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112 Posts
My last 2 electric bills were LARGE as this winter has been unusually cold. My heat is electric. The refrigerator/freezer broke. The microwave died last year (built-in). One window is broken, but it is double-paned and only the outer pane is broken (cracked).
I have no debt except for lot rent for 13yo used manufactured home (trailer), electric, Internet, regular car maintenance on a used 13 y.o. Honda. I use coupons like a fanatic.
I have little savings and all used furniture. Every bit of clothes I have fit in 1 dresser, 1 chest of drawers and 1 average sized closet (not a walk-in), So, I can safely say that my lifestyle is not extravagant by any stretch of the imagination. I am 63 and in good health (except for financially *s*) and I live alone.
That's the background of how I live. Now for fixing the problem. I was depressed, but started researching on the Internet ways to fix stuff one at a time. Then, much to my surprise, I found out that there are "green" people who forego refrigeration and heat as a matter of choice! This started giving me a new perspective on things. Soooo...I've been without a refrigeration for about a month now, I turn off the water heater unless it is needed (flip the circuit breaker), and the thermostat on the heat is set at 50F. It's kicked on only twice that I know of. I wear warm, layered clothes in the house. If my hands get cold, I warm them on a cup of hot tea or soup. I still use the dryer for some things, but I hang up most of them in the bathroom or where ever.
Have any of you done this as a matter of choice or as a matter of self-defense so that you don't feel like you're being held hostage to the electric company?
I have no debt except for lot rent for 13yo used manufactured home (trailer), electric, Internet, regular car maintenance on a used 13 y.o. Honda. I use coupons like a fanatic.
I have little savings and all used furniture. Every bit of clothes I have fit in 1 dresser, 1 chest of drawers and 1 average sized closet (not a walk-in), So, I can safely say that my lifestyle is not extravagant by any stretch of the imagination. I am 63 and in good health (except for financially *s*) and I live alone.
That's the background of how I live. Now for fixing the problem. I was depressed, but started researching on the Internet ways to fix stuff one at a time. Then, much to my surprise, I found out that there are "green" people who forego refrigeration and heat as a matter of choice! This started giving me a new perspective on things. Soooo...I've been without a refrigeration for about a month now, I turn off the water heater unless it is needed (flip the circuit breaker), and the thermostat on the heat is set at 50F. It's kicked on only twice that I know of. I wear warm, layered clothes in the house. If my hands get cold, I warm them on a cup of hot tea or soup. I still use the dryer for some things, but I hang up most of them in the bathroom or where ever.
Have any of you done this as a matter of choice or as a matter of self-defense so that you don't feel like you're being held hostage to the electric company?