It's great that you use your reusable water or hot beverage bottle every day, but you still should do one thing: Wash it properly every day as well. Germs and bacteria love moist environments, so when a bottle stays wet and doesn't get washed, illness-causing spores can germinate and sprout. It's not enough to swirl hot water around a bottle to get it clean; you need warm water and soap to properly disinfect both the inside and the parts that touch your mouth. The best method is to toss it in the dishwasher to make sure it's clean and properly disinfected.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

Ever wonder what to do with flat, warm, leftover beer? Give your garden a good drink! The natural yeast in beer can help with plant growth. Simply pour leftover beer into a watering can and add regular water. Pour the mixture near the base of plants, and when you're done, cultivate the soil a little bit. You can also fill a small empty tuna fish tin with leftover beer to keep slugs away from your garden; they'll crawl in for a drink but drown when they're unable to get out.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

When it comes to giving gifts, whether it's for a birthday or a housewarming, finding just the right thing can be a very daunting process. And with up to 1 in every 3 gifts being returned or, worse, thrown away by the recipient, gift-giving can be a waste-generating process as well. Rather than giving a physical gift, consider giving an experience instead. A dinner for two, tickets to a movie, a massage or a personal training session are all things people can do and enjoy instead of having to figure out what to do with another object.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION