Many of us add liquid fabric softener to the washing machine to help make clothing not only feel soft, but smell good, too. But the nonprofit Healthy Child Healthy World says it’s best to skip fabric softener; in addition to the artificial fragrance used in most softener, it also leaves a film behind on fabric fibers. All of this can cause skin irritation and trigger allergies. Softeners can also build up in the washing machine, staining future loads of laundry. Avoid it altogether, and stick with good old white vinegar to soften your clothing naturally.

Some of the most desired and hard-to-get items for local food banks are fresh fruits. If you have fruit trees on your property with a bumper crop of produce, consider donating bushels to your local food bank. Not only will the bank appreciate the donation, but the value of the gift can also be tax-deductible. In some cities across the country where fruit trees are abundant, there are organizations that will even come to your home and harvest the excess fruit for you. Remember to harvest only what’s fresh and edible, although the fruit does not need to be perfect-looking; if it’s good enough for you to eat, it’s good enough to donate.

When it comes to buying a laptop or desktop computer, there is a big difference between "used" and "refurbished." When you buy a used computer, it basically means you’re getting it in as-is condition, with no idea how damaged or usable it really is. But when you buy a refurbished system, it means the system has been repaired (usually by the manufacturer) and even comes with a warranty and tech support. The great news about refurbished computers is that they are less expensive than new ones. Often, these systems are technically new; they often come as returns from major corporations that barely cracked opened the box.