The Dreaded Electricity Bill

[cicy33]

I love that this board is such a diverse group and I have learned so much from so many. The only letters after my name are: MomMMMMMMMMMMM.

[Ima saver]

All he is doing, is hurting the waitresses. I moved to a very rural area, with very little jobs or money and the locals just refuse to tip. They still can't believe that waitresses make $2 an hour.

[cicy33]

I don't know the laws for each state but in my state the waitresses make 3.90 per hour. I agree, people that don't tip for the reason that they are "teaching the employer a lesson" has got to be the worst excuse I have ever heard. Do they really think that the employers care? I do tip and I also waitress. Strictly part time now. Most people I have found do tip. Very few don't. I tip according to the waitress not the food. It is not her fault if the chef can't get it right. If she or he handles the situation nicely and works to resolve it that says more to me than a perfect meal and a rude waitress.

[Ima saver]

I am sorry, I got off topic, this topic is about the "dreaded electric bill" Some one mentioned unplugging everything. I wish I could read somewhere that this really helps. If the plug does not feel warm, can it be pulling any electricity?

[rebelchai]

Originally Posted by Ima saver

I am sorry, I got off topic, this topic is about the "dreaded electric bill" Some one mentioned unplugging everything. I wish I could read somewhere that this really helps. If the plug does not feel warm, can it be pulling any electricity?

Phantom Energy Article:

http://wowktv.com/story.cfm?func=vie...=5310&catid=37

More info:

http://michaelbluejay.com/electricity/general.html

[Ima saver]

The problem with built in appliances is that you would have to pull them out in order to turn them off, that is a lot of work. If your tv and vcr are built in, like mine, unplugging is difficult!

[pennywise]

To get to the side line I missed: I used to be a cheap tipper because the meals are charged at a high price and I could not afford it. Now I tip very well, I can afford it now and am more sympathetic.

I looked at the articles on this site about "phantom energy" and I don't believe them. I saw a tremendous down in my electric bill and the Wall Street Journal is more respectable, I think. Those authors may be biased.

Lastly, are you offended by my education and stature or jealous? I think it is jealous, sorry, I worked very hard for my education, age, and savings. I do respect a SAHM. SAHM work very hard, because running a house is hard work. Cleaning, managing the funds, budgeting, getting the kids and the biggest kid to mind, getting the kids to school on time. So it really was unnessecary to try to put me down. Thanks. Besides: I am a healer and that is very respectable. I am proud of me and my accomplishments and wish you would be too. Imasaver was. Oh, I will be proud of you and encourage you in your endeavors. Or did I take it wrong? Was I being emotional?

[rebelchai]

Originally Posted by pennywise

To get to the side line I missed: I used to be a cheap tipper because the meals are charged at a high price and I could not afford it. Now I tip very well, I can afford it now and am more sympathetic.

I looked at the articles on this site about "phantom energy" and I don't believe them. I saw a tremendous down in my electric bill and the Wall Street Journal is more respectable, I think. Those authors may be biased.

Lastly, are you offended by my education and stature or jealous? I think it is jealous, sorry, I worked very hard for my education, age, and savings. I do respect a SAHM. SAHM work very hard, because running a house is hard work. Cleaning, managing the funds, budgeting, getting the kids and the biggest kid to mind, getting the kids to school on time. So it really was unnessecary to try to put me down. Thanks. Besides: I am a healer and that is very respectable. I am proud of me and my accomplishments and wish you would be too. Imasaver was. Oh, I will be proud of you and encourage you in your endeavors. Or did I take it wrong? Was I being emotional?

LOL. You don't know me and I don't know you. Keep posting. You are needed here. Perhaps I misread your intent. Perhaps not.

[Cindy in NY]

Don't forget to use your crock pot to keep the cost of cooking down.

[pennywise]

Cindy in NY: you are so correct. I was thinking about this in the past few days. One area we have not discussed is ways on cooking can add costs. For example, a boiled egg requires the water to boil for 10 minutes, whereas a fried egg takes less time. Can we discuss methods of cooking for cheaper menus?

1) I agree the crock saves time and makes great meals
2) last year, with the help of the savers on this site, I bought a toaster/oven and find I save alot not using my gas oven
3) the microwave is quick and easy.

What say all of you? Lets discuss cooking something in a way most won't think of to save.

[Andysbunny]

I just realized that even though we cancelled our land line in favor of cells, I still have the cordless ones plugged in as well as the answering machine! I wonder how much I am wasting?

[cicy33]

I am not too concerned with what is plugged in so much as I keep the air off when i leave and turn lights off and stuff like that. One other way to keep costs down with cooking, if you are frying up some hamburger fry extra and freeze. takes about the same time to fry 1 pound as it does 2. perhaps a few minutes longer but not double. drain your grease and it fries faster

[Ima saver]

My husband says what I make best for dinner, is reservations!! I save electricity by eating out a lot!!

[cicy33]

Originally Posted by Ima saver

My husband says what I make best for dinner, is reservations!! I save electricity by eating out a lot!!

Too funny! Although with the price of food these days, eating out for two is cheaper than home cooking sometimes!

[browneil]

One more thing I did this winter to cut electric bill - insulated around all window frames with "rope caulk" - looks like grey sticky stuff. When spring came, I peeled it off and have saved it for next winter. It really eliminated any little breezes coming in, and helped keep heat from going out. That, plus keeping blankets over any windows that did not have curtains (like kitchen sliding glass doors), helped me cut my daily kilowatt usage by close to 60% this winter vs. year ago.

Also - why use the dryer at all? If you have a basement, utility room, or even an unused or little used bathroom, hang your laundry up to dry indoors. It will take longer, but the rewards are "electrifying"!

[poundwise]

My electricity bill averaged $135-$170.

I have reduced that lately to $70-$85.

Primarily, this is what I did:

- Turn down hot water heater temp
- Replace bulbs in main rooms with fluorescent type
- Adjusted the refrigerator and freezer settings
- Always put the computer to sleep when not in use, turn it off if it won't be used for extended period (keep the laser printer turned off when not in use)
- Keep the TV off during the day
- Wash clothes prudently (wear jeans, use towels, etc. more than once)
- When using the dishwasher, put it on a short cycle and do not use the dry feature but open the unit and allow to air dry after washing
- Use A/C as little as possible

Some things I am considering:

- Finding out if my electric company has off-peak rate times and, if so, wash clothes and dishes during those hours
- Buying a grill to cook some meals outside during the warmer weather months


I enjoy reading other people's steps and plans on matters like this. Keep the suggestions coming.

[browneil]

Thanks, I forgot to mention the adjusting the fridge & freezer temperatures (now it's easier to dish up the ice cream, ha ha!) -

As to the A/C - you are right. I grew up without it and it has only been in the last 10 years that it has become indispensable. The irony of spending $$$ to chill the house and heat the pool has finally dawned on me, so this summer, we are letting the house stay warm and the pool cold. If we get hot inside, we can jump in the pool. If we get cold in the pool, we can come in the house. Hooray, I feel like a fog of insanity is being lifted! :-)

Dishwasher tip is right on, too. I went from anti-bacterial cycle every day (80 minutes plus) to quick wash cycle every other day (40 minutes), no heated drying obviously. Letting the dishes soak means they still come out clean, even with less frequency.

Now if those silly goldfish would just hurry up and die so I could unplug the aerator from the fish tank . . . . (kidding. sort of.)

[neguy11]

I just got my electric bill. $47 for my 475 sq. foot apt. I was a little surprised it was so high, but I did accidentally leave the AC on 78 when I was on vacation for a week.

[boomeyers]

Our local electric company does not have peak/off peak times and do not do energy audits. We do have budget billing, which really helps! My goal this past winter and this summer was to make the budget amount go down. Mission accomplished! I just got a note from the electric company saying my budget amount will go down by $7 a month. More work to do, but a small success!

[getforfree]

Our local electric company does not have peak/off peak times and do not do energy audits. We do have budget billing, which really helps! My goal this past winter and this summer was to make the budget amount go down. Mission accomplished! I just got a note from the electric company saying my budget amount will go down by $7 a month. More work to do, but a small success!

Is it cheapper to use budget billing, or it's just good if you live paycheck-to-payheck. Sometimes i prepay my bill for 2-3 months ahead, to avoid spending time to pay it next month. All I have to do is to file it with the paid bills when I receive it.