Phantom power: the devices draining energy without you noticing

Many devices keep drawing power even when "off": that's phantom or standby power.

The main culprits: TVs, set-top boxes, game consoles, microwaves with a clock, chargers left plugged in unused, and sound systems.

Practical fixes: use power strips with a switch to shut off several devices at once, unplug chargers you're not using, and consider smart outlets with timers for entertainment areas.

It might seem small, but over a year it adds up to several full bills' worth of savings.