If a pair of pants is suddenly feeling too snug around the waist, hips, thighs or anywhere else, there's no need to discard or donate right away. Instead, you can reshape the pants yourself at home in minutes. Put the too-tight pants on and use a spray bottle to dampen the fabric in areas that need to be stretched out. Then run around the house doing rigorous things like squats or lunges, or even riding a stationary bike. The soaked fibers will stretch where needed, and your favorite pants will suddenly fit you perfectly all over again.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

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