9/27/12

After brewing your morning cup of coffee, don't toss the coffee grounds into the trash. Instead, grab some pots and pans that need a good cleaning -- cast-iron pans are particularly good -- and scrub them with the used grounds. The naturally abrasive texture will buff debris right off, and your cookware will rinse clean without the use of any chemical cleaners.

9/26/12

When is the best time to give the bathroom a good cleaning? Right after you shower, when surfaces like mirrors, faucets and countertops will likely have a fine layer of steam on top of them from the hot shower. With just a microfiber towel, you can wipe these down quickly as the towel absorbs grime, dirt and bacteria. And the grout in the shower? All the grime and dirt on the grout is considerably looser after a hot shower -- just scrub and rinse in minutes.

9/25/12

Organic produce usually costs more, but it doesn't mean you can't save on pesticide-free fruits and veggies -- just shop differently. The best thing to do is shop later in the day. Since produce -- conventional or organic -- is perishable, supermarkets often mark down prices in the evening, when foot traffic is slowest. If you time your visits right, you can save up to 75 percent on your bill.