If you eat pre-sliced deli meat, you might be surprised to learn those slices of salami, ham and turkey can go rancid very quickly. In fact, the meats can turn bad in as little as 72 hours, developing mold and smelling less fresh overall. The best solution is to buy only as much pre-sliced deli meat as you will use quickly and to store it in an airtight container. You also can explore the option of slicing it yourself from larger cuts of meat to save money and always have fresh slices on hand.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

Ceiling fans are always a good investment to circulate air in the home, keeping it as cool or warm as you need it in the most efficient manner possible. When you want it cooler inside, have the fan go in a counterclockwise direction to push cool air down. When you want it warmer inside, set the fan in the opposite direction, which helps move warm air down from the ceiling. And remember: Opt for Energy Star ceiling fans, which can be up to 40% more efficient than standard fans.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

If you buy food packaged in cans, you’re probably choosing the most environmentally friendly option. Nearly 70 million tons of steel is recycled every year and made into new steel products. And the long shelf life of canned food (typically three to five years) makes cans the ideal packaging to stock a pantry. But a big reason why cans are far superior to any other packaging is this: They don’t require any refrigeration, from transporting to stores to filling store shelves to keeping at your home.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION