Household

CHORES

• Getting the kids to work: Chores and children do mix. Get them started on the proper path.
• Fall checklist: Here's a handy list of things you should do to get your home, yard and garden ready for winter.
• Fall chores: Here's a way to motivate yourself to get your home ready for winter.
• Projects and chores: Tackle myriad chores and projects under a deadline -- and accomplish them all!
• Stormy weather: Sometimes it takes the pressure of an impending event -- like a storm -- to get spring chores done quickly. I call it the "Chicken Little" syndrome.

CLEANING/DEODERIZING

• Cleaners: It doesn't need to "smell clean" to be clean. Make your own inexpensive household cleaners -- stain remover, heavy-duty glass cleaner, toilet bowl cleaner, all-purpose cleaner, and heavy-duty glass and appliance cleaner.
• Holiday trash: Try these tips to minimize holiday trash -- from wrapping paper to food waste.
• Odors: For get chemically laden scents and air fresheners. Eliminate pesky household odors quickly with a whole-house fan or an ionization air purifier.
• Spring cleaning: Performing household tasks regularly will lighten your spring cleaning load.

DOORS

• Doorknobs: Simply replacing a doorknob can be more challenging and complicated than you'd think!
• Glass: Replace the broken window pane on a door.

EMERGENCIES

• Emergency kit: Are you prepared for a natural disaster or other emergency? Would you be prepared to evacuate your home in 30 minutes? What would you take? Assemble your own 72-hour emergency kit for yourself and the family. Here's what the Red Cross, FEMA and the Department of Homeland Security recommend.
• Fire extinguisher: Learn how and when to use a fire extinguisher. When smoke and flame surrounds you is not the time to learn.
• Smoke detector: What to do about a smoke detector that persistently sends out false alarms.

HOME REPAIRS (GENERAL)

• Counting blessings: The deeper meaning of home improvement: improving our attitudes and improving the lives of others.
• Do it yourself: How much of a do-it-yourselfer are you? Can you perform these 18 common household tasks? Take the quiz!
• Looking for a project: Looking for a home repair or improvement project to tackle? Just ask your son. And then watch your excuses come pouring out!
• Time to talk: Performing home repairs together offers opportunities to build trusting relationships and help children become the responsible, honorable adults.

LIGHT BULBS

• Compact fluorescent light bulbs: CFLs can be hazardous to your health if they break. The Environmental Protection Agency recommends you take these steps.
• Compact fluorescent light bulbs: There's danger in those CFLs. Don't simply toss them in the trash. Dispose of them properly and responsibly.
• Light bulb efficiency law: In 2012, under federal light bulb efficiency standards, 100-watt light bulbs are being phased out. Here are your options.
• More on the light bulb efficiency law: It's not just a matter of saving energy, it's a health and safety issue.
• Outdoor spotlights: Remove and replace burned-out spotlights -- especially those high up on the house -- with this special tool.

ORGANIZATION

• Decluttering: If stuff is crowding you out of your home, there's an excellent way to get rid of it. But only when you become an empty nester.
• Desk clutter: Cleaning and organizing your desk can be a lot harder than it looks!
• Finances: Can't keep your tax receipts organized? Try using the Super Bowl of organization.
• Junk drawer: Has your "junk drawer" run amok? Here's how to get things organized.
• Wire clutter: Hide that unsightly tangle of computer wires and cables! There are several inexpensive options.
• Workshop: Organizing your workshop -- the tale of the misplaced rubber mallet.

PETS

• Cats: The yard can attract all kinds of critters, including wild cats. Here's how we tamed a cat called Penelope.

SAVING ENERGY

• Carbon footprint. So you think you're doing a good job of helping save the planet. What's your carbon footprint? Find out using these online calculators.
• Energy efficiency: How energy efficient is your home? Here's a simple formula that can help tell you.
• Winterizing: Winterize your home and save on your energy bills.

SAVING MONEY

• Save money! With patience and persistence, save a bundle on a gazebo, outdoor grill and outdoor furnishings!
• Winterizing: Winterize your home and save on your energy bills.

WINDOWS

• Glass: Replace the broken window pane on a door.

YARD/GARAGE SALE

• Yard sale/garage sale: Planning a yard/garage sale? Include unusual items and plan carefully to ensure success.