves it! She loves that she can tie it round her waist and go about the house whether relaxing or not with the warmth still coming through strong."

Another added their experience: "When our boiler broke I got so cold, this was a real life saver, I got hypothermia and this warmed my core."

The belt isn't the only item from OHS that's been tested by the Manchester Evening News in an effort to reduce heating costs.

Emma noted: "Its electric blankets like this one work a treat and the heated hoodies are brilliant for keeping warm and cost just pennies to run from a small powerbank that fits in the pocket. Its teddy bedding and brushed cotton sets are also great for keeping warm throughout the night."