Electric Bill

**treeluva** · 12-17-2008, 09:59 PM

Last month I tried really hard to get my electric bill down. I ran around everyone the first week, turning lights off before the light bulb went off in everyone's heads (children and the babysitter) to turn off lights. Then they went running around after each other turning the lights off and other appliances when not in use.

Well, my electric bill went from $67.54 the previous month to $54.61 this month. YaY! It's down from $127 3 months ago. (Granted, it was still hotter than hades outside so the AC was running, but not as much as it was earlier in the year when I had the $289 electric bill, ouch!)

The water bill was also down to $53 this month from $82 the month before. I am not really sure how I got the water bill down, we haven't modified our bathing habits. I know I went from doing laundry 3 times a week to once a week. I always ran a full load, though, so I don't know what difference that would have made.

In anycase, I am happy that running around after people paid off. Maybe only by $13, but it is priceless to watch my 6 year old telling ME "Momma, you aren't reading. You don't need the light on to watch tv."

**kittykatstrong** · 12-17-2008, 10:21 PM

I love it when they are trying hard to conserve. I was filling a pot up with water and turned to get something out of the pantry. My DD(4) walks in and said to me do you leave that water on we are trying to conseve water, mom. They really are hearing what we say.

**homesteadmamma** · 12-17-2008, 10:30 PM

Great job on bringing those bills down. Even a small amount is good news.

**lmbaker520** · 12-18-2008, 08:05 AM

That's great news that you have been able to get those bills down. I am still pushing really hard to get mine to drop. Every little bit helps!

**fixer** · 12-18-2008, 11:19 PM

Good job! It is nice to be rewarded for your hard work. Sometimes it isn't the money, it is the difference that comes about from changing your lifestyle.

**Jeanna** · 12-18-2008, 11:23 PM

I think it is great that you were able to get it down. I have tried and tried and our bills still run between $200 and $300 every month. After Christmas I am going through this house room by room and try to figure out what is wrong.
Anyway, Great Job.

**LastDragonfly** · 12-19-2008, 12:26 AM

Great Job. It's nice to see frugality paying off in black and white doesn't it?

**mamamia** · 12-19-2008, 01:08 AM

Wonderful! "A Penny Saved is a Penny earned" is the house motto around here. Starting next month, I'll really be putting that saying to the test because our electric rates are going up 25%. OUCH!

Anyhow, good for you and keep it up. You're obviously doing something right

Theresa

**Patty A** · 12-19-2008, 07:49 AM

I tried the "old fashion" window quilts and looked at the air coming in around my doors. You really would be surprised how well they work, and I can't wait to see if my bill is lower!
My windows are newer ones, with twin panes, gas charged. But when you stand by them you can feel the cold of the glass. The window quilts are working so well in my bedroom its been unreal the temp change you can feel in there with the glass covered up. We keep the door closed and only one vent open so its cold in my room. But the quilts have made a HUGE difference in there. You might try that, it really works. I also stuck some new weather stripping around my doors, and throw and old rug at the bottom of it to act like a draft stopper. I feel a huge difference on the floor close to the door, not near as cold so I am sure it has helped too.
It might be something to try to help keep the bill down, my heater is running near as much so I am hoping to see a change in my bill.
(picked up the window quilts and blankets at the thrift store!)

**nuisance26** · 12-19-2008, 08:35 AM

[QUOTE/]But when you stand by them you can feel the cold of the glass. The window quilts are working so well in my bedroom its been unreal the temp change you can feel in there with the glass covered up. We keep the door closed and only one vent open so its cold in my room. But the quilts have made a HUGE difference in there. You might try that, it really works.[/QUOTE]

~I absolutely agree. My couch sits right against a neck level window. Before the window quilts we'd sit and shiver from the cold glass. The quilts look nice and they keep the warm in and the cold out. Love 'em!~

QM · 12-19-2008, 09:31 AM

That's awesome! Great job in reducing the amount owing!!

I'm waiting for my bills to see what the difference is. I'm comparing the figures from last year's month. My goal is to beat each and every month from the year prior.

**FrugalMomof3** · 12-19-2008, 09:32 AM

Wow that's awesome! Keep up the great work!

**Debbie-cat** · 12-19-2008, 10:40 AM

Wow, great job! That was so cute your 6 year old telling you to turn of the light....hee, hee. My is going up, up and I have been turning more and more off but my FIL needs an extra little electric heater in his room. I am have to become very creative to begin reducing it.

**Spikey1341** · 12-19-2008, 02:31 PM

I a window quilt just a quilt over the window? Is it on a rod or tacked to the frame? Inquiring minds need to know.

I have heavy winter drapes up and as soon as the sun goes down the drapes go closed. It makes a difference in keeping the family room warmer. That room is an add on and generally stays cold. We are keeping the furnace set lower this year and the drapes shut really helps.

**UUMomof3** · 12-19-2008, 02:41 PM

Good for you! We're just starting to watch the bills for reductions. The kids do regular light patrols, the thermostat is set low, I'm air drying the vast majority of the laundry. Close doors to rooms we don't use. Switched lightbulbs in those fixtures that it makes sense to do so.

Next step is figuring out how to reduce the number of appliances plugged in that aren't actually being used.