My 4k a year lifestyle challenge
Saturday, February 10, 2007
For the entire duration of 2006, I kept a close note of my utility bills - I read the electricity meter every single day, changed my telephone package to the minimum available and my Internet access to fixed charge unlimited use (we all need our little luxuries). Over 12 months, electricity prices in UK rose at least twice by around 10% to 12% each time. There are people everywhere HAVING to think twice before switching on a light, never mind a heater. Coal prices have escalated, Gas prices have been hiked up repeatedly and in many regions open fires are no longer allowed. Global warming... it isn't warm here! And many cannot afford to do a thing about it. Our national newspapers refer to this as fuel poverty.
By 1st January 2007, I had changed all the bulbs in the house to low energy, unplugged all the electric heaters, opened up the coal fire and forbade the switching on of the electric water heater - the fire heats the water. One month down the line and have I noticed any difference? YES! Logs are a fantastic source of cheap heat and when they are in short supply, shredded paper, used teabags, vegetable peels etc get compressed into blocks, dried and burnt to heat the water.
Having lived on a shoestring budget for years just to afford to live whilst tackling debt, it became second nature. A reduced price chicken lasts 3 days - roast the first night, curried/stir fried the second and by day three there's a huge pot of soup been made and the remainder of the stock has been frozen for future use. Bread prices are creeping up and up and it soon WILL be cheaper to bake your own, but I have long since discovered that the secret to successful, frugal living is time management.
This time around, I'm managing the budget to the final penny and to the final hour. There are NOT 52 weeks in the year when you have to budget tightly, there are 52.14 and 52.29 in a leap year! And I am charting my daily progress in my online diary. Now that I've found this site, I look foreward to sharing in some of your hints and tips to help me successfully complete my Cyberdosh Challenge.
UK citizens claiming certain benefits can claim 4 free energy saving lightbulbs via the Powergen website. Just search for Powergen and free light bulbs.
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