Moving into a new home is a good opportunity to remove clutter and purge items you no longer need. But before you drop off anything and everything at your local charity shop like Goodwill, do one more thing: Ask them what they need and don’t need. A visit to your local store will result in specific requests and inside information on items they won’t take. Remember, when the store gets trash, they have to dispose of it, which means valuable labor hours and cash are wasted sending your unwanted items to the landfill. A little homework goes a long way.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

Another reason why investing in a hybrid car is a smart choice: It gives you more free time. A recent study by the Ford Motor Company showed that investing in a fuel-efficient hybrid car significantly reduces the number of trips you need to make to the gas station to refuel. Over the course of just one year, the average hybrid car owner saved about 10 hours of time from refueling. Which begs the question: What would you do with 10 hours of extra time per year?

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

The second dirtiest spot in your kitchen is the sink, according to NSF International, a safety inspection certification company. And if you think about it, your sink comes in contact with lots of food when you’re defrosting, washing and preparing. Take the time to give your kitchen sink a good scrub with a sponge and dish soap. Then disinfect it to kill all the germs and bacteria. Just fill the sink with hot water and add a cup of white vinegar. Never use bleach, since bleach and food should never come in contact with each other. Let the hot water and vinegar mixture sit for 15 minutes, then let it drain.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION