Ever wonder how to recycle unusual things like rubber flip-flops, dehumidifiers and mattress box springs? When it comes to the odd and atypical, there is an online resource to help you make sure it gets diverted from the landfill. The website RecycleNation (recyclenation.com) is an online database that helps make recycling as easy as possible. This regularly updated site lets you search by recyclable and matches up your geographic location to find the recycler nearest you. Results offer contact info and hours of operation of recyclers in both the United States and Canada.

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If your kids (or you) tried a new sport or you’re no longer using fitness equipment you invested in, don’t let the gear gather dust when you can make some money from it. The retail chain Play It Again Sports actively buys lightly used sports and fitness equipment, which they resell in their stores. Each store’s wish list varies but often includes baseball, golf, hockey, football, soccer and fitness products. These stores are also a great place to buy lightly used items at a discount, if you’re taking up a new athletic activity.

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According to the Environmental Protection Agency, the average American family spends about $2,000 a year combined on household heating, cooling and electricity costs. One way to help reduce those costs is to think about how to save money when nobody is in the house. If you turn back your thermostat by seven to 10 degrees for at least eight hours a day, it’s estimated you can reduce your costs by as much as 10 percent. You can save even more if your home is empty for longer periods of time. Over a year, you can reap a few hundred dollars in savings with this one simple switch.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION