Twelve easy things you can do to beat summer heat without paying for air conditioning.

If high gasoline and food prices are wreaking havoc on your monthly household budget, you can turn off the air conditioner this summer and save yourself alot of money on your cooling bills. This means making a set of rules for the household and sticking to them. With teamwork and strong resolve, you can do it and get your finances - and your stress level - back to a more manageable level.

1. Open windows and doors on cool summer nights, then close them early the next morning and keep them closed. Avoid opening doors during peak heat hours of 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. This will do much to conserve the cool night air inside your home during the day. Consider placing an electric fan, set on low, just inside one of your doors to force the cool night air into the rooms.

2. Draw all window shades and curtains. By keeping the sun's heat out, your home will maintain a more constant temperature.

3. Turn ceiling fans on and make sure they are set on the "summer" setting. Ceiling fans are not just decorative, they do serve an important purpose. Most ceiling fans have a switch just below the blades for summer and winter settings. Generally, the summer setting is in the "down" position. Utilize your ceiling fans to circulate cool air throughout your home.

4. Cook as many meals as you can on the grill. Better yet, plan two or more "no cooking" nights a week. Prepare salads, raw veggies and dip, cold fried chicken - get the family's input and keep the heat out of the kitchen. Prepare meals ahead of time on the weekend and place in your refrigerator or freezer for the coming week. Reheating these meals in the microwave will create much less heat than if you cook them in the oven.

5. Make sure your house is well-insulated. Not only does insulation in your attics and walls keep the cold out in the winter, it also serves to keep the heat out during the summer. Inspect your attic to determine if you have sufficient insulation. Now is a great time to install additional insulation if you need it.

6. Turn off any unnecessary appliances and lights that cause heat in the home. Computers, stereos, televisions, desk lamps - if they are not being used, turn them off. Although the heat they generate may be minimal, why add to your misery? Turning them off when not in use will not only help to maintain a cooler temperature in your

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