Older appliances in the home that are still working well and don’t seem to need to be replaced are still not as efficient as they were the first day you plugged them in. You can see exactly how energy-efficient (or inefficient) your refrigerator or television really is by plugging it into an energy consumption reader. The device -- one brand is called a Kill-a-Watt -- connects to the appliance and displays on a screen its true energy usage. These readers cost about $25 to buy, or you can borrow them for free from your local library.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

If you want to attract more birds to your yard, there’s no need to have bird feeders full of seed everywhere. Instead, eliminate all chemical insecticides from your backyard. According to the National Wildlife Federation, our feathered friends love to hunt and eat insects because it’s their primary source of protein. When a yard is treated to eliminate insects, it’s a less attractive environment for birds to visit. Turn your yard into a wildlife habitat and you’ll not only go green, but you’ll save the money you would have spent on costly (and unnecessary) spray treatments.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

If your computer is acting slow, it may not be time to get a new laptop or desktop; the culprit may actually be what your PC is plugged into. Keeping a computer plugged into a surge protector is necessary to help protect your pricey investment. But like any electronics, even surge protectors wear down over time and need to be replaced. A worn-out surge protector could be the reason for a slowdown in performance from your computer. To make sure, simply borrow a new surge protector and plug your computer into it. If it acts fine, you’ll know exactly what the reason is.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION