An encyclopedia set has become obsolete for many of us as the internet has become the go-to source for research and information. But what can you do with your old set of books? Most libraries and local book drives do not want them; in fact, they often post notices saying they are the one rejected donation item. Instead, you can do two things. One, you can rip the cover off the books and recycle the interior pages with office paper. Two, you can donate them to the charity Books for Africa (booksforafrica.org), which is actively looking for reference books dated 2005 or later. The group donates them to schools and libraries in need in Africa.

If you love magazines but don’t like the paper that’s used to print them, there’s a digital app that’s prefect for you: Texture. The app was created by major magazine publishers as a virtual newsstand. You can read hundreds of current issues, along with back issues, all through the convenience of your phone or tablet. And a bonus: You can even read issues of my magazine, “Naturally, Danny Seo”!

Have some black T-shirts or jeans that have faded and could use re-dying? There’s no need to reach for chemical dyes when there’s an all-natural solution: coffee. Two cups of strong, freshly brewed coffee can reinvigorate black garments. Pour the coffee directly into the washing machine when the rinse cycle begins (making sure you have only black-dyed items in the machine). The coffee won’t stain the machine, and it’ll naturally dye your clothes back to a deep black. Be sure to hang dry the items after they’ve been through the wash.