Save money on your utility bills

01/07/12 Update:
I’m updating this post to add a video clip I saw this morning on NBC10, this post was originally published in October of 2011.

View more videos at: http://nbcphiladelphia.com.

I’m really excited about the presentation I saw today from AlphaBuyer. Look, I can show you great grocery deals all week long, but statistics tell us that your grocery bill is only about 9-10% of your household budget. So even if we got everything for free, which is impossible, you’d still only be saving 10% at most. This is why I’m constantly studying all of our household expenses–electricity, banking, phones, cable and so on…….so that we can save in every area.

As of the 1st day of 2011, Pennsylvania joined the other states that are deregulated in electricity. How many of you (raise your hand, ha ha) are using PECO as your electric company, here in PA? We were. I did several posts, looked around at other companies when we had more options and chose a different company. And we have saved money. Probably about 10% over what we had been paying. And since PECO is always announcing more 3% and 5% pay increases, I figure I’m definitely ahead of the game by switching. But a true deal hunter at heart, I’m always looking for more savings.

I’m kind of embarrassed to say how much our electric bill is, because for our house and household size, I think it’s high. I’ve seen people’s expressions when I tell them. I don’t know what it is–we’ve had everything replaced in our house in the past 7-8 years, all the doors, windows, roof, appliances. I don’t use the dryer unless I have to, I only blow dry my hair about 8 months out of the year, I’m a freak about turning things off and unplugging them, and still I can’t get it to come down. So when I was invited to hear about AlphaBuyer, I said YES! YES I will come hear about it.

This is what they do–they use group buying power to negotiate lower rates. It’s a group discount, plain and simple. Then when one package deal ends, they have another lined up. For instance, for the next two weeks or so, they have negotiated a rate for Amerigreen, which is what is available for my area. I have two weeks to decide if I want to sign up or not, and then that deal is gone. Maybe the next deal will be better, maybe not as good, maybe the same. It’s a chance I take by passing on the deal. I actually am going to take it, since it is a bit less than what I am paying now.

Then, I’ve locked in that price for a year. So unlike the first company I switched over to in January–they had a teaser rate for three months, then my rate fluctuated. Not with AlphaBuyer–that’s my price for a year. At around 10-11 months, I’ll get reminders of my deal coming to an end, and possible new plans to sign on with. My bill doesn’t change–has been and always will be processed and sent to me by PECO. If we have downed wires, I still call PECO, like always. It’s just the supplier that will change.

So I’m driving home, and I’m thinking–there’s got to be a downside, what is it? Well, I asked during the presentation and was told–Let’s say, since I’ve signed on with the AlphaBuyer/Amerigreen deal that is going on right now, what if next month they promote a deal from ABC Elec Company (made up name) that is lower? What can I do? Unfortunately, I am still locked into the deal I’ve signed on with. Because it’s that strength in numbers that allows them to negotiate the lower price. For instance, if AlphaBuyer tells Amerigreen “Give me this rate because I will deliver 5000 new customers to you” and that’s how the deal is made. Then, if the next month, they all jump ship and go to a different company–that would greatly reduce the buying power next go around. If I’m being honest, while I am very happy with the rate that I signed on for, I would expect that as this idea catches on–in six months or so, those folks will be getting better deals than what I have. But I’m ok with that. One–I am saving significantly over what I pay now, and two–in a year, I can sign on again when I expect there to be better deals. The other bad news–only 4 states are eligible-PA, NJ, IL and MD.

If you change your mind–no worries. NO CANCELLATION FEES.

Sign up was super easy–name, address, email address & a number that is found on your current electric bill. This is really a no brainer. Go get your bill, check the rate you’re paying vs. the rate that AlphaBuyer is quoting you when you put in your zip code. If the AlphaBuyer rate is lower, sign up. If you change your mind, there’s no risk, no cancellation fee.

Other reasons I like AlphaBuyer–it’s a very local company, “Just five guys in Paoli……” as he said, and you all know how I like to support the small businesses around here. Right now, the only group buying they are doing is for electricity, but next month……..OIL! Woot! Imagine if you could lock in a lower oil price FOR A YEAR! Then natural gas, cable, phone…….you name it. There is strength in numbers! I mean think about it, next year at this time, my electric provider is going to have to work very hard to keep me…..or I will just go somewhere else for a lower price. That’s real negotiating power. If you wish to watch the video from yesterday’s presentation, including my questions, there’s the link.

Need more convincing–check out their press page, to see what the media is saying about Alphabuyer.

*Please note, this is a sponsored post, but all opinions expressed are my own. I really kinda stress over things like these, because I’m nervous that I’m going to go learn about something and then have to post about it, even if I disagree with it. My opinions on this are genuine. Honestly, when I get asked & paid to post about something spammy or scammy, I usually decline, or, I schedule it to post in the middle of the night so that no one sees it, and I don’t put in on Facebook or tweet it. I don’t share any deals or suggestions with you, my readers, that I feel are not genuine. If you’d like to see a screenshot that I have actually signed up, I can do that–but we have signed up and I am excited to be saving on my electric bill!