02/20/12

Even in an age of digital reading, printed books are still in demand. If you're looking to make room on your bookshelf, donate your old books. The rule of thumb for donating books is this: If the book has been in print for only two or three years, donate it to your local library, which will resell the book at a fundraiser. If it's older than that, donate it to the Salvation Army or Goodwill, where the books will be sold in the store. No matter how you donate your books, be sure to get a receipt for tax deduction purposes.

02/19/2012

Curbside trash service makes it almost too easy to mindlessly fill up a garbage can and not wonder where it goes. The One Month Challenge is a new movement where homeowners cancel trash pickup for one month to consciously reduce their trash output. This forces the participants to evaluate how much waste they create, how much they consume and bring into a home and how they can cut back. Plus, you'll save a little money by not paying for trash pickup for a month.

02/18/12

Changing the air filter in your home's heating and cooling system is an important step to having healthy air in your home. It also keeps your system performing more efficiently. A dirty filter can make an HVAC system work harder, which means more energy use and a higher utility bill. To help you remember when to replace your filter and what size your unit needs, register for a free MyLowe's account at lowes.com. The program automatically keeps track of your purchases for you, so there's no guessing when it's time to change out your filter.