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This winter, don’t let your windows keep you out in the cold. According to the American Institute of Architects, windows are the primary source of heat loss in houses. To keep your house warm and energy bills down, caulk around windows, door frames, and other trim, while using weather stripping to seal drafty doors. And don’t forget to close fireplace dampers. Planting trees and bushes around your house will help block out cold winter winds. This will help keep energy costs down and make your yard look great too. Finally, don’t forget to fix leaky faucets. Even minor leaks increase energy consumption and electricity bills. To find an architect in your area that can help prepare your home for winter, visit http://architectfinder.aia.org.

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Achieving your financial goals can sound like a daunting New Year’s resolution if you aren't organized when it comes to your money. But by planning ahead, you can more easily improve your financial situation. If you're new to money management -- don't stress -- new tools are making it simple to stay on top of your finances, allowing you to pay down debt and save for the future.

Here are some foolproof ways to achieve your financial goals this year:

Short and Long-Term Goals

Whether you dream of owning the latest iPhone, a home, or you’re planning for retirement, identifying your goals is the first step to making them happen. Without goals, it's easy to spend too much money on the here and now without thinking about the future. Figure out what portion of each paycheck you're willing to divert to a goal-designated savings account. This will give you a realistic idea of how long your goals will take to achieve. Talk to your employer’s Human Resources department about how to set up a 401(k) or 403(b). Not only are your contributions to your account tax-free, but many employers will even match your contribution, which is an offer that should be impossible to refuse.

Tracking Finances

Tracking your finances can help you make smart financial decisions that won't put you in debt. But before you clear off your desk and buy file folders, consider this:  electronic money management can save you the mountain of paperwork. Free online resources can help you manage all your financial accounts in one place. For example, personal finance website Mint.com, allows you to categorize your spending, create budgets and savings goals, and set up bill reminders and alerts. Available for Android and iPhone phones and tablets, you can manage your spending on the go and in real time. Or try Quicken 2013 from Intuit, which gives you access to checking, savings and credit card account information, automatically syncing your information across your mobile devices so you can keep your accounts up-to-date by entering transactions as they are made. The bill reminders tool, budgeting features and debt reduction tool make it easier to eliminate debt in the New Year and plan for the future. You can learn more by visiting www.quicken.intuit.com.

New Avenues

Not all your goals will be achievable with assets you have today. Luckily, there are new, lower-cost ways to pay off debt. For example, borrowers using Lending Club can qualify instantly with a simple online application. Unlike a traditional bank loan, Lending Club enables dozens or even hundreds of people to seamlessly invest in the loan, resulting in lower costs for borrowers and consistent returns for investors. For more financial advice to carry you through a new year, visit www.mint.com/blog/. Without help, New Year's resolutions can be tough, if not impossible to achieve. Innovative tools can give you a leg up toward your goals.

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As more of our communications take place over the Internet, it’s no wonder that an ever-growing number of singles are meeting each other through online dating services. In fact, Online Dating Magazine estimated in 2011 that more than 280,000 marriages a year are a direct result of people meeting online. “While your soul mate could be only a few clicks away, there are risks associated with online dating,” warns Lis Wiehl, Fox News Legal Analyst and author of the recently released novel, “Darkness Rising,” of the East Salem trilogy. “From financial scammers to criminals, strangers on the Internet are just that -- strangers.” Wiehl’s novels are inspired by her former work as a federal prosecutor and her current role as a television journalist covering some of the most shocking crimes. An expert in sniffing out the bad guys, she advises daters to proceed with caution before taking online relationships offline.

Men and women alike should take precautionary measures to help avoid dangerous dating circumstances:

 • Meet your date at the venue rather than have he or she pick you up -- you don’t need a stranger to know where you live.

 • Choose well-populated public places to meet. Let a friend know where you are going. It may sound overly cautious, but it doesn’t hurt to share your date’s contact information and name as well.

 • Avoid exchanging too much personal information right off the bat, such as your last name and place of work. Get to know someone first.

 • Listen to your gut. If something feels off, be polite, but end the evening early.

 • Don’t believe everything you read. It is entirely legal to lie on an Internet dating site about one’s height, weight, age and financial status. If you meet someone whose description doesn't match reality, you should wonder whether your “match” would also lie about things you can't see on the surface. Be especially cautious if someone seems “too good to be true.”

• Unfortunately not everyone on dating sites is looking for love. Financial scammers prey upon lonely hearts. Don’t become a victim. If you’re dating someone who suddenly starts hitting you up for cash, end it. For more information about Lis Wiehl’s novels and nonfiction titles, visit www.LisWiehlBooks.com. “Bottom line on online dating: be smart, be careful and above all, be yourself,” says Wiehl.