Many of us have compost bins in the backyard where we layer raked leaves, grass clippings and kitchen waste to break down into beneficial mulch. Don’t neglect seasonal items for your bin, too, during the holidays. Items like evergreen branches, rotting pumpkins and tabletop Indian corn arrangements can be added to a compost bin after the festivities are over. Just be sure to remove non-biodegradable items like ribbon, rubber bands and twist-ties before tossing into the bin.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

Dull knives in the kitchen? A sharp knife is a must-have for a home cook, but what do you do if you don’t have a knife sharpener and don’t want the hassle of taking your knives to a store to get sharpened? Look for a terra cotta pot! Turn over a clean terra cotta pot and run the blade across it several times. A few swipes against the pot will sharpen a dull blade. Wipe the blade with a damp towel and test it by slicing an item like a tomato to make sure it’s perfectly sharp.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

If you’re sick and tired of junk mail, one of the easiest things to do is make sure your information is listed as private and not public. When you set up a home or work landline phone, be sure to have the number listed as “private” when setting up the account. You often have to request this from your service provider. Doing so means your phone number and address will not be accessible to the public. Junk mail companies buy lists and will inundate public listings with solicitations for new services, products and more, so make your listing private.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION