One of the most commonly asked questions is how to dispose of leftover household paint. But rather than dealing with leftover paint, why not buy the amount of paint you actually need? To figure this out, simply measure the walls and multiply the length times the height to estimate the square footage. One gallon equals about 350 square feet of one-coat paint coverage. You can also use online paint calculators to help you determine what you need –- these calculators can predict down to the quart.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

The kitchen is one of the biggest energy hogs in the home, so every little effort to save energy there can help lower your utility bill and save money. One easy tip is to defrost frozen food before cooking. By simply remembering to place that frozen lasagna in the refrigerator for a few hours before cooking, you'll use 50% less energy to bake it from frozen. And bonus tip: Defrosting in the fridge also helps your refrigerator use less energy, since frozen items give off a chill too.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

We all can’t be completely perfect, so when you do use a disposable plastic bag and you’re forced to toss it in the trash, do one more thing before throwing it away: Make a knot. Thin plastic bags that get caught in the wind and go airborne can end up tangled in trees and wires or become litter on the road. By simply making a large, dense knot in the plastic before tossing it, you can prevent it from being easily airborne. Of course, the best solution is to avoid plastic bags altogether, but do this if you must throw one away.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION