DIFFERENCE: outlet hunt

did you know that even an electronic device that is turned off but still plugged in uses electricity?  electricity that you have to pay for?  it's not that much, but it all adds up.  and why waste money and resourses if you really don't have to?

so go around your house and locate all your outlets.  if there's something plugged in and not being used (like that old VCR player), unplug it, and leave the cord close by for that one time you might use it this year.  you'll be surprised at how much you have plugged in all the time.  even power strips drain electricity, so switch them off whenever possible.

baby-proffing note:  of course it isn't safe to leave cords laying around with little kids.  then again, it's not that safe to leave an outlet exposed with cords hanging out either.  try and block them with furniture, or get those box covers that cover the cords and the outlet and the little plug covers.

my big shocker: i used to leave my desktop computer running 24/7, sure it would go to standby, but it's still using up electricity.  but then i learned that leaving it powered on all year would cost me about $200!  so now i turn it off at night, and it usually doesn't come back on till the afternoon.  i'll take that money to the bank!