As temperatures begin to drop, consumers may soon have a lot more on their minds than the coming winter chill.  Since 2010, many states have seen the cost of home heating oil rise by as much as 30% or more.  Depending on where you live, a particularly glacial season could put a serious freeze on your budget.  So instead of just cranking up the thermostat, check out these six alternative tools for keeping costs down and the heat up.  Splurging on all of these high-tech solutions could cost you a pretty penny, but pick out one or two and your wallet may thank you come Spring.

1. Cuddle up with a USB blanket
If you spend a lot of time at home on the computer, this USB heated blanket is perfect for keeping away the chills. It plugs into any USB port, comes with two cords and can be worn over the shoulders or across your lap. Just pour yourself a cup of tea and settle in.

But wait, there`s more! »

Would you rather put holiday spending on your credit card or pay for it through a layaway program?  Many Americans are opting for the latter, helping retrench these time-honored payment plans.

Walmart, Sears, Best Buy and TJ Maxx are just a few of the major merchants now offering layaway.  In fact, Toys 'R Us has expanded its layaway program to include most toys, rather than just the big-ticket items.

Layaway nearly vanished before the recession, as credit card use grew in prominence.  Stores preferred we swipe away because it was easier than handling all that paperwork.  But with consumers leery of facing too much holiday debt -- and threatening to spend less this year in stores -- retailers began using layaway as a means of luring us back.

While this all sounds well and good, there are problems related to such programs.  Here are a few "Do's" and "Don'ts" you should consider before making the leap.

But wait, there`s more! »

Do Halloween expenses send a shiver through your spine?  When you hear the words “trick or treat” do you want to retreat?  Want to give your wallet a much needed break on October 31st?

Household savings expert, Jeanette Pavini, has eight cost savings Halloween tips that are so great they're spooky.

• Back from the Dead:  Buying brand new costumes yearly can get costly.  Many are overpriced and there’s a good chance it will only be worn once.  Try children’s resale shops and get a costume that looks like new.  Save up to 80% off the retail price by shopping resale.  Sweeten the deal by trading in your old Halloween costumes – and get credit towards your purchase or even make a profit.

But wait, there`s more! »

If you've read my previous posts, Top 10 Websites for Testing Your Blog's Speed and Top 13 Things to Scrap from Your Blog IMMEDIATELY, you'll know that images can be one of the biggest speed traps for your blog.  Of course, every blog needs to utilize images, for they are engaging and can instantly liven up your posts.  When your blog focuses on product reviews, such as mine does, images and detailed pictures are essential.  The trick though, is not to sacrifice blog speed for blog appearance and this requires certain image optimization techniques to be in place.

I highly recommend you apply the following set of tips and procedures to EVERY SINGLE IMAGE YOU HAVE ON YOUR SIDEBAR(S) for maximum results and improved blog speed. Your sidebar is present on every single post and page, so cleaning up your sidebar's images will definitely help you see a positive gain in speed.

These are the steps I use anytime I place an image on my blog, either in the sidebar or in a published page or post.  This list is by no means definitive...it's just what I've come to find works well for both me and my blog's performance.

But wait, there`s more! »

Enough with the home-cooked meals.  It's time to get out of the house and let someone else prepare your food for a change.

In response to tight budgets, frugal advisers have recommended for some time now that we stay at home to save money.  But such deprivation grows old fast, so maybe it's time to consider these six tips to help you spread your dining wings without crash landing your budget.

1. FourSquare Deals
Members check-in to various locations on their mobile phones using this service, but did you know you can also receive offers for freebies and discounts simply by letting FourSquare know where you are?  Check out a recent segment on FOX & Friends for a "how to" on using the app for restaurant savings.

But wait, there`s more! »

Doesn't it seem that female Halloween costumes have devolved into overt sexiness?  Even young girls are donning witch costumes cut up to here and down to there, but such outfits just feel unseemly for Baby Boomers rapidly approaching retirement age.

Nor are guys exempt from the age-inappropriate costuming.  Too many go the slovenly or uncostume route, entirely missing the point of the revelries.

Still, we're the generation that invented celebrating Halloween long past the trick-or-treat years.  Hippie and 1960s Carnabie Street styles were really the first form of Baby Boomer costuming and -- let's be honest -- we started partying rather early, too.

Even if you disdain the more youthful approach, there are still plenty of opportunities that suit our, ahem, dignity while continuing the Halloween spirit.  Here's a selection of 13 ideas for men, women and couples.

But wait, there`s more! »