Last years usage...

**mombottoo** · 03-22-2008, 10:16 AM

Okay, I went through the electric and gas totals for last year. The electric total for the year was $1311.71 and the gas was $1257.51 for a total of $2569.22 or an average of $214.10 per month

for both utilities combined!

So far for this year the electric total is $155.54 and the gas is $484.54. That's an average of $320.04 per month and increase of $105.94 per month!

We used 96 more CCF's of gas this year than we did during the same period last year, which I can understand because we have had a much harder Winter this year. But, we used 430 Kwhs less electricity this period than we did last year and that has me totally confused since our furnace ran close to non-stop.

Since I am trying to figure out a budget for this year, should I wait a couple of more months and re-average the utilities or should I just use the average of $320.04 per month?

**Iansmommy** · 03-22-2008, 10:41 AM

Wow, I am just amazed at how high electric and gas prices are in other parts of the country.

I would probably wait a few more month.

**mommy4ever** · 03-22-2008, 12:17 PM

I refuse to do budget plans based on "their" numbers. I have been paying just the bill. HOwever, I do a home based budget plan.

So in the summer when gas is like $40/mo, I pay the $40 and bank the other $70 for winter. Why should they earn interest on my money? Then as bills surpass my allotted $110 for the month, I just use some of the budgetted savings. It works great, plus I earn a little interest.

**mombottoo** · 03-23-2008, 09:39 PM

We are not signed up for any budget plans through our utility companies. I am trying to figure out my budget...which is a chore in and of itself. I'm just surprised at how much both utilities have gone up over the past year. I don't understand how families are supposed to keep up with everything...costs are going up constantly, but you darned well know the wages/income aren't.

**Athena31** · 03-23-2008, 10:12 PM

Utilities are giving me a headache! I am trying to decide if it is a good idea to go on the budget plan since the worst months are over I might wait until the fall to do this. It is all getting so expensive! UGH!

**kabin63** · 03-23-2008, 11:23 PM

I have been tracking my utilities this year too, only I haven't gone through to figure out the actual cost. Instead I am keeping track of how much I am using. Electric is down for sure, but I am amazed at how much less gas we have used this year with it being a harder winter and reluctant spring. Last winter we used 1,225 therms of natural gas from October to March. This year we have used 866 therms of natural gas for the same time period. That's quite a difference. And one I am happy to see.

**mombottoo** · 03-24-2008, 09:43 AM

Well I am thinking that this would be a good year to get a new furnace and a new hot water heater...both are older than dirt! I've been doing some checking on the tankless hot water heaters and one of those really seems like a viable option. We have a 75 gallon tank now and it takes all of that water to fill the tub, since both hubby & son have to soak often I think a new hot water heater would cut down on the gas usage. At least I can only hope...

**JohnP** · 03-24-2008, 11:58 AM

I got my electric bill down to 6 dollars a month, but it was hard. I had to unplug my fridge and I went to bed when it got dark. I would recharge my laptop and UPS at work and bring them home to run my DSL.

Under normal usage, I spend 50 bucks a month for 289 kilowatts. When I put my computer on a "toe switch" (actually a surge protector with a on/off switch), I was able to reduce it to 39 dollars a month.

I make sure all my electronics are unplugged or turned off when I leave the room.

My biggest users are the fridge and the hot water heater.

I installed the new CFL lights in all my fixtures and only use lights when I need them. Otherwise the glow from my laptop screen is enough to get around.

**mombottoo** · 03-24-2008, 12:51 PM

Originally Posted by JohnP

I got my electric bill down to 6 dollars a month, but it was hard. I had to unplug my fridge and I went to bed when it got dark. I would recharge my laptop and UPS at work and bring them home to run my DSL.

Under normal usage, I spend 50 bucks a month for 289 kilowatts. When I put my computer on a "toe switch" (actually a surge protector with a on/off switch), I was able to reduce it to 39 dollars a month.

I make sure all my electronics are unplugged or turned off when I leave the room.

My biggest users are the fridge and the hot water heater.

I installed the new CFL lights in all my fixtures and only use lights when I need them. Otherwise the glow from my laptop screen is enough to get around.

$6.00 a month??? You are hereby officially dubbed

! I don't know how you can go through a whole month and spend only $6.00 on your electric bill, around here there is no way I could ever, ever get my electric bill that low. I'd be happier than a pig in a sty if I could get mine down to $50!!!

**FrugalMomof3** · 03-24-2008, 12:59 PM

Originally Posted by JohnP

I got my electric bill down to 6 dollars a month, but it was hard. I had to unplug my fridge and I went to bed when it got dark. I would recharge my laptop and UPS at work and bring them home to run my DSL.

All I have to say is "I ENVY YOU!" I dont think I could live without turning on the lights at one point at night or unplugging the fridge, wow I am amazed, you should be so proud!

**M55FF** · 03-24-2008, 02:14 PM

Just a tip in case no one mentioned it... I use an electric blanket at night to keep the heat down. Works well for me.

The thing is, not much of a winter here. I need affordable air conditoning, the bulk of the elctric bills cost is in the summer, trying to keep cool.

**JohnP** · 03-24-2008, 02:21 PM

Originally Posted by M55FF

Just a tip in case no one mentioned it... I use an electric blanket at night to keep the heat down. Works well for me.

The thing is, not much of a winter here. I need affordable air conditoning, the bulk of the elctric bills cost is in the summer, trying to keep cool.

I found sleeping on the floor next to a open sliding door helps keep me cool during the summer. I use a thick blanket as the pad and a thin blanket as the cover, works great.

**JohnP** · 03-24-2008, 02:35 PM

Originally Posted by mombottoo

$6.00 a month??? You are hereby officially dubbed

! I don't know how you can go through a whole month and spend only $6.00 on your electric bill, around here there is no way I could ever, ever get my electric bill that low. I'd be happier than a pig in a sty if I could get mine down to $50!!!

You have to remember. I'm a guy who lives in a very inexpensive studio apartment, owns virtually no possessions by choice, and I tried hard not to use electricity.

It was made easier by the fact I used my work to recharge my laptop and UPS, I left the front door open to take advantage of the hallway light, and used the light from the freeway to get around at night.

I'm a very frugal guy. No, I did not live this way when I was married. My electric bills when I was married was nearly 290 dollars a month.