Instead of plastic bottled water, it's cheaper to drink tap water. But how do you know if the water from whatever tap you are using is safe? If you don't have a water testing kit, try this simple test. First, fill a clear glass with water from the tap. Hold it up to a bright light or the sun, and see if it's cloudy or clear. It should be clear. If there's anything settling at the bottom of the glass or things floating, that could mean there is dirt, metals or bacteria in the water. Now smell it: If it has a foul odor, that's a sign to avoid it. While it may just be safe chlorine or sulfur, it's better to skip it.

Worried about ticks and Lyme disease in your own backyard? Instead of dousing the yard with chemical sprays or avoiding it altogether, try this one thing: Use gravel. Ticks are fond of soft surfaces like grass and leaves, not rough surfaces like wood chips and gravel. By placing a trail of gravel between your outdoor entertaining area and where ticks may reside, you create a natural barrier that keeps them far away. It's a simple, chemical-free way of keeping those bloodsuckers away from you.

Filling up the gas tank all the way each time you visit the gas station is the most fuel-efficient way to fill up, since it means you'll make fewer trips to the gas station over time. But avoid the temptation to "top off" after the pump automatically stops. The reason is simple: Adding more gas wastes money. Gasoline tanks have something called a vapor recovery system, which prevents gas from escaping. Adding more gas means you add some gas into your tank after it's full, but you also send gas back into the tank. That's money down the drain!