Electric Bill Update

The most recent electric bill reflects well on our efforts to reduce our consumption of energy. As a family ,we have been incorporating the use of the umbrella clothesline in our daily routine. We also replaced all the light bulbs with compact fluorescent bulbs. The actual bill was for 170.00 dollars. The power company in our area allows you to participate in "Budget Billing ":

Budget Billing is a free service that lets you plan your monthly payments and helps you keep your budget balanced. It's designed by Progress Energy Florida to help you avoid unpredictable bills.

How It Works:

Your monthly Budget Bill amount will be based on the average of your actual bills during the last 12 months (including local taxes, franchise fees, private area lighting and energy management credits). This amount will stay the same for at least three months.
Because we continue to read your meter every month, your monthly bill will show exactly how much energy you used, the actual bill amount and the deferred balance on your account.
The difference between your actual bill and your Budget Bill amount each month will be shown as a deferred balance. This may be a credit or a debit amount.
Every three months, your Budget Bill amount will be recalculated to reflect the average of your last 12 months actual bills and your deferred balance



My average bill is currently 237.00 dollars. This is due to the HOT summers in Florida. The AC runs nonstop. So, In the summer my bill was reaching close to 300.00 dollars!! But I was only having to pay around 225.00 due to average billing. The remainder amount was put into a balance that I eventually will pay back under the Budget Billing program.

Since my actual use was 170.00 this last bill, the difference between the amount due (237.00) and the 170.00 (63.00 dollars)will be credited to my balance owed to the power company.

Balance owed has been reduced to 270.00. I still have a ways to go to reduce the balance. I think in the next couple of months great headway will be made.

Swag Bucks To Date: 2439
How I am using my Swag Bucks

Electric Bill Update

We received our latest electric bill today and it was a combination of good news and bad news. Our monthly usage had decreased about 40.00 dollars. Yea!
But since we are on the average billing plan and I still have a balance of 347.00 that I still owe the electric company, my average bill is increasing from 226.00 to 237.00 beginning in January. The electric company reviews the bill every quarter and if your balance (if you have a balance) increases, then your bill will increase. But when your balance is decreasing, (and Mine is slowly....) the average bill will be reduced to reflect the decrease. Confusing? At times it is. But I like the predictability of what my electric bill will be each month, so overall it a good thing for me. But it will be better when the average bill starts to decrease!!

I attribute the decrease to the use of the clothesline and I look forward to next month's bill as that will indicate if the installation of the compact fluorescents throughout the house will impact the electric bill significantly. (Fingers crossed)

Compact Flourescent Bulbs

Last week, the hubby went out and pruchased replacement bulbs (compact flourescents) for the whole house both inside and outside. Total amount spent by him was 130.00 dollars. Yes we had lots of bulbs to replace. The bedrooms had recessed lights ( four each) and he found the ones that resemble the same bulbs we had but are actually flourescent. He also purchased new light switches as we had dimmers and dimmer do not work with flourescents. So, this will be a great way for us to reduce our electric bill.

We have also been making use of the clothesline. I think we have had to use the dryer about 5 times as oppposed to 15-20 times per week. Another great way for use to reduce the electic bill. I can't wait to see the bill over the next two cycles. All members of the house have been working together to reduce the use of electricity by using the clothesline, unplugging appliances when not in use, resisting the urge to turn on the AC,so I am very appreciateive of their efforts.

Rain, Rain, Go Away..........

Yes, It's Raining here in the "sunshine" state. What's that about? For the nex two day, cloudy with a great chance of rain. so far they were right about today. Lots of rain! Why is this a big deal? Well, in order to lower my electric bill, I bought an umbrella clothesline to hang clothes on. So far, I haven't had the chance to use it. Maybe later this week.

So, today I did NOT take the toll road into work and I avoided the 7-11 as well. This is a savings of $5.00 at the 7-11 and .75 cents for the toll. Grand total to add to my emegency fund at Emigrant is $5.75. Woo Hoo!! I did spend 13.54 at the grocery store today, but my budget for groceries for two weeks is $200.00. This is for 5 adults and sometimes one grandchild. Total so far is $179.41. So, for now I am under budget. Hmmm... that does not really happen a whole lot. A step in the right direction. Accountability. Plan the meals, take a list to the store and use coupons if you are inclined to do so.

The New Clothes Line

The Electric Bill

Yep, as I posted earlier, My electric bill is out of control. There are reasons for that, as my 22 year old daughter and her husbnad still with us in the garage apartment. They pay rent $200.00 per month and contribute to groceries ($30.00) a week. As of 3 months ago, my oldes son moved back home due to a pending divorce. he pays $100.00 per month and $10.00 per week. He is not at home much so I feel I am charging him fairly.

Back to the electric bill. I have bought an umbrella clothesline, clothes pins, softner and a basket. Oh yeah, cement to mount the pole.

Cost to save money: Lowes for clothes line and cement $44.00 for chothesline and $10.00 for two bags of quickdry cement. New basket $5.00, clothes pins $2.00 for two packs and softner which was &3.00. Grand Total is approximately $ 64.00 to $65.00.

Living in Florida makes hanging clothes out year round convenient. How much will we save? I hope a lot. I don't think that we will use the clothesline for every load, but for the majority of them we will. (In theory we will, I will keep you posted and we shall all see the savings!!)