So, here's the story. After years of living with someone else and sharing the cost of bills and such..I moved out on my own a few months ago (just me and Toots). Well, knowing that I was going to be the only income and I don't make a whole heck of a lot to begin with...I needed to be extra thrifty in pretty much all aspects. This meant grocery shopping and cooking (not that I do much of that) frugally...conserving on gas as much as possible...living with just the basic (no cable or internet)... and being aware of my water/electricity use. To say that I have been very aware (and maybe a little obsessed) about my electricity usage, might be an understatement. My friends and family make fun of me all the time, but hey..they don't pay my bills do they? lol
How many people do you know get excited when the electric bill comes??
***raising my hand*** ;o)
Here are some of the things that I do:
-Nothing stays plugged in all the time except the stove, fridge, washer & dryer. I plug it in when I need to use and unplug when I'm done.
-I charge my cell phone while I drive. I also use my cell as my alarm clock.
-My A/C is set on 78 at night and 80 during the day.
-I try to use as much natural light as possible during the day, opening the curtains and blinds, rather than turning on lamps and light fixtures.
-I wash clothes in cold water. This also helps to keep colors from fading.
-I dry most of my clothes for approx. 10 minutes, then hang to dry.
-I hand wash our dishes, rather than using all the water and electricity involved with running a dishwasher.
-I use spray air freshener and burn candles rather than those scented plug-in things (I have read that those thing suck up some electricity).
These are just a few of the things that I do. Now, I realize that not everyone can be this extreme but perhaps you can come away with a few tips that might save you a few bucks.
Here is the proof that there is a method to my madness:
My first electric bill: $37.00
My 2nd bill (included washer/dryer usage): $52.00
My 3rd bill (included A/C usage also) $49.00
Now how the last bill went DOWN $3 is beyond me, when I actually added more usage by turning on and running my A/C daily and didn't slack up or change anything else is beyond me...but I'm not complaining. ;o)
You can call me thrifty, frugal or just a plain ole cheapskate...just don't call me late at night and run down my cell phone battery because I won't be able to charge it until the next morning on the way to work. ;o)
Do you have any thrifty electricity-saving tips that you use? Please share!
Happy "It's almost Friday" Day!!
--Lissa
How many people do you know get excited when the electric bill comes??
***raising my hand*** ;o)
Here are some of the things that I do:
-Nothing stays plugged in all the time except the stove, fridge, washer & dryer. I plug it in when I need to use and unplug when I'm done.
-I charge my cell phone while I drive. I also use my cell as my alarm clock.
-My A/C is set on 78 at night and 80 during the day.
-I try to use as much natural light as possible during the day, opening the curtains and blinds, rather than turning on lamps and light fixtures.
-I wash clothes in cold water. This also helps to keep colors from fading.
-I dry most of my clothes for approx. 10 minutes, then hang to dry.
-I hand wash our dishes, rather than using all the water and electricity involved with running a dishwasher.
-I use spray air freshener and burn candles rather than those scented plug-in things (I have read that those thing suck up some electricity).
These are just a few of the things that I do. Now, I realize that not everyone can be this extreme but perhaps you can come away with a few tips that might save you a few bucks.
Here is the proof that there is a method to my madness:
My first electric bill: $37.00
My 2nd bill (included washer/dryer usage): $52.00
My 3rd bill (included A/C usage also) $49.00
Now how the last bill went DOWN $3 is beyond me, when I actually added more usage by turning on and running my A/C daily and didn't slack up or change anything else is beyond me...but I'm not complaining. ;o)
You can call me thrifty, frugal or just a plain ole cheapskate...just don't call me late at night and run down my cell phone battery because I won't be able to charge it until the next morning on the way to work. ;o)
Do you have any thrifty electricity-saving tips that you use? Please share!
Happy "It's almost Friday" Day!!
--Lissa
Hahaha @ don't call me late at night. Probably you'd be asleep anyways, if its after 9:00. ;)
ReplyDeleteI love all your tips and I may put some of them to use. Except for the AC thing. Girl, if I'm sweaty at night, I can't sleep at all! Have you tried couponing for groceries yet? That'll save you some bucks AND let you stock up!
This post was great! You must seriously be made of steel. I don't think I could live without my A/C. Although I might have to try the hanging the clothes in the bathroom. I feel like all I do is wash, dry, fold, and repeat. It will make me hang the clothes and I won't have to iron so much. :)
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