One thing that has been interesting in my ongoing goal to reduce our electric bill - which was almost $150 last month - is learning to read my own meter. What I've been doing is going out at the same time each day and recording the numbers. I did a google search to learn how to read the meter. In addition, when I go out, I now am conscious of how fast or slow it is spinning and this makes me more likely to go and shut off some lights or rethink hanging a load of laundry verses putting it in the dryer.