Saving on utility bills

1. 55

   rambo87posted 8 years ago

   In the current economic difficulty I am looking at every possible way in which I can save money and believe that utility bills could be cut back considerably! I have read many comments about various saving techniques like not leaving appliances on stand by but was wondering if anyone knows of anything else that can help cut back utility costs?

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   1. 60

      Teresa McGurkposted 8 years ago in reply to this

      Insulation, insulation, insulation.
      
      Stay snug!

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   2. 60

      warner444posted 8 years ago in reply to this

      Using fluorescent lights instead of incandescent lights will save on electricity. I found a bunch at the 99 cent store, the cost was subsidized by the local power company Edison. Usually the bulbs are 4-6 dollars each. They would still save money because not only do they use less power they last many times longer than incandescent bulbs. Fluorescent bulbs do use more power when turning on than incandescent bulbs so it can be cheaper sometimes to leave them on.

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         rambo87posted 8 years ago in reply to this

         Hey Warner,
         
         Thanks for the tip, do you know if you can get these bulbs in the UK?

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2. 83

   MarloByDesignposted 8 years ago

   Unplug electronics when not in use ... I recommend using a power strip, and just turning that off at night or when you are not using your electronics. They still draw electricity when they are plugged in - even when turned off!

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      rambo87posted 8 years ago in reply to this

      Thanks for the tips, hopefully this will save me some money!  I was really shocked to read that electronics can still draw electricity just from being plugged in, even when the switch isn't on!

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3. 0

   Leta Sposted 8 years ago

   Get a wood burning stove or a fireplace if it is feasible and financially practical (if wood is cheap near you.)  Turn everything off at night, and the heat down as low as you can.  Shut off rooms in your house if need be.  Wear lots of sweaters.
   
     I come from a long line of frugals.

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4. 72

   Nickny79posted 8 years ago

   Tell your corrupt Democrat State Legislatures and Congress to stop regulating energy and ulitily companies, to stop taxing energy, and to forgo burdensome and unrealistic environmental standards inspired by fear-tactics.  THEN  you will save on your energy bill.  I come from a long line of frugals that doesn't want the gov't to be liberal in taking and generous in spending my money--a line of true frugals that wants gov't to be frugal so I can wear a white T-shirt in February in my 80 degree, carefully zoned, 4 bedroom house with cathedral ceilings if it suits my whim.

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5. 0

   Leta Sposted 8 years ago

   Nickny--  You are not to come within one posting from me.  If you ever do it again, I'll have to report you to the Hub/Forum bounce patrol for hub stalking and get a restraining order.
   
   Our 4 bedroom house is heated by firewood--by choice.  Who wouldn't, at $20 a cord?  That's how we afford two BMW's and the Audi--all hybrids, of course.
   
   
   Anybody interested in exactly how efficient and fair unregulated public utility companies are should view  Enron:  The Smartest Guys in the Room.  Big eye opener.

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6. 72

   Nickny79posted 8 years ago

   Someone apparently doesn't have the self restraint to make good on her "ignore" declaration.

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7. 0

   Leta Sposted 8 years ago

   You have a deep, deep personal Alpha magnetism and I simply cannot control myself.
   
   What is a liberal without a neocon?  It's like salt and pepper, oil and vinegar, joy and pain, sun and rain, death and taxes......and a freezing vs. a temperate--indeed, sultry--home.

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8. 55

   rambo87posted 8 years ago

   please us this forum as it was intended and not as a personal chat room.
   
   Thanks!

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9. 76

   trish1048posted 8 years ago

   Rambo,
   
   Shutting down your computer every night, if you don't do it already, saves a nice piece of change per month 

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      rambo87posted 8 years ago in reply to this

      Yeh I have started to turn items off at night time and hopefully this will help, Thanks for the comments!

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10. 88

    Stacie Lposted 8 years ago

    well I shut off my hot water heater every few days unless I need to wash clothes or dishes.
    There's enough to last a few days when shut off.
    
    These times remind me of the early 70's; My father bought a few Kerosene heaters and coal for the fireplace.Stunk up the house!
    Times were tough then.
    They are getting tough again
    

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       rambo87posted 8 years ago in reply to this

       cheers for the tip Stacie L, yeh times are hard and they are only going to get harder I think, bad times!!

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11. 58

    britneydavidsonposted 8 years ago

    i will say stop using credit cards....for a while atlest use the debit card...because credit card they charge too much interest.another thing you can do is...apply for new credit card which will have low interest rate...but i prefer not to use it at all....

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12. 53

    StanTheCreditManposted 8 years ago

    A lot of people have been taking out all sorts of loans in order to keep up with their monthly bills. Rather than looking to find the extra cash you should look to reduce your outgoings. You can save money by paying annual payments and by paying online. Another (obvious) tip which many still do not do is to compare their prices sing comparison sites.

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