Woo hoo! Electric bill down this month

**Michelle** · 03-26-2008, 02:32 PM

I've been running around like crazy turning things off (why does the entire family leave at least 5 lights on every day on their way out the door)?

It's been worth it because my bill was $30 lower this month

**mombottoo** · 03-26-2008, 02:35 PM

That's great news!!! $30 is $30 no matter how you slice it!

**Sara Noel** · 03-26-2008, 03:15 PM

$30 is excellent. WTG! I should follow your lead. I've been a slacking off in the light dept of frugality. When my mom visited, I guess she told Gabe as a kid I was really bad about shutting off lights. He kids me now and says I'm STILL bad about it. lol

I do try. At least we're switched over to cfl. With it staying light out longer, I'm hoping to use much less. Plus I'll be so glad to be rid of the expense of heating this place.

**madangelmak** · 03-29-2008, 12:51 PM

Newbie here and my very first post so I hope it does not offend anyone to jump right in. We were really bad with turning off lights especially the basement. We recently added sensors to the light switches and converted to engery saving bulbs. Our bill has been down 40%.

**FrugalMomof3** · 03-29-2008, 02:24 PM

WOW $30 is great! I hear you about the kids leaving light on all the time, I have to tell them to turn the lights off.

**yankeegal** · 03-29-2008, 03:01 PM

My DH is the culprit in our house...I am constantly following him around turning things off-GRRRRR!
Congrats on your $30 savings!

**knotme** · 03-31-2008, 08:53 AM

My dh usually leaves the closet light on. (He gets up early and leaves for work at the crack of dawn and never remembers to turn it off) Our bill lowered by $20 in the last 2 months too

**Zork** · 04-03-2008, 01:36 AM

Earthling, in case you are not doing so, unplug all things electrical if not in use. You waste money and waste electricity when your enormous American audio/video/VCR/DVD/DVR/gaming system sits plugged into the outlet when not in use.

You can make it easy. Simply plug everything into one power strip. Do not just flip the switch on the power strip OFF when you are finished watching a movie, or playing a game. If you do this, there will still be current drawing to the television for example because of the need for television to be in standby mode, ready to power up. You have to actually unplug the power cord from the outlet.

Yes, this is a small hassle but it will save you money during the recession. Remember, when you are bent over unplugging, you can show off your nice "behind", from all the walking you have been doing, to your mate.

There are probably several "evil machines" wasting your precious money in your home at this very moment.

Most Wanted List and what they drain from you per year if you keep them plugged:*

1.Plasma TV $159.76

2. Desktop Computer $34.21

3. Game Console $25.73

4. Laptop $15.90

5. Laser Printer $12.43

6. VCR $10.12

7. DVD Player $8.67

8. Convection Microwave $3.85

9. Cordless Phone Base Station $3.18

10. LCD Monitor $2.51

11. Radio $1.44

12. Rechargeable Toothbrush $1.35

Add these all up and these "evil machines" are stealing a whopping $279.13 a year from you. What would you purchase with this? A new cell phone? 27 pizzas? A few good bottles of wine? A fancy dinner or two out with your mate so that you can make passionate love afterward? 10-15 new DVDs? Fill up your gas tank 3 to 4 times?

We investigated and discovered these additional energy wasting machines:

Cell Phone Charger, Electric Razor, iPod.

Kitchen Items. Toasters, blenders, bread machines, mixers, anything "ready" or "standby" light.

Do not be a Didiot! Take a few minutes and look around your home. Do not let those evil machines control you any longer.

When you allow these machines to drain your bank account by wasting electricity, you also waste precious fossil fuel. You are not being green like us.

**nodmicks** · 04-03-2008, 07:52 AM

Great job Michelle!Woo hoo!
Ours was up 27 with the exact same usage thanks to the rate hike. Ick!

**julieb** · 04-03-2008, 08:31 AM

Great job! Our went down too, around 20.00. We unplugged the dehumidifier in the basement but unfortuneately with all the rainy weather we are going to have to plug it in again.

**C@rol** · 04-03-2008, 08:43 AM

Just turning of the lights did that? Money in the
pocket. Great!

**larabelle** · 04-05-2008, 11:09 PM

GREAT JOB

**Luv2BeFrugal** · 04-06-2008, 12:56 AM

$30!! Great savings!!

**PrairieGirl** · 04-10-2008, 01:08 PM

Originally Posted by yankeegal

My DH is the culprit in our house...I am constantly following him around turning things off-GRRRRR!
Congrats on your $30 savings!

LOL, same at our house!! It drives me nuts!! I barely turn any lights on as it is, but he goes over the top. I'll nag it out of him one day, hahaha

Congrats on the savings!! I've been thinking of lowering our thermostat during the day (we have a programmable one) but it decided to blizzard today so I'll have to hold out for another couple of days.

**LexTysMommy** · 04-10-2008, 08:06 PM

Thats great. I noticed a big difference the first couple months too. Now its been 6-9 monhts and we are back to not doing it as well. We need to do this more.