12/7/09

American Express card members can use their Membership Rewards points to help more than 1,000,000 registered nonprofit charities. Simply redeem the points online at amex.justgive.org and search for your preferred charity. Redeem your points like a cash donation and help a number of nonprofit groups with just the click of a mouse.

12/6/09

Your purse may actually be a breeding ground of harmful germs and bacteria. If you place your purse on the floor in bathrooms, subways or buses, don't place it on the kitchen counter when you get home. A dirty purse may cross-contaminate the countertop and everything on it, including your supper. Instead, wipe off the bottom with a pre-moistened towelette or, better yet, keep it off the floor altogether.

12/5/09

In winter, heat lost through windows can account for as much as 25 percent of your heating bill. While it makes sense to replace single pane windows with an Energy Star-rated double-pane one, it can be expensive. A quick and temporary fix is to simply spray a drafty window with water and attach bubble wrap by sticking it bubble-side down against the window; it will double the efficiency of the window.