Forty percent of all homeowners will suffer through water damage in their home sometime in their lifetime, and it all can be prevented. Whether it’s a burst pipe, an overflowing toilet or a broken appliance, nothing is worse than discovering excess water has been flowing in your home for hours, days or weeks. New devices in the marketplace now attach to your main water line and can do all the monitoring for you. One brand -- Flo by Moen -- syncs to your phone, and not only can it shut off the water if a leak is detected, it can also help you manage your overall water consumption. Knowledge is power and prevention is key, so consider a smart water device to help you save money and protect your home.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

It may seem harmless, but it’s actually illegal to take rocks out of national parks. With millions of people visiting our parks, if everyone took a small natural souvenir home, the effect on the park would be devastating. If you are caught removing rocks, you will have technically committed a federal crime, and you may have to pay a hefty fine. Even simply using rocks to create mini monuments or stacking them is frowned upon; it disrupts the natural environment and creates what many would consider an eyesore.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

If you’re in the market for some new kitchen appliances and you don’t want to pay full price, don’t overlook Habitat for Humanity’s ReStore. This is a growing chain of stores that accepts lightly used construction, renovation and home improvement products from DIYers, contractors and even building supply manufacturers to resell instead of tossing in landfills. You often can find almost-new appliances there at a fraction of the cost, from scratch-and-dent to items homeowners changed their mind about. All appliances are less than five years old and in good working condition.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION