I really get a kick out of doing little things that will pay big dividends. So each of these 6 items offer a little bit of that promise. Put a few bucks in now and save more! What I love about it is that, you can run out and buy everything mentioned here and actually be richer in a year! Yes you are welcome! 
1. “SmartStrip” Surge Protector
If your computer setup is anything like mine you have an overflowing surge protector behind your computer desk that is powering all kinds of peripheral computer devices. This is where the Smart strip starts to shine. Whenever you power down your computer, it automatically shuts off everything else – printer, speakers, etc. For avid computer users, and at about $35 this one should easily pay for itself in a year.
2. Water Heater Blanket
Depending on the temperature setting you use and the location of your hot water heater, a water heater blanket can save you 10% or more on your energy bill – which for some would be almost $10 a month. A quick test to see if you would benefit from having one is to just touch you water heater. If the tank is warm to the touch, you would save money by having a blanket. If you don’t get one, you can also cut your energy bill by lowering the heating temperature on the tank.
3. Battery Charger
I remember a battery charger I had about 15 years ago and how miserable the batteries were. I had to recharge them just about everyday. Thankfully, the technology has advanced quite a bit and if you use a lot of batteries, they can be a very cost-effective investment. Energizer has a charger that charges AA/AAAs for under $20.
4. Compact Fluorescent Light (CFL) Bulbs
I have to admit – I don’t like fluorescent light. I just enjoy the full spectrum a bit better, but if “a lightbulb is a lightbulb” to you, then you might be able to save a few bucks with some CFLs. From the numbers I have heard about CFLs, the average family can easily save over $100 a year by making the switch.
5. Programmable Thermostat
Having a programmable thermostat is the easiest way to lower your heating and cooling costs. And having the house temperature right where you want it every hour of the day isn’t bad either. You can find programmable thermostats as cheap as $20 – at that price, it would probably pay for itself many times over in a year.
6. Water-Saving Shower Head
Regular shower heads can release as much as 6 gallons per minute (GPM) and some of the showerhead manufacturers have figured out how to let much less water through, but still feel like a lot. This particular one flows at 1.82 GPMs. By making the switch, “you’ll skip heating 15,000 gallons of extra water each year, reducing your energy cost of heating water and water consumption by a whopping 50 percent.”
Need more? Check out these 25 money saving gadgets, 8 gadgets to save money and go green
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I don’t own a house but hear you can save a few dollars per month from a programmable thermostat. Keep the house cool during the day, time it to heat for when you will be home. Easy way to cut utility costs a bit.
These are all awesome suggestions!
I really enjoy simple and easy to implement lists like this. I recently bought water heater blankets for a family-members rentals and we’ve already noticed a difference this past winter.
Great read!
I’m going to get some CFLs…they are worth it long term.
The shower head sounds like it has a huge payoff…not sure if I can sacrifice a good shower though. I’ve have many fears of the low-flow shower.
Eden, I am with you on that one… From the reviews of that particular shower it – they say it feels just as full… I am going to get one myself, so I will find out…
Another money saver is a product called the Green Cloth. It cleans with only water. Completely replaces paper towels and windex, and doesn’t leave streaks. Runs about $6.50 for one, with a discount for more. Pays for itself many times over in one year. I’m not affiliated with it, just love it. Check it out at http://www.greenclothllc.com
You never cease to amaze me with your great lists/tips. I am dilligently working on my personal finance website and to be sure your link will be on my favorite sites page!
Just had two CFL bulbs burn out on me (manufactured by GE). Both were less than one year old and not in high use areas of my home. Far less usage than the 5-year life claimed for these bulbs. I have several other CFL bulbs in use, and I hope they perform much better or this whole CFL push will have been an expensive joke. Not to mention how do I dispose of these mercury-filled things?
such practical tips – never heard of the hot water heater cover
Hi, just wanted to caution you and your readers that the CFL bulbs are not environmentally friendly. They contain mercury and cannot just be tossed in the trash due to contamination to landfills. They must be deposited in a special type of trash container that goes to a hazardous waste facility. It is far better and cheaper to use LED lights. Not nearly as pretty but better for our earth and, no, I am not a “greenie”. lol
I was half expecting to see “NetFlix” listed.
I took my 10 yr old and a friend to a movie last weekend. Tickets, $26, popcorn and soda, $12. $40 with gas. Two of these outings a year can pay for NetFlix for the entire year.
Joe, that IS a great idea and there are other more “family-friendly” services like NetFlix that offer similar bargains. We rarely, if ever, go to the movie theater but I do take my grandchildren from time to time. We go during the ‘bargain matinee’ time, plus between my senior discount and the student price, we save at least $7 than if I go with my adult daughter. Brenden Theaters is offering a Tuesday special: all seats are $4 and the refreshments are 50% off. Check to see if there is a Brenden Theater near you!
I already have the programmable thermostat, compact fluorescent bulbs, and low-flow shower heads, and I have seen my electric bill drop as a result. I think the nest item on the list will be the water heater insulation blanket.
You will definitely see savings by taking these few steps.
Another “pay for itself” item: Electric Hair Clippers.
My wife picked up a good quality set (w/attachments) for about $12 (it was some time ago). It paid for itself with a single haircut (we had been paying about $12 for my haircuts).
What a deal!!
Note: This works because I have a basic HAIRCUT vs. having hair “styled.”
Be careful with CFLs!
They do contain mercury and if you break one, proper cleanup can cost significantly more than the savings attributed from a full house conversion.
Here is a link for proper clean up from a CFL bulb breakage:
http://www.energystar.gov/ia/products/lighting/cfls/downloads/CFL_Cleanup_and_Disposal.pdf
Snoops article:
http://www.snopes.com/medical/toxins/cfl.asp
Basically, don’t break them on clothes and whatnot
You better know that to dispose of these CFLs in the local landfill will pollute the earth with mercury. Consult the Coast Guard with Google on the issue of this being a hazardous waste and should not be just thrown away. You should not just throw them away when they die but must pay for their disposal or pay the ultimate price of a polluted world not fit for living in.
I am so surprised that REDBOX movie vending hasn’t been mentioned yet! Perhaps they aren’t as wide-spread as I thought. But to piggy-back on Joe and Steph, REDBOX is great because they only cost $1 per day for all their movies – including new releases. If you are like me, I only watch them once then I am done. On top of that, every Monday you can get a code sent to your mobile phone that will get you 1 free movie. Every Week!
P.S. Good to know about the CFL bulbs and their effect on the enviroment. Anyone know of cheap disposal methods?
Hey guys,
This one won me a $100 on a radio station last year. To save money on movies, go to your local library and check some out. I usually get two but you can get up to five at one time near the libraries in my area. They really have alot on DVD now and they have alot of current ones. I rent movies rarely now. The cool thing is that if it turned out to be a bad movie that your not out anything. Trust me on that one, I just checked out Semi Pro and that was a waste of my time.
Thanks for the reminder. There are a few things on that list I’ve been meaning to get.
I’ve had 3 of those CFL bulbs burn out on me this year alone. They don’t last anywhere near 5 years, much less one year. Then, they have to be treated as hazardous waste once they are done. There are no savings to be had in buying CFL bulbs.
Patrick, I totally agree with you about the hazards of CFL and we have had the same thing happen with our “5-year bulbs”. Once again, our nanny state government has completely blown it by pushing these hazardous bulbs on us. I agree that incandescent bulbs use more energy but LED lights are better and no hazards! Folks who make these laws should actually KNOW what they are doing.