Liberalized economic regimes have often resulted in over-consumption in all spheres of activity. Over-consumption directly leads to scarcity of resources since all resources are finite. Scarcity of resources leads to higher prices of most goods and services. Higher prices create difficult situations for populations with limited financial resources. These difficult situations create financial turmoil among society at large. All is fine when economies are booming, and this financial turmoil goes unnoticed. But when economies are going downhill, the financial turmoil in society becomes an important issue. It is under these testing conditions that issues like saving energy v. saving money become important matters that attract wide debate among all sections of society as well as the governments.
Over-consumption often leads to waste, which is basically consumption in an inefficient manner, without any regard to the actual basic needs, and just consuming for the sake of consuming. In many cases the quantum of waste consumption might be many times the quantum of the bare essential level of consumption. Saving is thus an important aspect that acquires great importance in times of economic turmoil. This is equally applicable in all countries and regions.
Since energy accounts for a large proportion of overall consumption, a greater focus on saving energy v. saving money becomes necessary. We use energy in the form of electricity in our homes, offices, streets, etc, as well as fuel for our transportation needs. Transportation could be by personal vehicle, public transport, including air, rail, etc. Any savings that we achieve in the consumption of energy will directly result in saving money. Hence saving energy v. saving money is an important aspect, particularly during periods of difficult economic environments.