Since we are on the "budget plan" my gas company reevaluates my usage every four months and fiddles with my monthly charge (some budget, huh?)
In October our gas bill went from around $130 to our new rate of $151. We tried to keep our heat off for all of October (almost made it) and we kept the thermostat lower than ever before.
Our efforts have paid off since our new amount, as of March, will be $103! I know that natural gas prices have decreased a bit, but we decreased our usage majorly this year. And we have the hat-head to prove it.
This will be a $48 savings per month for four months, but I will keep an eye on it. Now that we have some savings built up I'm not so sure I'm loving the "budget" plan since it really is never a set monthly amount for a full year. If the balance keeps tipping in our favor I will probably switch back to just paying what we owe each month. Or move to California.
Try Mother Earth News Archives for some good, some great and some really out there tips for cutting heating cost.
ReplyDeleteHa! That pic looks like me in our basement!!!!
ReplyDeleteThat picture looks like me with my wooly hand knits. All you are missing are the fingerless mitts for typing!
ReplyDeletehi, I noticed that you made a comment on Johnathan's blog about pinecone research. I tried it too and it worked! Have you tested any other paid survey companies that you would recommend?
ReplyDeleteabe
bigbeebee2@yahoo.com
mapgirl, LOL actually in November while at Disney LaLa bought fingerless gloves with Stitch (from Lilo & Stitch) embroidered on the back... she does wear them often while working! I knew I forgot to mention something ;)
ReplyDeleteIn the south it is not unusual to be all electric. My house electric bill was 224.00 in December.Friends and neighbors bills were $300 - $400 for the same time frame. I nearly fell over because our summer electric bills can be that high, but never in the winter. It was the highest electric bill I have ever had in my home. I took some drastic measures to reduce the electric bill. Heat went down to 60 while I was asleep, and up to 65 while I was awake. If I knew company was coming I would put the heat up to 68 for the time they were there, and then back down it went when they were gone. I used my electric blanket, and dressed warmer when awake. It has amazed me as to how the body adjusts to the temperature. My coworkers kept saying they did not understand how I could live that way, but I did it. The result was a decrease in my next bill of $100.00. I was thrilled.
ReplyDeletehey caitlin, a bit off topic but.. what chair is that?
ReplyDeleteseems rather high tech. lol.
I'm a bit unhappy about the Staple chair I got. I mean its great when its not deflated, I just got the new cushion but I'm a bit worry that it'll disappear again.
I have a dangling monkey at my desk, too!
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