12/9/11

Leftover java from the automatic coffee maker doesn't need to go down the drain. Soak an old cotton T-shirt in the cold coffee and wring out the excess; wipe down a scratched-up table with the shirt and watch light-colored scratches almost disappear with the coffee. Repeat this process several times and allow the table to air-dry for the natural coffee stain to work its magic.

12/8/11

Untold numbers of perfectly good smart phones end up in the landfill every year that could instead be recycled and make you money. The company ReCellular makes it simple: Go to its website (www.recellular.com), enter the model, find out what it's worth and send it in to get your check. Some smart phones can be worth more than $100 when you trade them in.

12/7/11

Who knew that night owls could save energy and money, helping our environment at the same time? Doing laundry and running the dishwasher at off-peak hours, which are weeknights and during the weekend, helps reduce the strain on the electrical grid and reduces carbon emissions into the atmosphere. Plus, it's usually cheaper to run your electricity at off-peak hours.