11/17/13

Leftover foreign currency -- whether it’s Japanese yen or Mexican pesos or Canadian dollars -- doesn't have to live stashed away in a junk drawer. Collect all of your foreign currency and donate it to UNICEF. Its Change for Good program takes your foreign currency and uses it to fund programs to support children all over the world who do not have access to education, food and clean water. Send your money to U.S. Fund for UNICEF, Attn: Change for Good Program, 125 Maiden Lane, New York, N.Y., 10038. Be sure to include your name, address and email so the organization can send you a receipt for your donation for tax purposes.

11/16/13

Stained coffee mugs can be an eyesore and embarrassing to use when serving guests. Instead of using chemical chlorine bleach to restore your mugs to their former shine, try these pantry staples instead: Generously sprinkle baking soda inside the mug and pour white vinegar on top; the natural chemical reaction will neutralize the stain, which you can rinse and wipe out of the mug. Powdered orange drinks like Tang or lemon-flavored Kool-Aid also work -- the high level of citric acid in the mix will do the trick.

11/15/13

If you’ve ever felt bad throwing away leftover oatmeal, here is a clever way to reuse it: Oatmeal is a great natural deodorizer, so place your excess in the fridge -- it will absorb and neutralize odors. Place cooked oatmeal in food storage containers that have traces of last week’s marinara sauce; it’ll absorb the smell, and it works better the longer it sits in the container. You can also make a paste using oatmeal, extra water and soap to give your pooch a bath. The oatmeal will help soothe his irritated skin and deodorize his fur. A little goes a long way, though, so use just a few spoonfuls.