🔎 Disclosure: Heads up, babe: some links here are affiliate links, which means you might throw a tiny commission my way if you buy (zero extra cost to you). Only things you’d actually use and love get shared on this site.
1. Turn Off What’s Not in Use
You know those little glowing lights on your electronics?
Yep, they’re quietly eating your paycheck.
Even when stuff’s “off,” it still sucks power like it’s on vacation at your expense.
Unplug your chargers when not in use. They sip energy nonstop.
Turn off TVs and game consoles completely instead of leaving them on standby.
Unplug small kitchen gadgets like coffee makers and toasters when you’re done.
👉 Here's How You'll Do It: Make it a nightly routine to unplug things before bed, just like brushing your teeth.
Make It Easy: Consider a smart power strip that cuts electricity automatically when devices aren’t in use.
2. Switch to Energy-Efficient Light Bulbs
You know what’s wild?
Old-school bulbs waste more energy than they light up.
Swap them out, and suddenly your home feels brighter, and your bill feels lighter.
Use LED bulbs. They use up to 80% less energy.
Pick daylight tones for rooms you use most; they feel cozy and natural.
Replace bulbs one room at a time so it doesn’t feel like a project.
👉 Here's How You'll Do It: Change bulbs in your most-used spots first. Like the kitchen or the living room.
Make It Easy: Grab a pack of LED bulbs that last for years and instantly lower your bill.
3. Set Your Water Heater Lower
Your water heater’s probably running hotter than it needs to.
And honestly, it’s heating dollars right out of your wallet.
Most homes are set to 140°F when 120°F does the job perfectly.
Lowering by 10°F saves you around 3–5% on energy costs.
You’ll still get hot showers (don’t worry, no icy surprises).
Your appliances last longer because they’re not overworking.
👉 Here's How You'll Do It: Adjust the heater’s dial down to 120°F and test it with your next shower.
Make It Easy: Use a stick-on water temperature gauge so you can check and adjust anytime.
4. Use Fans Instead of Cranking the AC
Your AC is the diva of your electric bill.
Turn it down a notch and let your fan take the spotlight for once.
Ceiling fans use 90% less power than your AC unit.
Set fans to rotate counterclockwise in summer to push cool air down.
Pair fans with open windows in the evening for free, fresh air.
👉 Here's How You'll Do It: Turn up your thermostat 2–3 degrees and flip on a ceiling or tower fan.
Make It Easy: Pick up a quiet oscillating fan that cools your space fast without raising costs.
5. Adjust Your Thermostat the Smart Way
Your thermostat is basically the remote control for your electric bill.
A small tweak can save you big bucks every single month.
You don’t need to live in a sauna, just be strategic.
Set it to 78°F in summer and 68°F in winter to save year-round.
Use a programmable thermostat so it adjusts while you’re out.
Keep curtains closed during the day to block heat from sneaking in.
👉 Here's How You'll Do It: Program your thermostat to chill less while you’re at work and cool down right before you get home.
Make It Easy: Get a smart thermostat that learns your schedule and handles the savings for you.
6. Wash Clothes in Cold Water
Hot water’s great for showers, not your laundry bill.
Switching to cold water can make your wallet just as fresh as your clothes.
Plus, it keeps fabrics looking newer longer. Win-win.
90% of washing energy comes from heating water, not spinning cycles.
Cold water detergents clean just as well these days.
You’ll protect your favorite pieces from fading and shrinking.
👉 Here's How You'll Do It: Switch your washer to “cold” for every load. It’s literally one button away.
Make It Easy: Try eco-friendly cold water detergent pods that dissolve fast and clean deep.
7. Use Wool Dryer Balls
Your dryer’s one of those sneaky appliances that quietly drains your power every time you do laundry.
But here’s the twist. A few little wool balls can speed up drying and save you cash.
They bounce around, separate your clothes, and make hot air flow better.
Cut drying time by up to 25%, meaning less energy is burned.
Skip dryer sheets. They’re wasteful and don’t actually help dry faster.
Clothes come out softer and less wrinkled, so you’ll spend less time ironing.
👉 Here's How You'll Do It: Toss three to four wool dryer balls in with every load and watch your drying time drop.
Make It Easy: Pick up a set of organic wool dryer balls that last hundreds of loads and save you money every cycle.
Hey, I'm Lily! I'm a mom who's really good at two things: stretching a dollar and talking about stretching a dollar. I created Money Vice after one too many grocery trips where I watched my total climb and thought, "There's gotta be a better way." Spoiler: there is. Think of me as your money-savvy friend who's always got a tip (and coffee in hand).
