Eliminating Electricity & Gas Bills

LCrashBeejy on 04/09/2020 - 15:30

I think this community may be able to help me with some ideas for a new initiative of mine. I have been trying to virtually eliminate my gas/electricity spend lately and am trying to come up with innovative ways to keep my power bills as low as possible.

Here are the things I have implemented so far

  • I have 2 power banks I rotate and charge in my apartment complex garage. I use these to keep my phone powered
  • I don’t use any traditional in-built ceiling lights. I have a few solar camping lanterns I use as my primary light source
  • I only use cold water for bathing, washing etc.
  • I do not use any heating or cooling
  • I don’t do any cooking, only eat cold things. Predominately canned tuna & salads. I also have been making a no bake protein slice (peanut butter, rolled oats, canned black beans) which has been cost effective high calorie food
  • For all my internet and entertainment I only use my phone, which as mentioned above is charged from the power banks

It really just leaves me with my fridge as my only source of power draw. Does anyone have any innovative ideas on how to keep things cold without powering a fridge? Obviously I do not need refrigeration for my tuna. However, my salad ingredients last longer cooled and my protein slice requires cooling for it to set properly.

Any ideas are greatly appreciated.

Home & Garden

Comments

  • [Deactivated] on 04/09/2020 - 15:35
    +274

    Dude… I have no words…

    • nomoneynoproblems on 04/09/2020 - 16:26
      +92

      Troll thread 100% 😂

      • WreckTangle on 04/09/2020 - 19:47
        +13

        Thats what i thought but member since 2018

    • robberbutton on 04/09/2020 - 21:00
      +10

      I've got 3. "What the fark".

    • anonymous01 on 04/09/2020 - 23:50
      +21

      I do. "A human was born to enjoy life and all the things life had to offer, but all he cared for was some numbers printed on a piece of paper with some ink, which he mistook for his wealth and money. Now he lives in misery." Ffs, I am a cheap f***, but this is crossing the line.

      • aimon on 08/09/2020 - 13:54

        Where is that quote from?

        • peterpeterpumpkin on 08/09/2020 - 14:13

          The writer was anonymous. Here's the original quote: http://shorturl.at/iFN45

        • anonymous01 on 08/09/2020 - 14:28

          My drunk mind.

        • Gnostikos on 10/09/2020 - 01:27
          +1

          Where is that quote from?

          It's just a lame, new age paraphrasing of either Timothy 6:10: "The love of money is the root of all evil" or my personal, all-time favourite quote about money, Thomas Jefferson's words: “The modern theory of the perpetuation of debt has drenched the earth with blood and crushed its inhabitants under burdens ever accumulating.”

  • Nice one baby on 04/09/2020 - 15:36
    +38

    Car you buy an electric car and charge it for free in the garage? Then you would be able to use a camping fridge in your car for free. Or do you have a cold mountain stream nearby? You could place your items in a dry bag under the running water? Or you could forego it all and live in a park and not worry about rent.

    • CrashBeejy on 04/09/2020 - 15:47

      I have considered a camping fridge and solar panel set up. However my apartment does not get much natural light. Also the initial set up cost is a little prohibitive and it would take a while to recoup the cost.
      I assume the electric car is a joke. While I do like the idea of being able to charge the car for free, it is definitely not in my near term future due to the high cost.

      • dizzle on 04/09/2020 - 19:11
        +25

        I think he's joking about more than the car

  • toniyellow on 04/09/2020 - 15:36
    +75

    you and this guy would be great friends https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/382306

    • monky on 04/09/2020 - 15:41
      +40

      "It started when they had some friends over and wanted to use it for some sausages after I had already started a risotto."

      I'm actually crying this is the funniest thing I've read this week

      • Soothsayer on 07/09/2020 - 12:15
        +1

        So much comedy gold in that thread, I read it every time it comes up.

        My favourite is stealing the neighbours power for a (presumably) loud as hell blender, and wondering why it's not okay because he didn't have to hop their fence to get to it.

        All of that effort to save a measly $300 a year..

    • ronnknee on 04/09/2020 - 16:40
      +23

      Haha I guessed what the thread was about before opening and I was correct.

    • JimmyF on 04/09/2020 - 18:38
      +2

      I was thinking the same thing……

    • l005e on 05/09/2020 - 07:30

      Haha good lord

    • Lastchancetosee on 05/09/2020 - 08:51
      +4

      Happy OZB memories.

    • kaleidoscope on 05/09/2020 - 15:52

      OP says he doesnt use heat for cooking and only cold salad and tuna… So How can they be friends

    • RogerSyd on 05/09/2020 - 17:19
      +3

      Remember that thread.. was fun to read

    • Xpertbastard on 05/09/2020 - 20:10

      Classic post

    • Zachary on 06/09/2020 - 14:53

      hahahahahahahahahahahaha!!!!!!!

    • firedolphin on 07/09/2020 - 14:19

      lol, that thread was GOLD!
      it would be great to have that thread open for comments again！

  • monky on 04/09/2020 - 15:37
    +10

    Ice.

  • Xistn on 04/09/2020 - 15:41
    +8

    Sounds like my Uni days……

  • WoodYouLikeSomeCash on 04/09/2020 - 15:42
    +2

    This right here is what I call a true OzBargainer!

    • striker5950 on 06/09/2020 - 22:34
      +4

      no mate, ozbargainers spend alot of f#@king dosh. this guy is the lord of cheapskates

  • Presence on 04/09/2020 - 15:43
    +16

    Maybe you could avoid showering (just use the rain) and not flush the toilet? Think of all the money you are wasting on water!

    • CrashBeejy on 04/09/2020 - 15:50
      +1

      Water bills are included in my rent, so fortunately it is not something I have to worry about.

      • JIMB0 on 04/09/2020 - 17:30
        +69

        Make your own hydro-electric generator powered by the free water.

        • ozbjunkie on 05/09/2020 - 19:58
          +6

          Can't type. Still laughing.
          Excellent suggestion.
          Would reveal whether op is interested in minimising environmental footprint or just minimising the bills.

    • bobbified on 04/09/2020 - 15:50
      +2

      Flush what toilet? You don't need to flush anything if you're like this guy: 🤣😂
      https://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/brisbanes-all…

  • bobbified on 04/09/2020 - 15:43
    +2

    I only use cold water for bathing

    What about in winter? And please don't say you don't need to because you "don't sweat" in winter!

    • CrashBeejy on 04/09/2020 - 15:49
      +2

      The cold showers dont really bother me, honestly it is something you just get use to it. I actually read somewhere it is good for you, not sure on that though.

      • lgacb08 on 05/09/2020 - 07:19
        +1

        Your kidding, no way normal person can stand a cold shower in melbourne winter, you will need to wear nappy for the next half hour unless you don't mind wet underpant.

        • s1Lence on 06/09/2020 - 03:21
          +2

          I did that in Melbourne winter, it's a lot easier if you shower mid day when the weather is not as cold. First few seconds of the cold can suck but after that it kinda feels good and once you get out you feel warmer than you would if you had a hot shower.

        • skittlebrau on 06/09/2020 - 11:36

          I cringed reading that part.

          During a time when I lived in the tropics, I used to have cold showers because it was genuinely refreshing but I couldn’t imagine doing it in winter in South West WA.

  • DashCam AKA Rolts on 04/09/2020 - 15:44
    +78

    Get yourself incarcerated, no power and gas bills. You'll get hot showers, electric lights and better food than you are currently consuming.

    • CrashBeejy on 04/09/2020 - 15:51
      +19

      While I do like the out of the box thinking, I like my freedom too much. Although I am in Melbourne so I do not really have that anyway. Maybe this suggestion has merit.

      • DashCam AKA Rolts on 04/09/2020 - 15:52
        +10

        In Melbourne? Same as being at home in lock down, but no bills!

      • prophet on 04/09/2020 - 16:38
        +5

        I was going to guess you're in QLD for not having hot showers. You're intense.

      • dsar on 05/09/2020 - 00:52

        You mean… in the box?

      • blorx on 06/09/2020 - 09:05
        +7

        OP - I like my freedom too much. Also OP - Here's 500 rules I abide by to save 4 cents and impacts my freedom.

      • Dontdoit on 06/09/2020 - 23:55

        What crime can you commit that will give you 3 to 4 months in jail?

        • WaterMark on 07/09/2020 - 08:52

          You could do a trivial crime that would not lead to sentencing. Just don’t apply for bail and you’ll remain in remand until your sentencing.

          Remember, Just don’t drop the soap whilst you’re in there…

          • dizzle on 07/09/2020 - 21:13

            @WaterMark:

            Remember, Just don’t drop the soap whilst you’re in there…

            Unless you're into that sort of thing.

    • kale chips suck on 05/09/2020 - 12:26
      +6

      This is actually a thing for some elderly people in Japan now. Petty theft - jail - no longer homeless.

  • Hithere on 04/09/2020 - 15:46
    +4

    Assuming this isn't a one post wonder troll thread have you considered a kerosene fridge OP.

    Very cheap to run.

  • ty99234 on 04/09/2020 - 15:47
    +16

    You will still pay for supply charges even if you don't use any electricity/gas.

    • jaimex2 on 04/09/2020 - 15:51
      +6

      Yeah, I feel like until you disconnect your utilities you're just peeing into the wind here.

      • perhaps on 04/09/2020 - 17:31
        -4

        hook it up to neighbors power haha

        • truetypezk on 05/09/2020 - 17:38
          +3

          Assuming you are not simply stealing their power without their consent, this might be a good way to save/share the supply charge I suppose? Just get a simple meter on an extension cord. Should not be a problem as long as the wattage is not too high which isnt a prob for OP.

    • CrashBeejy on 04/09/2020 - 15:53

      Yeah definitely, I figure there is not much I can do about this. Still worth trying to minimize whats in my control. I am not quite committed enough to go free range and live off the land entirely.

    • kale chips suck on 05/09/2020 - 12:29

      I don't pay gas charges and the gas network runs past my house. I'm in Melbourne and was connected.

      I'm not sure if you could do it in an apartment though. I doubt it.

  • cookietime on 04/09/2020 - 15:48
    +31

    Member Since
    11/10/2018

    Great first post. Thank you for your contribution to the community. It really got me thinking about how much power I could have saved…

    I was going to make some popcorn and watch the comments but then, I would have to use electricity so maybe I'll just drink tap water and watch the comments.

  • [Deactivated] on 04/09/2020 - 15:52
    +2

    Im outa here

  • Jolakot on 04/09/2020 - 15:53
    +34

    Actually your usage of powerbanks would cost you more than just using an outlet!

    The average cost of fully recharging a phone each day for a year (365 full charges) is about 60 cents total, or 2kwH.

    If it costs you $12 for a decent Xiaomi powerbank, then it will take you 20 years of daily usage to break even.

    Worse for the environment due to extra e-waste, and worse for your wallet because good luck getting 20 years out of a battery.

    • CrashBeejy on 04/09/2020 - 16:00
      +5

      Thanks this is good info. The powerbanks I actually already had lying around, I believe they were gifts. It does seem like the electricity cost to charge a phone is almost negligible. So may not be worth the hassle of always going down to the garage and rotating powerbanks.

      • Jolakot on 04/09/2020 - 16:17
        +17

        If it takes you 5 mins a day to swap them out, then over a year you're spending 30 hours to save 60c, and I'm pretty sure your time is worth more than $0.02 an hour.

        If you're doing this all to save money, then you should really write down the $/hr of effort you're putting in. If it's way below the amount you could earn in the same time from somewhere like uTest/Mech Turk/etc, then it's just plain better to do that instead.

        Or alternatively, get extra shifts/hours at work. I'm pretty sure every single expense you're trying to save money on would add up to less than you'd get from a single shift at woolies.

        • Ozpit on 05/09/2020 - 13:31
          +13

          Plus OP hasn’t factored in the cost of wear on the soles of his shoes every time he goes down to the garage to rotate the powerbanks. Then again, maybe he goes barefoot to keep his overheads down.

          • skywards on 05/09/2020 - 14:11
            +6

            @Ozpit: And naked so less clothes to wash.

          • Zachary on 06/09/2020 - 14:59
            +2

            @Ozpit: Probably recycle tissue boxes into shoes…

    • bamzero on 05/09/2020 - 12:53
      +3

      Plus they are not 100% efficient so every discharge and recharge will probably use more power than just running it directly.

  • bobbified on 04/09/2020 - 15:57
    +5

    Does anyone have any innovative ideas on how to keep things cold without powering a fridge?

    If you move next to a supermarket or 7 Eleven (or both) you don't really need a fridge. I live above a Woolies and my fridge is usually almost empty because Woolies already keeps everything cold for me.

    • CrashBeejy on 04/09/2020 - 16:01
      +2

      I live relatively close to a supermarket (walking distance), so I could do frequent shops. That does not solve being able to set my protein slice though. Unless I took it the supermarket and put in the freezer sections for 20 minutes.

      • bobbified on 04/09/2020 - 16:03

        protein slice

        Is that like a protein bar? Do they need to be refridgerated? I see them on the shelf all the time.

        • CrashBeejy on 04/09/2020 - 16:10

          This home made one does, otherwise it doesn't really set and stays at a loose consistency.

          • MilkDrinker on 04/09/2020 - 21:08
            +1

            @CrashBeejy: Buy an ice box/esky/insulated storage box.
            Turn on freezer and freeze items
            Stick items in esky, stick esky in fridge
            Turn off fridge
            Items dethaw, go back to turn on freezer stage.
            Profit?

            • inasero on 08/09/2020 - 09:51
              +1

              @MilkDrinker: Don't even need to use a fridge/freezer
              Just buy frozen and refridgerated goods on a frequent basis from retail outlets…keep the esky wrapped in a woolen blanket and in the shade…make sure to use the frozen goods not long after they've been defrosted

              Theoretically this method would work but it might be a false economy:
              - Is your time worth the money you save in terms of frequent visits to the shops?
              - Increased wear on your shoes/bicycle/car in travelling to the shops
              - Increased risk of food spoilage (particularly in summer)
              - Decreased ability to make savings from bulk purchases and storing them in the fridge/freezer
              - Huge inconvenience factor at having to make frequent food shops and also inability to free leftovers/batch cooking
              - Increased risk of food poisoning from incorrectly stored food - leading to medical expenses and lost wages

              Most small fridge/freezers will cost at most 1kWh/day to operate (around 25-30c). Is it really worth all of that to save, what, $110 per year?

              I think your biggest savings in personal expense would come from finding a cheaper place to rent. If you could negotiate even 30c off per week off your rent (or find a cheaper place to live) your savings would be enough to run that fridge

              • MilkDrinker on 08/09/2020 - 11:33

                @inasero: Yes true, also with the price of eskys being ridiculous you may as well buy a highly efficient chest freezer that can run off as low as ~$50 a year because of it’s heavy insulation. If his original fridge was middling quality he could save around $40-150 a year.

                He could also bulk buy protein slices when they go on special and store them for further savings. Considering the main/only? perishable is protein slices you can store a lotta meat in 350L.

  • jaimex2 on 04/09/2020 - 15:58
    +8

    Here's how I would do it:

    1. Disconnect my power and gas completely, thats service charges gone which is most of what you pay for daily.
    2. Buy a 100 Ah AGM batteries, a solar panel, a solar charger, and light 300W inverter (second hand)
    3. Live life for free off my new ~$500ish setup.

    Get a second hand camp fridge and cook on a fire pit using scraps of wood from the local park.

    Bonus points if you cut your water too and live off rain you catch and boil.

    • Kangal on 05/09/2020 - 15:12
      +3

      This.
      And for transportation, he should look into using a MTK bike. As for fuel, he can goto homeless shelters to get free food, so that he can cycle harder. Not to mention planting his own vegetables in a garden somewhere.

      I think for us average tightarses, a house with lots of insulation, running water, some air-conditioning, 5G connection, a Solar Panel, Lithium Battery Power Wall, and an Electric Car is more than enough. And to own the home and land too, so that there's very little fees (council, water, electric) compared to Rent. That means only cost are: Food, Electricity, Internet, Water/Sewage, and Council.

      But even relying on Petrol cars, low insulation, NBN costs, Netflix, Gas connection, Take out food, No Solar, No Lithium Power, and paying Rent… despite all that, it can still be achieved on a reasonable budget.

    • Zachary on 06/09/2020 - 15:01

      Bonus points if you cut your water too and live off rain you catch and boil.

      Go down the beach or pond and steal a bucket of water…

      • Ughhh on 06/09/2020 - 18:29

        Go down the beach or pond and steal a bucket of water…

        Please don't…the medical bills will cost more than the money you save.

        • jaimex2 on 07/09/2020 - 10:22

          Eventually you'd build up a tolerance

          • abb on 07/09/2020 - 17:19
            +3

            @jaimex2: You can actually drink dirty pond water for the rest of your life.

        • Zachary on 07/09/2020 - 19:58

          You'll be fine as long as you boil the water and get that distilled water to drink with or shower with…..

          • Ughhh on 07/09/2020 - 20:16

            @Zachary: Are you speaking from experience or what you think?

            What equipment you gonna use for the salt?

            • Zachary on 08/09/2020 - 16:04

              @Ughhh: I'm speaking from what I think. Just get one of those pipe tube thingies(I don't actually know what they're called) that takes the steam from the boiling water which condenses and turns into distilled water, and then leave the salt and any other crap that doesn't get turned into steam and get go back and get a new batch of water, rinse and repeat.

              I'd do it now but im too lazy to get myself one of those pipe tube things(I dont even know where you get them from…lol - i guess custom made?) and create my own batch of distilled water from ocean water or pond or river water or any other source of water…

        • Trojan on 08/09/2020 - 13:59

          Does Medicare cover his medical bills?

  • cauilfield on 04/09/2020 - 16:08
    +2

    Get a Tesla powerwall :)

    • Zachary on 06/09/2020 - 15:02
      +1

      Got 10k?

  • kusama on 04/09/2020 - 16:22
    +1

    Can you hide a small fridge in the garage?
    I used to put Dell cardboard boxing around my mini fridge at work to pass inspection. It was really obvious but somehow worked for people not expecting it.

    There might be some USB mini fridges that could keep your protein slice cool enough

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