Mid fall and already the utility bills are creeping up, I compare my usage from a year ago, that also seems to creep up a little.

Let's start with electricity,

First, unplug any cell phone chargers, battery chargers and lap top chargers, they draw juice even when not in use.

Second, if you got a vcr player or dvd player you don't use unplug it, the clocks on these devices still draw juice.

Third, I always unplug the coffee maker and Microwave, the clocks still draw juice.

We have battery operated clocks, been through enough power outages to know this was a must.

Get everyone in the habit of shuting off lights, kids will practice this if you teach them the right way.

Check the settings on your refridgerator temprature gauges, invest in a thermometer, the freezer should be 0 degrees and the fridge should be between 37 and 40 degrees.

Try getting laundry done in early daylight or just before dusk, I never have to turn lights on to do laundry.

I also wash most clothes in Cold, add a couple tablespoons of baking soda to the water, works with the soap better in cold water.

As you know, the washer can get way a head of the dryer, I always start with towels then go to jeans, I hang them on a clothing rack to air dry for a while, by the time they make it to the dryer, I'ved cut down the time by about 20 minutes.

Also check you lint trap, your dryer needs the airflow to work better, wash your lint trap from time to time to unclog the build up from fabric sheets and softeners.

When I have time in the summer, I will hang things outside, I know, theres not always time, but the real heavy items, can make it worth the effort.

Keep your vents clean, especially the cold air returns if you have them in your house, makes your furnace work more effcient if the cold air has somewhere to go.

We have wood stoves, not fireplaces, but wood stoves, best investment we ever made, keeps the house toasty till we turn in for the night, A cord of wood is fairly cheap, we have relatives with lots of hardwoods on their property, so we chop our own, in the spring we help maintain an area where more trees can grow, yes more trees will pop up, just got to keep the weeds down.

Check your windows and doorframes, caulk as needed and replace worn weather stripping around doors, A rolled up towel or rug works great for drafty areas.

For easy meals, I no longer load up the dishwasher, just wash them up quick and be done with it, you will save big, when I cut down on the dishwasher usage, I saw a drop of 17 dollars, and this was during august, peak air conditioning usage.

See what you can do to reduce your electric and gas bills.