OPOWER is an industry leader in Energy Efficiency and Smart Grid software. Through their patentpending approach, they have successfully converted large-scale customer engagement into a highly reliable energy efficiency program that delivers unprecedented energy savings to their utility partners. Modern DC Business recently sat down with OPOWER CEO Dan Yates and President Alex Lasky.

What does O stand for in OPOWER?
There’s no one answer: the O represents many different things to many different people, all of them positive. We love it for its openness, optimism, and limitless opportunity.

Your company provides a software solution in the cutting edge business of  Smart Grid. Please explain for non-industry experts why they should get excited about Smart  Grid? What does it mean to the average consumer?

While it may seem odd at first to find vegetables in vending machines, the country is about to see this not only become a trend, but find out it’s here to stay! This food revolution comes as a result of the vending machine make-over by a San Diego-based company that has franchises stretching from one end of the country to the other.

"People have had enough of all the unhealthy food options. They really want something more nutritious, today,” explains Jolly Backer, the chief executive officer of Fresh Healthy Vending (www.freshvending.com). “Until now, getting something healthier might not have included convenience, which is something else that people want. So we have paired the two in a perfect combination.”

1.) Change your budget

 Now that the holidays are over and you are facing your holiday bills you may want to re-evaluate your budget to see where you can cut corners to apply more money to your debt. This may mean eating out less and going out to the movies less often.

 2.) Don’t keep using your credit cards

 As you pay off your credit cards, put them away and keep them out of your wallet. Do not use your cards for frivolous expenses, no matter how small they may seem. These small purchases can add up fast! Don’t fall into the trap of reusing your cards or you could get stuck in a cycle of working to pay them off after using them unnecessarily.

 3.) Pay More than the Minimum

 When you get the credit card bill, don’t just pay the minimum. Pay as much as you can toward the balance. The more you pay at once, the more interest your knocking out and avoiding.