6/26/11

When your front door lock struggles to open with your key, you may want to run to the locksmith to order new keys. Try this trick first: Rub the key with a pencil so the graphite powder coats the entire outside of the key. Then try the key in the lock again; the graphite should help reduce friction inside the lock and make everything almost as good as new.

6/25/11

When you're done painting a room, any drips around the top of the can will make it harder to seal the lid back on airtight. One simple trick is to run a rubber band over the top of the paint can so it's stretched across the center. Then, each time you dip your brush, you can rub it across the rubber band so the excess drips back into the can and not on the sides.

6/24/11

If you're planning a move to a new home, you know how expensive buying new cardboard shipping boxes can be. One alternative is to not only look for lightly used boxes, but to sell your boxes after you've moved. There are retailers across the United States that not only sell lightly used boxes at a fraction of the cost, but they'll buy back old boxes after you've unpacked. Spend less, make a little money back, and have a smaller impact on the environment. Smart move!