Do Just One Thing

Tired of getting unsolicited offers in the mail that want to sign you up for a new credit card or insurance? One way to opt out on these mailings is to register online at the official Consumer Credit Reporting Industry website. There you'll have the option to opt-out from all mailings for five years, or permanently. Be sure to register twice if your billing address is different from your home address, so you can stop mailings at both addresses. To opt out, just visit optoutprescreen.com.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

Yes, your dog's favorite toys need to be cleaned periodically. They spend a lot of time in mouths, outdoors or just lying on the ground picking up germs and bacteria. When you're ready to clean them, inspect them first. Are they falling apart or brittle? It may be time to dispose of the toys, since small pieces that break off can be a choking hazard. Then ditch using detergents or bleach to clean them; those products can leave a harmful residue. Instead soak the toys in a white-vinegar-and-water mixture, then run them on the gentle cycle in your washing machine.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

Many people are juicing fresh fruits and vegetables at home to create delicious and healthy beverages. But what to do with the dry pulp from all that juicing? One idea is to semi-compost it in your potted plants. Simply rake the top of the soil of your plants and sprinkle the dry mixture into the soil. Rake again until it is fully incorporated into the soil. Very quickly, the organic mixture will break down and become beneficial mulch for your plants. They'll thrive when you deliver great nutrition to your plants via juicing.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION