Job Discussion Forums

[wayne432]

Ok, this is a pretty tough one, and I'm not sure if anyone can really answer.

I have read a lot of the cheapskates thread (and others) where people recommend having electrical appliances unplugged unless using them and I was curious how much that saved?

For instance, I have a messed up laptop on which the screen doesn't always turn on... so I like to keep it in suspend rather than turning it off, because it can take 30 min to get the screen working again.

So... leaving my laptop closed up and in suspend, but plugged in... how much would that add on to a bill?

[parrothead]

I leave my laptop plugged in 24/7, in sleep mode when I am not using it, and it hasn't changed my electric bill one bit since I first bought it. Then again I rarely exceed my minimum total electricity charges. Unless it's an ancient model, I venture to guess you won't save much by unplugging/turning off your laptop.

[Mapleblondie]

I'm guessing that, for most people, even if you unplug all the thing in your apartment (apart from your fridge, of course) when you go to bed, are not using them, or leave the house for a while, you'll only save somewhere between $5-15 per month. And, if you have a set amount of electricity that is already included in your monthly rent payments, you probably have even less to consider. Out of all my friends, I only had 2 that had to pay additional fees in addition to what they were allowed each month, according to their rent agreement...and they used TONS of electricity. Unless you keep every single light on all the time, and use pretty much every plug available at all moments, you should be fine. Heat and air con, though, are an entirely different story...THOSE can break the bank! Hehe.

[wayne432]

Cool, I was hoping for answers like that. Thanks.

[Mapleblondie]

Ya, that is just ONE way of saving money. And although $5-15 per month doesn't seem like much money, lots of small savings like that in different aspects of your life can really make a big difference in monthly expenses. It's really all up to you, and it depends on what areas of your normal expenses you are most willing to cut back on for the sake of saving money.