tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-167249566593331659.post7806037034445139108..comments2008-11-24T11:18:04.675-05:00Marcyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18265483075223570536noreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-167249566593331659.post-56228369997297630472008-11-24T06:18:00.000-05:002008-11-24T06:18:00.000-05:00Like Kacie, I've been budgeting a set amount each month for a moderately high amount. During the months when the bill is lower, I transfer the excess money to my ING Direct "electric" fund. During the highest-costing summer months, I can draw whatever is needed from that fund. Fortunately I never needed it this year, so that means I have extra savings (earning interest) I wouldn't have had otherwise! But even though I have that extra savings, I'm going to stick with this plan for the sake of self-discipline, and I'll reap the rewards over time. That will come in handy if the country's economic woes affect me personally.<BR/><BR/>One more note: I've also dipped into my ING Direct "electric" fund for winter preparation, because it's an investment in lower heating bills.Darrenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12287312864943887802noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-167249566593331659.post-17668407821058757152008-10-23T16:59:00.000-04:002008-10-23T16:59:00.000-04:00Marcy,<BR/>I love your site. I was not aware of this program. My husband and I are going to sit down to see if it will work for us. We were a dual income family but, now I have decided to stay home with the new little one. So, budgeting and savings has become my new middle name. This may just be the thing for us. Thanks so much for all your posts I really enjoy checking your site out daily. HannahHannahhttp://www.inmylittleblog.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-167249566593331659.post-20737984036766595952008-10-23T14:37:00.000-04:002008-10-23T14:37:00.000-04:00I do the budget plan too- the only discouraging thing is every July you make "catch up" payments if energy costs go up- as they have every year!<BR/><BR/>Here's another idea- buying things on layaway<BR/>http://theworkingmomblog.blogspot.com/2008/10/making-purchases-on-layaway.htmlJanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13198311755040372256noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-167249566593331659.post-28066483943955091492008-10-23T14:00:00.000-04:002008-10-23T14:00:00.000-04:00Coco - from what some of the other commenters are saying, you have to be in your house for 1 year to sign up for the budget plan. I would go ahead and call your local companies to check regardless. It wouldn't hurt to ask.<BR/><BR/>Thanks so much to all of you for commenting and sharing your thoughts! :-)Marcyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18265483075223570536noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-167249566593331659.post-5004450471434411862008-10-23T10:40:00.000-04:002008-10-23T10:40:00.000-04:00WOW, this is a smart idea.<BR/>I have a question though, we are getting ready to move into a house, would you need to be using the same company for a while to do this since you wouldn't have any previous bills? If you know something about this I would love to get the info!Cocohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17574280997449461813noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-167249566593331659.post-65412482231023397912008-10-23T09:56:00.000-04:002008-10-23T09:56:00.000-04:00After living a few years where utilities were covered in our rent, we bought our own home. The first few years the highs were awful and I couldn't wait for the lows. I recently signed up for the budget for both are electricity and gas. It was just too hard durning the winter heating season. I think I will be happier having a steady budget.Pamelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03327592318037148763noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-167249566593331659.post-9863892892903867192008-10-23T09:19:00.000-04:002008-10-23T09:19:00.000-04:00I love "level pay", the only downside is that you have to have lived in your house for at least a year.Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04954105277732966131noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-167249566593331659.post-61370274448010812792008-10-23T08:41:00.000-04:002008-10-23T08:41:00.000-04:00We live in the desert, so, after we had lived in this house for one year (the minimum you have to before signing up), we signed up.<BR/><BR/>Rather than facing $400 electric bills in the summer, we pay $200 a month all year around.<BR/><BR/>It is so worth it when you do not live in a year-round temperate climate. I also see it as a challenge to get my usage down each year so when the settlement time comes, they owe me money!Julianahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13082164995344817280noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-167249566593331659.post-79211594896186944432008-10-23T08:06:00.000-04:002008-10-23T08:06:00.000-04:00I just signed up with our electric company to do this. I think it is the only way for our family to go!! I love your site and visit daily for great new ideas.Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11072416312665223579noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-167249566593331659.post-21861320557825228202008-10-23T07:56:00.000-04:002008-10-23T07:56:00.000-04:00I don't do the budget billing. Our electric bills range from $55 to $89 at their lowest and highest, but I'd rather not pay $70 per month or so.<BR/><BR/>Instead, I budget for $89 or so per month (it's only been that high once) and I try to keep our electric usage to a minimum. <BR/><BR/>Most months, I have a little extra wiggle room in my pocket, and I don't have to wait for a refund check at the end of the year.Kaciehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03068520824047487960noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-167249566593331659.post-28499915323560201982008-10-23T00:04:00.000-04:002008-10-23T00:04:00.000-04:00I love this post. We have also been doing the "equalizer" plan as it is called by our utility company since we went from 2 to 1 incomes 4 years ago. This is awesome for people who like to budget and don't want any unexpected surprises. We actually had ours re-evaluated a couple of months ago and it dropped by $35.00 a month. This was a direct result of some energy efficiency changes we made to our home i.e. CFL, Cellulose insulation, air sealing, etc. My FIL owns an energy efficiency company and is an expert on this. It has been in the news around here lately that our utilities should be dropping by 13-20% due to decrease in cost of natural gas. I am pumped about that!!!!Meganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12899081561673203205noreply@blogger.com