It may seem serene and peaceful, but burning incense inside your home can actually lead to poorer air quality -- even worse than cigarette smoke. When lit, incense sticks can release more than just fragrance into the air; they also release ultra-fine particles and smoke that can be damaging to your lungs. If you want to add fragrance to the air, consider using completely natural essential oils with misting machines that gently release small amounts of fragrance into the air with water particles.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

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