8/16/12

One of the biggest mistakes we make when cleaning burned-on messes on cookware is that we soak the pan overnight. The problem? Cookware is slightly porous, and soaking causes pans to warp out of shape. My secret to cleaning pots and pans is simple. Allow the cookware to cool to room temperature. (Never throw a hot pot under cool running water to rinse them off.) Fill the pots or pans with diet cola, and simmer them on the stove for 15 minutes. The acids in diet soda will eat away at the mess and leave you with a sparkling clean pan.

8/15/12

On your next road trip, don't let your empty seats go unused. Instead, get paid. The website zimride.com connects people who are going from point A to point B with others who need to get there. Use the site to find passengers who have created profiles to get to know them better. So, for example, if you're driving from New York City to Washington, D.C., you can find other people to fill the seats and get paid to drive to your destination. Carpooling for the 21st century!

8/14/12

The average home uses about $1,900 a year in energy, and the kitchen is an obvious place to look to when trying to cut back. One of the easiest ways to lower energy costs is to use your microwave oven instead of the stovetop. Skip boiling water in a kettle and, instead, heat water in a mug in the microwave. You can still have hot tea and use two-thirds less energy in the process.