How to save money on electric bill, etc?

We are about to be married and are going to rent a property that my grandma owns. We are excited and I had an apartment with my ex husband years ago but haven't lived on my own in a while. What are some tips to save money on our electric bill, etc, etc. What things are necessary and are not (should be common sense) but what have you found is unnecessary in a small property? What are good ways to save on groceries too? Besides coupons|||Unplug EVERYTHING when you aren't using it. Microwaves, phone chargers, TV's, workout equipment, computers, fax machines, VCR's, DVD players, etc.





Turn off lights when you leave the room.





Lights that tend to stay on longer than 15 minutes should be switched to CFL bulbs as they burn out. Do NOT use CFL bulbs in rooms in which the lights are on for less than 15 minutes.





Air dry your clothes whenever possible.





Wash your clothes in cold water.





Keep your A/C set above 76 and your heater as low as you can handle it with a sweater on.





Install low flow shower heads





Insulate your water heater





Check your windows and doors for drafts and fix or insulate





Turn off the water when brushing teeth, washing dishes, washing car








I could go on and on, but you can google yourself on how to save money on utilities.





With groceries, cut out meat, buy bulk, buy NO premade foods, and buy in season, especially from farmer's markets. You should do 90% of your shopping from around the edges of grocery stores and very little from the interiors.


Go to a dollar or discount store and figure out waht they carry. You can save huge amounts of money by buying cleaning products, household products, and even some foods at such stores.|||Solar power is great to save on energy costs. You can buy solar power panels pre-made (at a big price tag which I wouldn't recommend) or you can make them yourself. In fact there are many instructional sites government approved to make solar energy units for about $300. You get approx 5-6 hours of use out of a panel/battery (depending on size, average is about 5 hours, but you can go bigger and run your whole home on solar energy if you want). With utility rates averaging $200 a month in the summer (with a/c or central air running) you'll get your $300 investment back in less than a year... Now I wouldn't recommend running a/c's on a solar panel, too much power it'll drain the battery in the solar unit - but the smaller things at night, tv, lamps, small fans etc, you'll save lots of money..|||For every meal that you brown bag to work, you save at least $5. That quickly adds up to $100 per person per month.