Making Utilities Affordable

Previously I posted money saving tips on getting fed and putting a roof over your head.

Everybody has heard horror stories from college graduates about living in the dark, without water, without heat during the winter, making their own underwear, huddling around garbage can fires with the homeless... the list goes on and on. Believe it or not, but living comfortably with such extravagant luxuries like internet access, a cell phone, and air conditioning during the summer can be quite affordable.

• Phone service: Do you really need a land line? Most people have cell-phones nowadays with free nights and weekends or VoIP. Who actually gets enough calls during the day to make paying more than $20 a month for land line phone service worthwhile. However if you must get phone service at home, then consider low income assistance. If you're a jobless or part time college student and you're not claimed as a dependent by anybody, then you may qualify for lifeline or link-up discounts from the government. The income cutoff level (135% of poverty level) really isn't as low as you may think. Another possibility if you make very few outgoing calls is to ask your phone company for a metered line. You'll get unlimited inbound calls, but only a few outbound calls each month (just make these on your cell). You'll have to call in and ask for this as it isn't advertised anywhere.
  
• Electricity/Gas: Save on electricity costs by using energy saving fluorescent light bulbs. Turn your refrigerator and freezer settings to the highest possible temperature without having your food spoil. Do not use the heat dry setting on your dishwasher, just let everything air dry overnight. Seal up drafty doors and windows. However, do not do this with towels. Moisture buildup will cause your walls to mold! Again, see if you qualify for low income assistance. This will only work if you're not being claimed as a dependent by anybody.
  
• Water: Cut down on your water consumption by filling your sink to wash dishes instead of washing under running water. Decrease the amount of water coming out of the showerhead and take shorter showers. Fix your dripping faucets. Only use a dishwasher when it can be filled completely. Place something heavy and large like a brick or a bag of rocks in your toilet tank, this can save 5 to 10 gallons of water per day. See the above link to see if your state offers low income assistance.
  
• Internet Access: This one is easy. If you live near campus, then just go and pick one of the many computer labs that are available. Many coffee shops, cafes, and bookstores have free wifi and most libraries let people surf online for free. However, nothing beats the comfort of home. Are free dial-up numbers offered by your school? If you want a high speed connection, then either try to sign up with a cable or phone company that will let you have a standalone connection. Do not bundle your services just to get a 'cheaper' deal. Does anybody really need 100+ cable channels? Just go mooch off of someone else...

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