When going through your closet to give to your local Goodwill or Salvation Army, do a few extra things to make sure your donation is actually welcome and not a burden. Give everything a wash in a fragrance-free detergent and try to spot-treat stains. While the charities do wash items for sale, giving clean garments is a courteous thing to help volunteers sort through your donation. Avoid donating sheets and towels unless they are in almost perfect condition; instead, ask a local animal shelter if they'd like them. And give what's in season: A thick wool sweater given in July will likely be tossed into the trash.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

When disaster strikes, you want to do the right thing and help those in need. While this is a wonderful instinct to have, it can also lead to an overwhelming amount of "support" to charities, and that can hurt more than help. Often, people will rummage through their closet and donate bags of used clothing to help. The reality is charities have nowhere to store these items, and they spend time disposing of them instead of helping those in need. In lieu of clothing, give cash. Even $5 is more beneficial than a giant bag of garments that nobody really needs.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

According to Oxford University's Wildlife Conservation Research Unit, there are tourist traps around the world that exploit wild animals in the hopes you'll visit and participate. If you want to avoid supporting animal cruelty, be on the lookout when you travel abroad, and avoid these exhibitions at all cost. They include riding with elephants, taking selfies with any animal, performing and swimming with dolphins, holding wild animals like sea turtles and dancing monkeys. If it doesn't feel natural or right, it probably isn't.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION