Be Energy Smart

A buck here, a buck there. Whenyou're an energy miser, you can savemore than just a few dollars, and it canadd up to a tax-free return on yourinvestment that may beat anything youcan get from stocks and bonds. One ofthe best ways to start chopping yourenergy costs is to log onto www.eere.energy.gov/consumerinfo, which has hundredsof conservation tips from the USDepartment of Energy. You'll find outhow savvy energy use can cut 10% to50% off your home's utility bills, whichrun about $1300 a year for the averageAmerican family. The site covers topicssuch as lighting, heating and cooling, andinsulation. There's also a guide to buyingappliances, along with some landscapingtips that can save you up to 25% on yourheating and cooling costs.