Do you use a laptop computer? One way to help prolong the life of the rechargeable battery is to make sure it isn't plugged into a power source all the time. While leaving the computer plugged in isn't detrimental to your laptop, the excess heat that's created can wear down the battery, and extra wear on the battery means its lifespan is shortened. So plug your laptop in when you need extra power or to recharge the battery, and unplug it when the battery is full.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

There are more than 40 million acres of lawn in the United States, and it's simply grass that provides very little in the form of food or shelter for wildlife. If you take just a small portion of your lawn and plant native plants, it can go a long way to support wildlife like birds. Food sources like nectar, berries and seeds can come from indigenous plants, and even insects can be a food source for birds. Your local nursery can help you identify the right plants to turn a little patch of grass into a mini sanctuary.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

While the pre-measured "pods" for laundry and dishwasher detergents may be convenient, they are wrapped in a plastic called polyvinyl alcohol, or PVOH; it's a plastic that is designed to "dissolve" in contact with water, but rather than fully dissolving, it goes into the waterway and becomes a microplastic. The best course is to stick with old-fashioned detergents in powdered form for laundry or look for tablets that aren't wrapped in plastic for your dishwasher.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION