6/24/12

Many people now bring reusable thermoses to the store to fill with coffee to help keep the java hot and to cut down on disposable cups. You can also use your thermos to keep foods hot longer. Think homemade mac and cheese, soup and other items you can store in an airtight thermos. You can enjoy these hot foods for lunch at work or your kids can take them to school. If the thermos keeps coffee warm, it will also keep food toasty for hours.

6/23/12

For small personal electronics that use rechargeable or disposable batteries, consider taking the batteries out when you're not using the item. Electronics like digital cameras, camcorders and laptop computers still drain the batteries when they are left inside the item -- even if it's turned off. By completely removing the battery, you're preventing phantom draining and helping to extend the life of the battery.

6/22/12

No need to be too picky when donating clothes to charity. Only about 10 percent of donated clothes ever end up for resale in thrift shops; the rest are sold to textile recyclers. Ripped jeans, way-too-faded T-shirts and other worn-out clothes are recycled into cleaning cloths and other industrial items by these recyclers. They pay organizations like Goodwill and the Salvation Army a fee for the old clothes, which adds up to a significant amount of money for their charitable works. So clear your closets with a clean conscience.