Connecting moms in Polk County, Fla.

Low electric bill this month

I was a bit surprised to see my electric below $200. Actually it was $199.98...LOL We did get our A/C serviced a few months ago and they fixed a part that was burnt out (we had no idea it was bad). It is still running a bit off because I have it set at 75 and with the heat outside it's 80 in here. I know we need to get it replaced as it is reaching the 20 yr old mark. Got to look around because we need to get some of the duct work redone. Stupid cats and opossums that got up under there. Think this winter when it's cold out, I'll wriggle under the home with some bags and tape. I'm sure we would be saving a lot more money if there was no holes in the stuff under there.

I've been using the stove top, microwave, crockpot, griddle, and toaster oven. Last time I used my oven was 2 months ago. It's been a bit of a challenge, but well worth it. Been going on Pinterest and found a bunch of great recipes for the crockpot. Also crockpot recipe groups and my friends we bounce recipes off each other. So far no issues with repeat meals. I take my toaster oven outside to cook. I got it out there now cooking up some sweet potato fries. Had to take it out there before to cook popcorn shrimp for my son (hubby hates the seafood smell). Plus the kitchen doesn't get heated up. Need to dig out my other crockpot to do desserts in it. My other one I had out bought the farm so right now I am down to 1 in the kitchen.

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Permalink Reply by Millie Cortejer on October 1, 2012 at 10:05pm

How big is your family? We are 3 (me and my 5 & 12 y/o). My bill have never gone beyond $120 even during the summer time, yet I need to mention my house is only 5 y/o. I cook everyday, never had stopped using microwave, dishwasher, dryer nor the A/C. All of my appliances are electrical.

I'm not bragging of the success of keeping a bill so low (uff, can't wait for winter!) but I guess based on what you write and what I have heard from others, seems I had been, or better said, we had been doing great job saving on electrical bill.

It's good to hear (or should I say read?,lol) people are taking serious actions to save in monthly bills. Kudos for you and your family!

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Permalink Reply by Tabby on October 1, 2012 at 10:34pm

We have 4 here (myself, hubby, our son, & my mom). My place is a single wide MH and it's up there in age (almost 20 yrs old). Let me say not the best MH either. Did not realize till way later that behind the sheet rock is the insulation and the outside metal sheeting. No wood other than the studs. I do have paneling up in the livingroom, but still it sucks. When I first moved here in 1993 my electric bill in the summer never made it over $100 and winter was under $50 (I came from NY so the cold did not bother me here). With higher rates over the years and finding out there's no plywood in the walls, you can see where the cold air goes. Was hoping to look into getting a "real" house (cement block), but things came up. I'm not knocking MH but with the weather here, I feel safer in a brick home. So we do little things around here to save money on electric. Plus I shop sales and use coupons (not as much as other may use), but it's a savings. Hubby has a 401k thru work we can borrow against (yeah right...it's like pulling teeth). We could try to hit it up to help with a down payment if we tried, but right now is not a good time. Granted my mortgage is paid off, but we live in a MH park and rent is going from $303 to $318 after the new year. Trying to set a goal to work at to get out of here.

You're doing a great job though keeping yours down. Can't wait for winter and cooler temps to get here too. Now if it will just snow...LOL