Other ThinkSmart articles this week: Parent Smart Avoid summer's big dangers Eat Smart Don't toss it -- use it Garden Smart With a container and a sunny spot, you can grow your own blueberries Contact a columnist

THINK SMART Helpful tips for your everyday life

Don't toss it -- use it

What's in the fridge? Tuesday's penne with sausage. A carton of Chinese takeout rice. Half a bag of spinach. Before you pitch, think about how you can marshal these "orphans" into another tasty meal before they go bad. After all, onesmart way to save on groceries is to efficiently use waht you buy.

Get creative. Have a bit of cole-slaw? Use it to top a turkey sandwich. Extra cooked or raw vegetables? Tuck theminto salads, omelets, casseroles. One broccoli stalk won't feed two people, but you can add other veggies and a protein (beef, chicken, tofu) for a tasty stir-fry.

Surf for more ideas. Two sites in particular -- wastedfood.com and lovefoodhatewaste.com -- offer lots of food for thought.

Compost.Set a container with a lid next to the sink for wilted produce, eggshells, coffee grounds, etc. Turn leftovers into super-rich soil.