We received our first full month utility bill since moving into our house.
Electric, some bogus surcharge, Water, Sewer, and Gas
Um? Ouch.
Starting today, we’re going to start roughing it around here to save a few bucks. If you happen to drop by, don’t forget to wear your long johns and to bring a flashlight. I’m going to dig a hole out back for pooping, so don’t be startled if I send you outside to do your business. Air freshener might be a good idea because I’m certain the whole family will smell due to my new rules, 1. One bath per month and 2. Reuse your underwear until they can stand up on their own.
Even though we live in California, we’re doing the same. I had to bust out the ugly flannel robe that Edith Bunker left at my house just to keep warm. It has ‘sexy times’ written all over it.
Anu´s lastest post..I love you, Spanx, but I can’t afford you.
The timer on our heating’s broken and it never comes on when you want it to – I get too hot if it’s left on constantly so have forced the boys into the joys of extra jumpers and blankets. It’s not so bad, honest.
Oh, and you do know that the internet uses way much electricity – perhaps you should cut baths down to once every quarter.
Interesting. I’m wondering how old your AC and furnace are and if they are both electric. Might be time to invest in newer models.
Knot
Knot´s lastest post..Change We Can Believe In
Me too girl! Just my gas bill the first month was 400. We have a huge-normous deposit due to our never having used gas before. Add all the others, and a huge water deposit, since we only had wells in NC. Not looking pretty-plus they always slam you with your *last bills from the previous house. We can cry together!
mandy´s lastest post..Just sharing the wealth!
OUCH! That hurts.
Ashlie- Mommycosm´s lastest post..Wordless Wednesday: What to do on a snow day?
In the summer, our electric bill can be over $600 and in the winter, our heating bill comes close. We live in an old, drafty house with shitty insulation. Getting this house re-insulated is next on my list of improvements.
AndreAnna´s lastest post..White sheet
@Knot Our house is brand new. We have a heating unit for upstairs and downstairs, which is nice…but we’re definitely feeling it in our wallet.
Holy Crap-oly! Time to start burning wood and investing in those 1/2 watt light bulbs that make you go out of the house feeling gorgeous but looking like a clown.
Christina´s lastest post..If You’re Nuts, You’re Squirrel Bait
Holy hell!
Jen L.´s lastest post..Things I’ve learned today
Umm… Yuck. But look at the bright side. You just took a picture of our electric bill alone here in Arizona… I can’t wait to move beck to a place where the electric bill being in the 150 range is a reality again.
Amy´s lastest post..Writing
So you get one bill for everything? We have to pay for oil, then electricity, gas for our stove, not water/sewer since we have a septic system…all separately.
And today we’re getting 1 to 2 feet of snow.
whoopie!
Kristin´s lastest post..Open Letters (edited)
I agree with Knot. Your house may be brand new… but the quality of the installation may be lacking.
I’ll remember to poop before I come over.
sam {temptingmama}´s lastest post..And The Winner Is -
hehehe…
I think we’re gonna have to go through the same rules round here…
UrbanVox´s lastest post..Spreading the Gospel of Star Wars!
Scary, isn’t it? I keep cranking the gas fireplace, knowing the bill is going to kill me, but it’s just so nice and cozy for the moment.
Scary Mommy´s lastest post..Snow Day!
AMEN! If I could get away with a fire pit in my living room for heat and cooking, I would!
brittany´s lastest post..Two unrelated topics that bug me in equally irrelevant ways
All of those bills are seperate for me but that’s about our monthly nut for those utilities when you add them up. Makes you just a little sick to your stomach.
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Yeouwch! We keep our heat on 64 because of a very high bill a couple months ago. Good luck!
Wow.. looks like our September electric bill here in Texas.
And you can skip showers while not smelling [too bad]. Just use baby wipes!
Wait, that’s ALL your stuff in one? Ours is probably the same, but since we pay gas, electric, and water separately, it doesn’t feel as bad!
pgoodness´s lastest post..Watching
*ouch*
MommyNamedApril´s lastest post..A Tribute to My Sidekicks.
My bill is sitting on my counter…I’m afraid to open it. We had a week last month where the high was -5 for the entire week….so I know it’s going to be well over $500. It’s hard to turn your thermostat down when you have little toes and fingers in the house!
Ouch!
Sarcasta-Mom´s lastest post..Ummm…..
Holy crap!
I’m just going to shaddup already about my $100+ electric bill…
Lynette´s lastest post..Let’s go to the movies
Good Lord! I guess I was taking my electric and gas bills for granted – together, they are about half of that. We are on the budget though, which helps. At least it is the same every month.
Mrs. Who´s lastest post..Try It Tuesday: Ben and Jerry’s Ice Cream
ah yes, the fabulous utility bills of January-March… where you literally will be go broke heating your home! UGH! add a few dollars to that bill and you will find what we pay to live in an historical, drafty, energy challenged home…
Courtney from Mommie Blogs´s lastest post..wordless wednesday
Holy crap!
-pun intended
Kat´s lastest post..WW- Ten Below
Wait. Are you saying you’re supposed to change your underwear before they’re stiff?
Gosh, I never knew.
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we keep our house at 65 for this reason. If not we wouldn’t be able to afford to heat it. You layer up and then remember when you are heading to a friends who keeps their house warmer than yours to shed some layers before leaving.
Domestic Extraordinaire´s lastest post..It’s Tuesday again!
Ouch. One of the reasons we’re moving next month actually. Our gas bill last month was 350. Seriously. Kill. Me. Now. And we don’t ever put the therm above 72. Ever.
Ilana´s lastest post..Half-empty, Half-full
$90 for water and sewer? What the HELL? My water/sewer is $40 a month! HOW MUCH DO YOU ALL POOP OVER THERE?
Karly´s lastest post..Deep Breaths, In and Out
@Karly I about DIED when I saw it was $62 for SEWER. I mean, we POOP, but it’s not like we’re bionic super-poopers around here.
@Vic I think we may have to go to once per quarter on the baths. I’m certainly NOT sacrificing my Internet!
I dread receiving our electric bill each month. WE usually average over $300 and that is only gas/electric, not the water and sewer. I think I may have to use some of your tricks!!
Mel @ A Box of Chocolates´s lastest post..SNOW DAY
Should I send you one of those car air fresheners to wear as a necklace?
Unfortunately, I COMPLETELY understand. I am shivering as I type this…
Oh, and I turned down my thermostat as I saw your post picture. Thanks a LOT.
tracey´s lastest post..Hump Day
I feel your pain! We were $455 this month. Suddenly new windows don’t seem that expensive. And combining the sink and toilet into one for saving water might be a good idea after all!
Doug McCaughan´s lastest post..From the mouths of babes
@Doug That link is fabulous! It’s genius and frightening at the same time.
I feel your pain. We have similar problems. I ache for the day I can turn the heat down.
patois´s lastest post..Wordy Wednesday #47
Ouch indeed. We freak out every time our utility bill comes. I don’t think I can take it any colder, though. You can only wear so many pairs of long underwear….
PsychMamma´s lastest post..The End
We had a similar shock this month. Probably due to the fact that we attempted to rival the Griswold’s with our Christmas light display.
Wow! I remember when I moved to Savoy, IL from NYC I thought that my utilities surely would be lower and they were in fact higher because everything is more spread out.
Alex Elliot´s lastest post..The Toy Horse Shower
I feel your pain. 300+ for 2 months of water ALONE, then add 200+ for electricity, pushing 100 a month for gas. I’m drowning in utility bills and can’t figure out how to come up for air.
Headless Mom´s lastest post..Schedule (Or If I Don’t Have One Soon I May Loose My Mind!)
Ever since I was a kid, conservation has been a huge concern. I would get scolded REALLY bad if I left a light on, If I took a long shower, or if I turned the heat up.
Its 60 degrees in my house in upstate NY. water bill is 60 every 3 months for 3 people (includign laundry) Gas is $40 a month, and electric only $125. Keeping it low by replacing all the lights, plastic sheeting the windows, and NOT leaving a light on. (plus we re-use pots and pans 3-4 times before washing)
I think I would have had a heart attack!
Corinne´s lastest post..When Mommy’s at the gym…
Would it make you feel better if I told you I keep my house at a balmy 62 and we just got our third consecutive $900 propane bill? I mean doesn’t that just blow your mind. Even at $3/gal that’s a lot of freaking propane. Ugh.
seriously what do you keep your house at? Mine is at 65. You better believe when I get to Blissdom the first thing I’m gonna do is crank the heat to +72 and take off my clothes.
laying around in my underwear at the cost of others is gonna be great….
DesignHER Momma´s lastest post..The Sunggie "in the flesh"
I’ve learned that some of the common household services (cell phones, cable/internet, blockbuster etc) have extras attached that you don’t even know about unless you call and ask. It saves you 10 or 20 here or there… but it can add up to hundreds. We’ve learned a thing or two from going into debt.
asoldier´s lastest post..A few things I learned recently…
I have a new build house too. Last year our goal was to cut our gas & electricity use by 20% without replacing everything we own (the new appliances that came w/ the house & weren’t Energry Star.) We did it, some winter months by 50%. Mostly by sealing air leaks w/ spray foam, changing lightbulbs, and unplugging our electronics when not in use like the TV helped out a lot. there’s more that I did that helps lower the bills but it’s too long for a comment so I’ll just put the url to one of my posts here http://condo-blues.blogspot.com/2008/12/15-habits-that-lower-winter-utility.html even though I know it’s kinda bad blogging form. It’s helpful honest. Email me if you need some more help.
Ouch! That is outrageous! I get a seperate water and trash bill from my gas and electric but that was $150 last month and I nearly had a heart attack. My family things I keep it too cold but there is a reason they make sweatshirts and blankets.
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