To say that times are hard these days is an understatement. The cost of living is really taking it’s toll on most households, and these are not only limited to the middle class. Even the affluent are feeling the pinch of the economic crunch. Which is why any type of tip or advise on saving or cutting on some of these costs are very welcome.

If soaring electric bills is one of your main problems, then here are some tips to help you reduce this cost to more manageable levels. Hopefully, these tips will be able to bring peace of mind to those who have been pulling their hairs trying to manage their budget. I have compiled these tips based on practicality and ease of application. Read on, employ the recommendations, and note the difference in your electric bill in the succeeding month. Some may seem nomadic to a point and absurd, but they do work.

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Try to make it a point to turn off the lights when you leave a room. Also, do not turn the lights on when you don’t really need to. Sometimes, we just keep the lights on because we are afraid of the dark (I must admit I am guilty of this, no thanks to freddie kruger and jason).

If you have not yet done so, switch your standard light bulbs to those twisty and strange looking light bulbs which have spouted out in stores all over. These compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFL) actually uses about 75% less electricity and also lasts at least 8 to 10 times longer than the standard incandescent bulbs.

· Switch the computers off, especially when not in use. One of the only reasons why we leave our computers on all the time is that we do not want to waste waiting time when it reboots, but you should also know that leaving a computer switched on and idle even just for an hour consumes as much energy as a 14-watt compact lamp which is turned on for 24 hours.

Other devices which should also be turned off when not in use include TV sets, home theater systems, DVD players, and cable TV converters. These appliances still consume electricity even when on stand by mode.

· Do not use the air-conditioning system too much. You may want to explore other alternatives to keep cool such as chilling in the basement, or going out for a swim in the pool.

You can also alternate the AC usage with the electric fan. Electric fans consume much less power than the AC system for similar perceived cooling effects.

· Limit the use of video game consoles and plasma flat-screen TVs. These devices are major electricity guzzlers, even when left on stand-by. You can encourage your kids to read books more instead, and have them gain more knowledge as a result.

Other highly practical, yet effective energy saving tips include:

Ø Turning the dishwasher “dry” setting off and probably hand wash the dishes that are not really dirty.

Ø Using the traditional clothesline instead of the clothes dryer. Your clothes will actually dry faster and you consume zero electricity.

Ø Opening the curtains when the sun comes up to let the sun’s energy in, and close them when it gets dark in order to keep the warm air inside the house.

Ø Dusting your lamps and light fixtures regularly as even a thin layer of dust can reduce light levels.

Ø Cleaning your microwave regularly. A clean microwave cooks faster and more efficiently than one with spills and splatters.

So, there. You now have the tips to make a difference in your electricity consumption. You can apply these in order to see a considerable decrease in your electric bills, or you can choose to completely get rid of your electric bills once and for all. From what I have gathered around the net, home-made energy sources have become hugely popular. I'll probably have this one as my next hub content. I hope I have been helpful so far.