What began with potpourri.

1 Tbsp. cinnamon
7-10 whole cloves
1 tsp. ginger
1 tsp. nutmeg
4 cups water

Put all the ingredients in a small saucepan and simmer on Low heat for 30-60 min. Voila! Your home should smell great. Also a good idea -if you have the essential oil burners (rings) that sit atop a light bulb, you can fill them with this concoction when you run out of oils. Brilliant!

Baking is another way to make your home smell good -especially loaves and muffins. Invest in a breadmaker, it just makes scents. Ha! But seriously, it has saved me at least $45/mo. on bread, baked goods and pasta. Plus, they can make preserves, too.

Speaking of useful kitchen gadgets, a slow-cooker is a poor, working, mothers' best friend next to the television (we've all been there, let's not pretend anyone of us doesn't pay the cable company to babysit every now and then). You throw handfuls of whatever you've got into the cooker and turn it on. By the end of your workday, you've got a hot meal that'll serve 4-8.

Most rice cookers will also steam vegetables... and a food dehydrator can make yogurt...