Stinky Car

I'm still driving a '91 Nissan Sentra - still drives well and it has an added bonus of embarrassing my teenager. Yet, the trunk leaks. Only when it rains, of course. But then the whole car smells kind of mildewy for a few days or until I can get the entire trunk dried and aired out. Last fall, I purchased one of those car freshener things that you stick to the vents. It worked and smelled nice - but then I realized I was spending money for the replacement vial all the time. So - how do I get the car smelling nice again?

Take one of those scented candles (we all have way too many we have received as gifts). If you have one that half of it has melted off, that's even better. Then break it into little pieces. Please the pieces into an old pair (but clean) of pantyhose or an old (but again clean) sock. Tie the item and then put under a seat. No cost - but good, clean fun!

Losing Heat

I keep hearing this over and over, but it amazes me that I still find ways I haven't listened. The smallest of cracks or non-insulated areas in a home can loose heat (or cool air in the summer) and thus loose tons of money. I noticed my heating bill was quite a bit higher this past month than a year ago. Granted, the weather has been markedly cooler over a year ago - but as I have been on the lookout in recent days for cracks and seeps, I keep finding more and more. And why can my family not come in and out of a door quickly? Why do they have to stand there with the door wide open, yelling, or hanging out, or doing who knows what?

So - keep looking for seeping air. Even when you think you have it covered, you'll find more. And good luck on keeping the kids and husband from opening outside doors constantly :)