It is fall and the weather is getting colder. You know what that means? Heat! Yep, the cost of living is about to go up for the next four months. In our house we try to manage the gas bill in several ways. Personally, I hate to be cold. But since gas is so expensive I ‘m learning to live with being a little less comfortable than I am when it is summer. I’ve always felt that I should live in a warm client, but somehow I have never made it to a warmer climate.
My grandfather was raised in the depression. In that era I think they learned how to pinch pennies better than anyone or anytime in previous history. His lessons that he taught me have come in handy with our family. Since I like heat…and to be warm I’m learning to sacrifice.Here are a few quick ways to save in the fall and winter months.
Keeping the heat set at a comfortable temperature that will turn on at least four times a day to warm the house. Everyone’s idea of warm is different. So I set my temperature at 70 degrees. This is what it stays at all day and night. Our home does stay comfortable.
Dress warm. It is winter. There is not too much to say about that. If you wear long dresses then maybe wear pantyhose. If you wear jeans and slacks maybe get leggings or thermal underwear (they have some for women). As for shirts, wear a short sleeveshirt and a nice sweater, or a turtleneck with a scarf.
Watch your bill and make a goal amount. I make goals for our home everyday. I make goals for my grocery budget. Goals are part of my planning process for every part of running the home.
Then I implement the goal. I use my goal as a challenge, or an amount I want our bill to reflect. No, I do not use the budgeting system that the gas company suggests because I like to hold onto my money. That is something my grandfather also taught me…pay yourself first no matter what. So If my gas bill comes in the mail and it is $340.00 for November then I know that I need to “save” money somewhere. For December my goal amount would be $300.00. I like for all of my bills to stay under $250. It will become like a game to challenge yourself each month.
Don’t use the heat when you are not home. Sometimes setting the heat lower for parts of the day when you may be out running errands or going to church. Then if it is cold when you get home move it up two degrees. If the heat is set too high then you have not saved anything because the furnace works longer to get to the higher degree.
Don’t block air vents. If curtains or furniture are in front of any air vents try opening the curtains or rearranging the furniture for winter.
Keep the curtains and blinds open during the day. If the sun is out let it heat your home. Also, if there is a fireplace in the home…close the flue.
We do not have a fireplace, but if we did I would be in front of it. All of the time. Really.
This winter set some new goals and focus on heat retention in your home to put more money in your account! Hopefully, some of these tips will save you money on your budget.
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Cheers,
Michelle
Great reminders as we come up on the icky winter season again. We do use our fireplace, but we have to supplement with propane for other parts of the house.
I would love to have a fireplace! Or a wood stove.