Did you know over a billion tons of food goes to waste every single year? And much of it is from restaurants and grocery stores that have perfectly edible and delicious food but no one to buy or enjoy it. The makers of the app YourLocal want to stop food waste and help you save money, too. When a local purveyor has extra food -- for example, pastries at your local coffee shop -- they list it for sale at a significantly reduced price on the app. You can search the app, find surplus food and buy it at a discount. It's that simple.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

Fall is a great time to plant trees, shrubs and even some types of perennials outdoors, especially since garden centers usually have great deals on their outdoor plants. The usual problems with insect infestations on new plants in the spring are virtually nonexistent in the fall, and the weather is more predictable for planting. And there is no need to fertilize your newly planted plants, since fertilizer encourages new growth and the goal is for the plant to go dormant.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

Solid wood cooking utensils are both an eco-friendly and healthy choice to use in the kitchen. Wood is naturally antibacterial, and the properties of wood actually repel bacteria and mold better than any man-made material. But over time, it's a good idea to disinfect your wooden utensils, especially if they have small nicks or scratches that come in contact with food. One way to disinfect them is to hand-scrub them in hot, soapy water and then microwave them on high for 1 minute. This will radiate any bacteria without overdrying the wood. Just be sure there are no metal or plastic parts on the spoon before microwaving.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION