ArcaMax

In the cold fall and winter months, your car's average miles per gallon can decrease by as much as 22%. The reason? Colder air is denser, which adds drag. But there's a bigger culprit: heat. All the energy used to warm the car with the defrosters, heaters and seat warmers gobbles up gas. To be more fuel-efficient, try to park your car where it's...Read more

Do you have a backyard compost pile? In the spring, summer and fall months, composting kitchen scraps and yard waste is an ecological way to use naturally occurring microbes to break down organic matter into beneficial mulch. But in the winter months, these microbes either slow down or stop completely. In the cold months, you should protect your...Read more

The little stickers you see on produce at the store contain a code called a PLU, or a price lookup code, to help supermarkets accurately check out fruits and vegetables. The codes do have significance and can be helpful in determining if the item you're buying is organic. If the PLU code starts with a 9, that means it's organically grown. If you...Read more

When squirrels start overtaking your attic or get stuck in your house, one of the easiest ways to remedy the problem is to use a humane trap. The trap (usually baited with peanut butter) lures the squirrel inside, and a trigger shuts a door behind it. When it's time to release the squirrel outside, don't relocate it far away from your house. The...Read more

Being eco-conscious on your wedding day can make a meaningful difference. Instead of managing every green detail yourself, choose a venue that already practices sustainability. Look for one that maximizes natural light and partners with vendors who use locally grown flowers for decor. Ensure the venue handles recycling and composting, and that ...Read more

Do you really need it? The instant gratification of buying something on impulse often leads to more waste and drains your hard-earned money. Try a “cooling-off” period for nonessential items; a little time and distance can help you realize you never really needed it. For bigger wants (like a new handbag or gadget), wait a full 30 days before...Read more

Ever do some "extreme couponing" at the store? It's when you combine coupons with store sales, making the total price of your items next to nothing. If you are able to procure a small stockpile of brand-new personal care items like toothbrushes, deodorant and soap through clever couponing, why not donate to your local food pantry? Food pantries ...Read more

Fresh cuts of protein like fish, chicken and beef can be frozen and used many months later if properly packaged in the freezer. The trick is to leave virtually no "air space" between the protein and the packaging material, which helps prevent freezer burn. Wrap fresh protein tightly with freezer paper and then cover in aluminum foil, pressing ...Read more

Yes, ice can go bad. It is technically a food, and like most foods, ice can harbor everything from bacteria to viruses that can cause illness, according to the International Packaged Ice Association. Bacteria like salmonella and E. coli can live in ice, because freezing does not kill these contaminants. Ice that's left in the freezer for a long ...Read more