Reducing My Utilities Bills

The economy overall stinks but who are they bailing out...

How about this idea Mr President and Congress.

If you are a bank or financial institution and you get money from the tax payers directly or indirectly or via loan guarentees or federal purchase of loans you must agree to give a 1 point reduction in mortgage rates to ALL of your loans (you own or service).  

Also, give tax credits to financial services companies who permanently and signifigantly lower the interest rate of morgage loans. So, those institions would have incentives to lower the rates further.

I want to know what you think. I pay my mortgage on time but, they bailout the banks and people who have not paid there bills. So, why don't they be fair. Also, if the federal government or regulator aquires a loan, make sure they only pay pennies on the dollar then instead of offering it to investors allow the home owner to buy thier own mortgage at a small profit for the goverment and a savings for them as long as they hold onto that house for 5 years and agree to not aquire more debt...

Most people want to do the right thing but, the government wants to pick winners and losers. I don't want a bailout sent to a select few or even a few million I want it to help all.

Also, instead of the green jobs initative how about we enhance it to allow for 100% tax credit equal to the reduction of energy saving you have over the prior year. This incentives national energy savings encouraging spending on household improvements (help the jobs market) will not sticking the taxpayer with the bill. 

Aaron

The lowest average KWH usage on record...Trying to bring it lower

Meter Read Date	KWH Read	KWH Usage	Number of Days	Average Daily Usage	Charges this period
01/23/2009	34372	858.00	30	28.6	$ 154.64

The second lowest electric bill since 2003 (as far as the records go). I bought two more occupancy sensor switches on ebay and this should help though considering that over last year at this time I have saved $50 a month. I will continue to make incremental improvements.

Looking for more ideas I how to add more insulation by summer and may do some more work.

Aaron

Maybe it is time to revamp the tax system...

We need to move away from taxing income to taxing consumption. Much of the reason why the present economic problems we have are occuring is because we (collectively) spent more then we earned. If we tax consumption more and reduce income taxes that would encourage more savings.

Yes, raise gas taxes and energy taxes and decrease income taxes. Just an idea. 

I don't want to be taxed more just taxed differently. This would encourage savings.

Now only if Congress could not recieve any pay until the government has a surplus and starts paying down it debt.

Aaron

We had a Southern California cold month (but I think heating season is done)

Month	This Year	Therms	Daily Average	Last Year	Therms	Daily Average
	Days			Days
Jan	34	93	2.74	33	107	3.24
Dec	30	24	0.80	34	58	1.71
Nov	32	17	0.53	28	21	0.75

Still I was signifigantly less then last year and we continue to make progress.

Aaron

Saving money by offering to pre pay some accounts...Use the poor economy to your favor..

Over the last two or three months I have taken advantage of the slow economy by offering to prepay some accounts. Many vendors are receiving their money slow so, if you offer to pay them off early then they will cut you a break to get more cash.

Hint: if you offer in the beginning to do this I find they don't deal as much. But, if you take advantage of theirr free 12 month payment plan then the follow month offer to pay it off early if they give you a discount it is amazing how much they are willing to talk.

For my daughter's preschool I asked them if I payoff this year's tuition how much would they discount me (we were going to have to pay through May). Well 3% for 5 months, 7.2% per year (much better then a savings account). It worked for them and many all other regular expenses. I only did it for the providers I trust and that I believe will be around and now I will never have preschool payments again. Yippee!

I have asked and gotten discounts on almost everything by offering to prepay. The secondary bonus is that I will not have to pay most of these bills again or if ever until 2010. Too be honest I even prepaid some expenses just to make it so, I don't have to worry about them.

The total saving over $800 in reduced costs.

Another benefit it puts us closer to having 6 months worth of savings in the bank.  By prepaying or paying off all those expenses I can cut significantly how much I need to save to reach my goal.

Good luck during this economy, rather then letting only hurt you take advantage of it to save you money.

Aaron