Since the U.S. economy started its recent roller coaster ride, I've received a few e-mails asking for simple money-saving tips around the home. This list is thoroughly incomplete, but here are a handful of my suggestions for ways to save a little green:Unplug consumer electronics when they're not in use -- especially electronics that get their juice through AC/DC converters. (In my house, we call these big black boxes "wall warts.") A simple way to do this is to have all of them on a power strip separate from a power strip holding your essential items. Unplug the nonessentials in one single action.
As your current light bulbs burn out, replace them with LED or compact fluorescent bulbs. The amount of energy to run these types of bulbs is significantly less than standard bulbs.
Use ice cube trays or turn on your refrigerator's ice maker only as you need ice cubes.Make a meal plan and grocery list, and then stick to your grocery list when you're at the store. Avoid impulse buys like magazines, which cost three to four times more in the grocery store check-out line than through subscriptions.
Turn off lights as you leave a room.
If you drive a car, coordinate errands so that you're not making extraneous trips.
If you're in good health, consider turning off your heating and cooling system when temperatures outside are between 60 and 80 degrees.
What are simple techniques you employ around your home to save money?
Written by Erin Doland for Real Simple's Simply Stated: Home and Organizing Blog
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