It's Autumn. Pumpkins glow in golden fields. Shorter days, crisp mornings signal winter's approach.

Can the holidays be far behind?

Use Autumn's brisk and breezy days to conquer deep-cleaning chores for a clean and comfortable winter home, and to wrap up summer's outdoor lifestyle.

With summer winding down, school is on the way--and so are rock-bottom prices on back-to-school needs! 

During late summer, office supply stores engage in penny price wars, while discount stores bring racks of school supplies front and center ... and cheap! 

Back-to-school loss leaders--products sold below cost to attract sales--are hot and heavy in the supermarkets these days--and even the crafts stores offer a variety of binders, stickers and backpacks at sharply reduced prices.

Who can imagine summer without summer food? Steaming corn-on-the-cob, each kernel bursting with sweet flavor. Burgers and barbecue. Ice cream sundaes. The crisp red smile of a watermelon wedge, dripping with sweet juice.

There's a darker side to summer meals. Food budgets groan under the strain of substituting quick-cook steaks and chicken breasts for thrifty stove-top casseroles. 

It's here ... somewhere.

Living in close proximity with our possessions means we can't always find the things we need, when we need them. Disorganized, crowded storage spaces make it hard to decorate for holidays, make up a guest bedroom, or find the right tool for the job.

With power bills on the rise--and hot weather just around the corner--it's time for an energy-saving tuneup for your refrigerator and freezer.

Keeping food fresh while conserving energy can bring a helpful boost to the strained food budget.  An organized fridge cuts waste and preserves foodstuffs for maximum life and freshness.

Take aim on rising prices with a quick refrigerator check!  Try these tips to minimize energy use and save money on groceries.  

Is a company--for me, it's iStockphoto--telling you signed up for a service or subscription ... when you're sure you didn't?  That business may be using "dark patterns":  the manipulation of Web site design to create confusion and influence user behavior.  

Even in the midst of holiday cheer, it's time to look ahead to a clean and organized New Year--if you can see it, over the clutter of Christmas Past.

Ready to swing into the coming year from a clutter-free home? Try these year-end tips to cut clutter and start the New Year on an organized note.

Cutting costs at Christmas doesn't mean celebrating like Scrooge. It's not about what you buy--it's about what you do! 

Putting "celebration" at the center of the season--and taking the focus off of gifts and giving--can be the key to happy holidays that don't break the bank.

Better, when it comes to kids and Christmas, cheap is good! Simple, inexpensive family activities can be as meaningful as pricey Nutcracker tickets--and no need for scratchy dresses or dress-up suits. 

Try these no-cost, low-cost ways to celebrate the holiday season with kids:

"Tradition" is a powerful force that sometimes pulls an unsuspecting family along in its wake. Do your holiday traditions serve your family, your values and your spiritual beliefs--or are you running a tired and joyless circle during the holiday season in the name of tradition?

To cut stress during the season, it's time to give your family's holiday traditions a stiff scrutiny.  Today, think back to traditions from season's past, with an eye to trimming them.

Nothing says "Christmas!" like a beautifully decorated home. Fragrant greens, twinkling lights, holiday centerpieces all set the stage for a merry holiday season.

But at what cost? 

If you believe catalog vendors, department stores and florists, be prepared to lay down a bundle to create that holiday home. Each year sees a set of new colors, new images, new trends, all designed to part you from your holiday dollars.