Let's talk toilet paper.

We all want our TP to be soft and strong but we don't want to spend a lot of money on it either.

But how in the world do you know what's a deal and what isn't from the dizzying wall of white at the grocery store. One-ply or two-? Double roll or single?

What's the difference between "Ultra Soft and Thick" and "Ultra Plush"?

Does anyone really want a toilet paper with "Ripples"?

The May issue of Consumer Reports addresses the delicate issue of toilet paper, ranking 25 brands for softness, strength and price, along with how well the paper disintegrated in swirling water and how well sheets tore at the perforation.

The overall top 5 performers in Consumer Reports testing and (price per 100 sheets):

The City of Durham will be hosting a paper-shredding, e-waste and Christmas tree recycling event on Saturday, Jan. 14, at the Sears parking lot at Northgate Mall.

Nearly all electronics with a cord will be accepted for recycling, including:

What a week for buying school supplies.

The office supply stores are offering penny and nickel deals and the drugstores and grocery stores all have deals.  Even Toys R Us is getting in on the act with sales on Crayola products.

On top of that, North Carolina's sales tax holiday starts Friday so keep that in the back of your mind as you're studying the deals.

Here's a store-by-store breakdown:

Raleigh Recycling will be celebrating the end of tax season and Earth Day with a Shred and Recycle It! event.

Economic development was the key theme in the spring Democratic primary campaign for Orange County commissioner. The topic recently grabbed hold of some county staffers, who wondered why Orange government has a contract for paper supplies through Office Depot, which has no presence in Orange County.

It seems even county personnel do their shopping in Durham.

"Can we purchase paper from Staples, here in Orange County?" wrote county financial-services coordinator Deb Smith in an e-mail to purchasing-agent David Cannell. "Clarence (Grier, county finance director) would like to see the sales tax stay here in Orange County."

Unfortunately, there's no "easy button" for that. The Office Depot contract is in effect through the end of the year.