Pick up an outlet timer for your living space. A simple timer is one of the cheapest, most effective ways to reduce the likelihood of burglary when you are away. Plug in the timer and set the light(s) or television to come on at dusk and go off at a reasonable time at night. A light on in the house is an effective deterrent to would-be thieves.

In general, you cannot stop a determined thief or vandal. Locks and alarms do not stop someone from smashing a window and entering your home. However, thieves almost always take the path of least resistance. Car thieves, for example, will walk through a parking lot at a mall just trying door handles until they arrive at one that is unlocked, then open it, take any valuables, and move on to the next car.

The same holds true for homes. Contrary to popular belief, most burglars do not case a street and look for the most luxuriant homes. Most are unplanned and spur-of-the-moment people, desperate, poor, or drug addicts. Anyone out to commit a theft will walk through a neighborhood and look for the house with no lights on and no car in the garage: the path of least resistance. Most police recommend a dog, another one of the most effective deterrants, but they are certainly not as cheap as an outlet timer and - if you're like me - can cause allergy problems.

If you have some motivation, installing motion-sensitive floodlights on the outside of your home can also deter thieves that have the temerity to step onto your property. You should not worry about professional thieves because they are extremely rare and, when they do decide to break into your home, there is nothing you can do about it. That is why we have insurance.

So stop worrying and take cheap, simple steps to deter the majority of crimes: put a light on a timer, lock your doors, and change your passwords once a month.