It's time to get ugly!

[QuilterMom]

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.

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.


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 !

[QuilterMom]

I've never had an oven this huge (I think it's something like 5.2 cu. ft.) and have never preheated until having it. It's going to take some toying around with for various recipes to see how much longer they need to go past their listed cooking time, but I'll get it all figured out.

[Kimmomo3]

Maybe every time you bake make 2 things that use the same temp. since it is a big oven maybe thigns will fit.

[QuilterMom]

Kim - I have definitely been filling it full and taking full advantage of the convection feature to use every rack.

Thanks Carolyn! It took a lot of toying with when making our pizza tonight, but I still think it came out a bit quicker than letting it preheat first.

[bamamomto4]

We got a new stove (not sure what cubic feet it is) a lil over a year ago and when I turn the oven on 400*,the digital timer says it has to preheat anywhere from 10-12 mins!!! I go ahead and put the food in and so far,everything has came out ok.I keep a check on the food and try and turn the oven off when I think it's almost done. I can NOT let the oven stay empty for over 10 mins. It gripes me to no end when Steve does this when cooking frozen pizzas(thats about all he can cook lol)!!
I also leave the oven door open (when the food is done,in the winter) to use as heat till it cools off. Ashley said oneday "Please don't do that if I have company..." LOL

I've also been the lights police. One night Steve went in the bedroom,turned the light on and the tv.Came in the living room and sat down. I asked why on earth he did that and he said he was about to go lay down and watch tv. I got all over him for doing that LOL

Katie and Jackson are the worst at leaving lights and her tv on.They can be playing in Jackson's room and have to have her light and tv still on.I'm trying to break them from that.
Her class has been working on manners.She's all into saying thank you and correcting Jackson... so one night I told her it was just good manners to turn the light and tv off when we're not using it LOL
So far so good

[graci42]

Good one! I'll have to remember that one!