5/1/13

Ever have a desire to bake something sweet and realize you have regular granulated sugar but not powdered? Instead of running to the store, think like MacGyver: Use your coffee grinder. In a pinch, a clean coffee grinder can turn regular sugar into powdered. And it can also do more than just grind coffee: Use it for spices, bread crumbs and even to turn dried rice into rice flour to coat chicken for a gluten-free crust.

4/30/13

When a major appliance goes bust, many people go to the store and buy a new one immediately. But with new high-tech appliances costing thousands of dollars, a simple $75 to $100 fix can bring your refrigerator, dishwasher or washer/dryer back to perfect working order and save you money. The life cycle of major appliances like fridges, freezers, ranges, dishwashers, washers and dryers is between 10 and 15 years. A window box air conditioner lasts about seven years. If your appliance falls within those spans, consider a repair before replacement.

4/29/13

Packing peanuts can be reused for shipping purposes or dropped off at shipping stores to be recycled. But did you know that they can also help deodorize a refrigerator or musty drawer? If you want to get rid of a smell, fill a drawer or the compartments inside a refrigerator with packing peanuts. Let it sit for 24 hours to absorb odors. Remove the peanuts, and recycle them as you normally would. It really works!