Yes, it is hard to believe, but CFLs are actually good for both the environment and the wallet. CFLs cost about 10 times the amount of a normal lightbulb, and will last around 4 years longer. The true savings come over time on energy bills. Because they demand less energy, the power plants that are used to produce the electicty to power these lightbulbs are needed less. When dealing with a coal burning power plant, this would mean that less radioactive materials are released into the air. 
This material is released in small amounts through ash that is left over after the coal is burned. Although this amount is small, there is so much coal being burned that it adds up. By switching to CFL lightbulbs, you reduce the amount of coal that is burned, which helps the radiation situation.
The amount of lightbulbs that are disposed yearly will also shrink due to the long life of the CFL bulb. This will help cut down on landfill space that is quickly filling up in our country. This will lower the demand on these landfills which will in turn, lessen the necessity to create new landfills, which will save entire ecosystems. Also, the necessity for mining new coal and other fuel sources will decrease because of the drop in demand for electricity, which will also play a part in saving many ecosystems. In addition to this, the need for new roads connecting the mines to cities and power plants will also 
lessen, which will also save valuable ecosystems.
Overall, the CFL may seem like a bit of a rip off, due to its high price when compared to its competition, but when all is said and done, the CFL is not only better for the wallet, but also better for the world as a whole.
http://www.ornl.gov/info/ornlreview/rev26-34/text/colmain.html
http://greenecon.net/wp-content/uploads/2007/10/cfl.jpg
http://www.gelighting.com/na/home_lighting/products/energy_smart.htm
