When creating the fairy tale wedding of your dreams, it’s possible to spend hundreds or even thousands of dollars on the wedding gown -- something that is worn only for a few hours, just once in your lifetime. Get more dress for your money by thinking "once wed." The online store OnceWed.com has a marketplace featuring almost-new wedding gowns being re-sold at a fraction of the price. Dresses from in-demand designers like Vera Wang and Monique Lhuiller can be found at up to 90% off their original retail price. Use the money you saved to honeymoon at a five-star eco-resort after the wedding.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

Have you ever heard of leaving your dryer lint outdoors so birds can pick it up and use it to feather their nests? This is really a no-go tip when it comes to helping our feathered friends, because dryer lint contains chemical detergents and synthetic fibers that can irritate birds and their chicks. Instead, if you have untreated dried grass, hair clumps (also undyed and untreated) or just twigs and moss, those are the best things to leave out to help the birds.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

Many recipes call for preheating an oven to roast, bake or broil whatever you’re making to perfection. But unless you’re making baked goods like breads or pastries, preheating your oven before you begin cooking is just wasting energy. A few minutes before you’re ready to toss your casserole or other dish into the oven, turn it on. It’ll get hot enough to get the dish started, and you won’t be wasting so much energy waiting for your oven to get to the desired temperature.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION