Getting Children to Help
Children may be the hardest ones to get on board with reducing utility bills. There are two ways to get them to do their part:
- Bonuses for helping to reduce utility bills
- Fines for not helping to reduce utility bills
Bonus plan:
- Financial bonus-a portion of savings, small and consistent rewards every time they are “caught” turning off lights, taking a shorter shower, etc.
- Treat or activity at the end of every month they help reduce utility bills.
- Use balance of money in quarter jar (see below) for a specific a treat or activity.
Fines:
- Start with a jar with $5 in quarters. Every time they leave a light on, leave water running, etc. a quarter is removed and put in a jar to be used to help pay the utility bill.
- Deduct from allowance a set amount when wasting energy.
- Do extra work around house to “pay” for extra energy used.
Post a copy of the chart that comes with most utility bills where children can see it. Point out how heating and cooling costs effect the amount used some months and show how when they help (like hang up their clothes to dry, take shorter showers, and more) reduce the utility bills. Write down amount of money per day was charged for the previous month.
When children want money, to do an activity, or need transportation somewhere, let them know there is an extra $15 available because they helped reduce utility bills by .50 per day.
Yes…..you can raise children who know how to reduce utility bills!