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More Ways We Cut Our Monthly Bills
As our thrifty living project progressed we decided to get rid of both of our new cars and buy used vehicles. We got rid of a 2008 Audi and a 2007 Chevrolet Truck and traded for a 2006 Jetta and a 2001 Toyota pickup. Both get better gas mileage that the previous models and save us another $100 or so each month on gas. We got rid of $1200 worth of car payments by trading down to models that we could pay cash for. Because we got rid of comprehensive coverage on one of the vehicles, the pickup, we saved another $50 per month. Total savings for trading down in cars: $1350 or more a month.
Traded this, for: 
To do this we sold our eighteen foot Bayliner ski boat and Yamaha jet skis. We will buy another boat with cash once we have enough saved up.
Saving More Money Each Month By Reducing Our Electricity and Water Bills
We took a look at how much we were spending on our electricity bills and decided it was time to reduce them. On average we were spending over $300 a month for electricity for a 2200 square foot home. While this amount is typical we felt that it was still too much. It was time to replace many of the appliances that came with our home. The cheap Haier fridge was about to quit, the GE washer leaked and the dryer squeaked each time it went around.
We took a look at the Energy Star website and learned about which appliances used the least electricity. We replaced the electric dryer with a gas dryer, (propane) and our GE top loading washer with a Bosch front loader. Both used half of the energy than the previous models and the washer used half as much water as the GE. We bought a smaller fridge, a 19 cubic ft. GE Energy Star model with thicker doors and walls than the cheap junky Haier. Sorry, but Chinese made Haier appliances are junk in my opinion.
We estimate that the savings from switching our fridge, washer and dryer to be about $50 per month on the electricity bill and $10.00 on the water bill.
Our city has a rebate program that pays for almost all the cost of replacing an old 5 gallon per flush toilet with one that uses just 1.6 gallons per flush. Estimated savings on our water bill for two toilets, $5.00 a month.
Cooling Down The Attic and Insulating To Save More On Bills
To cut our electricity bills even further we hired a home energy consultant for a cost of $120 to come and give our home an energy audit. You can find out more about home energy audits at Energysavers.gov
Our energy audit showed that we had numerous leaks around our doors and windows. It also showed that our attic was 20 degrees hotter on a summer day than it should have been. The energy auditor noted that our HVAC unit was inefficient and outdated. Instead of a heat pump we had an air conditioner and a heater that used resistance heating. Since we had installed a propane tank for the gas stove the auditor recommended we use a high efficiency air conditioner along with propane heat. We installed a Trane HVAC with propane heat for a cost of $5000. Part of the cost will be repaid on next year's income tax as part of the federal energy efficiency rebates. To find out what items qualify for a federal tax rebate see www.energystar.gov
We installed solar roof vents that helped pull the hot air out of the attic without using any electricity. You can find out more about solar roof vents at Savegreenly.com
In addition to the solar roof vents we added more vents under the eaves of the home and added radiant barrier insulation. For more on radiant barrier insulation see: Radiant Barrier Insulation
Fireproof cellulose insulation.
The energy audit also showed that we did not have enough insulation in our attic. We bought forty bales of recycled cellulose insulation at Lowes and got the blower for free for one day. We doubled the insulation in our attic for a cost of just under $500. We also installed a programmable thermostat, at a cost of $70, that turns the AC down when we are away at work.
Solar Hot Water Heater Saves $30 Per Month On Electricity Bill
Drainback type solar hot water heater.
Since Scott works as a contractor he is handy with installing almost anything. We ordered a solar hot water heater system of a merchant on e-Bay for a cost of $1800 plus about $200 in plumbing costs. We estimate the savings on our electricity bill will be about $30 per month, with a payback of about five years as energy prices rise.
Summary of what we spent to save money: New Heater - Air Conditioning Unit: $5000, Solar Roof Vents $500, Attic Insulation $400, Solar Hot Water Heater $2000, New Stove, Fridge, Washer and Dryer (Used Dryer) $2100
Total cost: about $10,000. We paid for the improvements by refinancing our home at a lower interest rate and using some of the equity.
Savings per month on our electricity bill as a result of the improvements: about $150.00 per month. Payback: 5.5 years.
Savings per month by getting rid of our new cars: $1350.00
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