Sure, you can donate items like lightly used clothes, kitchenware, books and other household items to Goodwill, but did you know you can also donate gift cards -- no matter the amount remaining? Billions of dollars go unused every year on gift cards -- some with as little as a penny left -- but they can be donated easily. The charity can look up the remaining balance on the cards and either resell them in stores or consolidate them through a third-party vendor that gives a percentage of the total balance to the nonprofit.

This may seem against conventional wisdom, but don't keep flour in the pantry or in a countertop container like mom did. More of us are using whole-wheat flour instead of white flour, and the wheat germ can go rancid very quickly. Once you open your bag of whole-wheat flour, transfer it to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator or freezer to help keep it fresher longer. Flour, like baking soda, can absorb odors very easily, so make sure the container really is airtight, otherwise your next batch of scones might taste like onions, garlic or leftover Chinese takeout.

On a trip, it can sometimes feel like your food options are limited to fast food joints at rest stops along the way. But it's possible to find local, sustainable and even organic food on your journey. The Eat Well Guide is an online tool that uses your two destination points -- from where you start to where you end -- and gives you healthy options where to dine on your trip. Or, if you're visiting a city and want greener cuisine options, you can just list a single address to find the closest listings. Visit EatWellGuide.org/travel_map to search your culinary journey today.