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Discussion Boards => Off-Topic => Topic started by: loulizlee on January 27, 2014, 08:32:21 pm

Title: Just got our electric bill today
Post by: loulizlee on January 27, 2014, 08:32:21 pm
I hope I make a lot on FC this month.  Or... how can I find a parttime job?
Title: Re: Just got our electric bill today
Post by: catherinedwhite on January 27, 2014, 08:41:20 pm
I am dreading getting mine. Seems like the heat has run constantly all of January.
Title: Re: Just got our electric bill today
Post by: Sendmicheck on January 27, 2014, 08:47:27 pm
January has been a very cold month and it is going to get worst this week.
Title: Re: Just got our electric bill today
Post by: skrogman on January 28, 2014, 01:29:50 am
I know.  It's crazy.  I have a deposit on mine yet still because we just moved into a new apartment plus the high usage of the season.  It is a big stress.
Title: Re: Just got our electric bill today
Post by: nannycoe1 on January 28, 2014, 03:35:54 am
My heat has run non stop all of January also.
Title: Re: Just got our electric bill today
Post by: hawkeye3210 on January 28, 2014, 04:36:33 am
Have been cranking the heat lately.
Title: Re: Just got our electric bill today
Post by: dwggs on January 28, 2014, 05:44:22 am
I hope I make a lot on FC this month.  Or... how can I find a parttime job?

 I hear you there .. mine was crazy last month .. can't wait to see this months bill.  LOL
Title: Re: Just got our electric bill today
Post by: Nancy5 on January 28, 2014, 07:03:21 am
Agree with all of you.  Last month's bill was crazy, dread this month's.  Also our oil bill is so darn high with this cold weather.  Today it is a warm 7 degrees, with the real feel -15!  This is nuts!  I live in PA, but it seems like I'm in Alaska.
Title: Re: Just got our electric bill today
Post by: bretay on January 28, 2014, 07:22:24 am
dont even want to talk about mine..we had a duct that had fallen and ours was way off..we were heating the underside..no heat on top at all..so our thermostat was like running on aux most of the time...
Title: Re: Just got our electric bill today
Post by: king4cash on January 28, 2014, 07:58:19 am
I am so sorry. That is awful. I have not gotten mine yet, so now I am worried!
Title: Re: Just got our electric bill today
Post by: nascar048 on January 28, 2014, 08:01:16 am
More heating all ready got bill not good... :(
Title: Re: Just got our electric bill today
Post by: kingozzy on January 28, 2014, 08:52:45 am
Mine isn't too bad for the dead of winter, next month is going to be $170, could be worse
Title: Re: Just got our electric bill today
Post by: kapeh12 on January 28, 2014, 10:57:46 am
I sure am thankful I decided to have my house sealed a couple years back when local groups were offering discounts and rebates.  My bills have been a little higher than the past couple years, but given the weather, not as bad as they could have been.  Both gas and electrical have been under $80.  I'm curious if one of them will break $100 this month or not.

So far, if anyone who owns a house is thinking about installing new windows for energy savings, I'd strongly urge them to look for a reputable contractor that specializes in house sealing.  That's where the most savings comes from - minimizing air exchange in your walls/ceiling.  You can put plastic on your windows for winter to help, but not all your exterior walls.
Title: Re: Just got our electric bill today
Post by: debidoo on January 28, 2014, 11:32:43 am
The last two months mine has been lower but then I am in central Florida.  I dread the hot months because we run the air non-stop and the bills are outrageous and almost impossible to come up with the money to pay them.  I guess its either high bills for heating or high bills for cooling one or the other so I feel your pain.
Title: Re: Just got our electric bill today
Post by: linderlizzie on January 28, 2014, 12:04:56 pm
Believe it or not, budget billing helps smooth out the rough spots with your heating and cooling. When they level it out, it's not such a huge jolt during the bad periods of extreme hot or cold.

Just a thought. I like it better than getting than getting those crazy high bills.  :moneymouth:



:fish:

Title: Re: Just got our electric bill today
Post by: minioncookies on January 28, 2014, 12:34:44 pm
We are on the average billing program with txu energy.. We did open our bill to a shock of a high dollar bill.. But when you need it you need it.. You can't really help when you need it.. After that also we recieved another txu letter in the mail this time it was a rewards card with 59 bucks on it and some cents.. I love txu energy because that went towards the bill without putting a hole in the pocketbook. Weirdly enough we get the rewards card every year.. I guess it's better than nothing.. but sometimes i wonder if they don't overcharge you and then later in the year repay you back for the overcharges they do.. Because according to them it's how much electricity you use as to how much you get back.. Either way it was a great suprise and it helped! Wooho!

:monkey:
Title: Re: Just got our electric bill today
Post by: bowrunner on January 28, 2014, 12:37:20 pm
My electric bill was really high last month and this month will be worse, I know.
Title: Re: Just got our electric bill today
Post by: tuyetmai on January 28, 2014, 07:37:09 pm
We got our bill last week.  Yes this kind of crazy, even here in San Diego are nice here our bill still high.
Title: Re: Just got our electric bill today
Post by: lgemini on January 29, 2014, 01:54:57 am
At the start of winter I started to cry when my bill came.    I need to find a part time job just to pay this bill!
Title: Re: Just got our electric bill today
Post by: schoolvan on January 29, 2014, 02:08:40 am
Yep it has been a rough month this deep freeze can end anytime know I'm in Northern Pennsylvania. Temp -5 with winchill -25 to -35.
Title: Re: Just got our electric bill today
Post by: mawhite63 on January 29, 2014, 03:44:01 am
Believe it or not, budget billing helps smooth out the rough spots with your heating and cooling. When they level it out, it's not such a huge jolt during the bad periods of extreme hot or cold.

Just a thought. I like it better than getting than getting those crazy high bills.  :moneymouth:



Yes - this!

We don't do balanced billing through our utilities, but I do that myself by setting aside the average heating payment over 12 months in a budget. Our home is gas heated, and January through April are crazy high months.

But what I do is I have an average set aside that I budget, and in the warmer months when the heat is smaller, I 'bucket' that money and set it aside. That way once January rolls around, I've got a few extra hundred in my gas 'bucket' to pay the extra over my average.

I do have to say though that January 2014's gas bill was a whopping $50 higher than the January 2013 gas bill. I've got on thermals, two layers of sweat pants, turtle neck sweaters, hoodies, and a sweater on top of all of that, and I'm still freezing here!

 
Title: Re: Just got our electric bill today
Post by: msmoneybags48 on January 29, 2014, 04:47:03 am
My hubby paid ours yesterday.  It jumped from $110 to $203 this month.  Mostly, I turn off lights to conserve energy but, given this weather, we have had to use space heaters and run our propane gas more regularly.  I am telling you that I awakened to 10 degree weather this morning, down from 23 degrees yesterday.  I will be glad when spring hits because this is too much. ??? ??? ??? :bad: :thumbsup: :rainbow:
Title: Re: Just got our electric bill today
Post by: moon29 on January 29, 2014, 08:42:26 am
we have ours set for budget billing so i dont have to worry that one month its going to be a huge surprise however i do only allow the heat to be turned to 67 in our house during the day at night i turn it down to 64.   its all about limits i would rather put on a sweater and socks and toss on a blanket then i would raise our budget billing amount.
Title: Re: Just got our electric bill today
Post by: pmagalei on January 29, 2014, 08:47:01 am
Can't complain, it has been cold and the kids needs to be warm. This month has been so cold for us lately. I wish I have a wood stove to try and save some money on electricity. But Hopefully It will get warmer a little bit so we can start conserving on electricity.
Title: Re: Just got our electric bill today
Post by: monnee on January 29, 2014, 11:26:14 am
I don't even want to receive one, but I know I will and it's going to be huge due to the cold weather.
Title: Re: Just got our electric bill today
Post by: akee318 on January 29, 2014, 11:28:22 am
I am not looking forward to getting these Winter electric bills.
It has been extremely cold in Illinois.
Title: Re: Just got our electric bill today
Post by: mjoseph1 on January 29, 2014, 12:32:12 pm
mine was a bit higher also, using extra heaters to try and keep the gas bill down
Title: Re: Just got our electric bill today
Post by: jracki on January 29, 2014, 01:49:06 pm
My place won't let us crank the heat. We live in an apartment where we pay for heat & hot water included. Can only go up to 72 unless you get a doctors note to go higher. How awful is that!
Title: Re: Just got our electric bill today
Post by: plennis on January 29, 2014, 02:54:08 pm
Our electric bill seems to run about 45 - 65 every month. It seems to average itself.  We have done just abut everything we could in the last 3 or 4 years to save on all of our energy costs.  We are looking at going solar here shortly. 
Title: Re: Just got our electric bill today
Post by: wadee1958 on January 29, 2014, 04:21:29 pm
I am dreading getting mine. Seems like the heat has run constantly all of January.

i had a high electric bill for january too.  its been so cold here, i hate to hear my heating system that means by bill is going to be high.
Title: Re: Just got our electric bill today
Post by: loulizlee on January 29, 2014, 06:39:18 pm
I was reading today that February is expected to be colder than usual, too.  We have all-electric and keep the thermostat on 68, but our bill is much higher than ones I've seen listed here.  We used to have budget billing, and I think we will try that again.
Title: Re: Just got our electric bill today
Post by: cwillard1 on January 29, 2014, 06:51:41 pm
I was considering budget billing but we just moved into an apartment and I have to wait awhile they said.   Living in the deep south the electric bills are high during the summer usually not so bad during the winter but, this winter they are higher since we seem to be freezing every month.   Very crazy here.
Title: Re: Just got our electric bill today
Post by: champak97 on January 29, 2014, 08:47:29 pm
The electric bill has steadily increased over the past few months. I dread receiving bills.
Title: Re: Just got our electric bill today
Post by: bob1tina on January 29, 2014, 11:34:56 pm
My electric bill in the winter is always expensive.  It usually runs between the high $300's to the low $400's my tailor needs a lot of weatherizing.  My floors need to be replaced and new skirting and insulation put under the floor the ducks and chicken have pulled it out.
Title: Re: Just got our electric bill today
Post by: raven1114 on January 30, 2014, 12:20:40 am
Ours went down about $20, I'm hoping to get it down even more.
Title: Re: Just got our electric bill today
Post by: Timberlan127 on January 30, 2014, 01:49:51 am
Our electric bill was almost $100 more than it usually is in January. We just got it yesterday. I couldn't believe it. But my husband said it's because the heat has run a lot more than usual.
Title: Re: Just got our electric bill today
Post by: timvolley on January 30, 2014, 05:24:28 pm
my bill isn't too high I try and limit my usage and I always try and turn everything off when not using.
Title: Re: Just got our electric bill today
Post by: camellia0 on January 31, 2014, 11:57:14 am
I wish FC could pay my utility bill too! Especially this winter. The bill is so high.
Title: Re: Just got our electric bill today
Post by: Skyenkit on February 01, 2014, 10:47:08 am
During winter our electric bill is little lower but during the summer it is so high due to a very hot weather and airconditioner doesnt stop running.
Title: Re: Just got our electric bill today
Post by: jkhanson on February 01, 2014, 11:33:57 am
Our electric bill is about $90 higher than last month.  Yikes!  Next month will be sky high also because Minnesota has had many days of FRIGID weather and wind chills......
Title: Re: Just got our electric bill today
Post by: lguzman1 on February 01, 2014, 11:36:41 am
Thank God my electric bill is not that much and I also have it on a level pay plan, so I know exactly how much it will be.
 :)
Title: Re: Just got our electric bill today
Post by: crisstar on February 01, 2014, 11:40:57 am
If you don't want to heat the entire house, considering getting a portable heater(s) to heat up only the rooms you're going to be in. Also, you can wear thermals, dress in layers, and buy extra blankets.
Title: Re: Just got our electric bill today
Post by: betlynjua on February 01, 2014, 11:41:54 am
We just got our bill the other day also.  I really thought it would be lower since my husband and I don't run the central heat but occasionally use space heaters in various rooms instead.  Of course I'm dressing with several layers as well. Our bill was about $50.00 higher than the previous month.  I must say that I'm a little disappointed.  Maybe space heaters use more electricity than I thought. 
Title: Re: Just got our electric bill today
Post by: Dynamite2013 on February 01, 2014, 12:48:21 pm
We got ours for the month and it was more than our mortgage. boy was I in shock. I know we had a bad season but I didn't expect it to be $150 more than usual.
Title: Re: Just got our electric bill today
Post by: melissaotto1982 on February 01, 2014, 02:10:34 pm
This winter is kiling our pocket book too!
Title: Re: Just got our electric bill today
Post by: mrisha on February 01, 2014, 03:58:48 pm
I got my Electric and Gas bill and it almost blew my mind at the big increase of both.
Title: Re: Just got our electric bill today
Post by: darkxtsuna on February 01, 2014, 10:41:02 pm
My electric Bill went way up as well its just BS on how much it increased.
Title: Re: Just got our electric bill today
Post by: lhz123 on February 02, 2014, 04:32:21 am
Ours went up also cos of constant running of heat whole day.
Title: Re: Just got our electric bill today
Post by: natashaspy on February 03, 2014, 05:28:21 am
we got ours a few days ago, went from 250 to 367.  will be so glad when spring comes and we can open windows and turn the heat off lol :-X
Title: Re: Just got our electric bill today
Post by: bremer51 on February 03, 2014, 07:45:15 am
Our heating bill was insane.
Title: Re: Just got our electric bill today
Post by: colbtrist on February 03, 2014, 07:50:00 am
Well I thought it was just my house. My bill went from 245 to 369 in one month. I have had to run our heat non stop and with the kids being home so much, with the weather and all they have been here running it up. I am ready for spring so I can keep my windows open!
Title: Re: Just got our electric bill today
Post by: aflyingmonkey on February 03, 2014, 07:58:10 am
Mine is $250.  I don't have a job and unemployment is not enough to pay my house payment.  I don't know what I am going to do.  I have looked for a job and even had job interviews.  But then that is the last I hear.
I am seriously wondering if a past employer is giving me a bad reference or a personal reference is saying something bad.  And unfortunately I did have that happen once.  I still got the temp job but I am like "why would you say that about me".  I don't get why somebody that is suppose to be your friend would say negative things about you to a potential job recruiter.   I don't know.  Seriously thought they will just have to turn it off and I will deal with being cold.  FC doesn't pay enough to make much of a difference.  Although I am happy to get what I do.

Get someone you know to pose as a potential employer & have them call your former employer for a reference on you to see if they are saying negative things.   If an ex-employer is saying things that prevent you from getting a job, they can be sued, so most will only say that you worked there & the length of time & the pay.   

There are some state/city agencies that will help you pay your utilities.   There are some non-profits as well.   I believe, at least here in CA that the utility company themselves will cut you a break if you can't pay.....otherwise it is directly through state/federal aid.    Just run an internet search.    Good Luck
Title: Re: Just got our electric bill today
Post by: makeblessed on February 03, 2014, 08:04:34 am
Have not received bill yet; but I know it is going to be a shocker! our electric company is offering a plan where you can sign up and spread the payments out, since they know it's been such a bad winter and customer have used and needed more heat the usual, so we will be signing up!!!
Title: Re: Just got our electric bill today
Post by: ljrjess69 on February 03, 2014, 08:49:58 am
I got my electric and gas bill,,,WOW was it high
Title: Re: Just got our electric bill today
Post by: gaylasue on February 03, 2014, 09:32:43 am
Our electric bill isn't too bad ($76 for last month), it's our propane gas bill that drains our budget!
Title: Re: Just got our electric bill today
Post by: LenoraMinogue on February 03, 2014, 02:37:12 pm
Yes, the electric bill has been pretty brutal here too. I'm hoping for a little respite soon.
Title: Re: Just got our electric bill today
Post by: countrygirl12 on February 03, 2014, 03:37:01 pm
Mine is $250.  I don't have a job and unemployment is not enough to pay my house payment.  I don't know what I am going to do.  I have looked for a job and even had job interviews.  But then that is the last I hear.
I am seriously wondering if a past employer is giving me a bad reference or a personal reference is saying something bad.  And unfortunately I did have that happen once.  I still got the temp job but I am like "why would you say that about me".  I don't get why somebody that is suppose to be your friend would say negative things about you to a potential job recruiter.   I don't know.  Seriously thought they will just have to turn it off and I will deal with being cold.  FC doesn't pay enough to make much of a difference.  Although I am happy to get what I do.

Get someone you know to pose as a potential employer & have them call your former employer for a reference on you to see if they are saying negative things.   If an ex-employer is saying things that prevent you from getting a job, they can be sued, so most will only say that you worked there & the length of time & the pay.   

There are some state/city agencies that will help you pay your utilities.   There are some non-profits as well.   I believe, at least here in CA that the utility company themselves will cut you a break if you can't pay.....otherwise it is directly through state/federal aid.    Just run an internet search.    Good Luck

I seriously need to have someone do that.  As far as help with the bill my county is out of funds.  I already called them.   I don't know if our electric company will do that.  I'm thinking probably not cause they seem to get kicks out of turning people's off :-(
Title: Re: Just got our electric bill today
Post by: WVGAL51 on February 03, 2014, 03:58:41 pm
I just got my electric bill..It doubled from last month...I'm not happy