It's nice to receive flowers, but it's just as nice to make sure someone's kind gesture doesn't generate waste. If you receive an arrangement from a local florist, get in touch with them about taking back the vase or basket the flowers arrive in. If you're like a lot of people, you may already have too many extra vases or wicker baskets stashed under your kitchen sink. So instead of saving them, give them back so they can be reused for other arrangements.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

If you have a little leftover yogurt in the container, consider scraping it up and using it to add richness and nutrition to a cup of coffee. It's delicious! Adding a spoonful of yogurt to your java is actually very common in countries like Vietnam. It acts like creamer but has more nutrition, since there are probiotics, calcium, protein and D vitamins in yogurt. Plain yogurt works best, but a little extra flavor like strawberry or blueberry can make your coffee just as good, too.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

Do you want to do just one thing to improve the energy efficiency of your refrigerator by as much as 20%? Turn off the ice maker. If you don't often use ice in your drinks, turning off the ice maker can significantly increase the energy efficiency of your refrigerator/freezer. And considering this appliance is the largest energy hog in your kitchen, this step can do two things: It can save energy, which saves you money, and it also can help prolong the lifespan of your refrigerator. If you want ice, use simple silicone ice trays that can be filled and frozen as needed.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION