A slow computer is not always the result of viruses or lack of memory on the hard drive. Sometimes, it can be a surge protector that the computer and all of the additional computer accessories are plugged into. Surge protectors are necessary to help prevent damaging electrical surges to your computer, but they, too, can wear out in about three years. To test if your surge protector is the reason for the slowdown, simply swap it out with a different one and run your computer.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

Even with our digital devices, many of us still have a box with handwritten recipe cards we keep in the kitchen and pull out when it’s time to bake Grandma’s famous chocolate chip cookies. But paper cards can disintegrate over time, so if you want to protect them from splatters and spills without using non-eco-friendly lamination, try hairspray. Just spray a light coating of hair spray on the cards and let them dry. It’ll give a protective coating that will help prevent grease, water or any food stains from destroying the cards.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

Over 1.3 billion tons of perfectly good food -- pastries, sandwiches, fish, produce, you name it -- are thrown away every year because it’s simply surplus for stores. A new app wants to help fight food waste from supermarkets, restaurants and food purveyors by connecting their leftover food with people willing to buy it at a steep discount. It’s called YourLocal, and it’s simple: In the last few hours of business, retailers post their surplus to YourLocal and sell it at up to 70 percent off. You claim it, buy it and pick it up. You’ll be saving money and the planet, too.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION