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So my electric bill, with an annual rate hike of like 20%, hit close to $200 this past summer. So far, having taken several steps, I've got it down to about $ 145 per month, on an annual budget.
We're on a strict "no lights on in an empty room" rule. We already ditched cable, so there's a lot less TV watching. I only leave exterior lights on if we're expecting company at night. We're down to about 4 loads of laundary a week, from 7-10. This past week, I was able to get away with running the dishwasher only 3 times, down from 5-6 per week. I'm keeping my fridge really clean, which supposedly helps save electricity. This is also aided by the fact that I'm buying a lot less pre-prepared food, cooking more fresh food, which means less stuff to refridgerate.
Regarding natural gas, I simply have refused to turn on my heat so far! I'm also taking fewer showers (nat gas water heater) --which is OK, since I'm not a particularly stinky person and don't get sweaty during most days. My kid is not bathing daily either--she's a hippie kid!
I've cut way back on lawn mowing--now doing it once a month, if that! Sure my home looks somewhat neglected, but who cares?
Biggest change: not driving. I was able to go a whole week without driving my car. One of the cars is, in fact, currently out of commission with no insurance being paid on it, sitting in the driveway. How did we do this? It's a lot less convenient, but we're relying on public transport, walking, bicycling and car pooling. I was also able to use a bunch of vacation days, which negated the need for driving at all since I could keep my daughter home with me and so niether of us had to go into town.
Also, garbage collection has gone from weekly to every other week. Saves about $10 per month.
I'm looking for ideas--what are other people doing to save a few bucks?
HippieSurvivalist
We're on a strict "no lights on in an empty room" rule. We already ditched cable, so there's a lot less TV watching. I only leave exterior lights on if we're expecting company at night. We're down to about 4 loads of laundary a week, from 7-10. This past week, I was able to get away with running the dishwasher only 3 times, down from 5-6 per week. I'm keeping my fridge really clean, which supposedly helps save electricity. This is also aided by the fact that I'm buying a lot less pre-prepared food, cooking more fresh food, which means less stuff to refridgerate.
Regarding natural gas, I simply have refused to turn on my heat so far! I'm also taking fewer showers (nat gas water heater) --which is OK, since I'm not a particularly stinky person and don't get sweaty during most days. My kid is not bathing daily either--she's a hippie kid!
I've cut way back on lawn mowing--now doing it once a month, if that! Sure my home looks somewhat neglected, but who cares?
Biggest change: not driving. I was able to go a whole week without driving my car. One of the cars is, in fact, currently out of commission with no insurance being paid on it, sitting in the driveway. How did we do this? It's a lot less convenient, but we're relying on public transport, walking, bicycling and car pooling. I was also able to use a bunch of vacation days, which negated the need for driving at all since I could keep my daughter home with me and so niether of us had to go into town.
Also, garbage collection has gone from weekly to every other week. Saves about $10 per month.
I'm looking for ideas--what are other people doing to save a few bucks?
HippieSurvivalist