Puttering in the garden is an age-old hobby pursued for several reasons; it can keep you fit, provide food and flowers, and help you live in a more beautiful world. Experienced gardeners say mastering a few simple skills can get you off to a productive start to the home garden of your dreams:Know yo

Here are four striking countertops that will up the style factor in your kitchen…Sintered StoneSintered stone combines the classic look of natural stone with all the benefits of a durable, man-made surface.SoapstoneWhether youre going for a traditional or modern look, this natural stone works well i

Teaching your child about money by giving them a piggy bank or having them earn an allowance by doing household chores is a great start to learning about how to earn and save money.Spending wisely, however, is another lesson. And it will probably come away from home and without adult supervision.A d

Help protect your family with these home fire safety tips:Install smoke alarms on every level of your home and inside bedrooms, and test alarms monthly.Cooking causes most house fires, so dont leave the kitchen with the stove on.Keep flammable materials at least three feet away from fireplaces, wood

A problem with the electrical wiring, an outlet, or the circuit breaker or fuse box in your home needs to be taken seriously. An unaddressed electrical issue could spark a fire that could engulf your entire house and put your family’s lives in danger.Circuit Breaker or Fuse Box Trips RepeatedlyA cir

Asphalt is a popular choice for paving driveways. It’s an environmentally-friendly material that can be recycled and is unlikely to cause damage to vehicles. Asphalt also lasts for decades and can enhance your home’s curb appeal, but eventually, it may show signs of wear or damage. If you notice any

Published with permission from RISMedia.

Life can feel overwhelming. Work, traffic, family responsibilities and chores can cause you to feel understandably frazzled. While stress is unavoidable, there are simple things you can do to make it more manageable.Change Your MindsetWhen you’re rushing from one task to another, you may not pay att

Here are a few stand-out ways to add a statement ceiling to your home!Add a Pop of ColorTry a simple splash from the rooms existing color scheme or go bold with a hand-painted pattern.Get Creative With TexturesFrom exposed wood to custom plaster ceiling treatments, textures add a new layer of depth.

An emergency fund should cover disasters such as a job loss, sudden illness, broken car or other catastrophe that can leave you without money or the means to work for a while. Knowing how much money to save depends on a few factors. Here are some to consider:InsuranceLife, health, auto and supplemen

A garage is an excellent place for storage, but things are often put there and forgotten. This can result in a disorganized mess that makes it difficult to find room for vehicles and other important items. If your garage could use some organization, you need a strategy.Get Help and Make a PlanFirst,

If youre considering a safe room in your next home, these are the latest features you should know about…These arent simply steel-lined closets behind trap doors, but rather, fully fortified luxury accommodations that can seamlessly blend in with the rest of a residence.Safe rooms deliver peace of mi

A cellphone bill is an expense almost everyone has to pay each month. Even if you set up automatic payments to make paying it easier, it’s still money you have to come up with monthly"and it can be a big bill.Here are five ways to lower your cellphone bill:Switch to no contract. One of the big costs

Paying for something with a credit card instead of cash can be easier for a number of reasons. While it can be difficult to find an ATM when you need it, carrying around a lot of cash can be dangerous, and some things are nearly impossible to buy with cash.And by “cash,” we also mean a debit card, s

Published with permission from RISMedia.

Not using your credit card enough sounds like an odd reason to have a mortgage application denied, but it’s one of the ways that applying for a home loan can be derailed by factors you may not have thought of.Credit card debt can help establish a credit history"a good history if you have a record of

Paying your medical bill is one of the last things on your mind when youre at a hospital emergency room. And how that bill could affect your credit score is probably much less of a concern. But even a non-emergent hospital visit can result in a large medical bill months after your health insurance c

These five gardens will add natural charm to your home…Formal GardenThough they require effort to keep perfectly manicured, they recall a bygone era of grandeur that always impresses.Container GardenA low-key option that works anywhere, fill pots, planters or reclaimed materials with greenery and fl

Youve probably seen thousands of ads for Geico or Aflac on television talking about the latest savings you can get for car insurance. But how often do you see companies talking about lowering your home insurance? Probably not regularly.Obviously, people know they need home insurance. But typically,

Children are often victims of identity theft for two reasons: They have a clean identity that probably hasn’t been used much and can be exploited in many ways, and there’s often a large gap between the theft and when it’s discovered.Fraudsters will usually wait years before applying for a mortgage o