If you drive only locally, there’s no need to have a spare tire in your car, especially if you don’t know how to replace one. A spare tire weighs about 39 pounds, which reduces your car’s efficiency by 1 percent. That’s about an extra $50 a year in lost fuel savings. Instead, keep a can of Fix-A-Flat, which can temporarily inflate a flat tire so you can drive to a repair shop and get it fixed. When you do go on long-distance trips or travel, place the spare back in the car so you're prepared for wherever your travels may take you.

There’s nothing like a fresh, juicy tropical fruit salad to start off your day, but did you know there is one type of exotic fruit you should avoid? The majority of papayas are genetically modified (GMOs). The fruit is considered a GMO because scientists restructured the genetic structure of papaya to combat the papaya ringspot virus. If you want to avoid GMOs, avoid papayas altogether. If you can’t live without them, look for certified organic ones, which can be found at health food stores. Certified organic fruits can’t be genetically modified.

Old prescription medicines should never be flushed down the toilet, since the residual effects of the medicines can contaminate both public and natural waterways. Instead, there are proper disposal containers at many national drug store chains. But did you know you shouldn't flush over-the-counter meds either? Mix them with something unappetizing like old coffee grinds and place them in an airtight container and toss it in the trash. Don’t follow the old-fashioned tip of mixing pills with peanut butter; wild animals find peanut butter tasty and could overdose if they get into your trash.