Evidence modern economics is absurdly wrong. Especially the mathetmatical aspect. People are not profit-maximizers. They waste tons of money each month. Except the guy in the article.

The 33-year-old Topeka, Kansas resident replaced all 52 light bulbs in his house with fluorescents three years ago, in order to cut his monthly electricity bill.

"I even replaced the one in the fridge," he laughs.

His savings, however, are no joke. Rick explains that his $60 investment in energy efficient light bulbs saves him some $20 a month. And he has yet to replace a single bulb.

"The return on that is astronomical. I wish that I could find that in the stock market," Rick states.

Rick, a computer help desk supervisor and part-time financial advisor, learned to live on less than the $49,000 he makes annually after struggling with debt. In late 2001, Rick had a $20,000 car loan and another $8,000 in credit card bills, not to mention $90,000 left on his mortgage.

He's since wiped out his car loan and paid off the balance on his cards, but the plastic is still used for everyday purchases. Rick pays off that bill each month and uses a reward card that offers a 1 percent cash-back award on all purchases and 5 percent on gas and grocery charges.

Rick refinanced his home using a 15-year mortgage, with a 4.875 percent rate, instead of the traditional 30-year. A bi-monthly mortgage would be ideal, but his lender charges a fee for the service.

The $74,000 he has left on his mortgage doesn't bother him as "you have to have a place to live," and the interest is tax-deductible.