Get Ready for Winter

You never know when bad weather's going to keep you at home. Build up your stockpile now, and you'll be ready for whatever winter brings:

• What to Stockpile

Make a few extra meals and freeze them; so you won't have to resort to buying fast food or take out, if you get sick

Keep your energy bills low, and avoid costly repairs, by winterizing your home before the cold weather arrives:

• Home Winterizing Checklist

Look over all your winter gear – coats, hats, gloves, scarves, boots – and determine what needs to be repaired or replaced. If you do this now, you'll have plenty of time to shop around for affordable replacements.

Pull out your snow shovel and your snow blower/thrower, and make sure everything is ready for another season. Restock your de-icer and rock salt, if you're running low. Then, make sure everything is in a spot that's easy to get to. If you own a generator, now is also a good time to test it.

Bring your patio furniture in for the winter, or cover it up to protect it from the elements. You'll save yourself clean up time in the spring and keep your furniture looking nice longer.

Tip: Don't forget about your grill and any planters that you have around the yard. They'll benefit from protection, too.

Prevent frozen – or burst – pipes by shutting off the water to all outdoor faucets and allowing them to drain. Need to keep those faucets turned on over the winter? Then, install a frost-free sillcock instead.

When you eat warm meals, you don't have to rely on your home's heat quite as much. Start planning what you'll serve now, so you'll be ready when that cold weather hits.