Do fluorescent lightbulbs really pay for themselves? Is so, about how long would it take?

Typically a 60 watt incandescent lamp on for 12 hours per day will cost you about $1.94 cents per month. A 13 watt compact fluorescent lamp will cost about $.42 per month. You would save $1.52 per month on that one lamp. The 13 watt gives off the same amount of light as the 60 watt. Look for CFL rebates. I recently bought a 2 pack for $2 after the instant rebate. They paid for themselves in less than one month that way.