I'm busy cutting back on expenses, getting deals from the phone company (to keep my business), contacting every service and utility provider to see if there's a way I can pay less. I'm all proud that the electric bill was down to $140 (my electric provider is the most expensive in the country) for a house with 4100 square feet. I'm unplugging lamps I don't use; have the TV, VCR, receiver, Wii all plugged into a surge strip that I switch off when it's not in use. If I can find a way to turn it off, I do.
I've been doing the same and I've slashed mine first month. Everything not in use is unplugged (most electronics use power when they're "off"), as you know. So, if I'm not using it, its unplugged and the only room in my house that ever has its light on is the one I'm in at the moment.
Call me crazy, but at this time of year, with my line of work( October til now), when I hear the weather report say it's going to be 55 degrees today I think. Great! Perfect!". So I'm keeping the house at 55 degrees right now. Use the wood stove downstairs to supplement occasionally.
When I get in the shower and it's too hot, I dial it back like most people. Well, "dialing it back" just adds cold water to the hot water that's still being heated to the original "too hot" temp. So, I've adjusted water heater down over trial and error until full blast hot (no cold added) is the perfect shower temp.
Originally Posted By: Gypsy
The next step is to join the world again.. mingle around people, be part of things rather than the happy-go-lucky hermit
My plan as well. First the D (Dec. 23) then finishing up FedEx & its long weeks and hours and then out of this contented, isolated shell. Have been looking into "Over 40" Cruises for Feb before season re-starts!
*hugs* to you, friend.
Gardener
"My soul, be satisfied with flowers, With fruit, with weeds even; but gather them In the one garden you may call your own." Cyrano deBergerac
