reducing (heating) costs

[J_]

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.

[J_]

Remarkable:

A rise of income of 6% was directly noticed, on a reduction of 4% of yearly expencesno reaction!

One is master of his/her reduction of costs, one is dependent of the boss to get a rise, what do you prefer?