You don’t have to be an energy vampire to cut down your energy costs. It’s true that unplugging your unused appliances and electronics will save you money, but if you find it a tedious chore to do, select a couple of big items to start with.

For instance change your laundry setting to cold and this will save you about $19 a year on your utility bill, and plus it is better for your clothes. Unplug cell phone adapters – these can be a killer on your electricity bill.
Change you incandescent bulbs to CFL bulbs and this will save you over $5 a year over the life of a regular bulb.

Simple rules you can share with your partner and children is to turn-off the lights in every room when they are done using. I personally only have 2 rooms lit a time since we mostly spend our time in the living room or kitchen. Using the sunlight to light up a room during daytime is a great way to cut down on electricity and it gives you a chance to peek outside to check out the view. (Don’t forget to close it at night, since the “view” of the room is reversed).

Using the Power save mode in your TV’s, video game, and computer are also a one time setting that will benefit you. If you would like to test out any of these points, start following your bills on a regular basis, and the next month change.

Then compare month over month. Even if it is only $10 difference you see, that means a quarter of a gas tank for you that month is saved. Once these habits are placed into you everyday routine, you will grow to notice other simple ways to save.