Lights Out Savings

It's official, the electric bill is in...

My "Lights Out Challenge" was successful! I saved $15.15 last month on electricity. It was $47, two bucks shy of my goal.

That's a pound of cocoa butter, or almost a pair of decent flip flops, ingredients for a nice home cooked meal, or just 15 bucks I still have earning interest in my savings account. If you don't believe me, put on your cheaters and lean into the screen, check out the kWh chart above. If you did this every month you could end up with an extra $181 at the end of the year.

 I love saving money. I almost reached my goal, and I will admit after the first few days I wasn't always trying as hard to keep the lights off during the day. Plus- I am having a hard time breaking my little guy of his phantom "turner- onner" habits. And it's been a dark and rainy June, which required some daytime lighting after our search for the sun didn't work out.

Most of you may be wondering at this point why I am so elated over cutting back by 15 dollars? Here are a few motivating reasons:
- Empowerment. I did it myself. I took a system we all take for granted and scaled it back. No more free- flowing kWh's at my house.
-Savings. It saved me money. They even graphed it out for me on my bill. Free comparison to last year at this time.
-Respect. That $15 adds up in my busy household bringing in a small income. It represents so many other nickles and dimes, dollars and cents, and straight-up moments when we could all use a mini financial slap across the face. Makes ya think.
-Motivation. This was a small push to remind me to be more conscious of my consumption habits. Which make want to look for ways to save more cash in my daily doings.

Believe me or not. That's your business. However, if you want to get ahead making the most of your money, you need to remember this, "A penny saved is a penny earned". Ben Franklin couldn't have  said it any better. Corny, but so true.


This just motivates me to take it to the next level. I am going for a $20 savings next month, and I think I can do it. Did anyone out there join in on the Lights Out Challenge? I would love to hear about your savings experience!