reducing (heating) costs
I reduced my heating bill during the last four years. In the same house, with the same insulation. My measures were: warmer clothing, cold or very short warm showering, timing the thermostat exact on the times when I use my home and when I am sleeping. Further lower the thermostat day-temperature to 17,8 C (64 F). Night temperature 15,8 C (60 F). Disable hotwater switch in such a way that only the moment I want a warm shower that switch is on. Hot water bottle in bed in winter.
In the same period the electricity was also reduced by a third.
Costs natural gaz (for heating) and electricity in 2009 € 125 ($ 162) per month, in 2012 € 47 ($61) per month! Yearly savings: € 936 or $ 1214.
So we got a reduction of 4% of our yearly expences.