Big-box office supply stores gladly take your empty ink and laser printer cartridges, often giving you a credit of a few dollars you can use toward a new purchase in return. But did you know you can make a lot more selling them directly to recyclers? US Recycling (usrecycleink.com) pays up to $23 for empty cartridges. Just fill out a short form on their website and take a picture of your empty cartridges. They'll make you an offer within an hour, and if you accept, they share how to ship to their recycling facilities. Either way, never toss your empty cartridges away; they can be recycled at stores or through recyclers like this.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

If your refrigerator isn't as cold inside as it used to be, there's no need to immediately order a brand-new one. First, check to make sure the thermostat hasn't been accidentally turned up; often, they get bumped and need a simple readjustment. Then clean the condenser coils at the bottom of the fridge, which can get clogged with dirt, dust and other debris. Finally, is your fridge overpacked? If the back is full of stacked food, you might have a blocked vent. Just spread the items around until the fridge is cool again.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

Now more than ever, it's important to use soap to wash our hands to keep ourselves clean and healthy. To help extend the life of a bar of soap, you can follow these simple tips. First, look for triple-milled or "French milled" styles of soaps. They are denser, harder soaps with less air inside, so they dissolve much more slowly than other styles of soaps. You can also cure your bar soap by unwrapping it and letting it air dry; this will help remove excess moisture and make the soap denser. Finally, you can cut a large bar of soap into smaller pieces and use only what you need when you need it.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION