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StitcherA once-a-month bill can require major adjustments to the next month’s budget, especially with how much utility costs are rising these days. And we’re over artificial “hacks” that are really just designed to sell us another product. So in this episode, Jen and Jill turn to real people and share their best, practical ways to save on utilities.
The great thing about finding what other people are doing and not just the stuff we’ve been doing is that we learn tips that are brand new to us.
Sponsors:
- Sometimes. Forget all the time and retire your nerves because “sometimes” is the new it girl. There are thousands of ways to save money, but just because you can do more doesn’t mean you should. Saving a few hundred dollars on utilities is great, but it’s easy to obsess over small wins while ignoring the money leaks costing you thousands. Sometimes you need a new money-saving tip, and sometimes you just need to focus on the biggest drains first. If you agree, subscribe to the channel—we talk about this kind of thing every week.
Where You’re Wasting Bills Without Realizing It
Your utility bill might not be the problem, you might just be looking in the wrong places. Jen and Jill break down what real people are looking out on that causes the biggest money leaks hiding in your home, from toilets quietly wasting water to irrigation systems sending hundreds of gallons down the drain. They talk about the fixes that can actually move the needle, rather than obsessing over tiny habits that save pennies.
They also talk about the biggest electricity users hiding in plain sight, like clothes dryers, pool pumps, and old refrigerators. And if your HVAC system is driving up your bill, they break down when an upgrade could actually be worth the cost. The goal isn’t to obsess over every watt—it’s to focus on the changes that can actually move your bill.
The Utility Costs You Should Question
Jen and Jill dig into how utility companies make money and how approved profit rates can contribute to higher electricity costs for consumers. The Institute for Local Self-Reliance estimates that excessive utility profits cost U.S. customers about $300 per household each year. They also unpack how infrastructure spending can push costs higher and show you what to look for on your own bill. Learn what’s driving your costs, spot where you may be overpaying, and take action to keep more of your money.
What's something people do that shocks you when it comes to wasting money on utilities?
Jen is shocked when people let the water run over frozen seafood to thaw it, while Jill can’t believe how many people leave the water running the entire time they’re washing dishes.
Bill of the Week
Thanks Sophie for sharing about a bill you didn’t want for a VPN and accepting the ‘idiot tax’.
Thanks so Much for Listening!
See us on screen! 🎥 If you haven’t already, come hang out with us on YouTube and hit subscribe. It’s completely free, and it’s one of the easiest ways to support our work and help us get the conscious consumption message in front of more people.
And if you want to take this conversation a little further, we wrote a whole book about spending money on what actually matters to you. Buy What You Love Without Going Broke is our guide to values-based spending without the guilt, deprivation, or endless budgeting. Check your local library first, or grab a copy if you want one to keep—or gift to a friend.
And keep leaving us reviews on iTunes or Stitcher, and sending the screenshot to reviews@frugalfriendspodcast.com. And don’t forget to share your favorite quote from the episode by using the hashtag #FrugalFriendsNote. 