Reply #8: LED light bulbs are still outrageously expensive

[txlibdem]

Look for mass production to bring prices down beginning in 2012.

Hint: LED light bulbs are far superior to CFL. I've stopped buying CFL's because they keep burning out in my ceiling cans. Make sure you get the DIMMABLE CFLs if you're using a dimmer.

It looks like 2012 will be a banner year for LED lighting as many other manufacturers are ramping up production and prices will be sure to start to drop, perhaps drastically.

Just start with 1 bulb if you can afford it. Then as finances allow get a 2nd, etc.

Best bang for your buck:
..insulated blanket for your water heater
..caulk around windows
..weather strip around doors and window seals
..foam sealant around receptacles on exterior walls
..add more insulation to the attic

Once you've done all those things you can start looking into the more expensive things:
..on-demand water heater (when your current w/h dies. they're not much more expensive than a regular one anyway)
..solar water heating system
..solatube to bring daylight into dark rooms so you don't have to use lights during the day
..if you live in a hot clime like I do, solar screens on your west and south facing windows

That's just the tip of the iceberg, honestly. You have so many more choices I didn't even list but not all of them will work in every part of the country. For further study: Passive Solar Building Design.