Get one of these... (Score 1)

Black & Decker EM100B Energy Saver Series Power Monitor.

This has a meter reader gizmo powered by a couple of AA batteries that attaches to your electrical meter and then sends data wirelessly to a small portable lcd display.

The meter reading gizmo does not interfere with the ability of your power company to read the meter when they stop by periodically.

Amazon sells them for $99.

I have had one for about 2 weeks now and it is really interesting to see what my hourly usage is when various household appliances kick on/off.