• Store popcorn in the freezer to help eliminate unpopped kernels and keep popcorn fresh.
   
• Preserve ripe bananas by wrapping them in aluminum foil and storing them in the salad drawer of your refrigerator. The foil will halt the ripening process, keeping the bananas from turning brown.
   
• Run out of lemon juice? You can substitute 1/2-teaspoon vinegar for 1-teaspoon lemon or lime juice in a recipe.
   
• Eat breakfast—and still get out the door quickly in the morning. The night before, set the table with dishes and silverware, and put out nonperishable foods, such as a package of muffins, bread loaf, preserves, or cereal.
   
• Remove stubborn coffee or tea stains from china cups by scrubbing with a baking soda/water paste. Or try soaking it in a denture-cleaning solution overnight.
   
• To clean and deodorize your refrigerator, wash the interior and exterior with a mixture of three tablespoons of baking soda in a quart of warm water.
   
• When demolding Jell-O and mousse, turn them upside down on a platter and go over the mold a few second with a warm hairdryer. The mold will lift easily!
   
• For an elegant-yet-simple cake topping, just place a paper lace doily on top and sprinkle powdered sugar over it, then remove it.
   
• One of the easiest ways to keep a large punch bowl cold is to make large ice cubes using old milk cartons. The larger the ice cube, the slower it will melt.
   
• Cooking wine will stay fresher longer if you add a tablespoon of very fresh vegetable oil to the bottle.
   
• Use a small ice cream scoop to spoon out cookie dough. It gives them a uniform look and size, and keeps your fingers cleaner to boot!
   
• To get the most juice out of fresh lemons, limes and oranges, bring them to room temperature and roll them under your palm before squeezing.
   
• Keep veggies fresh longer by lining the bottom of your refrigerator's crisper drawer with a paper towel to absorb liquids.
   
• When making cupcakes or muffins, leave one of the corner cups empty. That makes it easier to grab the pan with a bulky oven mitt or potholder.
   
• To prevent cheese from sticking to your grater, chill the grater first, place it in the freezer for a few minutes or hold it under cold water.
   
• Save money on frozen pancakes or waffles: Next time you make a scratch batch, make a few extra and freeze them in a sealed bag. Just pop into the toaster to reheat.
   
• To cut a pie into 5 equal pieces: make a "Y" slice, then cut the two larger pieces in half!
   
• Melt chocolate without the mess: place it in a plastic bag, seal it and drop it into boiling water or put it in the microwave on "low." When melted, simply cut a corner and squeeze out...no bowls to clean!
   
• To rid your cutting board of strong smells, such as fish, garlic or onion, cut a lime or lemon in half and rub the cut side over the board. Or, make a paste of baking soda and water and apply generously, then rinse.
   
• Did you know you can store garlic cloves in the freezer? When you need some for a recipe, peel and chop before thawing.
   
• To remove silk from an ear of corn, brush downward with a damp paper towel or terrycloth.
   
• Need softened butter in a hurry? Just grate the amount you need! Or, invert a small, heated pan over the butter dish.
   
• Before creaming shortening in the mixer, heat the beaters in hot water first. This will prevent the shortening from clogging and sticking to the blades.
   
• Make your own honey butter: soften a stick of butter, then add a little honey to taste, and blend with a mixer. Add a dash of cinnamon if desired. Refrigerate until needed. Delicious on warm dinner rolls!
   
• To clean a microwave oven, place 4 T. lemon juice in 1 cup water in a 4 cup, microwave-safe bowl. Boil for 5 minutes in the microwave. Steam will condense on the inside walls; simply wipe clean.
   
• Before pouring honey, molasses or syrup in a measuring cup, grease it first with butter, oil or cooking spray to prevent sticking.
   
• Here's a trick to get the new bottle of ketchup moving: push a drinking straw to the bottom of the bottle, and remove. You'll have created an air pocket that will start it flowing!
   
• To get the most juice out of oranges, lemons, limes and other citrus, place whole fruit in warm water several minutes before juicing.
   
• Peel too many potatoes? Cover them with cold water and add a few drops of vinegar. Refrigerated, they'll last 3-4 days.
   
• Add flair to drinks by floating colorful, edible flowers (such as pansies and violets) atop lemonade or sparkling water. (Make sure no part of the flower has been treated with chemicals or pesticides.)
   
• For clearer ice cubes, pour warm water into the trays before freezing. This prevents the formation of small air bubbles which get trapped inside, causing a cloudy appearance.
   
• If your garden leaves you with green tomatoes, chop them and use as you would green peppers, in casseroles, omelets and other dishes.
   
• When making place cards to encourage table conversation, write the guest's name on both sides. That way the person on the other side of the table will see the name!
   
• When thawing frozen baked goods, keep them wrapped up. That will help keep food moist and from drying out.
   

• Save your old toothbrushes for fast and easy cleaning of hair combs and brushes.
   
• Give your bathroom a pleasant fragrance by placing a fabric softener sheet in the wastepaper basket.
   
• Never rummage through a linen closet again! Keep everyone's linens on a shelf in the closet of the room in which they are used.
   
• If two or more children share a bedroom, assign each one a color. Then paint drawers, storage units, even wooden hangers in these colors to show where each child's items are kept.
   
• For an inexpensive and environmentally safe fabric softener, add two tablespoons of white vinegar to the final rinse.
   
• For tough-to-clean wood blinds, dip Miracle Cloth in cornmeal and rub. The abrasion and absorption together help remove soil and grease.
   
• Clean a rubber or vinyl bath mat in the washer with several bath towels. The towels scrub the mat, and everything comes out clean.
   
• Assign each person a room, and race to see who can unclutter and clean his first. The reward is pizza-and-movie night at the end of the day...winner's choice!
   
• Finish daily chores faster. One way: Decide which areas need to be cleaned frequently, such as the bathroom. Fill a small plastic caddy with the necessary supplies (cleanser, sanitizer, sponge) and store it in that room.
   
• To keep your bathroom mirror from fogging up during cold weather, spread a little shaving cream on the mirror and wipe it off with a tissue.
   
• Remove excess soap from clothes in the washing machine by adding a cup of white vinegar to the rinse cycle. It's great for refreshing towels and washcloths, too.
   
• If you fill your bath with about an inch of cold water before adding hot water, your bathroom will become less steamy.
   
• If a wooden dresser drawer drags, sand its runners lightly and then rub them with a candle or bar of soap.
   
• Place a small amount of vegetable oil on the threads of nail polish bottles so the lids won't stick.
   
• Clean your bathroom after a steamy bath or shower. The walls and fixtures will be much easier to clean because the steam will have loosened the dirt.
   
• Spray cotton balls with your favorite scent. Once they are dry place them in corners and on the shelves of your linen closet.
   
• Refresh sneakers overnight: Fill knee-high stockings with unused kitty litter, or place a couple teaspoons of baking soda in the center of a cotton cloth. Tie securely and tuck in!
   
• Create your own bath soothers for a fraction of the cost. Toss several handfuls of Epsom salts in the tub to revive tired muscles, or add 2-3 teaspoons of baking soda to the water to help soften skin.
   
• For fresh-smelling closets, add some cedar chips to an old nylon stocking and hang. The cedar will also repel moths.
   
• Apply paste auto wax to the shower curtain rod...the hooks will glide smoothly without sticking.
   
• A facial scrub good enough to eat—almost! Mix oatmeal with water to form a paste; apply to your face and let dry until it feels tight. Rub off with your fingers in a back-and-forth motion to slough off dead skin.
   
• Is the showerhead in your bathroom clogged? Try boiling it in 1/2 cup vinegar and 1 quart water for 15 minutes. (For plastic showerheads, simply soak in equal parts hot vinegar and water.)
   
• Hang an inexpensive set of measuring spoons on a hook in the medicine cabinet. When it's time for a liquid dose of medicine, you'll be able to pour the correct amount.
   
• Denture tablets are good for more than just cleaning teeth! Before going to bed, drop a couple into the toilet bowl, then brush and flush the next morning!
   
• To get rid of mold and mildew in the tub and shower, apply bleach directly to the affected areas.
   
• Scrub the bathroom and finish with softer hands! Just apply hand cream before putting on rubber gloves to clean the bathroom. The warm water will help the cream soak into your skin.
   
• A earth-safe way to clean clogged drains: pour 1/2 cup baking soda down, followed by 1/2 cup white vinegar. Cover, let work for a few minutes, then pour in boiling water.
   
• Keep a couple new toothbrushes on hand. They'll be handy if a guest forgets to bring theirs and you'll always have a new one when you need it.
   
• Use a sponge mop to clean your shower walls. It will save time and save your back from all that bending and stretching.
   
• Trouble sleeping? Keep lighting low for a couple hours before bedtime. It really helps your body naturally prepare for sleep.
   
• Broken lipstick? Heat the ends over a match until they melt, then press them together and chill in the refrigerator.
   

• When selecting a vase for a bouquet of flowers, try to choose one that is similar in size and visual weight to the bouquet itself. This will create good balance, and your display will appear neither too spare nor too top heavy.
   
• Instead of an address book, consider keeping names, addresses and phone numbers on index cards in a file or recipe box. You'll also have room for email addresses, birthdays, even presents you've given or received.
   
• Assign each family member a basket for mittens, gloves, hats and scarves. Keep them by the door most frequented...hung on the wall, or set on the floor or a shelf.
   
• Take photos of a room and its furnishings; cut samples of its fabrics and carpet. Glue onto index cards. Next paint more cards with colors used in that room. Carry them in a binder for reference when adding to or changing the look of a room.
   
• For longer life, store batteries in a tightly sealed container in the refrigerator. Allow them to warm to room temperature before using.
   
• Energy-efficient light bulbs last up to five time longer than conventional bulbs. Substitute fluorescent bulbs for standard ones. Use low-voltage Tungsten-halogen bulbs for powerful, unobtrusive lighting...such as in a kitchen.
   
• Keep a bulletin board next to the washer and dryer. Pin tags, labels and receipts for clothing to it. If a garment does not wash as it should (or shrinks excessively), you can return it to the store for a refund.
   
• Know a budding young artist? Paint one wall of his/her room with flat black or dark green latex paint to create a giant, easy-clean chalkboard.
   
• To remove a broken light bulb: Turn off the electricity, place half of a raw potato or apple into the broken base, then twist the bulb out.
   
• Hang table linens on hangers padded with paper towel tubes to keep them from creasing.
   
• Remove lipstick stains from machine washable clothing with petroleum jelly or vegetable shortening. Rub a little in, then launder as normal.
   
• To remove stickers, decals, and glue from furniture, glass, or plastic, saturate them with vegetable oil and they'll rub right off.
   
• Keep household appliance instruction books and pamphlets in a single binder with pocket file inserts, and keep it on the bookshelf or next to your cookbooks. When you need directions for the steamer, microwave or iron, you'll know right where to look.
   
• Can't decide where to hang a picture or mirror? Use newspaper to make a "pattern" the size and shape as your picture. Put in place with a masking tape and move until you find the best spot.
   
• When you bring home film from the developer, label it immediately with the date, place and subject matter. Later, when you assemble photo albums or scrapbooks, it will be easier to locate the prints you want.
   
• When washing windows, make up-and-down strokes on the outside, side-to-side on the inside. That way you'll know which side has smudges that need retouching.
   
• An easy way to remove wax from glass candleholders is to pop the container in the microwave on LOW power, just until the wax melts off.
   
• Looking for a safe alternative to chlorine bleach? Try lemon juice. Soak stained garments in a gallon of water with 1/4 cup lemon juice added.
   
• Save worn-out toothbrushes and use for cleaning jewelry, plant leaves, grout and other hard to reach places.
   
• Do your neighbors subscribe to magazines you don't subscribe to but would enjoy—and vice versa? Start an exchange: when you're through with your issues, swap them with your neighbors. You'll save money on annual subscriptions.
   
• After washing pants, hang from the legs. The wet weight of the pants will help eliminate wrinkles, and little ironing will be necessary.
   
• Save energy when boiling a pan of water: cover it with a lid and it will come to a boil faster.
   
• Can't remember where you put it? When you've stored items, write in two places where you put them, perhaps the back pages of the phone book and your datebook.
   
• Put up a clothesline or buy a folding wooden rack so your family can enjoy the clean, fresh smell of air-drying. You'll save money on running your dryer, too.
   
• Consider switching to fluorescent lighting: it puts out considerable less heat and uses much less energy than incandescent. While you pay more for a fluorescent bulb, it lasts up to 10 times longer!
   
• Prevent clutter and help others by regularly donating your magazines to a senior center or hospital. Be sure to remove the address label to protect your privacy.
   
• Make sure family members know where the main water shut-off valve is in your home. If the water heater or a pipe bursts, you'll need to turn it off as soon as possible. (Same goes for natural gas.)
   
• Save money and natural resources by installing a programmable thermostat in your home—then use it to automatically lower the heat while you're asleep or away.
   
• Before hanging art or photos on the wall, make a cutout from brown paper or newspaper the same size as the artwork; hang it with masking tape, changing the position until you're happy with it. Mark that spot and hang the original piece of art.
   

• Mount a fold-down table on the wall for an instant workbench. Hang secondhand kitchen cabinets for extra storage. Add locks for cabinets storing harmful substances.
   
• To remove odors from your car trunk, fill an empty coffee can with kitty litter and leave it in the trunk overnight.
   
• To prevent rust on tools, place a piece of charcoal or chalk in your toolbox to absorb any moisture.
   
• Draw simple silhouettes of your tools on a pegboard. You'll always know what you have, where things go, and what's missing.
   
• Planning a car trip with kids? Bring along some jump ropes so they can work off excess energy whenever you stop for food or gas.
   
• Clear out a corner of the garage for garage sale items you'll gather. Inside, work room to room with three big bags: Garage Sale, Donations...and Trash.
   
• On a long car trip, give older kids a map and colored pencil. Let them mark your progress. This may help put an end to the question, "Are we there yet?"
   
• To help put an end to painful and annoying static electricity shocks. Mix two teaspoons of liquid fabric softener and one quart of water in a spray bottle and spray the fabric and and carpeting inside your car and let dry before using.
   
• Keep a screwdriver from slipping by putting chalk on the tip.
   
• To clean bugs off your windshield, apply vinegar full-strength to a cloth and wipe. You'll be amazed how easily they come off.
   
• Keep the center tube from a roll of paper towels in your car. It's great for transporting a child's artwork home from school undamaged.
   
• Chipped paint spots on your car? Promptly clean the area thoroughly and apply a coat of clear nail polish to prevent rust.
   
• To remove a grease stain from your concrete driveway, try rubbing kitty litter into the stain and allowing to stand for 1-2 hours before sweeping it up.
   
• To remove stubborn bumper stickers, use nail polish remover or lighter fluid.
   
• If you have never changed a flat tire, try a dry run in your driveway during daylight. Also, know how to use a tire inflator product and keep it in your emergency kit.
   
• Touch up the paint on your white car with a little correction fluid. Works especially well on flat finished molding and bumpers.
   
• If your oil filter sticks, set your hair dryer to the hottest setting and heat the filter. The heat expands the outside metal and the filter pops right off.
   
• Keep an old rolled-up window shade in your vehicle. If you need to change a flat, you can roll it out to protect your clothes from getting soiled from the road.
   
• Save empty tissue boxes and fill them with plastic grocery bags. When it's full, keep it in your car. You'll be surprised how handy the bags will be—for muddy shoes, plants from the nursery, wet scarves and mittens and more.
   
• Keep a disposable camera in the emergency car kit. In the event of an accident, you'll have it to photograph the scene. (It also comes in handy if you see a moose along the side of the road!)
   
• "Erase" steamed-up car windows...keep a blackboard eraser in the glove compartment and use it to wipe away condensation!
   
• Hang an inexpensive shoe bag in the garden shed or the garage. It's a great place to store small garden tools, work gloves, seed packets, and gardening clogs, of course.
   
• Use a string mop to wash your car. It easily reaches the top, hood and trunk, and covers more area so you get the job done faster!
   
• Keep a small flashlight in the car...it's good for road emergencies and map-reading.
   
• If you pick up tar from road construction, no need to buy a petroleum-based product to remove it. Simply use a paste made with baking soda and water—safer for the environment and costs less, too!
   
• To make a neglected paintbrush useful again, soak in hot vinegar to clean and make pliable.
   
• To maximize floor space in the garage, hang as many items as possible on the walls. Pegboard and utility hooks provide plenty of hanging options.
   
• When test driving a used car, map out a route that includes a city street, a bumpy road, a parking lot, a hill and a freeway to get a good idea of how the car handles on each of those surfaces.
   
• With the price of gasoline on the rise, it's more important than ever to check your tire pressure at least once a month, since low pressure can reduce the miles you get per gallon.
   
• Oil drips on the driveway or garage floor? Pour a little cola on the spot and simply wipe up the stain.
   
• To save on gas, do a little pre-planning before jumping in the car. Try to do several tasks in one trip, instead of making separate trips for each task.
   
• When you use cruise control on a highway trip, it helps save fuel because you’re driving at a steady speed.
   
• If you're stuck in stop-and-go traffic with and engine that's running hot, turn the heater and fan on high. It will pull hot air off the engine, cooling it down until you can get to a service station.
   
• Before heading off on a winter road trip, pack emergency supplies: warm clothing, flashlight with fresh batteries, fire extinguisher, first-aid kit, and flares or reflectors.
   

• For a pretty touch, attach fresh flowers to the bow. But first wrap the stems in damp paper towels and cover them with foil.
   
• You'll always have last-minute gifts on hand if you buy doubles of things you need yourself, such as kitchen gadgets, bath toiletries, notepads and stationery.
   
• Tired of giving cookies? Instead, give muffins or homemade coffeecake for a weekend brunch, wrapped and placed in a pretty, reusable tin. Be sure to include the recipe.
   
• Create personal thank you cards by taking a picture of you (or children) using or wearing the gift. They'll know you appreciate their thoughtfulness!
   
• Gift wrap creatively! Use a large, colorful map for a going-away gift, the real estate section for a housewarming gift, a financial newspaper for a promotion "congratulations" gift, a receiving blanket and diaper pins for a baby gift.
   
• For wrapping an extra large gift, try using a paper tablecloth from your local grocery store or party shop. It'll be easier to handle and less expensive than several sheets of gift wrap.
   
• To make your own lightweight packing material, inflate zippered storage bags by inserting a straw, sealing each bag around the straw, then blowing in air. Quickly remove the straw and seal the bag.
   
• If you are giving a large or awkward-sized gift, consider wrapping it in fabric. You can close it with a simple ribbon, or sew in a drawstring or buttons.
   
• Need a gift for a friend who has everything? Make a contribution in their name to an organization he/she cares strongly about.
   
• Sending money for an older child's birthday? Roll up a bill and insert it into a balloon. Mail it along in a card with instructions to blow up and pop. Works for party invitations, too.
   
• For mothers-to-be, start a scrapbook of current events. Fill it with clippings of headlines, fashion photos, movie ads, etc. On the final page, place the front page of the newspaper on baby's birthday!
   
• Try a gift box alternative: watering can, ice bucket, odd shaped box, trinket drawer, lunch box or toolbox.
   
• To avoid wasting wrapping paper, wrap a string around the package to be wrapped, allowing several extra inches for overlap, and use that as a measuring guide when cutting the paper.
   
• Never again forget to send a birthday card on time. Buy and address cards in advance, putting the date to mail where the stamp goes and keep with your bills. Replace as used.
   
• Cookie jars or airtight containers make great "packaging" for your homemade holiday goodies; when the cookies are gone, an attractive jar remains behind to be refilled with cookies, pasta, legumes or other pantry staples.
   
• Keep a separate calendar just to note special occasions such as birthdays and anniversaries. Check it the last week of every month...that will ensure your cards, gifts or flowers will arrive on time.
   
• Start a collection of "thank you" or birthday gifts now. As you come across gifts that friends and family would enjoy, purchase them and put them away in a special box in your closet. You'll avoid last-minute shopping and will always have a selection of gifts to choose from!
   
• As a good-bye gift or housewarming gift for a friend or neighbor, present them with a set of labels with their new address. You can easily create them on your computer, even personalizing them with photos and artwork.
   
• Thoroughly wash a new "flying disc" toy and use it to heap cookies or treats on for a party. After the "plate" is empty, you can use it as a game or give it away as a door prize!
   
• When you see individual or boxed "thank you" cards on sale, purchase them and stash them away. Then when you or a family member need to send a thank you, you'll always have a nice selection to choose from.
   
• Don't delay writing thank you notes. Letting someone know you appreciate them is a gift in itself.
   
• Make gift-giving easier by keeping a "wish" book. Create a page for each person and record personal information such as special dates, clothing sizes, favorite colors, even favorite foods and restaurants! As you buy gifts throughout the year, make a note so you don't duplicate.
   
• Instead of sending a birthday card to a child, send a small storybook. The difference in cost is minimal—it's a special gift the child will enjoy for a longer time.
   
• Give a gift of time—yours! Promise a shut-in you'll help with housecleaning, tell a friend you'll pitch in on a big garden project, or baby sit your nieces and nephews for the weekend.
   
• Make a bouquet of fresh herbs as a hostess gift. It will add fragrance at the dinner table one night, then can be used in the dinner another night!
   
• Save money by reusing colorful pictures from magazines or calendars as gift wrap. You can even cut them to create a personalized collage over a plain brown paper bag.
   
• Birthday coming up and you don't need more "stuff?" Suggest a donation to your (or their) favorite charity. Consider an animal protection agency, shelter for women and children, medical research...whatever means the most to you.
   
• Preserve garden flowers by pressing them so you can use them later to make your own birthday or thank you cards.
   
• Use clever gift wrap! A kitchen towel to wrap a hostess gift, a colorful map to conceal a travel gift, or how about recycling old cookie tins as gift wrap!
   

• Change the water in a birdbath every three days to reduce the number of mosquitoes. (Mosquito larvae thrive in water.)
   
• To attract birds to your backyard birdbath, place a few colorful marbles in the bottom...they'll look pretty, too.
   
• To encourage moss between patio slabs or brick sections, harvest some moss from another area of your yard. Place it in a blender with some plain yogurt, mix well and then "paint" it where you want moss to grow.
   
• In fall, pile raked leaves into a corner, wet down and trample them. In spring, break up the tight mass into small chunks and spread it as an attractive mulch. As it decomposes, it will fertilize and condition the soil.
   
• Repel moles and gophers from your yard with used, yes used, cat litter. Simply pour it into the tunnel. The rodent will smell the scent of their natural enemy and quickly retreat.
   
• If you get a splinter, before reaching for the tweezers, try this easier and painless solution: Gently place a piece of tape over the splinter. Then pull it off - along with the splinter!
   
• Enjoy cut tulips from your garden longer! To keep them from drooping, add a few drops of vodka to the water in the vase.
   
• Spray garden tools with a light coat of cooking spray to prevent rust.
   
• When cutting thorny rose bushes, hold onto the stem with a clothespin. No more pricked fingers!
   
• To keep grass from growing between bricks in a walk, sprinkle the spaces with salt.
   
• Rub houseplants with mayonnaise to shine the leaves and keep dust from settling.
   
• If the stems of flowers you're arranging are too short, stick them in clear drinking straws, then trim the straws to desired length. Even in glass vases, the straws are not noticeable, and you can still use those short-stemmed blooms in your arrangements.
   
• Add fallen leaves to your compost pile, but be sure to shred or chop large ones for best results. You won't need to pay for disposal now, and next spring you'll be able to enrich your garden soil for free.
   
• Can't tell if a houseplant needs watering? Poke you finger 1" into the soil: if it's moist, don't water. If it's dry, do. You can also use a knitting needle; if it comes out dry, it's time to water.
   
• Dissolve one envelope of unflavored gelatin in a quart of water to make nitrogen-rich plant food. Water houseplants with a fresh mix once a month. (Signs of nitrogen deficiency include pale yellow lower leaves and rusty brown edges).
   
• Before throwing out old gloves, consider using them to dust the leaves of your indoor plants. You can clean both sides in one swipe, and toss them in the wash when you're done.
   
• Place a few ice cubes in plants that need watering. They'll slowly melt into the soil, providing adequate water without the drippy mess!
   
• Wait...don't toss those eggshells! Crush them and add to a planting hole for better drainage; their calcium content also enhances the soil (but don't use for plants that prefer an acid soil, as eggshells are alkaline).
   
• Set your lawnmower blade higher as hot weather approaches; longer grass protects the roots with shade.
   
• Keep your beautiful cut garden flowers (or those from the farmers' market) fresh longer by adding 2 tablespoons of vinegar and 3 tablespoons of sugar to one quart of warm water.
   
• Install an inexpensive timer to your outside faucet. When doing summer watering, let it shut off the water for you so you won't forget!
   
• To water a newly planted tree or bush, punch a hole in an old bucket or can, place it beside the tree and fill with water. The water will seep out slowly and soak in, rather than run off.
   
• When a plant label reads "full sun," it means that plant needs at least 6 hours of sun per day to thrive.
   
• To save time and effort, rake leaves onto large tarps, then drag the tarps to your compost pile, or directly to the street for pick-up.
   
• Keep snow from sticking to your shovel by spraying it with non-stick cooking spray.
   

• If you want to encourage your pet bird to sing, position a mirror in its cage so that it can see itself. It will think it sees another bird and will sing to its reflection.
   
• When traveling by car with your pet, bring along a plastic freezer container of frozen water. As you travel, the water will thaw and your pet will always have a fresh drink available.
   
• Keep a file for each pet, with their medical files, records of vaccinations, weight, birth history and more. You'll be prepared for vet visits and petsitters.
   
• Discourage pets from digging in potted plants. Put cinnamon sticks or strips of lemon peel into the soil. Most animals dislike the smell, so they'll be less likely to dig up the soil or chew the plants.
   
• If your cat refuses liquid medicine or hairball remedies just put it on his fur and watch him lick it off.
   
• If your new puppy is restless and cries at night, wrap a ticking clock in a soft towel, and put it in puppy's bed. The quiet, regular noise is like the mother's heartbeat and will help to comfort the puppy.
   
• If your cat becomes an unwelcome alarm clock, feed it before you go to bed. Or entertain your pet by placing a birdfeeder near a window that's well away from your bedroom.
   
• If cats or other animals dig in your planters or pots, rub some camphor oil along the edges. (They hate the smell.) Reapply when the smell fades.
   
• When your bird flies the coop, turn off the lights and close the drapes. A bird will normally stay motionless in the dark until you can catch him.
   
• Got a smelly dog? Rub baking soda thoroughly into Fido's coat, then brush it out. The baking soda will absorb any unpleasant odors.
   
• A box of ten plastic lawn bags makes forty economical kitty litter pan liners. Cut each bag into four rectangular pieces.
   
• Brewer's yeast rubbed on a dog's coat helps prevent fleas.
   
• Keep bird feeders clean. Birds will avoid feeders that have accumulated seed that has molded or soured.
   
• Give smaller birds a place to perch in your birdbath by placing a few stones in the water.
   
• To assure that your pooch's outside water bowl stays in one spot and keeps from tipping over, set an angel food cake pan over a wooden stake driven into the yard.
   
• Using a small funnel, fill empty salt containers with feed for your indoor birds or hamsters. The pouring spout makes it easy to fill their tiny dishes without spilling.
   
• Store pet food in a plastic container with lid. Put a scoop inside and keep the container handy in the pantry for nightly feedings.
   
• To remove pet hair from clothing or furniture, roll a strip of wide adhesive or masking tape, sticky side out, around your fingers, and brush it over the fabric
   
• Cut a hole in the bottom of a large trash bag, and two holes on the sides, then slip into this instant waterproof "apron" when washing the dog!
   
• Get extra mileage out of a worn bathroom rug: use it as a sleeping mat for the dog or as a grooming mat in the garage.
   
• Keep your dog's coat shiny by adding one tablespoon of olive oil to his food.
   
• Use a kitchen baster to add water to your bird's cage...no need to disturb him and no more "gentle pecks" from your pet!
   
• Do you have a good picture of your pet that shows his or her distinguishing markings? If she ever gets lost, you can use the photo as an identifier on posters and flyers to aid in her speedy return.
   
• Make your dog's coat softer and shinier by adding a little baking soda to his bath rinse water—it absorbs odors, so it will also make him smell better.
   
• Visit a kennel before leaving your dog or cat there. Ask to see the units to make sure they're clean, and inquire about extra care, such as walks and grooming.
   
• Here's an easy way to fill your birdfeeder: Take a plastic milk jug and cut off bottom. Leave the cap on, fill with seed and position it over the birdfeeder. Unscrew the cap to release—no spills!
   
• Recyle an old leather belt and use as a dog collar! Just cut it down and punch some new holes for a perfect fit. Remember to slide on his ID and a ring to which you can attach his leash.
   
• Having a tough time removing pet hair from upholstered furniture? Try wiping a damp sponge over the furniture, rinsing sponge as needed.
   
• Keep your indoor kitty happier by providing entertainment. Toys will stimulate her mind, reducing the risk that she will overeat out of boredom. It may even keep her from digging in houseplants.
   
• The flying disc you use to play with your dog can be flipped upside down to make an impromptu water bowl!
   
• Take along proof of your pet's rabies and other vaccination when traveling with him. Also take the name and phone number of your vet.
   
• If you yearn for a dog or cat but don't have adequate space or the time to care for one, consider volunteering at the local humane society or a pet shelter.
   
• Buy an inexpensive "kiddie pool" to give your dog a place to cool off on hot days.
   
• Traveling with your pet? Fill a plastic bag with a few old towels to clean up messes or dry off a wet dog. Then use the plastic bag for dirty towels on the way home.
   
• With freezing weather, it's a good idea to provide food and water for our feathered friends who have not flown south for the winter.
   

• Cover the top side of a map with clear contact paper. This will reinforce the map so it won't fall apart, and will help protect it from dirt and moisture.
   
• If you start getting drowsy during a long road trip, having a snack will help you stay alert. Better yet, plan your travel to avoid too-long driving stints.
   
• Help prevent jet lag by avoiding alcohol for two days before flying. The day before a flight, eat only light meals to prevent bloating or nausea.
   
• Keep a checklist of everything you put in your suitcase. Keep one copy at home and another in your wallet. If your luggage gets lost, you'll have a good accounting of what's in it.
   
• When you leave home for a few days, stand indoor plants by a bowl of water (set higher than the plant). Cut absorbent cloth into strips. Put one end in the bowl; bury the other end in the soil. The strips will draw up the water and water your plant!
   
• Safeguard your passport. If a hotel requires you to leave it overnight, get a receipt. Before you leave home make photocopies, keeping one stateside, another in a separate section of your luggage.
   
• When packing for a family trip that will involve an airline flight, mix the family's clothes in different suitcases. If one bag is lost, no one has to do entirely without extra clothes.
   
• Before you travel, pack a first-aid kit with bandage materials, disinfectant, antibiotic ointment, motion-sickness pills, upset stomach medicine and aspirin or other pain reliever.
   
• When sightseeing, nothing is more important than a comfortable pair of shoes. So if yours start to rub or irritate, risking a blister, apply a little petroleum jelly to that spot on the shoe where there is friction against your foot.
   
• Before you travel overseas, have a friend scan and save copies of important travel documents on their computer. If yours should be lost or stolen, then you can have the copies emailed or faxed to you.
   
• Pack a night-light. Finding your way around a strange, pitch-black room in the middle of the night can lead to injury.
   
• When packing, roll items such as lingerie, socks and underwear; they will take up less room and be easier to find.
   
• Going on a road trip? If you pack the jack last, you won't have to empty the whole trunk to get to it in an emergency.
   
• Spray a thin coat of cooking spray on the hood and grill of your car before taking a long road trip. All the dead bugs your car accumulates will wash right off!
   
• Whenever you travel, carry along a stain pretreatment stick or cloth. Taking the time to use it on stains before they set ensures that they will wash out when you get home.
   
• If you're concerned about theft, consider leaving your wedding ring set at home and purchasing an inexpensive cubic zirconium set to wear while traveling instead.
   
• If you're going on a "girls only" getaway, save packing space by sharing! Decide who will bring what: One person can bring the blowdryer, another an iron, and so on.
   
• Pack several sizes of zippered plastic bags in your suitcase. Use them to store postcards, trip mementos, credit card receipts or leftover food from an impromptu picnic.
   
• Before you travel, save money by emailing the chamber of commerce or tourist bureau for free maps, and guides for lodging, restaurants, special events, historical information and tourist attractions.
   
• When packing shampoo, conditioner or liquid cosmetics in plastic bottles, squeeze the bottle and force out some of the air before tightening the cap. This creates a vacuum and will help prevent leakage.
   
• Planning to send postcards while on vacation? Use your computer to create address labels to take with you instead of a bulky address book. It's easy to update the list before your next trip, too.
   
• Why throw out a perfectly good suitcase just because the handle is broken? Run a dog collar through the metal rings and latch. It's an instant fix with a distinctive look you'll spot easily on the luggage turnstile!
   
• Film canisters provide safe storage for earrings and rings, and fit easily into a toiletries kit or purse.
   
• Be sure to take along proof of medical insurance whenever you travel, as well as an ample supply of prescription medication (or prescription refill). Carry any medications with you instead of in checked luggage.
   
• Ask a neighbor to pick up mail and the newspaper, even when gone for just a day or two, or stop delivery until your return. Piled up newspapers and mail are a dead-giveaway that you're not around, making your home a target for burglars.
   
• Wrap brightly colored electrical tape around the handle of your luggage. If someone reaches for your bag at the baggage carousel, they'll immediately see the colored tape and know they're reaching for the wrong bag.
   
• Place heavy items in the bottom of your suitcase, followed by wrinkle-resistant garments, top with the clothes most likely to wrinkle. The result: fewer wrinkles on arrival.
   
• Before a solo car trip, write down your travel route and tape it to the dashboard—it's a lot safer than trying to read a map when you're behind the wheel.
   
• Write your name, address and phone number on a piece of paper and slip it into a small zippered plastic bag; put the bag inside your suitcase, whether you check it or not. If the outside tag falls off, your luggage can still be identified.
   
• Use a covered cake pan to carry kids' art supplies or toys for long car trips. All the pieces stay in one place, and the cover creates a sturdy writing or coloring surface.
   
• Take extra camera batteries and more film than you think you'll need for vacation photos. It can be costly to replace them in a tourist area or foreign city—if you can find them.
   
• Small, sample-size toiletries are ideal to pack for short trips. Store them in a waterproof kit and leave them in your suitcase—packing will be easier, and space-saving without all those big, bulky bottles and tubes.
   
• Gasoline in most countries outside the U.S. is sold in liters. To get an idea of cost, one U.S. gallon equals 3.78 liters.
   
• Pack a collapsible duffle bag with you that you can use for extra luggage on the trip home, either to carry home treasures or fill with your dirty clothes!
   
• Traveling out of the country? Check with your medical insurer before you go to see what's covered. You might consider purchasing travel insurance so you don't find yourself paying a large medical bill and waiting for your insurance to reimburse you.
   
• Tipping customs and amounts around the world vary, so check a guide book for the place you plan to visit to find out what's acceptable.
   
• When traveling, don't wait until you're out of money to go to the ATM. You may be out of luck if the machines are not in operation or have run out of money!
   

• Fill a large jar with hot water and sticks of butter. When the butter melts and floats to the top, dip in cooked corn on the cob and pull out slowly. The butter will cover the corn perfectly.
   
• As summer comes to an end, keep the beauty of the season alive by keeping fresh flowers indoors. If your vase is too large for your bouquet, simply crumple plastic wrap in the bottom or put a smaller glass jar inside as a liner.
   
• Sift a little bit of cornstarch over hard candy when you put it in a dish. Stir. Candy will not stick together or to the dish.
   
• Use small marshmallows as candleholders on birthday cake. They'll keep the wax from dripping into the frosting.
   
• Give your roast turkey a new flavor twist by gently running fingers under the skin, creating a place to add flavorings. We like garlic and rosemary, but you may prefer oregano or basil.
   
• If you turn back the thermostat to reduce your energy bill (or when the power goes out), turn time back too. Bundle up, gather around candles or a battery-powered lantern and share stories with family members.
   
• Cleaning your outdoor grill is easier with this method: place the grill in a large plastic garbage can, cover it with industrial-strength detergent, and fill the can with water. Soak it overnight. The baked-on dirt should hose right off the next day!
   
• If a wasp or bee flies into the house, spray it with hairspray. Pest sprays infuriate insects, but hairspray will immobilize their wings.
   
• Reduce mosquito populations by cleaning out drainage saucers on potted plants, removing leaves from rain gutters and changing bird baths every couple of days.
   
• Enjoy some sunshine or a pleasant evening with those you love. A walk through the neighborhood is wonderfully relaxing—and without the distraction of phone, computer or TV, there's a better chance for meaningful conversation.
   
• Autumn is a good time to plant an herb garden, as most herbs are not weather-sensitive. Snowfall protects the plants—in fact, many herbs continue to grow under the snow.
   
• Now's the best time to donate outgrown Halloween costumes to a daycare or to children's charity—they'll be put to good use to the delight of children.
   
• During autumn, collect pinecones, acorns, thistles, twigs and other natural items to use for decorating during the holidays. Spray paint them gold, silver, red or green and use in centerpieces, attach to packages or hang on the tree.
   
• If you decorate with pinecones, but find some that are shut tight, simply set the oven at a low temperature and place the cones in a pan—in about an hour, they should open up and you can use them in your craft project!
   
• Did the gift-wrap rush leave your supplies in disarray? Roll the gift wrap and slide it inside the tubes where it will stay neat until next year. Write a description on the outside of the tube.
   
• Before gardening, scrape your fingernails over a bar of soap. This will prevent dirt from getting under your nails and make what little does easier to wash away.
   
• Did you buy a new tent this year? Be sure to practice setting it up in the backyard before you go camping—then there will won]t be any surprises at the campground!
   
• When gardening in containers, put a wet coffee filter in the bottom of the pot before adding soil. This will hold in the dirt yet let the water drain.
   
• Looking for a lower-calorie soda alternative? Add a little fruit juice to seltzer water and enjoy all the fizz without all the sodium and calories.
   
• Shopping for skis? Now in the early fall is the best time to start looking—before the season. Prices will be higher during Christmas or at the height of the season.
   
• Add quality family time to your calendar: take in an afternoon movie, play board games, volunteer for a community event, have a "picnic" in front of the fireplace or browse photo albums from holidays.
   

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