– The app world is booming and today there are more than 1 million mobile apps available for download through online stores run by companies like Apple and Google. Many apps are available free of charge and collect user data for advertising purposes, raising the question: What is the true cost of these “free” apps?
– After spending the summer enjoying the outdoors, it can be a little bittersweet to get the deck and yard ready for the cooler days ahead. The good news is getting outdoor areas ready for winter doesn’t have to be a time-consuming process.
Faster data speeds. Rapid-fire communication. Bigger screens. The wireless industry is creeping ever closer to instantaneous interaction all the time according to mobile experts.
While green is increasingly a factor in today’s roofing choices, having the ability to choose from a wide variety of colors in sustainable roofing is also a point of great satisfaction for discerning homeowners.
– With cooler temperatures on the way, there’s no better time to finish checking items off the home improvement to-do list. Several projects are “must-do’s” and should be completed before the harsher weather arrives. Most are simple enough to accomplish in just a couple days.
The bathroom is one of the most frequented areas in your home, making your choice of bathroom decor pretty important. Don’t forget about this key area when considering your next home improvement project. With a few tips, you can take your bathroom from so-so to spectacular in no time at all.
– Garage door replacement has become one of the most popular home improvement projects because of its high return on investment (ROI). In fact, Remodeling Magazine’s recent annual Cost vs. Value Report ranks garage door replacement as the No. 2 project (out of a list of 35) to offer a good ROI.
The holiday season is about more than picking the fullest tree, listening to nostalgic carols and planning the perfect family photo. Between addressing holiday cards and toasting the New Year, it’s a great time to incorporate charitable giving into your traditions. No matter your time constraints, there are many ways for you to spread goodness, in addition to good cheer, this holiday season.
With a new year comes new resolutions. Like so many others, your resolutions may include eating healthier individually, as a family or in your office environment. From fruit and nut selections to lean meat options, you can achieve your goals while still eating delicious foods.
– Fall always seems to be a time of revitalization. It brings a sense of a new beginning with the turning of leaves and kids going back to school. For many, such as recent college graduates, this may be the first time they aren’t stepping onto a school campus but rather stepping into a new adventure. Over the past few years, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has found that more and more Americans younger than 35 are joining the ranks of the self-employed and that now may be a great time for them to get their small business idea off the ground.
If you have the aspiration to turn your small business into a large one, you know how arduous it will be. It takes gumption, an irresistible product or service and the ability to think big. But just because your end goal is huge doesn’t mean that small steps won’t get you there. Things like giving away promo products, hosting live seminars and developing an impactful website are all small things that can generate future success.
For American families, taking a break from work and school to get in touch with nature is nothing new. Getting away from the grind of city life is necessary from time to time and the restorative power of the natural world allows us to come home relaxed and refreshed. For some that means heading to a rustic cabin in the woods or pitching a tent in the nearest state park, but others are finding that you can connect with nature without having to venture off the grid or give up modern comforts.
Even when compared to the many astounding sights the natural world has to offer, Niagara Falls stands out for its spectacular power and beauty. In fact, it’s counted among the seven natural wonders of the world, along with Mount Everest, the Grand Canyon and more. For travelers, a visit is, quite simply, an essential part of any globetrotter’s checklist. While their fame might mean taking them for granted, a Niagara Falls vacation will show you the wonder behind their notoriety.
By now, almost everyone knows the dangers of texting or talking on a cellphone while driving. But phones aren’t the only distractions drivers should be aware of. Experts say that anything that draws your attention away from the road can be a potential cause of an accident. That includes actions and situations as innocuous as snacking behind the wheel or postponing a bathroom break.
Whether it’s mustard, accordions or angels, Wisconsinites have a unique way of taking a hobby and turning it into an exhibit hall. The state is home to an eclectic mix of museums that go beyond the ordinary and are the product of a passionate person with a vision so strong that erecting a museum is quite simply the most reasonable option. Both entertaining and educational, the following Wisconsin museums offer an out-of-the-box perspective to visitors.
– Traditionally, the term “war zone” elicits images of tanks, gunfire and military personnel. However, as technology evolves, so do the weapons associated with the art of warfare. Most recently, the battleground has moved online, with the introduction of a new computer malware threat known as “Flame.”
Since the days when a trip from America to Europe took months at a time, travelers have flocked to the European continent. Luckily for today’s travelers, the journey is much easier and less time-consuming, making it an attainable dream for many. But if you’re eager to see Europe from a different perspective, European river cruises are an unbeatable choice.
It’s human nature to want to take care of those we love. In fact, nearly 66 million Americans are caregivers, who spend about 19 hours a week caring for a loved one, according to AARP. Many of those caregivers are looking after older parents who don’t live with them. And while helping aging parents with everything from financial management to health care decisions is difficult enough, the challenges grow if the parent lives alone, either close by or in another state.
You’ve spent a lifetime carefully saving your dollars and cents for important life moments – college tuition, a new house and retirement. But as you age, it’s more important than ever to make smart spending and lifestyle decisions. This doesn’t mean that you have to resign yourself to driving a vehicle that was new when you opened your first 401(k) account, though. In fact, people age 50 and older now account for 62 percent of buyers of new vehicles sold in the U.S., according to a study from AARP and J.D. Power.
For many, the allure of a private getaway is strong, but concerns about maintenance and costs have made it seem out of reach in the past. If owning a vacation property has long been a dream of yours, now might be the time to make it a reality. The current economy fostered a buyer’s market, in which vacation homes with incredible amenities and in exclusive communities are available for better values than ever before.
Supporting the troops is an important thing to do – but sometimes it’s hard to figure out how to give your support.
You don’t have to be a financial whiz to be smart with your money. These top five money moves prove anyone can be savvy with a few essential strategies.
Whether you’re celebrating a new job, new house or new member of your family, fresh starts and major life events herald a time to rejoice. While you’re feeling good about a positive change in your life, it’s also a great time to get organized so you can focus on what’s to come instead of worrying about where to find this or where to put that.
As with most things in life, it’s never too early to plan. And even if you are not at the doorstep of retirement, there are some critical do’s and don’ts related to retirement planning that anyone could benefit from.
– Remodeling a kitchen is still one of the best value-enhancing investments you can make in your home. Remodeling Magazine’s 2011-2012 Cost vs. Value Report says that even minor kitchen remodels return more than 72 percent of your investment at the time of resale. Yet the cost of even a “minor remodel” doesn’t look that minor – $19,588 on average, according to the report.
– As the season changes, many of us will get the itch to tackle any number of home improvement projects before winter. For some, a complete remodel is in the works. For others, just a few quick fixes are needed to make the home a more enjoyable space during the long winter months or in preparation for holiday entertaining.
Unlike most hobbies, backyard birding doesn’t cost a lot, doesn’t take tons of equipment, and doesn’t require that you decipher complicated instructions just to get started. All you need is a backyard or a balcony.
– When you’re remodeling your home it seems that there’s an endless list of design and decor choices to consider. At the end of the day, your decisions often revolve around helping your home put its best face forward.
Most women would agree that getting ready for a night out on the town is much more exciting than getting ready for a typical day. Dressing up, adding some shine or a little extra sparkle to your outfit can give your mood a boost whether it’s for a special occasion or a regular day.
– Do you ever feel like you’re trying to avoid tripping off an alarm as you’re carefully tiptoe through your living room? Except instead of an alarm, you’re hoping not to trigger that familiar creak or groan of the floorboards. It’s happened to everybody, and at times it wakes up the newborn (or anyone else who is asleep), interrupts home-office calls, and lets everyone in the house know about your midnight snack run to the fridge.
