Here’s a decorating trick that helps a room look great with less light. Instead of placing lamps in the middle of the room (on top of tables or by a sofa), place them in corners instead. This allows the light to illuminate with maximum exposure because it reflects off two walls instead of just one surface. More reflection means more usable light, and it also means less lighting needs to be turned on. For homes that are particularly dark, this can be an incredibly energy-efficient way to illuminate a room.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

Before your next journey abroad, be sure to check out the website packforapurpose.org. By "donating" a little extra space in your luggage, you can bring needed items to the communities you visit, like 400 pencils for a school, five deflated soccer balls with an inflation device for a youth sports program, or a stethoscope, blood-pressure cuff and 500 adhesive bandages for a local hospital. When you arrive at your destination, just find the local hotel or lodging facility that participates in the program and drop off your goods. It's that simple!

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

When the sun’s rays are at their peak, be sure to water your plants at the ground and not by spraying water all over their leaves. For one thing, it’s less efficient to water with a sprayer or sprinkler; less water gets to the actual roots where the plants need the most hydration. But there’s one more reason: Water droplets on the leaves of certain plants work like magnifying glasses, causing the leaves to fry in the sun’s hot rays. Rather than spraying the leaves, take a hose and soak your plants at the base.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION