Issue Nº 503

Thursday

In today’s issue, we’ll take a look at:

• Why your energy bill keeps rising, and how to fix it

• How your old phone can make a difference

• Elevate your vacations this year

• Creative ways to use leftover bread

• Your newest side hustle

• Best home office plants, a must-see tiny home, and a quiz…

True or False?

Leaving electronics plugged in, even when turned off, doesn’t use any energy.

Scroll to the bottom for the answer.

Why Your Energy Bill Keeps Rising—and Fixes

Are your energy bills higher than expected? It’s not just about saving money—cutting back on energy use can also make your home more eco-friendly. Even small changes can have a big impact on your wallet and the planet.

• Seal Those Leaks: Drafty windows and doors waste energy by letting heated or cooled air escape. Weatherstripping or caulking is a simple, eco-friendly fix that reduces your home's carbon footprint.

• Power Down Devices: “Vampire” devices like TVs, chargers, and coffee makers drain power even when off. Unplug them or use a smart power strip. You’ll reduce energy waste and cut emissions.

• Switch to LED Bulbs: Lighting accounts for about 15% of household electricity use. LEDs use 75% less energy and last longer, making them a win for your wallet and the environment.

• Upgrade Appliances: Older appliances are energy hogs. When it’s time to replace them, choose Energy Star-rated models—they use less power and are better for the planet.

These small, sustainable changes don’t just help you save—they contribute to a greener future for everyone. What eco-friendly steps have you tried at home? Let us know!

How Your Old Phone Can Make a Difference

Did you know your old mobile phone could help protect wildlife? January 24 marks International Mobile Phone Recycling Day, an effort to reduce e-waste and its harmful impacts on the environment. Recycling mobile phones conserves resources and helps preserve habitats for endangered species like gorillas in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Smartphones contain valuable materials like gold, silver, and rare metals, but mining for these resources destroys ecosystems. Recycling your phone keeps these materials out of landfills and reduces the demand for new mining operations. It’s a small action with a big impact—especially when you consider there are over 7.2 billion mobile phones worldwide.

Many organizations make it easy to recycle your device. Retailers often accept phones for free recycling, and programs like The Forest is Calling pledge encourage people to keep devices longer or recycle them responsibly. These efforts ensure materials are reused instead of wasted.

This January 24, join the movement by recycling an unused phone or sharing the importance of reducing e-waste. It’s a simple step that helps protect nature for future generations. How will you celebrate Mobile Phone Recycling Day?

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Creative Ways to Use Leftover Bread

Did you know that in the United States alone, an astonishing 240 million slices of bread are wasted annually? This accounts for 38% of all discarded grain products, making bread the most wasted food item nationwide.

So, the next time your loaf starts to go stale, don’t toss it—try one of these creative, eco-friendly solutions instead.

• Revive Stale Bread: Wrap your loaf in a damp dish towel and heat it in the oven at 130-150°F for 5-10 minutes. This trick brings stale bread back to life, ready to eat or freeze.

• Make Homemade Croutons: Cut stale bread into cubes, toss with olive oil, salt, and paprika, and bake until crispy. These crunchy bites are perfect for soups, salads, or even snacking.

• Try Breaded Tofu Fingers: Blend stale bread into breadcrumbs, coat tofu slices, and bake until golden. This plant-based snack is flavorful, satisfying, and a great way to reduce waste.

Simple steps, like finding creative ways to save bread, can make a big difference—and lead to some truly delicious creations.

What’s your favorite way to use up a loaf? Share your ideas with us and join the movement to reduce food waste!

Turn Tickets into Cash with Lysted

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Quick Picks:

Brighten your day with this week’s Quick Picks—perfect plants for your office, an incredible tiny home, and a fun animal quiz for winter vibes!

• 🌿 Best Plants for Your Home Office: Boost your workspace with greenery! From air-purifying pothos to low-maintenance snake plants, these options bring life and productivity to any desk. Learn more here.

• 🏡 A Tiny Home You’ll Love: Check out this stunning tiny house designed for cold climates. With its cozy interiors and clever use of space, it’s a must-see for minimalist living enthusiasts. Take a look here.

• 🐧 Cold-Climate Animal Quiz: Think you know your polar creatures? Test your knowledge with this fun quiz and see how many icy animals you can identify. Try it here.

Reflections:

🌎 True or False: False! Many electronics draw “phantom power” when plugged in but not in use.

🌅 Sunset Of The Day: The sun can provide the most beautiful photography. That's why we're eager to see your favorite sunrise or sunset photos. Reply to this email with your best sun-based pictures for a chance to be featured!