Do you start your car and let it idle when it's freezing cold outside to allow the engine to "warm up"? While there is some valid reasoning around doing this, especially during frigid cold temps, you don't need to do it for more than 30 seconds. Modern cars have improved fuel-injected engines that work perfectly well without idling your car for several minutes before driving. Lessening your idle time will improve your fuel efficiency and also is better for our environment.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

It's called "the jungle effect," and it's a simple way to create warmer air inside your home with just the power of plants. When you keep a nice collection of houseplants inside your home, they release moisture vapor into the air, which in turn boosts humidity levels in your home. Dry winter air can cause cracked or dry skin and irritated throats, so the extra moisture from houseplants actually can help you look and feel better. And that moisture traps heat, which helps keep your home feeling warmer, too.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

If you have screens for your windows and think it's time to take them down in preparation for the winter months, you might want to keep them up a little longer. One of the easiest ways to prevent insects from coming into your home as they seek warmer places to avoid the cold outside is by leaving window screens in place a little longer. A screen on your window provides an extra barrier that can keep pests outdoors. After the first few frosts, you can take out the screens and store them until the warmer months.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION