If you live in a two-story home, an easy way to save on energy costs and keep the entire house comfortable during colder months is to focus on warming the first floor. By setting the thermostat on the first floor just two degrees higher, warm air naturally rises and helps heat the upper level more efficiently -- reducing the need to overwork your system upstairs. To maximize this effect, run ceiling fans on the second floor clockwise at low speed. This gently pushes warm air back down into living spaces without creating a draft, helping maintain a more even temperature throughout the home and improving overall energy efficiency.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

Many homeowners are advised to keep chest freezers in the garage because the unheated area will help keep the freezer cold. But the reality is that the garage has inconsistent temperatures, especially in climates with hot summers and cold winters. These swings in temperature can force the freezer to work harder on hot days, which works the internal motor longer and can reduce the lifespan of the freezer. The best place to keep a chest freezer is the basement, where the temperature is consistently cool.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

After you've brewed a cup of morning joe, don't toss the used grinds down the drain. Try soaking an old cotton T-shirt in cold coffee and wiping scratched tables to see the small nicks, dents and dings disappear. Or scrub your hands clean with old grinds and hand soap; the grinds will buff away dead skin, and the soap will ensure your hands are stain-free. Finally, try mixing old coffee grinds in the soil near acid-loving plants like dogwoods, hemlocks, blueberry bushes, hydrangeas and oak trees. The plants will thrive and love the extra jolt of nutrition.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION