Electric/Gas Bills

**LexTysMommy** · 06-15-2007, 11:51 AM

Hi.
Just wanted to share. And would love to hear idea to lower electric/gas as well!!

My lowest electric/gas bill was last month. $90! So that made me vey excited and since June 4th we have been keeping track of how much electricity and gas is used daily. We are being more cautious of how we use things. The kids have even got excited about it. My son, 8, checks meters daily and record on paper. Then we talk about how it went up or down (normal is 11 Kwh we have noticed) and what we can do to lower it the next day.

Last month we used 450 Kwh and that was the lowest in the 2 years we have lived here! So I think this helps them understand that watching tv or drying laundry 2 or 3 times because we forget to get out first time and want to "fluff" it (I know that is bad!) adds up.

This is the first summer we do not have a/c but do run 4 ceiling fans during day to keep house cool. Open windows at night and shut shades during day. Really working good so far. I got new windows last year and sold the window a/c's because I had a goal to save for central air. And since I did not meet that goal to pay in cash..we do not get a/c this summer.

The gas is for heating (not needed for months YAY!) and cooking and hot water. I lowered hot water heater and cook late at night or early in morning now. Not sure what else can be done in this area. That bill was pretty low!

**Amanda W** · 06-15-2007, 04:20 PM

Awesome job! I think it's great that you're getting your kids involved!

**kabin63** · 06-16-2007, 11:48 PM

Honestly I think that's great to have a combined bill of $90. My electric bill, on the budget is $113 a month and that's only because we are trying to get caught up after the winter. Right now we are running fans a lot because it has gotten so hot early this summer. I just took us off the gas budget bill because they wanted to raise it from $117 a month to $190 a month. We have been remodeling and some of the extra charges have been due to that and not being sealed up, but now we are and the gas bill should only be $50 or so this time, but I could be wrong.
Congratulations on your efforts so far. It sounds like you are doing about as much as you can, short of line drying your clothes when you wash them. Funny how things add up so quickly.

**banana** · 06-17-2007, 07:18 AM

I think you are doing a great job! Keep up the good work!

**Domestic Gal** · 06-17-2007, 08:00 AM

Great Job. Another way to save money is to change your lightbulbs to the compact fllourescent bulbs they use a lot less watts.
Using the crockpot also saves a lot of money as it is not heating up the house and runs on 110 and not 220 like a stove. Using any appliance that is 110 is cheaper than the stove.

**DonnainME** · 06-17-2007, 09:50 AM

Originally Posted by Domestic Gal

Using the crockpot also saves a lot of money as it is not heating up the house and runs on 110 and not 220 like a stove. Using any appliance that is 110 is cheaper than the stove.

I am having a duh moment. LOL I knew that BUT didn't KNOW that. LOL thanks for opening my eyes.

**Mom23boys** · 06-17-2007, 02:54 PM

I think you are doing a great job at keeping your bill low! I love how you have the family involved at trying to find new ways to save.

By the way, I also record my meter readings daily to try to determine my bill and see how to lower it. :-)

**Betty** · 06-21-2007, 08:17 PM

Hi,
I am totally new to the forum. I came to the States as an exchange student 3 years ago, and are trying to learn to be frugal.
Can anyone explain to me how the double/triple coupons work?
2nd, how does Walmart price match items? Does it mean I can show them Alberston ad on salmon for 4.99/lb when it is 6.99 at Walmart and get a better price.
Thank you very much for your help. Blessings.

**Luv2BeFrugal** · 06-26-2007, 01:26 PM

Sounds like you're doing wonderfully!

**LexTysMommy** · 06-29-2007, 09:38 AM

Yesterday we used 8kwh of electricity! Our lowest yet(when we were home)! However it was 60-68 all day, so we didnt use our ceiling fans..and no dishwasher or laundry done. That is not bad considering when I was out of town this past weekend i turned and unplugged everything and used about 5kwh per day.

Also with having the daycare the kids have learned to not turn on lights and they actually tell me to unplug microwave and toaster...etc when i am done using it. So hopefully they use that at home also!

**melina123** · 07-03-2007, 02:11 PM

Our combined bill gas/electric was $116.68. I think it is a great is idea with getting your kids involved like that. CONGRATS!

**LexTysMommy** · 07-06-2007, 09:01 AM

We are so excited today. We got electric/gas bill. It was the lowest we ever had by a considerable amount. $64.22! 385kwh for electric and 8therms for gas! I am sure that will be lowest month for a while because that was without using air conditioner and the temps are rising! But it was a nice break! I remember last winter my average bill was $300. And average summer bills about $200. So this was a nice break!!!

*We cut back on little things...unplugging and turning off and we do not miss any of the stuff we did. Good luck to all of you!!!