8/2/12

Permanent markers have become commonplace at home and in the office. Unfortunately, all it takes is one person neglecting to put the cap back on for a marker to dry out completely. Instead of tossing it, you can try to resuscitate the marker by filling a cup with rubbing alcohol and placing the dried-out marker inside the cup, felt tip down, to soak for about 10 minutes. This helps remove dried ink and brings the permanent marker back to life.

8/1/12

If you brew a cup of coffee each morning and wonder what to do with the cold java at the end of the day, consider giving a pick-me-up to your plants. Acid-loving plants like azaleas, evergreens and rose bushes love the coffee. You can also mix your old coffee grounds into soil or add it to compost for a nutritional boost. Try adding cold coffee to your watering can when you water your indoor plants.

7/31/12

In 2011, more than 635 million people boarded domestic flights in the United States, according to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics. If you're one of those millions of frequent fliers, you know that printing out a boarding pass -- at home or at the airport terminal -- generates a lot of barely recycled paper every day. Do this one thing: Check in online, and have your boarding pass emailed to your smartphone. You can use it to check in at the gate, and you'll be completely paperless.