O/T some what. But with the gas Prices$$$$

[debhun]

Have any of you all had to cut back or redo their home to make it cheaper. Well I had to. As Gas goes up so does our light bill. We just can't pay for the high bills in the summer any more. When we turn on our central heat and Air there went $200.00+ more a month. Well as of last night we got the last window AC. Right before we turn off the central one Hubby went and looked at the light meter and it was going around so fast would make your head spend. Then we turned it off for good. Then he went back out after we turn on the window AC's and it was moving so slow. I can't believe it. I also stopped using the dryer. I hang out our wash now. If you only knew how much I hate doing this. But I don't have to go up and down the steeps any more. Hubby made me a line with a pulley. It works great. I don't have my arms above my head any more. We turn off the hot water heater too in the day time. But I do use my dish washer only 3-4 times a week. Don't take it all away from me. I can't stand that long to wash the dishes. Doing all this to try and save money. last year our light bill would run $ 250. up to $300. a month. in the off months our lights run $180. We have a very small home. about 1200Sq feet. There is no reason why it should be that high. Any ways this is what we have come to. We grow our own vegs and can them for the winter. we have chickens for eggs and to eat. We are trying to get down to old times here.
Has any of you all had to do any thing like I had too do?
Something has to be done about the gas prices. Cause it is making everything go up as our pay stays the same.:mad:

Sorry if I was wrong to write this.

Deb

[Pamster]

You weren't wrong to write this Deb, it's really crimping everyone's wallets and they say its only going to go higher, which I just cannot believe! I mean I know its going to, but it's just impossible to think of how we're going to get by when it does. Our family is just having as much trouble as the next family trying to pay for food and gas, it's just terrbile how much food has gone up and yet our pay is the same.

If it wasn't for food banks and charities to help with power bills I don't know what families like mine would do. Even WITH that help it's darn difficult to make it. Fifty dollars fills my little 16 gallon tank and that has to last two weeks. It's just been awful trying to make it these days. :(

I feel for you having that much of a power bill to try to tackle. It was already hard at $2.50 a gallon to make ends meet, but now it's a real struggle. I would gladly take back the $2.50 a gallon days anytime rather then face two bucks more then that. *sigh*

[houghchrst]

No more driving around listening to the radio, that really bums the little one out. We bought one of those new front loading washers and our water bill has dropped $20 a month so I know our gas bill has gone down a bit for the water heater. I have considered shutting down the gas to the stove when we don't use it as the pilot lights are just burning up gas. Which reminds me I think I will have the BF go down tonight and shut down the furnace. Duh, didn't even do that last year. We just turn it down. I had to change my pharmacy because there is a Rite Aid, which I hate, about 5 city blocks from me, and my Walgreen is 2 miles straight down the road from me.

I have actually cried when I have seen gas go up because it is so frustrating and makes me so angry and leaves me with such a helpless feeling because I know there is nothing I can do about it and it is something I have to have.

[Cervie Barb]

I've been thinking about putting in a woodstove and re-routing water lines higher so they don't freeze without the furnace going.

Problem: How am I going to cut wood, feed the stove, and do all the other refurbashing while in this pain? If we mask it with more pain relievers, we will surely do more harm to our bodies (spine).

So, yeah, it's something I think about all the time. Hanging out clothes instead of using the dryer is causing pain flares for me. I'm growing veggies, and planting put me down for 3 days.

I barely made it on SSD before these price increases. I guess this is a good way to reduce the population - some of us may freeze to death this winter!

Good luck everybody, and take care.

(I may be slightly depressed today - lol.)

[Kathi49]

I know that this is hurting everyone. But just wanted to say that recently I read, for people that are still working, they are taking Friday's off to conserve on gas. I know you can do this in the government with flex hours. And my own daughter is working 10-12 hours a day to have Friday off. So, that may help a bit. As for myself, our home is all electric. But there was something about Indiana and coal and the electric is going to go up too; forget what the percentage was. But they want to revamp the whole system. And since I am retired I really don't drive around every day and don't have an SUV. So, that helps a bit there. Other than that we are doing some remodeling and might as well do it now before my husband retires. But again, I know that is just getting really bad.

[Pamster]

My husband thinks it's going to get to $7 or higher before the end of the year. It just rips up any thought of savings you know? And I just hate the idea that it's going to be so expensive to go to dr appts. But it already is. :(

[Mary Diane]

I have been waiting for over 26 months for a court date for disability, and right now I have no income. I am totally dependent on my daughter and my elderly parents for my support. My sole income is my food stamps which were just reduced to $10 per MONTH!!!!! What on earth are you supposed to be able to buy with $10 a month? A can of coffee and a jug of juice? A box of cereal and a gallon of milk? Geesh!!! This month I bought a loaf of bread, some coffee creamer and some romaine lettuce that was on sale. I had enough left I got a 2 lt of diet Coke, now I have .91 left for next month.
LOL, I know, don't spend it all in one place.

My point is, before I got hurt I worked, had full benefits, loved my job, and had really good prospects for advancement. Now, I feel like I am such a burden to my family, they never complain, but I'm the one who feels bad. Why should my daughter who is just out of college be responsible for supporting me? Our caseworker basically informed her that she is. I hate our DHS. They do absolutely nothing to help improve a family's feelings of selfworth. This is what I trained for, and where I was going to go to work until our state's hiring freeze.

This winter, we our closing off the upstairs of our house, and only heating part of the downstairs. It just costs too much. We don't drive near as much as we used to, and when we do, we try to car-pool. We do full loads of laundry, and dishes, take short showers, etc. All the greenie things we can think of. It's not that we are concerned with the environment, it's our wallets!!! LOL (shhhhhh don't tell the greenies!!!)

Love and guilty one-armed hugs,

Mary Diane *cg06

PS I can't wait for my court date, I am so tired of being broke *ack

[Mark N]

MD, good luck with the court date.

My wife and I have already decided to get a new furnace as our's is old and 60% efficient. We have no insulation in the walls so our heating bills have run into $400/ month range and with home gas mirroring gas for the car we don't want to double our heating bill. I walk to most things since many of my hangouts are within two blocks of the house.

When I was in college I saved by eating pancakes for 2 of 3 meals since it only cost $1.25 for a box of mix. We aren't anywhere close to living like I did when I was really poor so we just make the adjustments we need to make.

[911]

the energy is hurting us to , thankfully we are not in maine for the upcoming winter as i know we couldnt afford the iol to heat a home however the ac down here in florida is definatly stinging , last months electric bill was 200 bux so we have taken measures to cut down on our use of the central ac and other things that use electricity , as for cars and gas we have a car and a truck well the truck sits most of the time unless we need it infact i have thought of getting rid of it as it is a gas guzzler , but in short like everyone else we are cutting where we can , if there are any other good ideas out there not mentioned yet , please put em up ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, Dave

[debhun]

the energy is hurting us to , thankfully we are not in maine for the upcoming winter as i know we couldnt afford the iol to heat a home however the ac down here in florida is definatly stinging , last months electric bill was 200 bux so we have taken measures to cut down on our use of the central ac and other things that use electricity , as for cars and gas we have a car and a truck well the truck sits most of the time unless we need it infact i have thought of getting rid of it as it is a gas guzzler , but in short like everyone else we are cutting where we can , if there are any other good ideas out there not mentioned yet , please put em up ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, Dave

Dave believe it or not but we bought 2 window AC and now the meter is not running off the pole.LOL My sister in law came over and could not believe how cool it was in my house and the meter was moving very slow too. We just got them and I just started hanging out the wash. Our bill just came to day was $245.55:eek: so now we will see in a month if it will work or not. it cost us $7.39 per KW:eek: this past month.

[LKAHMS]

I made some choices had I known the way we were headed I might have done things differently...
I started real estate in 2005 right after the big bang started to slow...now I am really having a hard time as the market is at a stand still. (this summer is better but I am not seeing it in money). I may be looking for a new job in the fall once the kids go back to school.

We also bought a SUV so I have a monthly car payment and a huge gas guzzler. I don't regret buying it though I love it.

We gave my 16 yr old daughter the use of my old mini van (which looks great now on gas- I have to use it as often as I can) and my husband drives a diesel truck. For now his employer pays his gas so at least that helps tons as he drives allot each wk he is in the "field". We have our daughter pay her own way on gas and insurance. She works about 1 mile from home.

I started shopping at Aldi.
I go there once a wk. My 8 yr old son loves to come w/ me and see how much we can save. We make a game of it!

There is also another store that I go to about 10-12 miles from here about once a month that is employee owned and only takes cash no credit cards...I can save allot of money shopping there.

I make as many casseroles as I can and am very conscientious of left overs and not wasting food.

I only go to the chain grocery store if I have to. The hard part is it's practically in my back yard so it's convenient.

I have gone back to watching the sale ads and will send my daughter out on Sunday to get the "specials" before they are gone.

I try to wash all clothes in "cold" water. I got a brand new dryer & it is energy efficient has a sensor on it for when the clothes are dry and it turns off. I want to get my clothes line put up but my husband has yet to do that.

I am not using as much central air this yr either.If we can get by our windows are open.
In the winter we turned out heat down a bit and that helped. My husband also closed some vents & the with our 2 story house the heat does rise and if need be add another blanket to the bed.

I never had a gas/electric bill much over $225.
The last one just came and it was $160 for a family of 5 I don't think that is too bad.

Showers are limited in time...we have a timer & I make the kids use it.
NO more dilly dallying in the shower get in and out.
I also run the dish washer on the least/fastest setting...still does a good job and uses 1/2 the soap and I am sure less water.

I cut back on the home phone service as well.
Went w/ the cable internet phone.
Got a deal for 1 yr at a great rate. The money I saved over having a land line phone pays for my cell phone.
When the yr is up I'll probably go with Vonage.

I cut back on the dog food changed brands.
The dog now eats Purina One (still pricey) but cheaper than the pet store brands. The cat eats whatever is on sale....I am lucky she is not a picky eater.
I don't rent DVD's any more. I get them from the library free for a 7 day rental. All our books come from the library no more brand new books. This summer we are doing more "FREE" things or very low cost w/ the kids.


So yes, I am very aware of the changing economy.
I think most people are.
I am blessed that my husband has a good job & we never relied on my income before (I was a stay at home Mom) so whatever I bring in is extra.
We also have savings to fall back on.

[Pharmacist.steve]

When the yr is up I'll probably go with Vonage.


Look at www.viatalk.com .. now offering two lines - two years $199.. been using it for about one year... no complaints

[Nana4&cntn]

Thankfully several years ago I had the windows in my house replaced with energy efficient ones. At the same time I had the house sided with vinyl siding and the pink side insulation, my brother had his crew blow in insulation prior to the siding. My electric and gas bill were cut in half. We have public power here, which I think has kept the bills down.

I buy all my groceries close to home and look for items grown near here. I also go to the Farmers Market and get good deals and much fresher produce! I gave up gardening years ago as I couldn't keep up with it. I do miss my yummy things. I watch for sales and use coupons whenever possible.

I do very little driving, usually to doctors appts and to my daughters so I can help with my new little granddaughter.:) When I am in that area, I do shopping at the stores we don't have near me. Luckily all my family is with in a couple miles of me, and we get together frequently, usually potluck type of BBQ.

I haven't bought any new clothing or much of anything else for ages. I need to get rid of a bunch of things, so maybe a big yard sale is in the picture, and i get rid of things to pay for my gas!;)

Luckily or unluckily I am single and live alone. I just have to be very careful with my money. I have to ask my children for help with the heavy yard work and moving things I am unable to do. I am so thankful for their help as I cannot afford to pay someone to do the big stuff and I have a huge yard.

I also hope to hear other ideas to cut expenses.

[Kathi49]

Kathy,

I am lucky from the standpoint that the grocery store and mall are very close to me. It is the doctors that are far away except for a couple. I liked the idea of having new siding put on. We need to do that too since our house is all wood with a brick front. And we have discussed it. But the house just isn't all that old yet. Ugh, I hate the painting though even though we don't do it. It is just that it has to be done every so often. Anyway, my husband was laughing the other day because my car is 3 1/2 years old and it just turned over to 12,000 miles the other day. So, that just goes to show you I don't drive a whole lot either. I feel blessed in a sense that I don't have to drive to work anymore or I would be having a fit. Then again, where hubby and I both worked was only about 5-10 minutes away.

What I am getting tickled at and am seeing it more and more is the "silver hairs" (no offense intended to anyone), are driving Mopeds! I saw one guy on his Moped just cruising down the road with a McDonald's bag in his cart...silver hair was just fluttering in the breeze but he was saving gas and getting his McDonald's fix LOL! Heck, if I weren't so afraid of driving one of those, it might be a good idea. :)

[goldenmain]

I had a hunch about 4 years ago, just when my chronic pain started that I needed to get my lifestyle changed, because I couldn't work like I used to to keep up with the Jone's anymore. I lived in Fl at the time and had been thinking about moving and living a more simple life. I started researching real estate in Kentucky to find some land. At any rate last summer I found a beautiful piece of property in North East AL. I had went on a journey with no time schedule to find a place that felt good to my gut to live a more relaxed life. So, after 10 days of travel I found this place. I put a deposit on the land and went home to FL to liquidate my three properties. Luck was with me, because I sold all three in 2 months time and actually made money on them in horrific real estate market. I gave up my business of a good $60k a year and finally got my private disability insurance activated with my docs help of course. All this was happening in slump real estate market and rising gas prices, they had just started going up and it was getting scarey. Now a year later I am so happy I made the decision. I have 10 acres, a new paid off huge brand new manufactured home with dry wall and all up grades,(just like a reg. built home. I love it! I am growing all my own fruit and veges, buying my meat and having it butchered, got my barn started and will have chickens for eggs, a cow for milk products, fresh caught fish in the freezer, also bought a horse I wanted so badly, a wood heating system (without smoke in the house) but heats for free from our own timber, I have say I am flat broke except for mine and my mom's disability checks, husband got lucky and got a job 2 miles from home, it doesn't pay all that much but living in a rural area he would have had to travel 50 miles for a better paying job and spend 5 times the gas that he does now, so lower wage would have came out the same reguardless , so it comes out about the same with the gas prices going up. I think more folks are going to try to get back to the old way of living, because everything is outrageous in cost and is still going up. Sometimes we get feelings and thoughts from our guardian angels, we should pay more attention to those hunches, because a load of worry has been lifted for me. I hope other's really start changing lifestyles before it's too late. This country is going to pot fast and I feel another depression is possible. To all those who can think serious about it. Good luck in finding your way to survive in this messed up economy and good for those of you for doing the same. I'd rather be low on money this way than struggling the way I was. I hope more of you can figure a plan for your selves as some of us have. God Bless and take the economy serious. Only problem!!??? finding that good PM doc that is not too far. As for me I do have to travel back to FL to see my doc, but planes are still cheaper than driving$138.00 round trip if booked in advance. Some doc"s if you have been a patient for a long time are willing to see you only 1 time every 2 months and take care of you long distance. Good luck americans, I pray for all everyday. Take Care

[911]

i am thinking about that option , it kinda makes sence so i am waiting to see what you all say ??? the thing that i found that saves some money is the compact florecent light bulbs when we moved we took what we had in our old apt and put those in the new home and bought enough to finish out the house in them , they do make a diffrence ,,,,,,,,,,,, Dave ps , steve we use vonage with few complaints the only time it gets a lil odd is when your useing the computer when a call comes in but for 25 bux a month way better than anything else we have tried

[Kira]

For those in the US... I wanted to let you guys know about the federal & state energy assistance programs (LIHEAP). This is a government-funded program to assist with energy costs. The application process & amount you can get is different from state-to-state, but it is something to look into. In some areas, there are also additional programs through the energy companies themselves.

I applied this year and was able to get a substantial portion of my gas/electric bill covered. Even if you don't qualify for other things, like food stamps, it is still worth looking into because the income cutoffs are a bit higher than for some other programs.

Here is a link about LIHEAP programs overall, with links to each state's energy assistance program: http://liheap.ncat.org/sp.htm

And, since Deb is in North Carolina, here is the link for North Carolina's energy assistance program: http://www.dhhs.state.nc.us/dss/energy/index.htm

(It looks like you have to apply in November for the North Carolina program... here in WI, we were able to apply from October to April... it varies a lot by state).

For other things (like food), it may also be helpful to look into what state and local assistance is offerred in your area. I stopped working in November and had no income at all until a couple of weeks ago, when I got my first check from my disability insurance... so I had to rely on family & also swallowed my pride and applied for whatever assistance I could qualify for. I did manage to get FoodShare (food stamps), which helped a lot. Around here, there is a website where you can answer some questions (anonymously) and find out what benefits you will probably qualify for. Then, you can apply for the ones you need, online or on the phone or in person.

This is the Wisconsin website: http://dhs.wisconsin.gov/em/access/index.htm

I am sure there are similar things in other states. If your state doesn't have a website like this, you can still call your county's Dept of Human Services and ask what services are available and how to apply.

It can be hard to ask for help from some of these programs, especially if it is your first time. But it is not something to be ashamed of... if you really need the help, that is what these programs are there for. For me, it was because I couldn't work anymore due to my disease, and needed some temporary financial help while waiting for all of the disability claim stuff to get sorted out. The extra help with food and energy costs really helped a lot.

[Lil E]

We put in new windows and doors a few years ago and it has saved us a lot. We use fans and swamp coolers instead of AC, they use the same amount of electric as a fan. You can put refrigerated water and ice in it.

We're both disabled so we don't go much of anywhere, we have people come over for a simple BBQ, hamburgers, hot dogs. Everyone brings something, we have a good time.
inexpensively. I also get a yearly State Parks card, its good for admittance and parking at all state parks in California, a lot of them have swimming and camping, they're very nice. I take my nieces during the week when I can, their mom works.

Hopefully things will get better if everyone pitches in.

[Spiney]

I have gone back to the old energy saving tricks I used when I was a single mother and sole support of two children.............as a spiney. The hot water heater is a beast. It is on for four hours a day......maybe six hours back when the kids were at home. Durring this time, everyone showered (quickly), the dishes were washed, laundry that required warm water was done and any cleaning that required warm/hot water was done. By the time the work was done and the last person bathed, the water was cold and I turned that bad boy off for the night. There is no point in keeping water that is not being used hot.

[Mark N]

Donna, It is good to hear you were able to find the place you wanted. It is nice to live within our means and not have the hassle of trying to keep up. With my disability my wife and I changed our lifestyle [four years ago] by moving to a small town with low housing cost. We moved into a 6oo sq/ft home that is just a block from the town square. We have many of the things we want to do in walking difference such as restaurants, banking, dentist, work for my wife, school for the kids, and the town has extra wide streets which are good for my walking. Other needs are a short 5 min drive or less from our home.

I hope you continue to enjoy your new lifestyle as my family has enjoyed our adjustment.

[LKAHMS]

although at this point I am really not ready to move or make a change like that ibut
it has crossed my mind.

My husband was offered a job in kentucky...the cost to live there vs. here is quite a bit we could buy a nice place and actually end up saving quite a bit.
The thought of the city life and the gang activity and crime etc. is what gets me really thinking of the simple life for my kids.

Move to kentucky and get a nice place for 1/2 the $ we pay now & not worry about the bad crap here in the city. Seems like there is a shooting every other wk in our paper and more and more gangs. Traffic is terrible too.
I then come back to reality and realize I am a city girl at heart, all my family is close by and it would be hard to leave that behind.
I do see the advantages of it though...Get a double wide, some land, and live off the land.....
The ONE major thought that occured to me was medical care if we needed it.

This is a great thread by the way...

[Mary Diane]

My mother had to do her annual college catering job today, for like the 17th year. She sent me to the grocery store because she forgot to pick up a few things when I took her to the supermarket the other night. OMG!!! I knew that prices had gone sky-high, but I hadn't realized that a # of oleo qtrs. had gone so high. They have doubled in price!! Milk is $4 a gallon, I will only eat bakery bread, so I buy whatever type is on sale. This week it's white bread for .99 a loaf, yippee!! Crackers are cheapest at Dollar General, and so is Folger's Coffee. We live in a small town, with 2 grocery stores, a WalMart 12 miles away, other chain supermarkets 30 miles away, a Dollar General and a Family Dollar, plus other small stores, and a health food store. We also get our eggs from a farmer. Our town has 3 subsidized housing units, with plans for another, and every community around here has at least 1 or 2, or more.

We have a Council on Aging bus that provides transportation to our seniors, and meals and recreation on a daily basis. There are numerous food banks throughout both counties, as we are the dividing line between two.

Rent here runs about $500 for a small 2bed. BTW, winters can be a bit daunting, LOL. If you like snow and ice you'll be fine.

I'm still in sticker shock over the prices, LOL. I tend to stock the freezer when stuff is on sale, LOL

Love and one-armed hugs,

Mary Diane *cg06

[suede]

The increase in gas prices is wearing real thin and has put the cost of everything up.
DH drives a semi (hauls steal) and his work is so slow we are about to go under, every week the co. he works for loses more accounts as more GM plants close.
He has looked in to changing jobs and going back to driving box trucks and hauling groceries as that is one need that will always be there, the problem is the 90 day waiting period for insurance to take effect, we can no way afford cobra as we have used all our saving up.
Our vehicle (SUV) pretty much sits except for necessary trips, Dr. app. and pharmacy, store, we have considered trading it in but I just can not get in and out of anything lower then our SUV.
In Jan. we had all new efficiency windows put in and insulation ad siding then last summer we had a new efficiency furnace put in, though with the cost of natural gas going up the bill has not gone down as much as we hoped even though we set the thermostat much lower.
I don't know but it sure is scary to me, I just didn't see life going this way at this age, however I'm sure none of us did.

[debhun]

well I read the meter and so far it is down from last month. not quite in half but almost. We did 2 things. I don't use the dryer and we got window AC's. It is nice in the house all day. at night I am cold and need a blanket. we leave it on the same temp on all 3 of them 69. Hubby is hot. But if I was using the big Central ac we would be talking $$$$$$$. So it has worked for us they will read the meter this week. So we are talking about $165. to where it would have been over $300.00 well over.


deb

[Spiney]

although at this point I am really not ready to move or make a change like that ibut
it has crossed my mind.

My husband was offered a job in kentucky...the cost to live there vs. here is quite a bit we could buy a nice place and actually end up saving quite a bit.
The thought of the city life and the gang activity and crime etc. is what gets me really thinking of the simple life for my kids.

Move to kentucky and get a nice place for 1/2 the $ we pay now & not worry about the bad crap here in the city. Seems like there is a shooting every other wk in our paper and more and more gangs. Traffic is terrible too.
I then come back to reality and realize I am a city girl at heart, all my family is close by and it would be hard to leave that behind.
I do see the advantages of it though...Get a double wide, some land, and live off the land.....
The ONE major thought that occured to me was medical care if we needed it.

This is a great thread by the way...

Think twice before moving to a "budget" state if you have medical issues. A little over a year ago, I moved from the boondocks of KY to one of the larger cities. I live in a section eight apartment for the elderly and handicapped but am paying market rate for it as I am still on a waiting list for a section eight voucher. I will most likely wait another year. In the meantime, I am spending more than half of my disability check on rent. Thank heaven for food stamps.

More and more doctors are refusing to take on new Medicare and Medicaid patients in KY like many other states. We do have a good clinic that will take new patients for general care but heaven help you if you need to be referred out to a specialist. I was fortunate that I was established here (medically) before I moved. I had to find a new primary doc at the local subsidized clinic but was already seeing specialists here.

Before making ANY move in order to save money, take a look at the big picture and make certain that the given area can meet ALL of your needs. Best wishes to all.

[debhun]

Yep Yep Yep The light bill was $165.00 Mom&dad was 155. But they have some gas things in their home. And My Brothers well his went up big time. He was trying the fan down the hall where the thermostat is. Didn't work. So now I am going to have dad put in a timer for the hot water heater. I am going to beat the light co one way or the other. The guy that read it asked if we didn't use the air. Told him yes but not the big one. I am so glad it has gone down. I hope it will go down even more next month.


Hugs
Deb

[markm]

Hi all,

I remember a time when I could just jump in my car and go for a drive just for something to do, or to clear my head. Of course in those days, petrol cost peanuts; now it's been taken over by those OPEC crooks.

Regards,
Mark M