Bring the troops home now!
From Germany.
As if I haven't said this often enough, our posts in Germany are a huge waste of money. I just came up with another reason why.
Remember my heater in Germany? The one that kept our house at 80 degrees, whether we liked it or not? We didn't have to pay for that heater. Nor did we have to pay for electricity, water, gas, garbage, or anything else. Well, now we have to pay for those things, and I am appalled at how expensive they are. And how much we got away with in Germany on the government's dime.
We now have 1100 sq feet and a gas/electric bill of $130. We keep our house a disgusting 80 degrees now too because we don't want to pay for more. And I can't help but cringe when I think of all my neighbors who opened their windows in the winter because it was too hot in our houses in Germany. Think of all the money it cost our government to pump heat into houses where you can't control the thermostat, houses with an additional 500-600 sq feet. Man alive. Think of all the times we had every light blazing and the TV running all day long. We never had to deal with the consequences of our electric habits.
I told my husband last night that we're going to start lighting this house with candles. I'm far too tight to shell out $130 for electricity. And it will only get worse when we buy a house.
Why, oh why, don't they have thermostats in our houses in Germany?
Posted by Sarah at August 18, 2006 09:15 AM | TrackBack$130? I wish! Our electricity bill was slightly below $200 last month and that's LOW for around here! We have a/c but rarely run it. With dh gone, we don't use 1/2 of the electricity that we normally use.
But I hear ya on the Germany issue. As for thermostats...they probably don't have them because they would be "too expensive" to install...
I'm big into energy-conservation and since we've become home owners, I've learned a few tips: 1) If you have ceiling fans, run them because they cost less than 1 cent/hour and can make a huge difference during the summer months 2) Keep your thermostat at 78 during the summer and 68 during the winter and your bills won't be so crazy 3) This is just my thing...I always keep my windows open during the day and take advantage of the sunshine so my lights are usually off until late into the evening.
As you can see, I'm pretty tight with the electricity but it pays! I agree with you...I'm sure the waste in Germany was shameful. If I can keep our electric bill a penny under $100/month, I feel like I'm doing pretty well.
Posted by: Nicole at August 18, 2006 03:59 PMMore tips: Don't cook anything for yourself - just order in. Avoid the use of parties - turntables, speakers and dark lights cost money. Play more multiplayer online computer games in the dark. Whittle the number of friends you have down until it's just those you know from other blogs. Knit. Learn to dance to the songs of your dreams rather than the songs on your surround system. Sleeping is also a good way to conserve.
Yes, I hate it when we have no control of the energy usage. On the other hand, I can control what blogs I read and I always come here for a dose of excellent writing.
I don't knit, but I am a single sailor in charge of a bunch of married guys. Your blog gives me great perspective, esp. since I am deployed overseas and my guys are separated from their loved ones. I gave out your blog address a friend to give to his wife.
God bless and thanks. We appreciate it.
Posted by: Eric at August 20, 2006 02:27 PMI feel your pain on all things Germany, especially the heat, lack of AC and many other things. Although I admit that I miss it terribly in many ways and still want the chance to live their again! Isn't it funny that you can't wait to PCS from somewhere only to later want to go back!?! :)
Posted by: LMT at August 21, 2006 01:43 AM