Money. Purpose. Joy.

Want to save on energy costs but roof top solar panels aren't in the budget? Buy a tube of caulk and a caulk gun. As reported in the Wall Street Journal, homes consume more than 20 percent of all the energy used in the U.S.--more than cars, planes, or offices. And yet the average home wastes about 30 percent of the energy it uses. The article noted that relatively simple and inexpensive solutions, such as caulking and insulating, could save an estimated one-third of that wasted energy.

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If you need some help learning how to lay the perfect bead of caulk or perform other maintenance projects around your house, you'll find free online instructions and even video-based tutorials at the web sites of Home Depot , Lowes , and This Old House .

The average U.S. household now has three televisions, according to the Consumer Electronics Association. That's one reason why electronic devices today consume 15 percent of the average home's electricity--up from 5 percent in 1980. A Chicago Tribune article highlighted several ways to tame those energy monsters, starting with your choice of TV. The larger the screen, of course, the more energy consumed (a 52-inch high-def TV can use as much as a new refrigerator), and plasma TVs use more power than LCD sets. The article also suggested turning down the brightness of your TV, which can cut energy use by as much as 25 percent. Most TVs are pre-set at an overly bright level designed to work best in retail stores. Go to the onscreen setup menu and choose the "standard" or "home" mode.

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If you have a television, DVD player, stereo, and other such devices plugged directly into wall sockets, plug them into a power strip instead. When they're not in use, turn off the power strip. The only exception is a set-top box such as a digital video recorder or a cable or satellite box. Many of these units need to stay powered up in order to work properly (check your manual). But at least ask your provider about getting an ENERGY STAR-qualified unit.

With financial issues dominating news headlines, this is an especially good time to teach kids about money. And they could use some help. An LA Times article noted that many of today's youth are already exhibiting the over confidence and lack of knowledge that have gotten so many adults into trouble. For example, a Charles Schwab study found nearly 75 percent of teens predicted an average annual income of $145,000 for themselves while just 13 percent could define a 401(k) plan. The article described a recent financial literacy event sponsored by Junior Achievement that took place in a California high school. Students were assigned adult identities, incomes, and all the usual adult bills. Discovering that even having your trash hauled away costs money, one student mumbled, "I don't want to grow up; this stuff is expensive" Others had a more positive experience. One 18-year-old said, "Now I realize how many bills there are to pay. But knowing that makes me feel safer, because I know how much I can spend."

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Children's financial habits are shaped in large measure by what they learn from their parents, although apparently most of that learning is by observation. Just 30 percent of teens surveyed by Schwab said their parents tried to provide them with financial education.

Organizations that offer personal finance teaching materials for children include Junior Achievement , the JumpStart Coalition , and the National Endowment for Financial Education . Want to test your teen's money know-how? Have them take this quiz . In fact, try it yourself.

The recession has introduced several new words and phrases to the American vernacular. While most of us are probably already tired of hearing about the latest "bailout," ABC News reports an increase in popularity of terms such as "shovel ready" (a construction project that can get underway as soon as it receives government funding) and "mini-Madoff" (a scam on a smaller scale than the one allegedly run by Bernard Madoff). While some of the new words may only add to our gloom, such as "decremental" (the process of decreasing or becoming progressively less, as in "decremental sales"), others, such as "staycation" (an inexpensive, close-to-home vacation) and "recessionista" (one whose frugality allows him or her to stay fashionable even during tough economic times) convey making the best of a bad situation. A language expert quoted in the article said that coming up with positive new words to describe our tough times, can be helpful: "When people start becoming playful with language, that's a coping mechanism," she said.

Matt's View

I'd like to submit "closet shopping" (looking through your closet for seldom worn items that are still usable) and "pantry night" (coming up with a meal using what's on hand instead of heading for the grocery store when food supplies seem low). Please submit your recession inspired terms here . The person who comes up with the most creative and positive spin on our tough times will win a copy of "Money, Purpose, Joy."