4/5/11

Many people like the simplicity and feel of a wooden pencil. When sharpening pencils, you can save the wooden shavings and use them as an excellent kindling for starting a fire, whether in the fireplace or the backyard grill. Electric pencil sharpeners often hold a large amount of shavings, so those can be saved up in case you need an instant fire starter.

4/4/11

It's a good idea to change the batteries in your smoke detectors at least once a year, no matter if the batteries are dead or not, so that they are always working at their full potential. But don't toss out the batteries when you replace them. Since most of them will still have some juice in them, save them and use them for remote controls, children's toys and other personal electronics. They may not last as long, but you'll definitely be able to get your money's worth by using up all of the energy that's left.

4/3/11

When shipping a medium- to large-size gift, it can be hard to find a sturdy gift box that looks good and will protect the item. Instead of buying something from a gift store, visit a local wine shop instead. Often, imported wines come in durable, good-looking wooden crates (especially from Europe), and the number of crates can overwhelm the store. You may find a local store owner willing to give you a few crates for free, especially if you frequent the store.