Most of us know that old cellphones of any kind can be recycled easily by dropping them off in Call2Recycle collection boxes at electronics stores like Radio Shack, Best Buy and Staples. But have you thought about the cords, cables and chargers that come along with your phone? The good news is that yes, they are recyclable. Wherever you bought your old or new phone should be able to recycle them. Best Buy also has a free recycling bin at the entrance of the store that can take them for you. To find a complete list of recycling retailers, visit ecyclingcentral.com.

One of the biggest energy hogs in the home during the fall and winter months is heat, whether it's from oil or electricity. While sealing up cracks in windows and doors is one way to prevent warm air from escaping, here's one culprit you may not have thought about: your kitchen and bathroom ventilation fans. Yes, they are useful for removing steamy heat or cooking odors from inside the home, but if they are left on for too long, they also suck out warm air. This causes your heating system to work harder to keep your home warm. Use the ventilation systems for a few minutes and shut them off to save money and energy.

After you've brewed a cup of morning joe, don't toss the used grinds down the drain. Try soaking an old cotton T-shirt in cold coffee and wiping scratched tables to see the small nicks, dents and dings disappear. Or scrub your hands clean with old grinds and hand soap; the grinds will buff away dead skin, and the soap will make sure your hands are stain-free. Finally, try mixing old coffee grinds in the soil near acid-loving plants like dogwoods, hemlocks, blueberry bushes, hydrangeas and oak trees. The plants will thrive and love the extra jolt of nutrition.