It's no secret that a full freezer is the most efficient kind, since the majority of the energy used is to cool down warm air. A more packed freezer means less air, which means less energy used to cool things down. But what if your freezer isn't full? You can fill up large bags with Styrofoam packing peanuts to fill up spaces, or reuse freezer bags by filling them with water and freezing them flat to act as ice blocks (and they can be used to keep things cool in ice chests when you need them). Any reusable plastic containers (perhaps from takeout) can be cleaned, filled with water and frozen to help fill your freezer space, too.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

It seems like a sustainable idea: Place some bamboo plants in the yard to add some vegetation and create a fast-growing barrier to act as a natural fence between neighbors. But here's the reality: Bamboo is an incredibly invasive plant species that's best used as a small indoor plant in your home. The fast-growing plant knows no boundaries, so it can quickly spread onto your neighbor's property and also choke out native plant species. And if you ever want to remove the bamboo, it will take a lot of chemical herbicides to kill it for good. Leave bamboo plants to their native regions and go with other fast-growing bushes and trees instead.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

Your canine companion doesn't care what color their dog food is (they are colorblind, after all), so it's best to avoid food that is loaded with dyes. When looking at the ingredient list on pet food packaging, look out for artificial dyes like Red No. 40, Yellow No. 5 and Blue No. 2. Manufacturers often add these colors to food to make it look more appealing. Just normal brown, natural-colored dog food is fine for your pet. Artificial dyes have been linked to behavioral problems, and they have no nutritional benefit, so avoid them altogether.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION