Monthly Utilities

**Lady_V** · 09-08-2006, 11:22 PM

I started a new budget software program and it made me very aware of what we actually spend per month. The breakdown is this...

Telephone: $28.32 - Vonage
Cable/Internet: $57.12 - Comcast
Electricity: $80.00 - National Grid (budget plan)
Cell phone: $85.00 - Verizon (long story, but it has to stay)
Heat, hot water, water, sewer and anything else is covered by the condo fees...

When I called the electric company today to get on the budget plan, I asked for the booklet that lists all the energy saving products available. She told me that since I am a Massachusetts resident, I am eligible to have someone come to my home and evaluate our appliances, look for heat leaks, energy gobblers etc... and makes recomendations personalized to our household.
It's sad that I am getting excited about someone coming to the house to tell me where I am losing money

**nuisance26** · 09-09-2006, 09:00 AM

Originally Posted by Lady_V

[COLOR="DarkOrchid It's sad that I am getting excited about someone coming to the house to tell me where I am losing money

[/COLOR]

I think our frugal additude is often what makes our less thrifty friends and family raise their eyebrows at us and call us cheap. But to true tightwads, being thrifty is a thrilling game! I love playing it and I'd have the same sense of excitement you do! Hope you find even more ways to save after the inspection!

**Daisygirl** · 09-09-2006, 09:54 AM

Ohhhh, you are so lucky! I wish they had that service here -- I would love to know where I could cut back further on my utility usage!

Does this make me even more of a geek than you? That I am jealous? hehe -- I guess it takes one to know one!

**Goodwin17** · 09-09-2006, 05:03 PM

What budgeting software are you using? I'd like to try one, but I'm really not wanting to spend anything. Did you have to buy yours?

**Lady_V** · 09-09-2006, 08:32 PM

It's called YNAB (You Need A Budget)
http://www.youneedabudget.com
We actually received it as a gift from one of DF's friends. It's simple to use. Glad I have it... but, I don't think I would have paid the $20 for it. If you look at the website they have tips on how to go about budgeting.
Honestly, if we didn't receive it as a gift, I was going to do it the old fashioned way... with a home-made budget book in a 3 ring binder. The only difference is, the software sorts it in to categories and does all the math for you.
I found a free interactive budget program if you want to give it a try.
http://www.personal-home-budget.com/

**Telephus44** · 09-10-2006, 12:53 PM

Lady_V - I'm in MA too, and if you didn't see it already, National Grid was giving away a free CFC lightbulb to all customers - I can't remember if it was in the bill, or sent as a separate postcard - you just had to go to the website and sign up.

I think that this is the link:

http://www.myenergystar.com/Home.aspx - sign the pledge and you get a free lighbulb.

**Goodwin17** · 09-10-2006, 10:05 PM

Thanks Lady! I'm going to try to find some free software for my computer, and possibly a program to track my expenses on my palm pilot (I have one for work).