QuilterMom
02-03-2005, 06:31 PM
I'm tired of feeling like I make progress only to end up where I started again!
The telephone bill and electric bill came today. :sigh:
I changed our telephone plan a few weeks ago for a savings of $3.05/month. On the bill today, several rates have increased (ones that I cannot do anything about). The total of the increase is $1.36 so my savings was slashed to $1.69/month.
We knew a 4% increase was coming on the electric. Our bill (based on our actual usage, not based on the $ amount of last month's bill) is up by $4.56 AND our KWH are up. :bang:
Our telephone plan is one level up from the bottom available and I can't convince dh to change to it (and I must confess I'm not ready to give up caller id or call waiting just yet). So, it's time to get ugly with the electric bill.
My goals:
• We got a new stove/oven several weeks ago. The one that came with the house when we bought it last May was gross and we hardly used it. I love my new stove and it's definitely being used, thus one of the reasons for the KWH jump. The oven is huge and takes a very long time to preheat so there will be none of that anymore! I've been experiementing with this for a week and the food has been turning out fine (I've at most had to let it cook for 2 or 3 more minutes for some dishes).
• I called dh and told him the clothesline HAS TO go up outside this weekend. The dryer will be used no more with the exception of a quick tumble for a couple of minutes on low heat to remove dog fur (with 3 inside dogs, fur is on everything!).
• I need to use the crockpot more and we need to use the grill more.
• No more keeping the lights on at night while watching tv - we will light candles instead. We have lamps, but don't use them since we currently don't have end tables to sit them on (otherwise they would be used with fluorescent bulbs). I cannot watch tv in total darkness or I get a headache, so candles it is from now on.
• We're not having to use the heat right now (and haven't had to this winter), but it won't be long before a/c is a necessity here again. I will continue to keep it set on 80 and use the ceiling fans, but I hate the thought of all the KWH that will rack up using the a/c AND the oven. I would like to stock the freezer full of pancakes, muffins, cookies, quick breads, bread, etc. before we have to start using the a/c so we can avoid heating the kitchen up any more than necessary.
• A goal for this year was to put in a solar water heater and panels. I feel a greater urgency for this to happen sooner in the year rather than later now.
• Step up my efforts as the 'light police.' Dh is the worst offender and we have talked and talked and talked many times about it. I don't know what else to do except :bang: !
The telephone bill and electric bill came today. :sigh:
I changed our telephone plan a few weeks ago for a savings of $3.05/month. On the bill today, several rates have increased (ones that I cannot do anything about). The total of the increase is $1.36 so my savings was slashed to $1.69/month.
We knew a 4% increase was coming on the electric. Our bill (based on our actual usage, not based on the $ amount of last month's bill) is up by $4.56 AND our KWH are up. :bang:
Our telephone plan is one level up from the bottom available and I can't convince dh to change to it (and I must confess I'm not ready to give up caller id or call waiting just yet). So, it's time to get ugly with the electric bill.
My goals:
• We got a new stove/oven several weeks ago. The one that came with the house when we bought it last May was gross and we hardly used it. I love my new stove and it's definitely being used, thus one of the reasons for the KWH jump. The oven is huge and takes a very long time to preheat so there will be none of that anymore! I've been experiementing with this for a week and the food has been turning out fine (I've at most had to let it cook for 2 or 3 more minutes for some dishes).
• I called dh and told him the clothesline HAS TO go up outside this weekend. The dryer will be used no more with the exception of a quick tumble for a couple of minutes on low heat to remove dog fur (with 3 inside dogs, fur is on everything!).
• I need to use the crockpot more and we need to use the grill more.
• No more keeping the lights on at night while watching tv - we will light candles instead. We have lamps, but don't use them since we currently don't have end tables to sit them on (otherwise they would be used with fluorescent bulbs). I cannot watch tv in total darkness or I get a headache, so candles it is from now on.
• We're not having to use the heat right now (and haven't had to this winter), but it won't be long before a/c is a necessity here again. I will continue to keep it set on 80 and use the ceiling fans, but I hate the thought of all the KWH that will rack up using the a/c AND the oven. I would like to stock the freezer full of pancakes, muffins, cookies, quick breads, bread, etc. before we have to start using the a/c so we can avoid heating the kitchen up any more than necessary.
• A goal for this year was to put in a solar water heater and panels. I feel a greater urgency for this to happen sooner in the year rather than later now.
• Step up my efforts as the 'light police.' Dh is the worst offender and we have talked and talked and talked many times about it. I don't know what else to do except :bang: !