September 2009 Keep-It-Together Checklist

Beat the autumn rush by making a call to a HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) pro now. Have him clean the burners on an oil unit or remove scale from a gas system. The visit could run you about $100 per unit, but a more efficient furnace will help save money in the long run.

If you’re waking up with muscle strain or neck pain, make sure you’re using a pillow that matches your sleep style. Back or side sleepers should pick a dense foam pillow, while stomach sleepers should rest their heads on a down pillow.

Skipping meat for breakfast, lunch, and dinner just once a week means better health and more money in your pocket. Mother Nature will thank you, too: Eliminating 1 1/2 pounds of meat once a week—the average amount a family of four consumes for dinner—has the same impact on the environment as trading in a standard sedan for a Prius hybrid.

Before the kids head back to school, make an appointment to have their eyes checked—and yours, too. If you can, book the appointment for the morning, when eye pressure is higher, making it easier to detect problems. If you need to schedule it in the afternoon, pass on that glass of wine with lunch, since alcohol can dilate blood vessels, which could, in turn, interfere with the dilation of your eyes.

Although paying off the highest-interest card first will save you the most money in the end, the boost you get from quickly knocking off the lowest-balance card may be more instrumental in keeping you on track.

Prevent fading and shrinking by laundering jeans infrequently—after three to five wearings. When you’re ready to wash, turn them inside out and use the delicate cycle and cold water. Remove the jeans from the dryer while damp, then step on the hems while pulling on the waist to maintain the length.