When you get to the last slice of bread and it's not as fresh as you'd like it to be, instead of tossing it, there are ways to transform that crumbling mess into something useful. After all, why throw away the old when you can upcycle it into something new?

You might be surprised at the various things you can do with stale bread, ensuring you get every penny out of your favorite loaf. Here are several cool uses for stale bread:

• Artisan bread crumbs: Cube stale bread, and season it for delicious bread crumbs that can be used for topping soups, stews, or fresh salads.

• Happy plants: Dry stale bread in the oven, and then grind in the blender, creating fine bread crumbs. Simply mix with your potting soil or rake into your garden. The crumbs will add nutrients and moisture to your happy plants. While you're at it, throw in some crushed egg shells for a nutrient-happy plant.

• Special bird treats: Instead of tossing dry chunks of bread to the birds, grind stale bread in the blender and leave out in small dishes for your friendly birds. Or mix together equal parts bread crumbs, birdseed, peanut butter, and lard, and roll into rounds. Place in bird feeders for a really special bird treat.

Read on for more smart ways to use stale bread.

Here's a quick tip: don't trash your bread when it's stale; just repurpose it by feeding it to your living greens.

Dry stale bread in the oven, and then grind in the blender, creating fine bread crumbs. Simply mix with your potting soil or rake into your garden. The crumbs will add nutrients and moisture to your happy plants.

Along with finding helpful living essentials at your local flea market, you can also pick up really cheap home decorations. You might be surprised at how those $1 table vases and figurines can be transformed into seriously chic accent pieces. Here are a few tips for spray-painting your flea market finds:

• Search for ceramic or wood vases or plates to use for spraying. You can also spray-paint glass jars and containers with really cool results. Try not to be distracted by the colors of the original item, and concentrate on the shape and form of the figurine. We couldn't pass up these finds at our local flea market that rang in at $1 total!

• Before painting, wipe down with a damp paper towel, removing any grime or dust stuck in the grooves. Allow the item to completely dry, and then select a color to use for spray painting. White is elegantly chic, while using a pastel blue or green is fun and fresh too.
• Take the items outdoors, and lightly spray with paint. You'll need to apply at least three to four coats to get a nice and solid covering of paint. Don't rush, and do light coats; they keep the paint from dripping or pooling, which can alter the shape and design of your cool figurines.
• Let completely dry before handling, which can take several hours. Display the painted figurines on bookshelves, mantels, or special corners of your home.

Front-loading washing machines are energy efficient and use less detergent than top-loaders, but they sometimes have a tendency to harbor mold and unpleasant smells. By giving your washing machine a quick clean once a month, you'll keep your front-loader fresh, which means cleaner clothes, too. This eco-friendly method doesn't use bleach, costs only pennies to make, and comes together with ingredients you already have on hand.

Keep reading for the directions.

When your favorite bling just doesn't have the same sparkle, instead of purchasing expensive cleaning solutions or bucking out for a professional scrubbing, try this easy DIY jewelry cleaner. Using ingredients you already have in your pantry, this concoction costs pennies to make and doesn't use any harsh chemicals — just the power of science. And you can give your old toothbrush a new life by gently scrubbing jewels postsoak. Before you know it, your special gems will be dazzling.

Read on for the directions.

There's nothing worse than standing in front of your front door shuffling through your keys to find the right one. Instead of wasting time (and carrying around boring keys), give them a coat of paint to stay organized and look chic. This life hack tip already caught our attention, so we figured it was a great DIY to try. And even if you're not crafty, you can easily transform your set of keys into a cool and personalized collection. Just make sure to keep a list reminding yourself which color key fits which lock. Here are a few tips for decorating your keys:

• Go through your key ring, sorting keys into a pile of ones that are used daily, another pile for those that aren't used as often, and a pile to ditch.
• The easiest way to paint your keys is to coat them with fingernail polish. But, while trying this, we discovered that only saturated colors or glitter polishes really worked and that keys needed several coats to be brilliantly shiny. Pick your favorite dark shade or glitter polish, paint the top side of a key, let it dry, and continue coating until you're happy with the results.
• Another fun way to paint your keys is by using spray paint, which allows you to get a bit crafty. Use strips of painter's tape to create designs, or even letters on the top of the keys — or simply leave as is for a solid pop of color. Tape the bottom of the key to a piece of cardboard, covering the entire base. Take outdoors and give it a quick spray. Once dry, remove the tape, and you've got a really cool set of keys.

Have you tried painting your keys? Leave a comment sharing which method worked best for you!

There's nothing better than sinking into your freshly fluffed feather bed at the end of a long day, but if it's feeling a bit flatter — and grubbier — than usual, then it's time for a cleaning. Instead of taking it in for a high-priced professional laundering or potentially ruining your own washing machine with a feather eruption, clean your feather bed with a few items you probably have around the house. You'll love drifting off to sleep on your refreshed feather bed while dreaming of all the ways you'll spend the money you saved by cleaning it yourself.

Keep reading for the directions:

Recycle your plastic bottles in style with this easy DIY. Perfect for adorning small patios or apartment windows, these planters can be hung indoors or out and take minutes to make. And they also make delightful gifts during Spring and Summer. For basically the cost of the plants, you've got a cute planter that will add a touch of sweetness to any space.

Read on for the directions.

Instead of throwing glass jars into the recycling bin, upcycle those pasta and condiment containers into something really pretty and functional. Get organized with a chic jar dedicated just for your nails, a sweet jelly jar vase, or a creative container for your random bits and pieces. With the help of some gold spray paint and a few foam stickers, you've got all the fixings for a fun and crafty DIY. Invite all your besties, and their glass jars, to make stunning statement pieces that help organize and make great gifts.

Read on for the easy directions.