7/22/13

The battery inside your smartphone can be recharged about 1,000 times before it needs to be replaced. One way to extend the life of your battery is to do just a few things to help preserve its lifespan. One easy tip is to take your phone's ring tone off vibrate; the buzzing motion uses more power than noise, and silent mode is the most energy-efficient. Also, disable any animated screensavers on your phone. A still image uses far less energy than one that moves.

7/21/13

Stray shopping carts along the sides of roads are common eyesores. They can also be a hazard to people and cars when improperly left in parking lots. But the biggest problem? They are expensive: They cost about $100 each to replace. When stores need to replace shopping carts, it affects prices, which hurts the bottom line for all of us. The simplest thing to do is to return shopping carts to their designated drop-off points. And if you see a stray shopping cart in the parking lot as you head into a store, push it back. It's these small things that can make a big difference all around.

7/20/13

If you're in the market for a new pair of eyeglasses, consider getting them from Warby Parker. In addition to designing eyeglasses that are a favorite of top magazine editors, with every purchase, the company donates a pair to someone in need. According to the company, 1 billion people in the world don't have access to affordable eyeglasses. Better vision can lead to a 20 percent increase in income and allow children to learn better in school, and new glasses give dignity to those who cannot see well without them.