In the market for a new couch? How about a set of sheets? Now is typically the best time to buy furniture and linens.

Want to save $60 this year without blinking? Try washing your clothes using the cold water cycle. Colors will stay brighter longer, too!

Got an old roll of masking tape that just won't stick? Don't throw it away. Instead, toss it in the microwave for 20 seconds. When the timer dings, it will be just like new.

Next time you crave a shopping spree, rearrange your closet. Arrange everything by color and see how many new outfits you can find by mixing and matching.

Ever try to reheat baked goods that have been refrigerated? Not that appetizing, right? Next time, put them in the microwave along with a cup of water. It will keep the food moist and even help it heat faster.

Tired of the aluminum foil and cellophane roll popping out when you're trying to unfurl it? Look at each end of the box for tabs you can push in to lock the roll in place. It will save time and aggravation.

Want to save 4,000 gallons of water this year? Consumer Reports suggests switching to a low-flow toilet.

Find yourself spending a lot at the drive-thru? Wasting money on microwave meals? Make your own convenience foods by cooking in large batches and portioning meals out into sealable containers.

Cancel catalogs. Why tempt yourself with pages and pages of things you don't need? Out of sight, out of mind. You'll save trees, too!

Don't bother pre-rinsing dishes. Consumer Reports find dishes come just as clean in the dishwasher even if you skip this step. It not only saves you some work, but you can also use 6,500 fewer gallons of water per year!

Turn off "one-click ordering" on shopping Web sites. Such features, which store credit card information and speed the purchasing process, make it far too easy to impulse shop.

Still paying for directory assistance? Try free services, such as 1-800-Goog-411. They'll connect you directly so you won't need a pen handy to write the number down. If you have a text-messaging bundle, you can even text your request to the same phone number without using any of your precious minutes.

Got static cling? It becomes a bigger problem during these cold winter months. To get rid of it, fasten a safety pin to the seam of your slip or slacks.

Observing the speed limit can save money in reduced fuel consumption. In fact, every five miles per hour you drive over 60 miles per hour costs an additional 24 cents a gallon, estimates FuelEconomy.gov.

Keep your refrigerator running at peak energy efficiency by cleaning its coils. Use a vacuum attachment to get rid of dust. Unplug the fridge or flip the circuit breaker if using soap and water to get rid of that greasy cooking film that tends to accumulate. You'll find the coils on the back of older units and on the bottom of newer models.

Get a little messy with the eggnog over the holidays? Consumer Reports suggests blotting it with a solution of diluted laundry detergent. If that doesn't work, try a solution of one part white vinegar to two parts water.

Don't think of credit cards as a safety net. Millions of dollars of credit card debt are the result of life catching people unaware. Build up a cash cushion of three to six months worth of expenses in case of an emergency.

Wondering how much you'll need to retire? Try estimating how long you'll live. An interesting Web site called LivingTo100.com asks questions about your health, genetics and lifestyle to calculate a guess at your life expectancy.

Spend a month writing down every single cent you spend and where it goes. Seeing everything at a glance helps you cut out unnecessary expenses and be more mindful of wasteful impulse purchases.

Don't throw out the Christmas and Hanukkah cards you received. Cut the covers into small rectangles and you can use them for gift tags next year.

If you've been in a car accident, be sure to buy new children's car seats if they were in the car at the time of the accident, even if they appear fine. Accidents can cause unseen structural stresses and damage, according to Consumer Reports.

Shopping online? Be sure to check FreeShipping.org before you order. It would be silly to pay extra for shipping when there's a clearinghouse like this Web site, which gathers free shipping coupons and promotional codes.

Packing up Christmas decorations? Keep strings of lights and extension cords untangled by wrapping them around an empty paper towel or gift wrap roll.