space
Cable control. Tangled cables seem part and parcel of modern technology. But one inexpensive solution is turning heads among media geeks. Ativa’s “Burrito” Cable Management Tool looks like a nylon case for glasses but is designed to organize computer and media cables by storing the unused length. Up to 18 feet wraps neatly inside the Velcro-shut Burrito, which sticks to the back of a desk or media cabinet. Available in orange, yellow, blue and black for $7.99 at Office Depot.
money
Savvy sofa. Hankering for a new look? Get it on the cheap with decorative zip-on throw-pillow covers. Target and Bed Bath & Beyond stock these covers for standard-sized throw pillows in an array of trendy shades and patterns for as little as $9.99. carries a variety starting at $10. Overstock sells exotic embroidered covers from Guatemala. Faux fur and graphic-print covers also are easy to find. Or, surf the Web for sewing instructions and customize your throw-pillow covers.
energy
Free ways to save. These ideas come from “Ten Free Things You Can Do Today to Save Energy,” an article in the spring 2008 issue of Smart Energy Living, the magazine produced by the Colorado Energy Science Center and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory. Find more energy- saving ideas for homeowners at .
Wash clothes in cold water and wash only full loads.
Use a crockpot or microwave rather than the oven.
Make a habit of turning lights off after leaving a room.
Find an alternative way to work one day each week, other than driving alone in your car.
