When it's freezing cold outside, that doesn't mean you need to crank up the thermostat, use natural resources and waste money to stay warm inside. If it's sunny outside, open the shades and drapes to let the bright sunshine inside. The sun's rays will have a greenhouse effect and create real warmth inside your home. At night, do the opposite: Shut the blinds and close the drapes to maximize the energy efficiency of your windows.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

If you've bought a bunch of flowers or a gift basket wrapped in cellophane, you might wonder: Is this clear, plasticlike material recyclable? While it looks like plastic, the good news is, it isn't: Cellophane is actually made from wood pulp and not from petroleum. But that doesn't make it eco-friendly, per se; the Sierra Club reports that "cellophane production requires toxic carbon disulfide." But unlike plastic, it will biodegrade, and it is also compostable.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

Bird feeders are a nice way to get close to birds and also help them find a source of food when survival is tough, during harsh winter months. According to the National Wildlife Federation, feeders should be placed at least 10 feet away from shrubs, brush piles and places where cats may lurk. The NWF also advises that the seed mixture should always stay dry. Wet seed can develop mold that sickens birds, so if yours gets wet, dump the old mixture into a compost pile, clean the feeder and start fresh with dry seeds.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION