1/31/09

Tired of junk mail? The easiest and most vocal way to stop it is to simply write "return to sender: remove from list" on the junk mail and drop it in a mailbox. It'll be returned to the sender (and they'll have to pay a postage fee for its return), and they'll get the message loud and clear to stop soliciting you. You can also try www.donotmail.org to begin the process of stopping junk mail.

1/30/09

Trash to Treasure: Remember that large terra cotta saucer that once was the base of a now-dead houseplant? Well, rescue it from the garage and give it a second life. Give it a good scrub and place all your cooking essentials on top of it: olive oil, vinegars, salt, spices and more. Keep it by the stove for quick access when you're cooking up a storm. The terra cotta will keep everything organized and will serve as a barrier between your countertops and messy spills.

1/29/09

When you care enough not to send your very best, think "draft mode." When using an inkjet printer, consider using the lowest printing quality mode your printer will allow. Most printers are defaulted to print pages with a higher quality, meaning more ink is used. By using a draft mode, you'll save ink and extend the life of your pricey cartridges. P.S. -- Be sure to recycle your old inkjet cartridges; many office-supply stores will take them back for recycling and will even give you a few dollars in store credit for future purchases.