Dog owners, listen up: Be sure to give your dog the right haircut for its breed. You may be burning up in the hot summer months, but trimming your dog's fur too short to help them cool off can actually do more harm than good. The naturally long, thick fur on some dogs has a purpose; it helps block harmful UV rays, preventing overheating and sunburns. In the winter months, letting the coat get too long can actually cause your dog to overheat, even if the temperatures outside would suggest otherwise. A good rule of thumb: Ask for a groomer's advice to make sure your best friend is comfortable and protected.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

Did you know more than 552 million plastic bottles that once held shampoo end up in landfills every year? Even with recycling, over half a billion end up thrown away, and it all could be prevented with one simple switch: a shampoo bar. Like a bar of body soap, a shampoo bar uses the same moisturizing and cleansing ingredients found in shampoo, but without the addition of water. You lather up with a shampoo bar in the shower and it magically turns into shampoo. By switching to a bar, you can cut out plastic bottles altogether.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

Here's a classic Do Just One Thing tip worth repeating: If you have ceiling fans, now is the time to reverse the direction to help keep your home warmer. A ceiling fan that runs counter-clockwise pushes cool air down into a room. When you reverse its spin during the fall months, it'll push the cool air upward and help recirculate warm air in the room. If you don't reverse the direction and keep the fan going, it'll just continue to cool the room, creating a wind chill effect.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION