One way to take advantage of the fall's bountiful harvests is to make several casseroles that you can freeze and enjoy later in the year. Many food blogs and home cooks recommend investing in 8-by-8-inch glass Pyrex casserole dishes that have matching lids; it makes it easy to bake, cool, cover and freeze all in one container. But if the idea of spending more money on casserole dishes is less than desirable, try this instead: Make your own food blocks. Line a casserole dish with a few layers of parchment paper. Make your casserole in the dish, allow to cool and then freeze it. When the casserole is frozen solid, pop it out and wrap it in aluminum foil, then place it in the freezer. When you're ready to eat it, put it back into the dish and heat it up.

Want to chop $85 off your electricity bill in one easy step? Consider designating just one room in the house for watching television and not having multiple TVs set up all over the house. On average, a flat-screen TV uses about $7 a month in electricity -- not counting the cable box or other devices like gaming consoles and DVD players. But it's more than just economic savings: According to a study by the University of Michigan, 71 percent of teenagers have their own TV in their bedroom; kids 6 to 11 watch 28 hours of TV a week. The study showed excessive TV watching affected children's sleep, weight, grades and behavior. Instead of cutting the cord, have meaningful TV watching. And save a little money on the side, too.

When mice find open bags of bread, bowls of fresh fruit on the kitchen counter or cookie crumbs in cabinets, they'll come back knowing this is a source for food. But there are some not-so-obvious sources, too. Be sure to keep your dog's or cat's pet food sealed in an airtight container and not left in an open bag. Also, look at the yard around fruit-bearing trees near your home; fallen fruit can also lead mice to venture past the trees and into your house.