Real talk: Buying your first house – or any house! – is one of the biggest financial decisions you’ll make in a lifetime. (That’s why it matters to do your research about homeowners insurance.) My husband and I have been house hunting for more than three years. And if your experience is anything like ours… it’s an emotional roller coaster. As…
We all love watching our children express their artistic side. But over time the mountains of paintings, drawings and crafts can get overwhelming. As parents, we can tell ourselves that nobody really needs a dozen stick-figure family portraits, but that doesn’t make us feel any less guilty for tossing these priceless “masterpieces” in the trash. Maybe your art collection is…
Good fences make good neighbors. At least that’s how the saying goes. Planning to install a fence of your own? While it might seem like a straightforward DIY project, rookie mistakes could quickly turn your fence into an eyesore (and an expensive one, at that). Don’t let this simple project turn into more of a headache than a home improvement….
The days are longer and the temperature is warm. If you have young children, chances are they spend a lot of time cooped up inside or staring at screens. And maybe you haven’t been so active yourself. Looking for a fun way to enjoy the outdoors? Here are some game ideas to help you soak up the sunshine from the…
Houseplants offer a quick, easy way to add a splash of color to your home decor. And they’ve been proven to help purify the air inside your house, too. But have you ever bought a beautiful plant from a local greenhouse, only to watch it shrivel up a few weeks later? If so, you know there’s a lot more to…
In the simplest sense, the lights in your house are there to help you see. But they’re capable of so much more. Like your floor plan and color scheme, home lighting can also help set the mood and add character to the place you call home. Professional and amateur home decorators alike go on about the value of a few…
Memories stay with you for life. But old tapes and film reels aren’t designed to hold them for nearly as long. It’s true that film, VHS tapes and DVDs can preserve your home movies for years (or decades) in the right environment. But even if they’re stored in a cool, dry place, the materials can deteriorate – leaving your memories irretrievable….
As a homeowner, you’ve probably entertained guests who overstayed their welcome. But unlike your in-laws or a former college roommate… an animal that’s made itself at home on your property has no intention of leaving. Some of the usual suspects include raccoons, opossums, woodchucks, skunks or the occasional stray cat. And while they’re just looking for a safe place to…
Trees can be tricky, but for the most part homeowners are responsible for what falls into their own yard. So if a storm causes your neighbor’s tree to fall in your yard, your homeowners insurance could help cover the cost of removing the tree and remedying the damage it caused on your property, after your deductible. The same is true in reverse:…
Severe winter weather can catch us off guard. Even adults sometimes hope for a snow day… but odds are we’re not getting one. In many cases, you still have to brave the cold, clean off your car and get to work. When the forecast calls for heavy snow, it helps to think ahead. Follow this checklist of ways to prepare…
