Insulation in the attic of the home is one of the most economic and effective ways to keep a home both warm in the winter and cooler in the hot summer months. But having the insulation improperly installed can actually cause problems. Over time, insulation can shift and move around, so be sure the "vapor barrier" on the insulation is facedown, and not faceup. If it's faceup, the insulation can actually trap moisture and become a breeding ground for mold. If flipping the insulation isn't easy, you can take a box cutter and cut small slits randomly on the insulation to allow trapped moisture to escape.

The fall months are the perfect time to get your home ready for the cold months ahead. Since the heating system for your home is the most vital and most used energy source during wintery days, clean or replace the filters in your furnace. If you have a gas heater, you can have it tested -- usually free of charge -- by your utility company or gas company for leaks that could lead to carbon monoxide poisoning. Since carbon monoxide is an odorless gas, having it professionally inspected can literally mean the difference between life and death. Just contact them now (when free inspections are more readily available) to set up your appointment.

Road warriors often collect massive amounts of small bottles of shampoo from hotel rooms that pile up at home. One way to help others is to send your unopened bottles of shampoo to the charity Clean the World. Its goal is to eliminate hygiene-related deaths and illness all over the world by sharing soap and other cleaning products with people in need. You can send your bottles to the organization directly (get the address at cleantheworld.org). Another way to cut the waste of mini-bottles of shampoo completely? Don't take them. Unopened bottles will get reused.