12/2/12

If you drive only locally, there’s no need to have a spare tire in your car -- especially if you don’t know how to replace it. A spare tire weighs about 39 pounds, which reduces your car’s efficiency by 1 percent. That’s an extra $50 in lost fuel savings. Instead, keep a can of Fix-A-Flat, which can temporarily inflate a flat tire, so you can drive to a repair shop and get it fixed.

12/1/12

Installing new marble or granite countertops can be very expensive, but for resell value of your home, it’s a great investment. Here's a simple way to save money and "reuse" a mined material: Visit your local fabricator and ask to shop its yard of discards or leftovers. These are giant slabs that were either returned or are leftover from other jobs. Most stores will sell these to you at a significant discount and even cut, smooth and install it.

11/30/12

Old sponges can be given a second life as freezer packs. First, wet your sponge and disinfect it in the microwave by heating it on high for 90 seconds. When it is cool, soak it in water and place it inside a freezer bag. After it's frozen, place it in shopping bags when you grocery shop, and it will help keep frozen food cold longer. As the ice melts, the sponge will automatically reabsorb the water.