Want to save money on organic food at the supermarket? Consider store brands or generic options over national brands. Since the term "organic" is regulated by the United States Department of Agriculture, all certified organic foods have to follow the same strict guidelines, no matter the brand name on the packaging. But less expensive store brands are often made for the stores by the big-name national brands, so you're often buying the same food item with different packaging. So when it comes to frozen organic fruits and vegetables, canned foods and dried grains and pastas, think store brand to eat healthy and save money.

Did you know that for every four hours of TV you watch, you and your family are exposed to an estimated 100 advertisements? And that the average cable bill for one year is about $500? One way to cut back on overexposure to "stuff" is to limit the amount of television you and your family watch. Try this: Designate a set number of "screen time" hours for your kids every week. This includes watching programs on computers, tablet devices and regular televisions, too. When their screen time hours are up, they are done for the week. Use free time for other activities and make TV a treat, not a norm.

One way to extend the life of your home appliances is to regularly inspect them for broken seals, food particle buildup and hard water scale. But did you know that not regularly using your appliances can also decrease their lifespan? It sounds odd, but appliances are designed to be used on a regular basis. If you have something that isn't used (especially one with a sealed system like a dishwasher or washing machine), it can deactivate and dry out over time. Appliance repair technicians recommend you use all appliances at least once a week. An inactive appliance that hasn't been used for months can actually fall apart when you do get around to using it.