photo credit: masterplaan

Phantom electricity can suck the energy out of your home like an energy vampire. What is phantom electricity? It’s the energy that’s used when appliances are plugged in and not being used. Do you leave your cell phone charger plugged in and not charging the phone? Chances are you’re a victim of phantom electricity.

Here are some ways to combat the energy vampire:

-Unplug your cell phone charger, toaster, and blender when not in use.  Small appliances can still cause a big drain.

-If you live with someone that leaves things plugged in when they’re not using them (*cough* Mr. Money), make sure you do a sweep of your house before you turn in at night.

-Completely shut down your computer at night and unplug it.  Not only does this help keep your electric bill low, but you also lower your threat to hackers and viruses.

-Install power strips in areas such as the living room, and connect your tv, receiver, Wii, gaming systems, and other devices to it.  When you go to bed, you can flip the switch to turn everything off and even unplug if you wish.

-Install Energy Star appliances when your old appliances bite the dust. Don’t go out and just buy new ones to replace your current ones- that’s not green or frugal!

Lowering your electric bill and carbon footprint feels great.  Don’t let phantom electricity take a bite out of your budget.  Combat it before it begins!

What steps do you take to lower your electric bill and fight phantom electricity?

photo credit: TheeErin

Last Wednesday I decided I wanted to get my hair cut. I don’t know why, but it’s always a spontaneous decision. I drove to Great Clips, where I normally go, and noticed that there was a line of people waiting to get their hair cut so I decided I’d go to Super Cuts.  As soon as I pulled in, I noticed the NO WAIT sign glowing in the window.  I should have put two and two together then and realized I shouldn’t go in.

As soon as I sat down, the hair stylist told me we’d go wash my hair.  I knew it would be an extra charge, so I politely declined. She said “oh, it’s only $7 and you get a much better cut!”  I told her that I didn’t have the time.  She then started cutting my hair dry and using these weird scissors.  From there, it went downhill even more. By the time I left I had a total mullet hairdo.  I was so upset and embarrassed I could feel how hot my cheeks were.

I paid ($15), left her a $3 tip, and left.  I went home, looked in the mirror, and got even more mad.  I looked so stupid.  The next day I ended up going to Great Clips and having a sweet girl there fix my haircut.  I was so relieved I ended up giving her a $10 tip. That day I tried calling Super Cuts to complain to a manager.  They said she’d be in the next day.

The next day, I called, talked to a manager, explained the whole situation, and asked for a refund since I had to go spend even more money to get it fixed.  She said that they only do redos, not refunds and that I could go in sometime in the next few months for a haircut.  I declined, because I’ll never step foot in there again, and then she said that because of everything I had to go through that she would refund my money if I brought both receipts in.  I went in that night, took my receipts in, and got my refund.

Now, I will say that I almost didn’t call to complain because I am pretty shy and thought that if I called and complained that the stylist would be there and I’d have to deal with her again.  I’m glad that I did call because I got my money back.  I kept my cool, was very nice, and explained the situation thoroughly.  It all worked out in the end.

Have you complained about bad service and it paid off?