baselle: Everything for my computer is plugged into a surge protector. If I turn that off, would it be sufficient, or does it need to be literally unplugged from the wall to have any effect? I'm asking because the outlet is somewhat hard to get to, but if it really makes that big of a difference vs. turning off the power strip, I'll see if I can move it somewhere else.

cercis & PrincessPerky: That's very true... Maybe I can switch them with bulbs in the kitchen/living room as they go out... and use the CF's in my room, the living room, and my bathroom.

acezz4e_tish: Wow, that is a huge difference in price. Umm, what is "Fred's"? I don't know if we have one of those around here. Any other suggestions for where I might find them inexpensive? Also, they have an electric dryer... but I have a clothes drying rack I purchased years ago, so I try to do small loads daily(they have many settings on their washer: extra small, small, medium, large, and extra large, so it regulates how much water is used)... and then use the clothes drying rack to air dry my clothes. I realize a laundry mat would cut their cost completely, but I think his mother would get upset if she noticed we were doing that... and considering one of his parents is always here because they work opposite shifts, they'd definitely find out. I think at least not using the dryer should help some.

Snoopy2645: Thanks for the tip. Actually, his parents work opposite shifts... so unfortunately we're pretty much never alone here, haha. Maybe if they ever leave for the weekend or vacation or something without us, I might try it.

Actually, they refuse to accept any money from us. The whole point of them inviting us to live here was so we could save money up for our own place after I graduate. They won't take any money from me directly, so that's why I was trying to simply cut back on what we're costing them. It's not much help, but it's gotta help some.