When buying an appliance or electronic device, remember that it has two costs: the cost of buying it and the cost of running it. New heating systems must disclose how much energy they deliver from their fuel source. The EnergyGuide label provides the average amount of energy that home appliances will use in a year and the average cost for that energy. Look for the ENERGY STAR label to find the most energy-efficient home electronics.

Don't build your business on a house of cards. Anyone wanting to start a business can find lots of advice, but some claims are too good to be true. You need to sort out the myths from the realities before deciding whether starting a business is the right decision for you. (Photo courtesy o5com) 

Before you receive your tax refund this year, make a plan for how you will spend it. Without a plan, you may spend it on the first important thing that comes to mind, then realize something else was more important. Here are some recommendations for using your tax refund wisely: Pay off bills and save enough to cover a couple of months of expenses in case you have an emergency. Then save for long-term goals, such as a home, retirement or dream vacation. Finally, consider buying that new TV, refrigerator or sofa. (Photo courtesy of Tim Faracy of Bklyn)

Mold growth and damage from window condensation could be worse in homes this winter because of moisture that still remains in buildings and moisture vapor transfer into basements. The best remedy for home moisture problems is to maintain the home's relative at 30 to 40 percent. Ways to limit window condensation include adding storm windows or covering windows with plastic. Exchanging inside air with outside air is another way to reduce moisture problems.

Don't let your holiday spending put your budget in the red. Before you go shopping, decide how much you will spend and stick to it. Make a list of what you plan to buy and check it often to make sure you don't buy more than you intended. Pay for gifts with cash instead of a credit card. And consider making gifts or giving a gift of service, such as baby-sitting or lawn mowing. (Photo courtesy of Flipsy)

You have some simple ways to reduce your heating costs  this winter. They include turning down the heat at night or when you plan to be out of the house for several hours, sealing air leaks and using energy-saving window treatments. Installing heat-shrink film over windows can reduce drafts, and using a programmable themostat will let you turn down the heat without having to remember to adjust the temperature setting.

Many North Dakota farmers and ranchers want to retire one day and leave their farm to the next generation. However, they don’t know how they are going to pass the farm on to their sons or daughters. The lack of transition plans prompted the NDSU Extension Service to develop a project called the Farm/Ranch Transition and Estate Planning program.

Making your store and signage appealing can help entice potential customers to stop and see what you have to offer. But today you have a third powerful tool: the Internet. More and more people are going online to find lodging and places to shop and eat. The latest technology, such as smartphones and tablet computers, is changing the way small businesses market themselves.

Nutrition recommendations have a new look, but the main messages haven’t changed much. MyPlate, the new nutrition recommendation icon, shows how much of your plate you should devote to vegetables, fruits, grains and proteins. It replaces MyPyramid, which depicted the food groups as different-colored bands in a pyramid. The NDSU Extension Service can help you learn how to improve your diet and work regular physical activity into your lifestyle.

Yellowjackets have sometimes been mistakenly called bees, but they are in the wasp classification. All females are capable of stinging, which can cause pain. However, yellowjackets are important predators of pest insects.(Photo courtesy of W. Cranshaw, CSU, Bugwood.org)