Cutting Back

I picked up the mail last week on my way into the house, and in one day, I found out that my house payment was going up $23, due to an escrow shortage for my taxes and insurance, and I also got a letter from the light company telling me that 'on average', my light bill would be increasing $20 a month, starting in November. That's $43 A MONTH! That's a lot! So, I started thinking of ways to reduce my light bill. I guess I have been not so thrifty when it comes to certain things. I can be thrifty when shopping, but what about living? I have taken a few steps already. I removed the lamp in my bathroom, which was on ALL the time, because the 'touch' feature quit working, but I wanted it on so I could find my way in the night. We replaced it with an LED Night Light. That should help. Seems I was always replacing light bulbs anyway. This night light was only $2.97. The package says it uses up to 95% less electricity, lasts up to 14 years, is cool to the touch, and is mercury free, and it goes on and off all by itself.The next thing I did was, I went outside and I unscrewed one of the light bulbs in our outdoor garage lights. The fixtures are supposed to be light sensitive, but it seems they are either on all the time, or not on at all. I am going to talk to my dear hubby about maybe replacing the lights with a motion light fixture instead.

Next, I turned off a 'Lighthouse' lamp I had on top of the entertainment center, which was ALWAYS on. It was nice to be able to see things easily without having a bigger lamp on, but I decided I really did not need it, and when the tv is on, there is light to see, and when there are no lights on, or the tv, the light from the front yard 'gas light' shines through the window, along with the garage light that is still lit--for now. (Reminder: Replace mantels in gas light. There is only about half a mantel burning at the moment--hubby's job.) I realized that I have been really wasteful when it came to electricity. I went to the basement and turned off one light in hubby's office in a dark corner that I left on always (but I HAVE replaced almost every bulb in my house with the twisty flourescent bulbs, for quite some time, actually), and I turned off a neon light in a clock in hubby's billiard area that was on ALWAYS. I went into hubby's office and set his computer monitor and computer to 'sleep' after so many minutes of inactivity, and I did the same with mine, although now, when I know I am done with my computer, I shut the power off on my monitor.

Since we have replaced the windows and door in our living room, we think we can feel a noticable improvement in our home. In previous winters, we would have to have our thermostat set on about 78* when we were home, to feel warm, and then, still, we could feel a draft. This year, so far, we can live comfortably at 68*-70*. In the mornings, the thermostat is on about 66*. Depending on how chilly I feel, I might bump it up to 68* or 69* while getting ready for work, and then I set it back down to 66* before I go to work. I think if we can get by a while winter with our thermostat set 8* to 10* cooler, that should make a HUGE difference! We have also vowed, that if we are chilly, we will get out a blanket, or dress warmer.

We are also trying other ways to save money. We are trying to make plans to do things at home, or very close to home, and we are talking ourselves out of going to the thrift stores as often as we have been. If we don't go, we won't spend. This is a very hard thing to do, as it has always kind of been our entertainment and together time. Now, I am starting to sew more, and Louie is working in his shoppe more, and we are trying to make use of the many resources we already have, rather than trying to find MORE.

We are starting to watch dvds we have, and have never watched. Most of our dvds come used, from either the thrift stores, or previously viewed movies from Blockbuster Video.

Last Saturday, we had quilting. We celebrated Mrs. D's birthday. I realized too late, I did not have a card for her, so in my laziness to not run to the store to buy one, I make one. I had all the supplies, and plenty of them. The card turned out nice, and she cried. (Yes, I saw you, Mrs. D, even though you tried to hide behind your hand while looking at the floor). She told me right away how nice the card was, and also emailed me telling me just how much that card meant. I think it could have been her favorite thing. Instead of buying an ice cream cake, I made a cake. It's the thought, not how fancy the cake is, right?

So tell me, how do you save money around the house? I'd like to know. Maybe I can implement some of your ideas and save even more!

”A prudent person foresees danger and takes precautions. The simpleton goes blindly on and suffers the consequences.“ Proverbs 27:12

It's time for me to 'Get Smart!'