Do Just One Thing

When it’s prom season in your community, you might remember some gowns, shoes and tuxedos that are stashed in your home. There are a lot of nonprofits that collect these items and distribute them to teenagers who otherwise could not afford them; search online to find them. You could also sell them online on sites like Poshmark for a reasonable price, so the buyer feels they found a real steal and it goes to a good home, too. Last resort: Thrift stores like Goodwill take these fancy clothes during peak prom season, too.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

It can be hard to detect air leaks where cold air is blasting inside during the winter months, but the United States Department of Energy has two easy tips to find out if there are leaks in your house. First, turn off all the indoor and outdoor lights, and shine a flashlight on potential gaps inside the house. Have someone outside to observe the house as you shine the light; large cracks in the house will show up as rays of light. Second, grab a dollar bill and shut a door or window on it. If you can pull it out and it doesn't drag, the window or door needs to be weather-sealed.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

Have you heard of “dark sky” outdoor light bulbs? This is a new way to keep your outdoor lights on without creating light pollution that can confuse migratory birds and sea turtles, who depend on the natural night sky to thrive. These LED bulbs emit a soft amber glow instead of a bright white light, so they're less disrupting but still illuminate enough so you can see in the dark. Bonus benefit: Insects that gather around outdoor lighting in the summer months are less attracted to “dark sky” bulbs.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION