Energy saving light bulbs are top on the list of energy conscious consumers. We are told that they last longer than ordinary incandescent bulbs but I find all that “lasts so many hours” gibberish on the package to be quite useless. I want to know in real terms how long the light bulbs in my house really last. I know that eventually we will all have to make the move to energy saving light bulbs by law, but in the meantime I have one of my little illuminating parenting tips for you.

In our house we have a lot of recess lights. It seems that I am always changing a blown bulb and with all the choices on the market I never know which style or brand to buy.

So, I have started labeling my light bulbs with a Sharpie permanent marker (oh, you have to love those Sharpies!). Whenever I replace a bulb, either incandescent or energy saving light bulbs, I write the date on the base of the bulb with a Sharpie permanent marker. When the bulb finally blows, I will be able to see the date when I first installed it. This information will help me to decide which brand and style of light bulb to buy in the future.

And this, in turn, should translate into a few extra dollars in my pocket.