Big Help with My Monthly Finances!

We use the energy saving light bulbs. It really does add up. Also, make sure you are shutting everything off when its not in use. The computer, the printer etc. (printers and dvd players are energy hogs!)It does help. You will be surprised! You can also check out the engery star web site for tips.

1 mom found this helpful

Dear C.,
Check out Laundry Pure where you wash everything in cold water. You use no detergent,bleach,fabric softeners. So you can save lots of money with this.
www.yourbestlaundry.com/garrett
when you fill out the little form to let you in to check in.Your under no commitment,just gives up information to get in touch with you.Check this out.
Good luck
J. G

1 mom found this helpful

What was the energy saving device and who did you buy it from? Thanks. Lower your hot water tank temperature just a few degrees,

Hello!
can you tell me what the energy devise is/ I would like to buy it! I just went to Supercuts training Center and got a free haircut! It was the best that I have had in years! I gave my hairstylist a $5. tip , but I did not have to do so!
Blessings on you!
Sincerely,
C. N.

What is the energy saving device?

DaveRamsey.com total Money makeover... I'm (we're) debit free and loving it, we followed his plan for the past two years and it works, at first it is hard to do but the small changes will make a big difference, I have found you can save all kinds of money but without a specific plan for every dollar you still wont come out ahead, I strongly recommend it for everyone. they offer classes online or in your area, and I listen to the radio show everyday for the encouragement. if you have any questions please feel free to ask!

lots of good ideas here too, but this one will make a big difference!

I know it can be time consuming, but I clip coupons. I save on average about $150 a month off my grocery bills. Check and see if your utility companies have budget plans. Also, I would try calling your phone, internet and cable provider and see if they have any savings plans. I know with DirecTV, every time I threaten to cancel they give me stuff for free and my sister had her bill lowered with DirecTV when she called to cancel. I do all my laundry in cold water. It saves on energy bills as well. The only time I use hot water in my laundry is when I was my husband's gym clothes.

I am interested to see what replies you get ! I am also very into lowering my budget. What device did you get that helped so much ?

unplug your television/vcr/dvd players/coffee makers/microwaves... anything that has a "light" on when not in use. use battery operated clocks. replace regular light bulbs with energy efficient light bulbs. purchase/install a programmable hot water heater/heater/airconditioner thermostat.... utilize the public library for books/dvds/music cds/videos/magazines... you can request the library to order from other libraries or purchase certain items if they do not have them. shop resale shops/garage sales or have a clothes swap with friends/family. utilize the crock pot. eat healthy; toss out candy ie all sweets, carbonated drinks, beef, pork products... make your own soap (recipes are on the net). use baking soda/vinegar to clean your house. take old socks/towels and use them for clean up purposes and toss in a separate wash. turn old socks (ie cleansing rags) wrong side out and clip the heal for easy determination for sorting items. get your hair trimmed/dyed, etc. at a hair teaching school salon. do you really need that high priced hair conditioner/shampoo? try sauve hair products much cheaper. check out the ingredients in genetic products versus top of the line products... good luck...

We are skeptical on a lot of the ideas being sold in the marketplace right now. It is a great time for some sales rep to come in and make $$$ for themselves.

We have a LOT of flood lights in our home as well as regular lights. We were changing out the flood lights every couple months....each replacement is around $6 each.

We bought a couple of the energy saver lights which are MORE expensive to give them a shot. After a couple of months and them working great, we bought some more. I am shocked but we have not replaced ANY of the the energy saver lights throughout our house and we have been replacing the old lights that burn out with these more expensive energy savers for a year now.

I guess you could say that saves us $$ because we are not routinely buying a case of replacements at $6 each. The initial costs of the energy saver is higher but we are not having to replace them.

We also upgraded and replaced the builder installed furnace and AC system about 4 yrs ago and that was a HUGE difference. We did the same with hot water heaters and garage doors. We added insulation to both attic spaces. These required a hefty investment up front but our electric bills have not been over $400 in 4 yrs and when we built our house in 2000, it was routine in the summer to have an electric bill of $700.

The builders typically go as cheaply as possible on what they install and they don't take little steps that can make a big difference for the home owner.

Just a thought!!

angelfoodministries.com

you can save 30-40% on your groceries.

P.

I too want to know what saved you 28% on your electric bill...

Please forward me the energy saving device info too. TIA

I know you say you saved 28% but I am sceptical. I am not trying to rain on your parade...I hope you are correct! But I want to know WHY you think it works!

I say I am sceptical because I have seen these devices. I have checked into these devices. My father has also checked into these devices. My husband is an electrician tech and does not beleive these devices work after looking them over. My family friend (nearly my second father) is a masters electrician and also says these devices are gimics after looking into them!

Did you ever believe that the change in savings was due to the differences in weathers between this time this year and this same time last year? I mean we have had TOTAL different temperatures and climate conditions this year than last year. Is there any other reason you think your bill was so different (better, energy effecietn appliances, upgraded your house insulation/window/AC/Heat, new house, etc? Just curious!

N-E-Ways............we do TONS to live cheaper. We only spend $ on food and that is about it other than electricity. We are on a strict budget every week: no credit card, no checks. If you don't carry credit or checks, you think twice about everything you spend your allowance on. We also buy as little dispossable as possible: no paper plates, paper towels, tv dinners, etc. The "throw-away" mentality is very expensive. We don't buy cable (we are very happy with our only 3 tv chanels and 1 tv. We don't buy or rent movies: we borrow from the library or friends. We don't eat out or go to movies. We rotate having friends over and have "cook-outs" for entertainment. We MAKE our own wine (WAY cheaper then buying) for about $1 a bottle. We eat out of our garden as much as possible and support local produce (cheaper and better then store-bought). We put all we can in 401 K and save what we can. We want to eventually get solar power panels. I make my own laundry detergent and shop sales adds and coupons! I LOVE hand-me-downs and garage sales! I don't buy new clothing except undies and some shoes (everyone deserves to have shoes and undies just for them)!

This is what we do and how we live.

i would love to learn more about your device....esp if I find it to be of actual savings. I am just so turned off by the gimic idea behind it and the opinions of very educated people in this field!

Have a great day!

What did you purchase? Our electric bill is horrible!! I try to do coupons but cannnot find coupons for what we need, we also use the energy saving light bulbs, use cold water to wash in, like the idea of air drying but not sure it is practical. I did buy an ebook on building my own solar power but have not had the money to buy the stuff to build them. But if you get any good ideas from anyone, can you foward them on? With only my husband working and me going to school, it is really tough!! Good luck!
L.

I'm interested in seeing what everybody has to say! Always looking for ways....

First, we don't rent movies - they have them free at the library. We have all energy saving light bulbs. We wash the clothes in cold water and hang them to dry (your dryer uses a LOT of electricity). I got a drying rack at Ikea, so I can even hang them to dry in the house if it's too wet outside, etc. We don't have cable TV. I clip coupons and keep up with the grocery store sales. I use the grocery game to do this www.thegrocerygame.com and you can do a month free trial membership. (and if you decide to join, please enter my email address as a referral and I'll get 12 weeks of free membership for every 3 people I refer, which will help me further save money! ____@____.com without the spaces)

which device to save 28% on electric.... and it is local or a national company? if national, please include a website if possible? thanks...