Few months back i went through a "green phase" where i replaced the bulbs in my parents home with cfl's. Surprisingly enough though the bill didnt get any lower.
Its easy to have a stealth grow, just copy one of the few several hundred on here.
40$ a month ???
I'm using 3x600 hps , 1x150 hps , 1x 250w mh , exhaust and air con and some cfl's vegging and its 30 uk £'s a week !!!
Aw yes, $40 US, currency conversion is about 150% increase from your currency, so your 30 would be Approx. $45 US.
If your serious, and dont live with your parents, why dont you go hi-tech lol. dig a giant hole, and bury a bus underground ( or something smaller lol). Have a trap door, or secret entrance that wouldnt be discovered. I bet none of your friends would go looking underground. now thats sneaky.
My set up with lights, fans, and everything spiked my bill about $40 a month after it was all set up. Approx. 1100w total in my grow, couple timers, few fans, etc....
GW mine is at about .13 ea , i belong to a co-op that just gifted me the mo. of dec. cant go wrong shopping around if your state is on the grid , take advantage of it now before the rolling black outs just like the california model everyone is following