Drew Jones

1 week ago | thecooldown.com | Drew Jones

Some people like their bananas more on the firm side β€” maybe even a little green still β€” and some like them softer with the little brown spots. But everyone can agree there is a point when bananas get a little too ripe to eat. What do you do with your overripe bananas? A Redditor sparked a spirited discussion in the r/Frugal subreddit community after sharing how they got creative with their aging bananas.

1 week ago | thecooldown.com | Drew Jones

As energy costs rise and climate concerns grow, investing in solar panels has become a smart move for homeowners. Residential energy use accounts for of total U.S. energy consumption, according to the Energy Information Administration. Not only can solar energy significantly reduce your electricity bills, but it also helps decrease the emissions to power grid electricity. Solar industry experts at EnergySage ranked the top-performing panels for homeowners in 2025.

1 week ago | thecooldown.com | Drew Jones

When you think of eucalyptus, you probably think of that delightful smell in your candles and shower steamers or even the gorgeous leaves in a flower bouquet. But did you know that eucalyptus trees are considered invasive plant species in several U.S. states, including California? Jessie Dickson (@sacramentofoodforest) is a botanist who shared a video on TikTok of a fallen eucalyptus tree that ended up shutting down a road. "They fall from wind easily.

1 week ago | thecooldown.com | Drew Jones

Looking for ways to give your cats a little more work for their treats? A cat owner shared a video on TikTok of an enrichment toy they created for their two tuxedo cats, and the cats were very curious and entertained. The cat owner behind Sake & Sushi Tuxedo Twins (@sake_and_sushi) put together a simple, free activity that gave their kitties a little more excitement as they tried to secure some treats.

2 weeks ago | thecooldown.com | Drew Jones

A Sacramento resident vented their frustrations on TikTok over a neighbor's decade-old landscaping decision that continues to wreak havoc on their yard: planting bamboo. What may have seemed like an exotic touch to the yard has since spiraled into a nuisance, wreaking havoc on the resident's native plant garden. Jessie Dickson (@sacramentofoodforest) says it should be illegal to sell bamboo. At first glance, bamboo might seem like a cool, tropical addition to a garden, but it's actually .