Spring is that time of year when everything seems new. Flowers bloom. Birds sing. Days are longer. And trees start to have life again.

Here are four fresh ideas to help make sure your money tree is brimming with life this spring as well:

1.Plant a seed. Have you ever thought about how great it would be to walk out your back door and into your very own private grocery store? Well…you can, you know. Even if you don’t have a lot of land you can start small by planting seeds of fruits and vegetables that grow in whatever climate or conditions you’ve got. You’ll even save money on gas and wear and tear on your car by not having to go to the store as often.

2. Open a window. Studies — and power bills — consistently show you can save money by keeping your air conditioning use to a minimum. During the cooler temperatures of the spring season, open a window or two to let fresh air in and stagnant vibes out. Feel free to prop open your front and/or back doors too providing you have a screen door to keep the bugs and other undesirables outside. (There are even magnetic screen doors available now for a fraction of the cost of a “real” door.)

3. Have a yard sale. Well, you don’t necessarily have to sell your yard, per se, but you can put any of the things you’ve outgrown, out-used or out-appreciated in your yard for people to come buy them. Team up with the neighbors on your street or in your neighborhood for upping your chances of a bigger turn out of buyers. (Craigslist or other online sites are also great venues for selling those same items.)

4. Plant a financial seed. Rather than using your whole tax refund on splurge items, set a little aside for an investment that can bring about a harvest of a different kind. Find a stock to invest in or put some money into a vacation fund so you can finally take that family trip to the Grand Canyon. After all, the life-long return on investment for spending time with your family far outweighs the short-term pleasure of a trip to the mall.

For extra ideas on investments and other ways to grow your money tree this spring, click here for some one-on-one time with your financial experts.