Electricity Challenge Update

Ok, meter reading today is: 14407 - that's 112 units in 8 days, averaging 14 units a day.

Down 0.6 units, not bad but not great either. I woke up on Saturday and himself had left all the lights on, he was last to bed.

I gave in and dried some clothes in the tumble dryer after using up all the radiators - we have a toddler so go through a lot of clothes each week, that can't have helped.

The biggest positive changes I've made are: I've started to put lids on my pots when cooking, I've cut down on the tumble dryer, unplug everything and as the heat is on we have hot water for washing dishes and are cutting down on the dishwasher....

Edited to note: I'm sitting in bed with everything switched off and unplugged except my laptop. I've even switched off the bedside lamp so everything is spooky and the only light is from this screen. I'm taking my challenge seriously - plan to average 13 units a day this week!

The Great Electricity Saving Challenge

So I had a look at my electricity bills between August 2011 and February 2012 and we use 14.6 units a day on average.

Now the challenge, to cut it down.... what can go, not the TV!

I've decided to tackle the tumble dryer first, so I threw one load of clean clothes on the clothes airer and one load on the radiators - I'm quite proud of myself :-)

Next I'm taking to going around the house like a lunatic turning off lights and unplugging everything.

My meter reading as of Sunday evening is 14295 - I'll keep you updated on my progress...

Shop around

My mum always says "Get at least three quotes for everything" and I hate to admit it but she's right.

My car insurance was up for renewal lately and I shopped about, a few phone calls and half an hour on line and I saved.... €100 on my renewal quote :-)

I put all the car insurance providers in an Excel spreadsheet and get the quote amount, the excess, windscreen option and breakdown assistance in the columns. That way when I get my quotes I can compare them easily.

I'm delighted with myself. I make myself shop around for everything lately and I'm amazed at the difference.

Beep Beep!