Attention gift-givers! Are you out of luck with conventional gift-giving behavior? Do upcoming family birthdays loom in your near future? Or are you just an early bird Christmas shopper? Finding the perfect gift is easier if you think outside the box. Check out some of this fall’s coolest and silliest get-ups:

1. Moshi Voice Control Digital Alarm at Brookstone. ($49.95) Who wouldn’t appreciate an alarm clock that you command with your voice? “Moshi,” this smart little digital clock, lets you set alarms from bed, hands-free! With commands... Read More >>>

No matter how much you love your furry friends, when things get crowded they can feel like intruders. Don’t feel guilty about admitting that your pet has taken over a little. Make you and your pets happy by incorporating some of their essentials into yours. It may make the space happier than you think.

First of all, keep toys under control. The fastest way to feel like things are out of hand is to let an animal’s toys lay all over the floor. Unless you have a pet who is great at picking up after himself, de-stuffed chew toys and catnip playthings can... Read More >>>

There's a new show for us food junkies! Fortunately, this one works for the money wise too. The new program, featured on Food Network, is Melissa d'Arabian's Ten Dollar Dinners. Every week, Melissa tries out a new dinner fix that feeds a family of four for under ten bucks. What a deal!

Melissa d'Arabian's show isn't the only new addition to the Food Network. The show's host herself is new to the cooking biz. Though she's been cooking from a young age, Melissa has never held a true cooking gig until she scored a spot of Food Network's fifth season of The Next Food Netwo... Read More >>>

If it seems too expensive to just throw away, it probably is. Many of the broken or outdated items in your home can still be saved somehow. Cell phones, eyeglasses, and even old appliances can avoid the dump if you recycle them. The best way to recycle old goods that still work is to donate them to local organizations that can give them to people that need them. But other recycling services will make use of your items, even if they aren’t usable. Recyclemycellphone.org is a good place to start. They’ll find a home for your outdated ce... Read More >>>

Here are even more ways to save money in your home. They might even be a break on the environment too!

Buy a portable water bottle. There's no need to buy packs of water bottles or soda cans in bulk. To eliminate plastic and aluminum waste, buy a durable bottle (maybe one for hot drinks, one for cold) and fill up before you go out to the office, for a jog—anywhere! You won't have empty containers lying around anymore, and they won't end up in landfills either.

Tip: If you're a bottled water user because you can't drink tap, conside... Read More >>>

Going green is on everyone's mind, but with budget cuts all around it's not always easy to be environmentally aware. It is pretty simple, however, to save yourself a little green with a few energy-efficient tips (that aren't too bad for the planet either).

1.On these last few hot summer days, turn your thermostat up a few degrees while you're out. If no one's there to enjoy the air conditioner, you might as well save a few bucks! Also, make sure your home is well insulated by weatherstripping or caulking near windows and doors. Come winter you'll want to trap in as much heat as... Read More >>>

If you've ever flown through the house vacuuming wildly just before your relatives arrive, you're not alone. Too many of us get caught up in our own lives and leave the heavy housework for the last minute. But even when you fall behind, remembering a few quick tips will get your house looking cleaner, faster.

Start with trash and dishes. Walk around with a bag to pick up miscellaneous wrappers, bottles, or paper, while collecting dishes as you go. These types of items, and others like clothes, books, and shoes, are the ones you'll probably find the most. Quickly gathering up all the displaced things ar... Read More >>>

We all know that throwing away a moldy loaf of bread or a funky block of cheese is just like dumping $3.50 right into the can. To save money, and all your food, next time try these tips for keeping your grocery goods fresher, longer.

1. Put cereal, chips, and crackers into airtight containers. These guys just can't wait to get stale. Plus, if you take them out of the original packaging, you won't have to fumble with boxes and bags later on when you need a handful of munchies. Just clear, resealable containers.

2. Put mushrooms in a paper bag. This trick keeps your mushrooms... Read More >>>

If there’s one thing I have straight about my busy schedule, it’s that Monday through Friday the mess always piles up until I can finally get some weekend relief. Even if it seems impossible to clear the clutter after a tough day, with the right motivation you’ll stay clutter-free straight to Saturday.

Step 1: Try to tackle the dishes head on. Instead of letting your morning bowl of cereal stick to the coffee table all day, make a habit of not only bringing all dirty dishes into the kitchen, but putting them in the dishwasher right... Read More >>>

Now is the time to relish summer cookouts while the warm weather still lasts, but there’s no use getting burnt out on hamburgers and hotdogs. Next time you fire up the grill, plan to make a summer side dish that will liven up any meal. Here are just a few suggestions that break the tradition:

Stuffed tomatoes: Even the kids will love these. This recipe comes from Down Home with the Neelys on Food Network. Core as many large tomatoes as you’d like and stuff them with a mixtu... Read More >>>