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1. Top off your emergency fund

Given today’s shaky job picture, you need fully six months’ worth of expenses set aside in a liquid account that you can raid if calamity strikes. Fall short? Adding to that stash is a no-brainer. Because yields on many of the typical cash options look rotten — six-month CDs are kicking off an average 0.62%, and money-market funds are hovering around 0.05% – your best bet is a high-yield online savings account.

2. Spend five hours with a financial planner

If you’re like most investors, your portfolio has been through the wringer — and while you may not want someone to run your money for you, you could use a pro to help you get back on track. Call a fee-only planner and ask for a simple checkup, which is likely to run around a grand.

3. Buy a top-notch stock fund

Very few no-loads let you in for a minimum investment of as little as $1,000 ($2,500 is typical). Here are three that do — all of which have low fees, excellent long-term records, and strategies that make particular sense now.

4. Upgrade your home appliances

Replacing your old machines with energy-efficient ones will cut your electricity and water bills — plus land you Cash-for-Clunkers-style rebates of up to $250 apiece. Each of the models below is highly rated by Consumer Reports and will set you back less than $1,000.

Appliance: Dishwasher
Model: Bosch Evolution 500 Series SHE55M1[2]UC
Annual utility savings:* $31
Cost: $850

Appliance: Refrigerator
Model: Amana ABB2221FE[W]
Annual utility savings:* $49
Cost: $950

Appliance: Washing machine
Model: General Electric WCVH6800J
Annual utility savings:* $122
Cost: $700

Source: Energystar.gov
NOTE: *Savings in electricity and water charges when you replace a 15-year-old model.

5. Help on a large scale (really!)

You can turn $1,000 into one of the following:

8 sheep for needy rural families: Heifer International (heifer.org)

40 microloans for would-be entrepreneurs in Third World countries: Kiva (kiva.org)

1,000 trees planted to stop erosion and green up the planet: American Forests (americanforests.org)

6. Join a gym

Getting fit doesn’t just feel good: It can cut your bills. The typical obese American (209 pounds or above for someone 5 feet 10 inches) incurred $1,429 more in health-care costs in 2006 than someone with a healthy weight (174 pounds or less). So buy a health-club membership (median cost: $775 a year) — and spend the remaining $225 on a personal trainer to get you off to a strong start.

7. Beef up your IRA (If you’re 50 or older)

Take advantage of catch-up provisions that let you put an extra $1,000 into your individual retirement account each year.

8. Pay down credit card debt

Pay down credit card debt

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