If you haven't already, now is definitely the time to trade in your stash of cotton throw blankets for the woolen ones that have been in storage for the past several months. There's nothing as cozy as curling up next to a fire in a soft woolen blanket — that is, unless your wool blankets fresh out of storage are flattened and stale-smelling. What to do? Soften up your woolens by adding two cups Read more

Did you know that more than 50 percent of Americans drink at least one cup of coffee a day? That statistic may not be too surprising if you're one of them. While the dark drink certainly has its benefits, there are other ways to get a boost of energy — and I'm not talking 'bout sodas. The next time you need a jolt of energy, try sipping on apple cider vinegar. The tart liquid is known to boost Read more

It's not always easy being green — or clean. Combining the two can be downright impossible, but making your own products can cut chemicals, crud, and cost. I simplify things even more by using one all-purpose cleanser nearly everywhere in my pad. To make the cleaner, just combine equal parts water and vinegar in a spray bottle and shake to mix. Before storing, label and date your homemade Read more

If you live in a snowy climate, chances are that road crews are keeping the highways and byways of your hometown ice-free with the use of salt. It's likely that you, as well, are cutting down on ice on the steps and paths around your home by using salt. While salt can be a great tool, it can also wreak havoc on rugs and carpets inside your home — especially in the entry, where boots can too Read more

Dishing out extra dough to fix pricey appliances is a real pain so it's in your best interest to keep them in tip-top shape. Consumer Reports recently put out a helpful guide to making appliances last, but washing machines didn't make the list. Thank goodness for the Thrifty Tips — Getting The Most Out of Life group in the SavvySugar Community. Beachwalker advises: To keep your washing machine Read more

Ranch, blue cheese, and thousand island might make your taste buds happy, but they're pretty disappointing when it comes to nutrition. If you've been trying to fool yourself into thinking that a concoction of vegetables and saturated-fat-laden creamy dressing is healthy, it won't take long for your waistline to notice. Enter your salad and weight- friendly dressing, the vinaigrette. A medley of Read more