The last time I talked about our hit list (a/k/a our budget) I mentioned our electric bill was next up to be shredded to pieces (Sorry PSEG, but you’re not going to get as much money from me moving forward!).
Since then I’ve done a number of things.
I searched for “ways to save energy” and every form of “how to save money off of your electric bill” I could think of. Of course, I searched with swagbucks to try and win some more Amazon gift cards (and won on a couple of the searches – wahoo!). But I digress.
and
I asked a bunch of folks in the office how they save money on their bills and whether there are other, cheaper energy providers they were happy with. (I’m not exactly sure, but I think PSEG is the only game in town – and even if you switch providers, they still administer the bill, or something like that. It’s odd.) I’m also fairly new to caring about my electric bill because it’s either been very small or paid by someone else for most of my life. I just never really had a motivation before.
Anyhow, here’s what I came up with so far:
- I found an alternative, green energy provider that keeps the same service but with a percentage of the electricity coming from renewable sources. This will supposedly save me about 15% and save a little piece of the world (win, win);
- We got to know our thermostat a little better. No more 72 degrees in the summer – we’re at 75 degrees now. Believe it or not, it’s not much warmer in here;
- We use the ceiling fan when it does get warmer as a first step (we only have one unfortunately). Only if that doesn’t help will we turn the thermostat down; and
- I’m now in the market for CFLs. I got 2 for free during a festival in the area (coincidentally – wahoo again!). But I need to get some more. Maybe I’ll finish that up this weekend.
That’s pretty much it so far. Because I’m a renter, the “spend money to make money” options weren’t right for me (i.e. more efficient appliances, more ceiling fans, better insulation, etc.). But we’ll try and max out what we can control.
What’s amazing is, just like with the swim lessons, it didn’t take much time to get this far. The searches took a few minutes. The conversations were just talking about electricity instead of sports or other “water-cooler talk” at work. It didn’t take any more time out of my day. And it only took me about 5 minutes to set up the alternative, green energy provider. So I would say I invested a total of a half hour or an hour tops, including reading a few articles from my searches. If the percentages are right I could save $25 per month or more. Our electricity was about $150 per month before this.
On a side note, I just looked up from the computer and my son is marching around the apartment holding a piece of paper. He’s trying to rip it up, waiving it around and chanting “Daddy! Daddy!” (he does that a lot – it’s the coolest thing in the world – I feel like a champ with my own cheerleader!). Anyhow, when he walked by my chair I noticed the piece of paper he is holding is last month’s electric bill! Ha! A little guy after my own heart. He’s trying to rip up our electric bill just like his Daddy – and at only 15 months! Sorry, but it was too ironic not to share.
Anyone have more advice on how to save on my electric bill as a renter that I missed? What about the owners out there. What are the best ways you found? What “spend money to make money” tips are worth the investment?
Until next time, put your credit card down and slowly step away from the mall!
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