1/13/11

Winter months stuck in your house can be miserable, so one easy way to jumpstart spring is to bring some fresh cuttings indoors. Instead of costly flowers from the supermarket that have been flown in from more tropical locales, just look in your own backyard. Evergreen sprigs and cuttings retain their color, are plentiful and last a long time in a simple arrangement.

1/12/11

Food you throw away because it's gone stale wastes resources and money. One easy way to keep food tasting fresh is to invest in a resealing device that heat-seals a bag of chips, a plastic pouch of produce or a loaf of bread as if it was never opened. These battery-operated devices gently warm up the plastic, creating a solid seal that traps air out and keeps food fresher, longer.

1/11/11

A programmable thermostat is an easy upgrade that will save money on heating costs because it automatically turns your heating system on and off when it reaches the desired temperature. When installing one, be sure to avoid a location where it will register a false reading -- such as by the front door, where the outside air will affect it. Also, choose a spot where sunlight doesn't beam directly on it; it can read much warmer than it really is, leaving you cold and wondering why the heat isn't turning on.