10/4/11

Plastic shower caps are popular hotel room freebies. When traveling, use the shower caps to wrap around the bottoms of your shoes so they keep your clothes free from dirt and keep other debris off your shoes. Because shoes can drag in stuff like lead, chemicals and fertilizer, too, this is a great way to keep things fresh and clean when you're on the road.

10/3/11

The shelf life of dried spices is long: approximately two years. That's why it can be hard to remember when you bought that jar of paprika or thyme after rummaging through the pantry. When you buy spices, write the month and year with a permanent marker on the jars. Two years later, toss and replace them.

10/2/11

Cardboard boxes that carry tomatoes, peaches and avocados have plastic compartments inside that help the produce from banging around when shipping. Ask clerks at your local supermarket if they can give you some boxes with the inserts to take home with you (the boxes are usually trashed). The boxes are the perfect size to keep Christmas ornaments snug and safe.