Angie’s List went to the travel experts for insight on how to secure a seat -- and your best deal.

5 Tips on Flying Smart:

1. Fly early in the day to avoid delays at other airports.
2. Go online and print boarding passes before you go to the airport.
3. Get to the airport early to clear security, and know the security rules.
4. Program your airline’s number into your cell phone to rebook quickly if you need to, and sign up for alerts from the airlines so you know what gate your plane is leaving from, when that gate changes, when the time changes, etc.
5. Pay for your tickets with a credit card. Debit cards offer buyers no recourse if things go awry. Credit card companies may refund your costs if you contest the charge in writing within 60 days from the billing date of the charge.

Fed up with crowded waiting rooms, impersonal visits and the insurance industry’s red tape, more and more doctors nationwide are abandoning traditional care in favor of concierge medicine. It’s a trend that many medical consumers don’t yet know about.

An estimated 1,500 doctors nationwide have abandoned traditional care in favor of concierge medicine. There are even professional networks of physicians affiliated with the practice of concierge health care, such as MDVIP and the Society for Innovative Medical Practice Design.

Typically, doctors who practice concierge medicine:

• limit the number of patients they see
• deliver more personalized attention
• help develop a wellness plan tailored to each individual’s lifestyle.

In return, concierge health care providers on average charge a yearly fee that can be $1,000 or more, which insurance generally does not cover, though most insurance companies do cover the medical treatment itself.

• Interview your doctor: Your physician is working for you. Ask questions to learn more about your doctor, like how he or she would treat a preexisting condition, handles emergencies during off hours, and her or his education and residency background. This initial visit should offer a good indicator of the type of care you are likely to receive. Is the doctor standing by the door with one hand on the handle while you are asking these questions, or is he or she willing to sit down with you and answer your inquiries?
• Know what you are paying for: How many patients will your doctor see on any given day? How long should you expect to wait for an appointment? Will your doctor respond personally to your emails and phone calls? Most concierge doctors should be available upon request. Also, how much will the doctor charge for the service? Will the doctor accept your insurance plan and will your insurance accept your doctor?
• Ask questions about your health: Your doc might throw some big words around when discussing your health, so don’t settle for being in the dark if you don’t understand the lingo. It’s your body. Make sure you have all the facts and don’t be afraid to seek a second – or even third or fourth – opinion. Also, if you have questions coming into the exam, write them down so you don’t forget what you want to ask.
• Know your vitals: Keep track of things like your blood sugar and cholesterol levels, blood pressure, weight and other vital statistics. Knowing this information, where you are and where you need to be, is vital itself.
• Research your doctor: The days of picking a name out of a phone book are gone. There is a variety of resources – including Angie’s List – available for consumers to make informed decisions before choosing a new physician

*1,178 Angie’s List members took our poll. Responses are representative of Angie’s List members, but not the general public.

Home

• Aerate your lawn once a year. Aeration allows for air, moisture and fertilizer to travel to the roots of the grass more efficiently. If you intend to plant grass seed, then the best time to aerate your lawn is from mid-August to mid-September.    
• During the hottest months, you should mow your grass down to 3 inches tall, but the last time you mow, cut it a little shorter than normal. Depending on the weather, mid-November is around the last time you should mow. You won’t need to mow after the first frost because grass will be dormant during the winter.
  
• Before the cold weather hits, you will want to fertilize your lawn so it will have nutrients to feed off of during the winter months. You should also make sure your lawn is getting about 1 ½ inches of water per week during the warm weather.  
  
• Don’t let fallen leaves lay on your lawn for too long. Fallen leaves will deprive your grass of crucial sunlight during the fall months. Leaves can also accumulate and get wet, leading to mold growth and attracting pests, such as termites. Leaf Removal Tips
  
• Clip back any flowers in your flowerbeds and prepare your whole yard for the winter weather. Trim back tree branches that may not withstand the ice. Secure any lawn decorations that could get damaged in the cold. 
  
• Remember to drain the water from your garden hoses and coil them for storage. You might also want to turn off the water to outdoor spigots to prevent pipes from freezing and bursting.
• Get ready for snow. While you’re working on fall chores, take time to change the oil in your snow blower and inspect the belts for wear. You want to make sure it’s up and running before the first big snow.

Top insulation specialists suggest homeowners have their insulation levels evaluated before the weather turns cold, as over half of the houses in the United States are not properly insulated.

Here's what an insulating professional should inspect in your home to determine if the level of insulation is adequate:

• Check for exposed 2x4s in your attic. If you can see the joists, you need more insulation.
• The proper amount of insulation you should have depends on the climate you live in. Obviously, the colder the weather the more you need. Homes in the coldest climates might require up to 19 inches of attic insulation to ensure maximum energy efficiency.
• Measure the insulation in the walls. Typically, the insulating contractor will look for a spot in the wall, preferably in the closet where it’s not seen, and make a small puncture in the hole with a wire. If there is resistance and you can feel insulation, you should be fine. If not, the contractor will suggest adding more.
• Check the temperature of your ceiling using a thermometer gun with laser sighting. They'll get a reading of a spot with no insulation, like right next to a ceiling fan, and compare that temperature to a spot that does have insulation. The spot not by the fan should be at a higher temperature than the other.
• Check windows for proper insulation by feeling for air coming in that should not be. You can also turn your air off and walk around with lit incense to look for drafts, which will pull the smoke in that direction.

Before you hire an insulation contractor, find out what kind of insulation you currently have and ask what kind of insulation they use. Different companies use different materials, and it is not recommended to put a heavier insulation on top of the existing insulation.

The common types of insulation are batt and rolls, loose fill (blown in) and spray applied foam insulation. Fiberglass and cellulose are two of the most common, but there are other forms you can use. Ask the company what your options are and to explain the differences between the varieties of insulation. If possible, use insulation that is free of volatile organic compounds.

It's also a good time to get a home energy audit. You’re probably losing money and energy efficiency. Contact your local utility company to request an audit.

While the fallen leaves are often picturesque, they also present hazards for your yard if left to sit. Tips for clearing the leaves and setting the stage for a lush lawn come spring:

• Continue to mow your lawn until the first frost. This will keep the grass strong and healthy. Remove the leaves when your grass has stopped growing.

• Raking is strenuous activity that can leave you with a sore back. Pace yourself and take frequent breaks.

• Some cities ask you to place leaves at the curb in paper bags. Others tell residents to rake them into a row or pile at the curb so municipal vacuums can collect them.

• If your yard is near a street-side storm drain, check that area for leaves. Clumps of wet leaves after a heavy rain can prevent drainage, which can flood your yard and street

• If bagging is not an option, make a compost of the leaves to create mulch and fertilizer for the spring. Leaves can also be left under trees and shrubs where they will compost themselves.

• Give your trees and shrubs a good soaking after the leaves fall and before the ground is frozen. Since the winter damage that they sustain often stems from their inability to draw water from the frozen earth, proper watering in the fall is crucial.

Angie’s 6 tips for properly storing your boat for the winter:

Some common maintenance issues with garage doors include squeaky hinges, broken springs, stripped gears and snow, ice and water covering the photo sensors, which can keep the garage from shutting. Don't wait until your stranded inside or outside of your garage to call in a professional for regular maintenance.

Garage door inspections should include:

• adjusting of springs and cables
• lubricating of moving parts
• tightening of all hardware, track and hinges
• inspecting the safety sensors and opener gears
• troubleshooting any other issues.

One safety measure homeowners can take themselves is to test the reversing feature of their garage door every month. With the door fully open, place a 1 1/2-inch thick piece of wood ( a 2x4 laid flat works well) on the floor in the center of the door. Push the transmitter or wall button to close the door. The door will strike the wood, but then it should reverse and go back to the full open position. If it doesn’t, contact a qualified service provider for repair.

Another DIY task is to regularly test the functionality of your garage by disconnecting the opener by pulling on the release cord or lever. The door should lift up easily in manual mode. If the door seems difficult to lift, there could be a problem with the spring tension and a service professional should be called.

• The need for water heater replacement generally arises when the hot water stops flowing, making it an emergency situation. Rather than hire the first company you find in the yellow pages, take an hour to call around and compare prices. If you can hold out until normal business hours, you will avoid the after-hours emergency service charge.
• Talk to the companies about new innovations and systems that could increase your energy efficiency. Spending a little more on the unit may pay off in monthly energy savings if you plan to be in your home for 5 or more years.
• If you plan to sell your home in the near future, don’t spend a lot on a fancy system. A water heater is considered standard when purchasing a home. Like furnaces and roofs, a new water heater may be appealing to potential buyers, but it’s probably not going to increase your asking price.
• Replacing a water heater can be cumbersome and involve many gallons of water. Make sure you know how it will be done. The units are very heavy and navigating small staircases can cause damage to your home. Check that your company is insured to cover any damages.

• Use low-flow faucets and shower heads throughout your home to decrease the amount of water, and energy, used. This will make your tank of hot water go farther.
• Check that your water heater tank and pipes are properly insulated. But, don’t cover the tank thermostat.
• Lower your water heater base temperature to 120 degrees. Your shower will still be steamy and you will save energy on heating the water.
• Drain a quart of water from your water heater tank every 3 months to remove sediment that slows down heat transfer and lowers the efficiency of your heater. Follow the proper steps suggested by your manufacturer since the type of tank you have can determine the best procedure.

Pet proofing your home ensures that everyone, including your pet, can live comfortably without worries.

Furniture: Instead of opting for woven fabric, look for leather or faux-leather. It’s easy to wipe down and it doesn’t give claws and paws places to get latched on. If that’s out of your budget, a simple, machine-washable slipcover can come in handy for getting rid of fur balls or pet dander. Micro-suede is another option that’s easy to keep clean. For bedding, check out easy-to-clean duvet covers—they look great and they’re pet-friendly.

Flooring: If you’re partial to a soft fabric under your feet, consider modular carpeting, which comes in individual square pieces so you can simply replace damaged areas. If you’re looking to replace your floors, check out tile, vinyl, laminate or stone. They’re easy to clean and they won’t wear out like carpeting does. Hardwood floors tend to scratch easily.

Wall coverings: If you have allergies, get rid of your wallpaper. It traps fur, oils, dander and that “pet smell” you’re constantly fighting.

In the yard: A chemical-free green lawn is still possible, even with an active dog. Those dried-out patches where your pup does his business are caused by nitrogen in your pet’s waste. Ease the eyesores with a few simple steps:

• Make sure your dog is hydrated. His urine will be more diluted, and you’ll have fewer yellow patches. Don’t forget to let him out more often though.
• Check the protein content of your dog’s current diet. A high-protein diet is also a high-nitrogen producing diet. Make sure to check with your vet before making any dietary changes.
• Add earthworms to the spots to help aerate the soil and move the nitrogen around.
• If digging is a problem, get a sand box for your dog and teach them to take their energy out there. A shallow layer of chicken wire, ground pepper or even a small blown-up balloon in the hole can also be good deterrents.

Car: If your dog is anxious about road trips, prove that a car ride can mean more than a visit to the vet or the kennel by taking them out for short drives to a pet-friendly park or bakery.

• To minimize shedding on your seats, try laying down a blanket made of easily-cleaned material like nylon. You should also give your pet a good brushing before they get in the car.
• If your animal moves around a lot, consider a harness or crate to keep them safe and secure.

In your never-ending search for a greener lifestyle, don’t overlook your pets!

• Adopting a stray pet from your local humane society may be the easiest way to start a green lifestyle. An estimated 8 to10 million abandoned animals enter shelters every year looking for a home.
• An all natural diet is a great first step. There are numerous types of organic pet food, many of which can be found at your local pet store, or you can make your own. Simple recipes can be found online and finished food can be stored for up to five days.
• Use biodegradable bags to throw away your animal’s waste instead of plastic. A biodegradable bag will decompose quickly after being thrown away while plastic bags may take anywhere from 20 - 500 years. Green cat litters are also available and will speed up the decomposition process.
• From flea control to doggy toothpaste, there are hundreds of all natural organic pet grooming and hygiene products on the market.   
• Look for toys made out of recycled and eco-friendly materials, such as recycled plastic soda pop bottles, hemp, cotton, wool and other organic fabrics. Green chew toys, frisbees, leashes and collars are among the many green items that are just as durable and long lasting as non-recycled ones. Prices range from $5-$15.