Do-it-yourself energy audit: A professional energy audit can cost $300 or more, but there's plenty you can do to find the drafty areas of your house on your own. The U.S. Department of Energy offers instructions on conducting a DIY home energy audit, as well as tips on how to shore up the leaky spots once you find them. For example, check exterior doors and storm doors to make sure they seal tightly. If not, pick up some weatherstripping at your local hardware store and add it to the frames around the doors.

Embrace meal planning: It's easy to drop $30 or more on dinner from a take-out joint. Instead, save those dollars by sketching out a week's worth of dinners, then heading to the supermarket and stocking up on the ingredients you'll need. One tip: Plan straightforward dinners that don't require a ton of prep or cooking time, especially on nights where you have class or meetings. RealSimple.com offers an entire online section devoted to easy meal planning, from a batch of 20-minute meals to advice on efficient dinner prep.