When buying pre-bagged organic produce at the supermarket, not every bag is the same. For instance, if you are purchasing a pre-bagged 5-pound sack of organic apples, not all of the bags will weigh exactly 5 pounds. In fact, most states only require that the bags meet a minimum weight, which means some bags of produce will weigh more than others. At the store, simply weigh the bags on the scale and purchase the heaviest one. You’ll sometimes get an extra avocado, apple, onion or whatever it is you’re buying!

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

What’s the first thing you should do when you buy a new house? Plant a tree. Besides the fact that trees can provide shade, help keep your house cool in the summer and add beauty to your yard, they also increase the value of your home. A mature tree can add up to $10,000 in extra value to your home. And since a tree can take about 10 years to mature, doing it early makes it a good financial move and an ecological one, too. Plant a tree that’s appropriate for your growing region, and ask your local nursery for the “fast-growing” variety.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

Here’s a Do Just One Thing tip worth repeating: Make sure your ceiling fan is circulating in the right direction. When it gets cooler outside, make sure the blades of the fan are running clockwise to help push the warm air down from the ceiling to you. When it’s hot outside, flip the switch so they run counter-clockwise to help push cool air down. If your ceiling fan is also an overhead light, be sure to replace the bulbs with energy-efficient LED bulbs. And as always, when you’re not in a room, turn the ceiling fan off to save energy.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION