KILOWATT OR "KILL-A-WATT"? THAT IS THE QUESTION.

Since I recently joined the ranks of the unemployed, I've been taking a harder and closer look at finances. Yes, I know, you shouldn't wait for an earth shaking event like being jobless to do that...but alas, it is those such events that get us in the mood for "money cleaning".

No, no...not money laundering...hahaha...just a long look at how well is your money performing for you. Is it going to all the right places? Take a LONG hard look at everything!

Let's talk energy bill.

Some things seem so small and simple, but they add up! Seriously!

1. Do you get up in the morning and the first thing you do is flick on the light? (Assuming you get up after sunrise)

Consider opening the draperies/shutters/curtains instead. When you can't - be sure to use CFL bulbs and consider putting your lighting on a timer. Especially if you're notorious for falling asleep at night in front of the TV on the couch - you know who you are! Hahaha!

2. Do you have motion lights that go on and off during the day in low lit areas?

Consider flicking the switch to off during the day.

3. Do you or someone in your family (my husband is our household culprit) that walks into the room, turns on the TV and then leaves the room?

Television sets are great 'sound' sitters...but are extreme energy hogs. If you're not watching it, turn it off! (and don't forget the DVR box 'on/off' switch or your VCR 'on/off' switch - oh, and cable box too!)

4. Do you have a kitchen counter lined with appliances? (i.e. blender, mixer, toaster, toaster oven, coffee maker, etc.)

In my recent quest to organize my house I took a look at all the appliances I have and how often I use them. I broke these down into three categories: 1) Use daily 2) Use but not all the time and 3) Haven't used on any sort of regular basis in years!

After considering each one, I dealt with each category. The 3's went into the donate/freecycle pile. The 2's I reconsidered more with the following questions: 1) How many times during the next year do I think I will use this appliance? 2) Is there another way to complete the task that this appliance does that takes less time, energy and space? I filtered out some more and placed in the donate/recycle pile and put the balance of the 'once in awhile used' appliances on the top pantry shelf where I can access them when I need to, but they are taking up space in my kitchen and aren't sitting plugged into the wall soaking up energy. Yes, they still use 'juice' when plugged in, even tho' they aren't "ON". Last, but not least, the 1's were also 'reconsidered'. I asked the same question of the 2's along with do I have multiple appliances that either serve the same purpose or have multiple purposes so as to eliminate one of them even tho' I use on a regular basis?

Once I got finished with the 1's - they were unplugged and found a home in the cupboard in the kitchen and off the counter. I even got rid of my coffee maker! Uh huh! Sure did! It was replaced with a English press instead which goes nicely up in the cupboard and is available for brewing when the occasion presents itself. I was left with a wide mouth double slot toaster, hand mixer, mini-food processor and blender. I also kept my multi-tasking Kitchen Aid, bread maker and crock pot. I have kept my rice cooker, which could have gone, but I find that I suck at making rice and waste more time, energy and food 're-doing' it then I do using the appliance. Better that I just keep it until I can master the art of cooking rice. Something so simple, I screw up every time! I also kept my ice cream maker for now. This will eventually go too, but for now, it's home is in the pantry for when the kids come over. I can control the ingredients and the novelty of 'making our own' still has some 'play' around here.

5. Large appliances. This is a tough one. Unless you find yourself in the independently wealthy category and can change out appliances like you change your shoes, you'll want to use what you have until it 'dies' and then do your homework before buying a new one. I have been a subscriber to Consumer Reports for years. They haven't steered me wrong yet. I'll never forget how proud I was when we had to replace our first appliance in our current home. I went online and checked out what Consumer Reports had to say. Then once I found the suitable replacement, I used CR to find out who carried the products. After I got an idea of what to expect financially, I used Google's "product search" to locate the place with the most 'affordable' price for the item I wanted. I then placed a call to my local store, asked if they had the appliance in stock (which they did) and if they delivered (which they did). They delivered, installed and took away my old one for me! I was able to finance it on a 12 months, no payments, no interest. Took about 2 hours of my time. I was so thrilled! I never had to leave my house! I have since used this same method on a number of items that I've needed for our home over the years.

6. If you're serious about really chipping away at your energy bill, consider getting a hand held device called "Kill-A-Watt". This device counts consumption by the kilowatt when connected to any appliance. You can find some HERE. This will help you find out what your biggest 'consumers' of kilowatt's are and knowing that will help you manage the use of them better. I learned that my dryer is a big kilowatt sucker! We dry as few items as possible. Nearly ALL shirts, t-shirts, blouses, sweaters, etc. are hung up to dry. Fortunately we live in a state that is warm and has low humidity so clothes dry rather quickly. Delicates are laid flat to dry and rugs are laid outside for drying. I watch the settings on my washer and dryer. After all, that's what they are for!! If something doesn't need dried in "HOT HOT" - don't.

Oh, and don't forget to share your device with friends and family to be even 'greener' minded.

7. Dishwasher Vs. Washing By Hand - I prefer to wash dishes by hand. I find it relaxing and I can control the water temperature, flow and how long it's going. Not to mention, I can control how 'clean' it appears to be. We have a small household and it would take a week, probably to fill our dishwasher before turning it on. By the time you run the water to rinse them off and scrape the plates, bowls and pans, you might as well have washed them. We run our dishwasher maybe once a week. Take a look at the reality of your household, the kilowatts used and what you can do to streamline dish washing.

8. To use the oven or not to use? Again, we live in a state that is warm most of the year and the last thing I want to do is turn on the oven. However, in the winter time, I do use it. Why? Well, if I'm going to be spending most of the morning in the kitchen cooking breakfast, dishes, etc. It's a small area and rather than turning up the thermostat, I let the oven do double duty. At the end of the baking process, I leave the oven door open a crack to let the nice warm air escape and help heat the area I'm occupying. Another consideration if there is just one or two of you, is to use a toaster oven or counter top oven. Be sure to count the kilowatt consumption of each and weigh out what is the best route for your purposes.

9. Handheld phones vs. corded phones. If you are still using a land line for phone service you may want to consider using a corded phone. Why? Hand held phones, although less restricting, require electricity. Corded phones don't. Do you primarily use your cell phone and keep a land line 'just in case'? Most phone plans come with voicemail so having an answering machine and hand sets is wasted electricity. Not to mention, if your electricity goes down...so does your phone! Not the case with corded phones. I like my corded phones.

10. Hot water consumption. Take a look at your water heater. Make sure it's running at maximum capacity and is up to code. Not only for purposes of saving energy but for safety. Most utility companies will provide you an evaluation or provide you the name of a service that will.