Unplugged

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I'm going through one of those stages of life where it doesn't take much to excite me.  The smallest thing can bring me great amounts of joy.  Those of you who read my blog regularly have probably already figured that out.  Well yesterday we came up with an idea - small although it may be - that has me challenged and excited and running around the house in massive implementation mode.

Most of you know that we're trying our best to save as much money as possible... or spend as little money as possible.  The GEC has really pushed us to make choices about what we buy, to re-evaluate our needs, and to make more material sacrifices than we have ever before even tried to make.  We are encouraged, however, because we're nearly turning this process into a game for ourselves, trying to find new ways every day to spend less and save more.   

Yesterday we thought of another way.

One of the ways that we are trying to save money is by using as little electricity as possible.  Electricity is extremely expensive where we live and we have need for quite a bit of it, especially during the summer when air conditioners and fans running constantly, are a way of life and, quite frankly for us, are a necessity.  Basically, then, in order to keep costs down, we run around the house like crazy people switching off lights and fans in rooms that are not in use.  Thankfully, it's working.  Our electricity bills are marginally less this year than they were last year at this time.  Last month alone we slashed $50 from the amount due.  We were thrilled.

Kevin read somewhere recently that appliances, lamps, computer equipment and TVs.... anything that you have to plug in to the wall... even when they are turned off, if they are still plugged in to the wall continue to draw 10-60% of their operational electricity usage.  Whoa!  Even when turned off!  What a waste!   Although we were mortified to think that we have actually been wasting money by leaving the TV plugged in even though we're regulating our use, we were excited at the same time because now here is another chance to bring that electricity bill down even further.

Immediately when Kevin told me of his online information gem of a find, I leapt up from my lunchtime table seat and flew around the house in search of things to unplug.   How exciting!  Another challenge... another game... another way to save money.  We're so thankful.

OK gotta go... gotta find something else to unplug.  Hope your day is electric.... 

~lk

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