Do Just One Thing

It's unfortunate when a large tree on your property dies, but you don't need to knock it down right away. Trees that are in the early stages of decay offer a real benefit to wildlife. Bats -- which eat thousands of insects in a single night -- love to roost in dying trees. Leaving a dying tree up for a year or two when it isn't an immediate hazard can give bats the perfect habitat and keep the insects in your yard in check, too.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

If you're shopping for gifts in stores during the holiday season, one thing you can do to reduce waste is bring your own reusable bags. In the past, retailers often discouraged customers from bringing in their own bags due to the potential for theft. But times have changed, and almost every retailer now accepts and even encourages the use of reusable bags. Not only are they a convenient way for you to consolidate items and carry them throughout the store with ease, but you'll also help cut back on waste.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

Instead of investing in a humidifier to help combat dry air in your home, all you need is a bowl of water. Placing a bowl of water in a dry room will be slower than a humidifier, but it does add moisture to the air. To amplify the effects of the water, place the bowl near heating vents or even near a window that gets sunlight; the warmth will help the water evaporate more quickly. And shallow bowls are better than deep, since more surface water has contact with air (making a Pyrex baking dish a good option).

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION