Even in an age of digital reading, printed books are still in demand and can be donated if you're ready to make room on your bookshelf at home. The rule of thumb for donating books is this: If the book was published less than two or three years ago, donate it to your local library, where it can be resold to raise money for the library's valuable work. If it's an older book, donate it to a Salvation Army or Goodwill store, where it can be resold in the store. Either way you donate them, be sure to get a receipt for tax deduction purposes.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

If you love tea and wonder what to do with a used tea bag, here are a few upcycling ideas. Use it as a compress on a bruise, bee sting or sunburn to help provide relief and reduce inflammation. Or place a few used tea bags in a casserole dish with stuck-on food and add hot water. The residual tannins in the used tea bags will break down the grease to make cleaning up a breeze. Finally, when repotting plants, place a used tea bag at the drainage hole inside the pot. It will help retain water inside, release nutrients into the soil and degrade into beneficial mulch over time.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

It's important to use only "seasoned" firewood when making a fire, since the excess moisture in "green" wood can make it burn inefficiently and not as clean. But how can you tell if the firewood you have is actually seasoned? Start by looking at the ends of the log: Are they dark in color and cracked? If so, it's dry. Then lift the wood: Is it lighter than a freshly cut piece of wood around the same size? Does it make a hollow sound when you hit two pieces of firewood together? If so, it's perfect for your fireplace or firepit.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION