I love saving money. You love saving money. We all love saving money, especially in this economy. So when I found out I could be saving a bunch on my energy bill with a few simple tips, I was ecstatic. Here are some helpful hints on how to cut down on your energy costs and save your cash for something that really matters, like those cute boots you’ve been eyeing…

1. UNPLUG THINGS. This may seem obvious, but most of us skip it. Surprisingly, 75% of the energy used by your electronics is consumed when they’re turned off. Taking 5 minutes and unplugging your lamps, toaster, DVD player, and printer when they’re not in use can add up to major savings.

2. Switch to compact fluorescent light bulbs. They’re 6-8 times more energy efficient and last 10-20 times longer than normal bulbs, meaning you won’t have to buy new bulbs for years! Also, for every fluorescent bulb used, electrical power plants use 1000 pounds less of carbon dioxide, making them the greener choice. Now, you can say your saving cash and the planet!

3. Regulate your thermostat. For every degree you lower your thermostat (ideally keeping it between the 60-70 degree range), you save 5% in heating costs. It may not sound like much right now, but it adds up over time. On that same note, think about installing a programmable thermostat, especially if you know you’re going to be at work all day. You can set it to turn back on 30 minutes before the family comes home so it’s the perfect temp when you walk through the door!

4. 13% of your home’s electricity goes directly into heating water. You can lower this by setting your hot water heater to 120 degrees and waiting for a full load before running your dishwasher or washing machine.

5. Taking long, hot showers is a small vice many of us share. I love playing the game with my shower where I make the water as hot as humanly possible before my skin melts off. But I found out that if I cut down my shower time just by 2 minutes and I save $40 a year. By cooling it down by a couple degrees, I could save even more. By switching to a low-flow showerhead, which restricts the flow of water, I save $72 a year. If your keeping up with the math, I just saved myself $112 by barely doing anything!

6. Finally, make sure your walls, ceilings, and windows are properly insulated. This can save as much as 30% on your home heating bill. The U.S. Department of Energy has a simple online tool that can help you determine if you have adequate insulation based on the region you live in.

By trying even one or two of these tips, you can save a bundle on your energy bill. So go ahead, give your wallet and electricity company a break, you won’t regret it.

Now that the kids are back in school and the house is quiet for the first time since December, you can finally catch up on the newest Project Runway. But now is the perfect time for a break-in; you’re all alone in the middle of the day, you’re not expecting it. Is there anything you can do to help protect yourself from becoming a victim of a burglary?

Here are some helpful tips for staying safe while home alone:

• Get a dog or cat, if possible. Having an animal close by will not only be great company, but they are also the earliest warning security system you can have due to their acute senses and natural instincts; your pet’s reaction is sometimes the first sign of danger.

• Get to know your neighbors and know the everyday habits of your neighborhood. Who power-walks past your house everyday at 7 o’clock in the morning? Do the neighbors across the street have a bunch of obnoxious teenagers at their house at all hours of the night? Does the neighborhood attract a lot of outside traffic or is it mainly residential? Knowing what goes on around your neighborhood will help you spot when something unusual is happening.

• Get into a habit of keeping your doors and windows locked when you are not in the process of using them. Most reported break-ins are actually walk-ins due to the relaxed attitude of the resident.

• Do not leave expensive and valuable items in plain sight on the lawn or in view of windows. Leaving them out is essentially a neon sign advertising your home to criminals.

• Light is a great crime deterrent if you’re home by yourself at night. Install lights over all entrances, walkways, and patios. If you want to cut down on your energy bill, try motion detector lights, not only will they cut your electricity costs, but they’ll also scare the pants off of lurkers.

• Be mindful of blind spots and hiding places produced by your landscaping, such as overgrown shrubs and hedges.

• Your house number should be easily visible from the street (it’s recommended that the lettering be 6-inches tall) and illuminated at night so that emergency services can quickly respond to the right location.

• Your privacy is important; however to some extent you should allow your home to be visible to neighbors and patrol cars, so that people can spot suspicious activity.

Being by yourself doesn’t mean having to be constantly on the look out, baseball bat in one hand and mace in the other, but being aware of your general surroundings will go a long way towards providing you peace of mind.

While the home may feel like the safest place for your children to play, there are some electric threats, fire hazards, and several other perils that can endanger the lives of you and your children. In fact, your kids are more likely to get hurt playing inside your house than outside. That is why, if you have children in your home, childproofing is essential. Childproofing your entire home may feel overwhelming, but there are several simple and inexpensive efforts that are very effective.

A top priority is managing electrical threats. Concealing your electrical sockets with plastic outlet plugs is an easy step in the right direction. Also, reducing the amount of extension cords you use in your home by placing electrical appliances near power outlets will help minimize electrical dangers. If you have to use extension cords, make sure they are properly secured and out of reach of grabby hands. If you use floor lamps, be sure they won’t be easily tipped over when your kids run around the living room.

Fire is the next source of home safety concern. Smoke detectors are crucial for every room if at all possible. Combined with smoke detectors, buying a fire extinguisher and placing it in inside the kitchen or garage (where most small home fires are likely to start) will give you peace of mind as well as easy access in case your child’s newest science experiment becomes all too realistic. If your family loves to cook together, make sure your children always know that Mom and Dad need to be in the kitchen with them, and that the stove and oven are not to be used without permission. In the case of grease fires, baking soda is a perfect substitute for a fire extinguisher. Keep matches and other flammable items stored as far away as possible from the reach of children. If you’re a smoker, consider using a lighter that has a dial with a specific ON/OFF function.

Slippery floors, clutter, and spills can cause fall injuries all too easily in the home. Consider investing in non-slip floor rugs, especially in the kitchen, where water and juice is most likely to spill. If a cup is knocked over (and it will happen), make sure to clean it up as quickly as possible to ensure that no one slips later.

Besides childproofing your house, the easiest way to ensure your child’s safety is to teach them the dangers that are possible inside the home. Create emergency fire safety plans, make a game of cleaning spills, and tell them fingers aren’t made to go into the electrical sockets. Making your children aware of the threats around them is the simplest way to make sure they stay safe.

With the economic recession obligating more and more parents to go back to work in order to care for their family, an increasing number of children are being left alone at home for extended periods of time. While it is good to train and to trust your children to act responsibly, it is always beneficial to remind them of what to do to keep themselves safe when they are alone at home. Take advantage of the holiday season to talk to your children about the basics of home security and safety precautions.

1.       Most importantly, make sure that your child is mature enough to be left at home without supervision. There are differing views on the age at which children are old enough, but it all depends on your personal judgment of their maturity and responsibility. There may also be laws in your area that mandate a minimum age for children to be left alone.
2.       The old adage, “Don’t talk to strangers”, still goes a long way in keeping your children safe. Tell your child not to answer the door if a stranger knocks. Even if it is someone they know, still don’t answer the door; have your child tell that person to call you.
3.       In the United States, home appliance fires account for an estimated 9,600 fires and $211 million in damages per year. Out of those nearly ten thousand fires, most were caused by accidents with the oven or stove. Keep your children safe by preparing meals for them in advance, rather than having them run the risk of a serious accident.
4.       If your child needs a key to enter the house, do not leave it under the mat or a rock near the front door. Those are the first two places a criminal will look for it. Rather, put the key on a chain and have your child wear it hidden under their shirt or keep it secret on their person.
5.       Leave lights on around the house, whether your child is at the house or will be later. Even just one lighted lamp in a bedroom can make the house appear occupied, a fact that is a known deterrent against home invasions.
6.       Keep a first aid kit readily available in the house, and make sure your child knows exactly where to find it. This is good for general knowledge, whether or not you are there. It also ensures that they will be able to help themselves in the event of a minor injury when they are alone, keeping them safe inside the house.
7.       Having a quality home security system is extremely beneficial in both keeping your children safe and giving you peace of mind. There are advanced alarm systems available that can give you the ability to watch video from cameras in your house, view activity and system logs, and arm or disarm your security system: all accessible on your smartphone.

You may have a whole host of obligations during this holiday season, but you can make safety and responsibility a priority by talking with your children about home security for just a few minutes. By doing so, you will ensure that they are well-equipped to take care of themselves at home as you care for your family at work.