One of the more successful attempts at restarting the economy this year came in the form of the Cash for Clunkers program, where consumers could trade in their old cars for cash toward the purchase of newer, more energy-efficient models. Well, that concept has inspired Silicon Valley venture capitalist John Doerr as well former President Bill Clinton to suggest a new spin on that program, this time with the dual goals of job creation and improving home energy efficiency. Doerr has dubbed his version, which the Obama administration is considering, "Cash for Caulkers."

Many of us are doing what we can to trim our budgets these days but we often focus only on what we buy and buy less of it. But what if we also took a closer look at the less tangible resources we use everyday like water, electricity and natural gas. Cash for Caulkers would put money in the hands of households to pay for weatherization projects like insulation, sealing of leaks and ducts, and installing a programmable thermostat. Simple steps like these could save just about every household significant amounts of money each month.

I've written about my own experience with a home energy evaluation in which I pointed out that, yes, "I'd rather have gone to a matinee show or spent some of the money on a new pair of boots...but evaluating my home's performance was far more interesting and informative than I'd ever imagined."

Though we're all hearing a lot about solar panels and wind farms, the simple truth is that small steps like those mentioned above can significantly reduce energy usage for a minimal investment. It's worth exploring, no? Pillar to Post can help you get started.

[Main image: JupiterImages | Thinkstock Collection | © Getty Images]