Can someone help me with this problem?

Question

My father just told the family that in order to save money on our gas and oil bill he was going to turn off the hot water for at least 6 months!
What should we do?
No one is looking forward to cold baths and washing dishes in cold water!

Answer 1

Get a job, and help with the family finances. He's not going to REALLY shut the gas off, its just his way of telling you that the heating oil and gas is killing him every month. But hell, why not just go get a job, or at least try to get one, or hell, take shorter showers. Know what I mean?

Answer 2

There may be other things in the family budget that can go instead. Maybe a family meeting to discuss what the options are and then a vote of what can be given up or cut will make everyone happy - well not happy - but cooperative. Things like cable TV and cell phones and Internet service and eating out at fast food restaurants and daily or weekly newspapers and magazines could go on the list. There are other ways to cut back on utilities as well - like turning the thermostat down in the winter and up in the summer turning off all lights drying clothes outside, mowing the lawn every other week instead of every week, walking or riding bikes for short distances instead of driving, and then there are tons of coupons you can use for shopping and also using generic whenever possible. There are so many things that we consider necessities that simply are things that we take for granted. As far as daily showers, unless it is very hot outside, you can shower less frequently and still be clean. I remember as a kid that we had to use each others bath water and there were six of us at the time.

Answer 3

Talk to Dad. I had to save Money on the gas bill, and shut off the hot water heater for most of the day, then re lit it for a couple of hours at night for dishes and showers. I gave each kid 15 minutes to take a shower. The kids understood the need to save money, and took quick showers. As a reward for doing so with out complaining, I let them extend there bedtime by a half hour. And I saved alot of money by not heating the water when no one was home using it

Answer 4

I've never heard of turning off the hot water to save on a bill..does your family ever think about just cutting down? Well the best thing to do is boil water for baths, but how are you guys cooking dinner, is it gas?...If it is gas and you have to eat out I really dont see how that's saving any money

Answer 5

You'll get an appreciation of the simple things in life then, won't you.

You can always heat some water on the stove in a pot and take basin baths and get hot water for doing dishes that way too.

Answer 6

While that will, indeed, save money on the bill, it will make everyone miserable. Of course, you could all heat water on the stove for baths and such. Of course, the electric bill will be so high from this, it will negate the savings on the gas bill, but hey.

Answer 7

Rather than taking cold baths and washing dishes in cold water, boil some water and add it to the cold water to make..... Warm water! Ta da!

Answer 8

OMG, well now you all will be taking fast showers. Look at it as a lesson in life, you will appreciate hot water more & will never take it for granted again. It's you dad honey, not much you can do, unless of course you get out & get a job!

Answer 9

oil will be cheaper this year, and is he going to shower in the cold too? Doesn't sound like a father, sounds like a meanie.

Answer 10

My family had to do that before. It wasn't pleasant, but we got through it. Just heat your water up on the stove! Just make sure it doesn't get too hot! =]