My electricity bill increased by $350 out of nowhere – here’s how I brought it back down in one month

A mum has revealed a ‘surprising’ way she has been able to save $350 on her monthly electricity bill – and the trick only took her a few seconds to execute.

Kirstie, from Queensland, was shocked when her power bill soared several hundred dollars in the span of a month.

The family was used to spending $250-$300 on electricity – an average that held strong for almost a decade.

So when the $550 charge went through on her card, the mum was stunned speechless.

Only after discussing the high cost with her partner that she realised her daughter had been taking longer showers – which in turn caused the increased price.

Kirstie set a limit for all showers in the home to last a maximum of 10 minutes, and their electricity bill went back down to $198 the next time.

The mum shared her experience on a popular Facebook group, and urged others to try out her hack if they’re struggling with the rising cost of living.

‘For those with high electricity bills, we found this very interesting,’ she wrote. ‘Our usual bill is around $250-$300, for the last eight years, in four different properties.

‘But I nearly died when our last bill came in at just over $550. I called, and it wasn’t an estimate.

‘My partner mentioned my daughter had been having longer showers – but I honestly hadn’t noticed, what’s a few extra minutes?’

The family then set a ‘timer’ to go off after 10 minutes to discern if it would make a significant difference with their bills.

‘We just got our bill and it’s down by over $300!’ the mum revealed.

Kirstie set a limit for all showers in the home to last a maximum of 10 minutes, and their electricity bill went down by $350

Many others expressed frustration over their family taking long showers.

‘My teen son takes 20+ minutes in the shower!’ a mum exclaimed. ‘I have told him a billion times over, 10 minutes only! I set timers, I bash on the door. It makes me mad to no end.’

Another added, ‘I can double wash my hair, put a treatment in, wash my body and shave in 10-15 minutes – and that’s long for me. I have no idea how to make the kids get out faster.’

A dad wrote: ‘We have a timer in the bathroom or my kids will stand there for an hour or more if allowed.’

But a mum shared something many hadn’t considered. 

‘I’m all for being water wise and super conscious of electricity costs – but I take super long showers when my mental health is in the gutter,’ she shared.

‘There could be deeper reason a lot of your kids are doing this, reach out to them.’