Summer is a time when many of us travel to new cities or destinations, and it often means renting a car. But if you want to save money -- and the hassle of paying to park and manage a rental car -- consider researching public transportation options in your destination city. It's also very green: In 2011, U.S. public transportation (trains, buses and ferries) saved 450 million gallons of gas from 500 urban areas. Most cities have websites that show you public transportation options, including maps, schedules and planners to make your visit a breeze.

Got an extra shower cap you nabbed from a hotel stay? The plastic caps can be used for more than just keeping your hair dry. Wrap the bottom of your shoes with shower caps; they'll create barriers that prevent the germs, bacteria and dirt that live on the bottom of your shoes from getting on your clean clothes in your suitcase. You can also create a mini greenhouse for seedlings; just cover the container that's holding freshly planted seeds, and the cap will keep it warm and moist to create the perfect growing environment.

One of the best things you can do to help your landscaping and garden thrive and grow is use mulch. Mulching locks in moisture -- great for summer droughts -- and can block out light to prevent weeds from growing. But instead of buying pricey wood mulch, use what you already have: grass clippings. Just remove fresh grass clippings from the lawnmower bag and mulch away. Not only does it help cool the soil and conserve moisture, it also adds nutrients. About 25 percent of the nutrients the grass removes from the soil will be redeposited if you mulch with grass.