Are you sending a care package or mailing a letter to a faraway destination? There's a good chance the label or envelope could get wet and cause whatever you wrote on the label to fade or wash out. Instead of using plastic tape to create a barrier to waterproof the address, reach for a white candle. When you rub the candle over the label or envelope, you create a waterproof shipping label or envelope. Plus, because you didn't use tape or a plastic pouch cover, the whole thing is still recyclable.

Invest in a tire pressure gauge to check the air pressure inside your tires. Once a month, check the pressure to make sure it meets the suggested guideline in your car's manual. If it reads lower, use an air pump at the gas station to add air. This simple test can improve the overall average miles per gallon for your car by as much as 3 percent.

Planting trees in your yard is one of the simplest ways to add value to your home and create future energy savings, too. Since trees provide shade and shaded air is cooler, you can strategically plant trees so they provide shade wherever your air conditioning unit is. The unit draws in the cooler air, which means it uses less energy to lower the temperature and circulate air conditioning around the house. In just one year, you'll save about $250 in electricity costs alone.