When times are difficult, like they have become lately, it is time to cut costs. This is not a well-liked move, but really, it need not be such a problem as you might envisage. The biggest single cost for most households is the energy bill and in particular the electric bill. If you do not use electricity to cook or heat your house, then the next biggest contributor to your bill is probably lighting.

Anyway, here are six tips for reducing your household expenditure.

1] Plan your menu before you go shopping. If you can, plan your meals for the entire week so that you can use bits and pieces from one day’s meals in the next day’s. It is also easier and less expensive to buy in quantity, which will also save you travelling costs. Use coupons were you can. It is an obvious idea, but one that a lot of people overlook as they peruse their magazines.

2] Substitute all your traditional, incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescent bulbs (CFL). These bulbs use a low quantity of energy, but still put out a high amount of light. It is a good idea to check for the ‘Energy Star’ rating before you buy in order to ensure that you are getting a high quality product.

Creating an Arabian nights atmosphere in your home has never been easier than it is with the Moroccan lanterns and Moroccan imports that are available from many suppliers. A single lantern, casting soft shadows, can already transform an inside or outside area of your home.

Your garden is where you can begin the Moroccan theme by kiting out with wrought iron garden furniture, crockery and lanterns. This coupled with the fragrance of lemon & orange trees, fig, mint, Jasmine and basil will already start to recreate the completely Moroccan feel. Morocco is known for large patios and this coupled with a large patio will transfer you to another place.

Local businesses have seen the trend of Moroccan furnishing and decor that has become increasingly popular and are now importing Moroccan goods. At boutique stores, you are able to purchase unique imported goods in wonderful patterns and textures, letting you express texture, color, form, and creating individuality. You will sense a certain attention to detail, which is unique to Moroccan design.

Moroccan lanterns are particularly popular, leaving intricate patterns around your garden. There is a million ways to display these charming lanterns around your home and garden. Lanterns should be placed in areas where you can benefit from the light and atmosphere created by the lamp.

Some glass light shades are investments for the long term because they are usually quality pieces of design and craftsmanship. An antique bankers lamp shade is an example. When such lamp shades become old or broken, the usual course of action is to fix it rather than to throw it away. There are two options to fixing it: replacement with a replica shade or restoration. Replacement is slightly easier of the two but can be involved if the glass needs to be fired from scratch. The restoration process is not cheap or easy and will demand the skills of a restoration expert.

Glass light shades which have no other ornamental bits and pieces such as mica chips, beads or metal frames can be replaced completely. It is not uncommon to find beaded lamp shades. The glass maker attempts to create a replica by a combination of glass blowing, shaping and mimicry. Of course the glass material should be identical or very close to the original. Finding a glassmaker should not be difficult, as many people continue to indulge in this ancient art. The replacement cost is a combination of the skill, complexity and materials required for the job.

While glass lamp shades are a unique type of addition to the home because of their role in both lighting and decor, they require careful maintenance if they are to be kept for a long time. In the short run, the glass surface gets dirty and oily with both dust and manual handling. Furthermore if they experience any trauma little pieces will flake or chip off. In the worst case scenario large cracks can render the entire shade unsightly.

For low intensity cleaning, make sure to dust off the shade regularly with a duster. This can be done on a weekly basis as part of your regular house-hold activities. Glass can also be cleaned specially with a glass cleanser, although it is important to check that the cleanser does not react with any non-glass pieces that may be part of the shade. Tiffany-style shades are usually made of glass framed in a metallic structure that can react with some cleaning solvents.

Sometimes a glass lamp shade has crevices or nooks which are not easy to reach. A fine, soft brush can be used to reach these areas. If possible, disassemble the lamp by removing it from the fixture to get at the hard-to-reach areas. When you are done cleaning use another absorbent cloth to remove all the moisture.

There is a great deal of different types of lights on the market these days. LED downlights are a small part of what you might see when you walk into one of the big stores and walk down row after row of light fixtures. You can go online and search for many different types that you can’t find in average stores as well. But downlights have a lot of benefits that you may have not noticed.

These lights are designed to give a room a soft glow while providing enough light to see by. There are many styles to choose from. Some can be mounted in the ceiling and then made flush so that they are unobtrusive while still having maximum efficiency.

A normal light bulb has a relatively short life span. They need to be replaced regularly. They also take up more energy, increasing one’s power bills higher than they need be. With so many ways to make the new types of lights these days, it is strange to think that many people still rely on the old standard.