Several of my nieces and nephews are in college now. This summer, while getting things ready for their kids' apartments, my sisters went out and purchased new mattresses and furniture. I thought they were a little nuts for spending that money. When I think back to my first college apartment, my roommate and I had a couch we bought for $10, an entertainment center we found on the side of the road, and a chair we found abandoned at the apartment complex. After reading this article about bedbugs, however, I think my sisters did the right thing by not letting their kids go garbage picking for furniture.

College campuses and dormitories are like a luxury resort for these blood-sucking little critters. Students frequently visit each other's rooms (possibly transporting little friends as they do so). Universities like Texas A&M, Ohio State, Stanford, and the University of Florida have had to deal with outbreaks of bedbugs.

Bedbugs are hard to spot. Waking up with small, red welts is one tell-tale sign. You may also spot tiny black or reddish-brown spots on your sheets.

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Gyms are a great place to work out. You have more equipment at your disposal, there are experts on hand to answer questions, and the camaraderie can be motivating. But there's no denying the convenience of working out at home. But if you live in a small apartment or just don't have spare rooms for weight benches and other gear, what are you supposed to do?

Ellen over at Green Daily just posted about an innovative new solution called the Otto Bench. The bench serves as an ottoman when all packed up. But just open up the sides, remove the equipment and it becomes a multi-adjustable bench and a bench press as well as storing free weights.

The Otto Bench was designed for a Life Fitness contest, so it's not available for sale yet. When it is available, I think it will be a great solution for small spaces. I just hope they make it a bit more attractive than the prototype!

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