When buying furniture, sometimes a new piece that looks great and is priced affordably can almost be too good to be true. The reality is, no matter what your budget, you want pieces to last and not fall apart in a short period of time. When looking at wood furniture, the easiest thing to examine is how the pieces are joined together. Look underneath: Are the joints stapled, glued or nailed? If so, the piece was cheaply made and could easily fall apart. Doweled or dovetailed joints are more stable and durable, which means the piece should last for a very long time.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

When a tree falls in your yard, do you make plans to immediately clean it up? If you have the ability to leave it be, do it. A fallen tree serves as shelter for animals, and it also can be a buffet of food for critters and wildlife. As the tree continues to decay, its nutrients are broken down and enrich the soil. And in fire-prone areas, fallen trees can act as a deterrent; the large trunk and branches are less flammable because of their density.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

Do you regularly buy disposable juice boxes? While convenient, these boxes are environmental disasters, since they are difficult to recycle and end up as trash just moments after they've been opened. What's the solution? Invest in a reusable juice box. The new designs are made with sturdy materials, and they are refillable. They have the same shape as a disposable box, but are designed to be used over and over, and they even have an integrated reusable straw. Not only are they eco-friendly, they'll save you money, too, since you can fill them up from larger (and cheaper) recyclable jugs of juice.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION