Goals for the new year typically involve getting in shape, saving money, becoming better organized or finally taking that tropical vacation. Whether you’re interested in jet-setting around the globe or simply getting more organized, you should not ignore the role the virtual world plays in your everyday life.
Many women suffer from heavy monthly periods and don’t realize that they have a medical condition.
Numerous factors impact a senior’s ability to live independently, such as health and memory problems, mobility issues, and care coordination concerns. Often overlooked is the fact that one quarter of all nursing home admissions are the result of poor medication adherence.
If you typically dread income tax time, remember this: Three out of four taxpayers receive a federal refund, and the average direct-deposited refund last year was $2,923. You have almost as many tax savings opportunities as last year, thanks to the fiscal cliff-averting tax changes passed in early January. In addition to extending the lower Bush-era income tax rates for nearly all taxpayers, the American Tax Relief Act made permanent or extended dozens of tax breaks.
Whenever it snows, it is a common sight to see workers at shopping centers and business owners out and about clearing pathways, parking spaces and entrances of snow and ice. But this isn’t just good business to help customers get in the door, it is also a liability issue should someone slip and fall and injure themselves. Homeowners, too, face similar, albeit more limited, liability if they fail to take adequate steps to remove such slippery hazards from their property.
You may think having golf-course green grass requires hours of work each day, but if you want the best lawn on the block, it’s as easy as coming up with a plan. The secret? When it comes to lawn maintenance, it’s never too early to prepare your course of action.
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.
Making mistakes is one of Americans’ biggest fears at tax time. A single error can delay the processing of your return or even cause it to be rejected by the IRS. If that happens and you’re entitled to a refund, get ready to wait. If you’re doing your own taxes for the first time this year or aren’t able to import last year’s return, be especially careful to avoid these common errors.
Sometimes the best way to find that perfect holiday gift is to search and shop online; it’s quick, easy, and convenient. And more and more people are doing it: The number of consumers researching or shopping online is steadily growing and will surpass 200 million by 2015 according to eMarketer.
Managing money wisely: It’s something that everyone is told to do from an early age. From putting pennies in the piggy bank to classroom instruction in how to balance a check book, the message is to spend and save thoughtfully. However, in the real world, those lessons often fall by the wayside due to crunched schedules, unexpected expenses and simple forgetfulness. However, the way you handle – or mishandle – your money from day to day will have an impact on your credit score.
It’s not always a good thing to be the middle. For the children of baby boomers, the middle can be a financially stressful place.
When you are out shoveling snow and scraping ice off the car’s windshield, winter can seem like an eternity. Yet when it comes to your credit profile, house-hunting and the spring real estate season is just around the corner. It pays to take steps to make sure your credit profile is in the best shape possible if you’ll be looking for a house come spring.
There are two kinds of travelers out there: those who plan and those who wing it. But what they have in common is a love of travel and exploring new destinations. Whether you take two-day weekend trips or 10-day vacations, here are some must-see destinations for 2013.
Hazards may be lurking in your home, and for $100 or less, you can make the home improvement precautions needed to protect your family from common household dangers. Try these budget-friendly DIY projects to make your home safer and healthier.
Although composite decking is not new, lack of familiarity with the product may lead you to be confused when making a decision about the type of product you should choose for your deck. To make this decision-making process easier, it often helps to go back to the basics.
The winter holiday season is here, which means we can look forward to a lot of decorating, parties and possibly some travel during the next few months. But with all the hustle and bustle of shopping and celebrating, it’s important not to lose sight of what matters most: the safety of your family and home.
Carpet has gained quite the reputation in the past decade, fueled by a multitude of assumptions. But is there truth behind the rumors about this very popular flooring option? With a little investigation you’ll find many are completely false – making carpet a viable flooring option that can benefit everyone, from allergy sufferers to penny pinchers to the elderly.
We are in the midst of a do-it-yourself revolution, with more Americans pulling out the tool belt and getting their hands dirty. If you’d like to hop on the DIY bandwagon and enjoy the money savings and pride that comes with completing a project yourself, it’s important to keep some tips in mind so your grand ideas don’t become grand disasters.
The coldest time of the year can also be the busiest. With holiday entertaining, overnight guests and winter getaways, it can be hard to ensure your home heating and other systems are performing for optimal comfort and efficiency. In addition, the Department of Energy reports that no matter what energy source you use, heating this winter will cost more, an important consideration since heating and cooling typically makes up about 54 percent of your utility bill.
Home ownership is an important investment that can create both a sense of pride and a place in the world that is all your own. While the investment in purchasing or building your own home is sizeable, letting your home fall into disrepair can be even more costly. However, home maintenance doesn’t have to be a daunting task. By following a few simple steps and making maintenance a regular activity, you’ll not only preserve the quality of your home, but you’ll likely save money over the long term.
On any given weekend, homeowners can be found climbing around in attics to add insulation, repairing shingles on the roof, installing new floors in kitchens and bathrooms, and handling many other home improvement projects that, with a little elbow grease, they are able to do themselves. One popular project that affects both the exterior and interior of the house is replacing a drafty old entry door with a stylish, energy-efficient one to transform the look and feel of the home without breaking the budget.
With the fast-paced lives people can lead today, often we strive for instant gratification to fit into our busy schedules. So when it comes to home improvement projects, wouldn’t you love an instant update for boring home decor? Fortunately, there are numerous fast fixes that can produce fantastic results.
Adding a bathroom to your home remains one of the most popular and rewarding home improvements you can make. Creating a new bathroom where none currently exists can, however, be among the more challenging home improvements.
If you’re like many homeowners, you consider the patio an extension of your home. So it’s fair to ask: Would you be just as comfortable nestled in with your favorite book or preparing a meal in your outdoor space as you would in your living room or your kitchen? As you contemplate ways to improve your outdoor area, think about projects that can both extend the hours you spend outside and make the time you spend there more relaxing.
Take a look around your home and think about which spaces you use most. If the kitchen made the list, you’re not alone. For most homeowners, the kitchen is the heart of their home, and all the time spent there likely causes a fair amount of wear and tear. If this sounds like your kitchen, it might be time for a remodel. Here are some great ideas for updating your space on a budget.
One of the hottest trends in home improvement is remodeling with green or sustainability in mind. Going “green” means using building methods and environmentally friendly building materials that reduce your home’s impact on the earth, while enhancing the health of your home for you and your family.
Do you enjoy a theater quality experience from the comfort of your own home? Does your kitchen resemble that of the finest restaurants? If you answered “yes” then you’re among the growing number of discerning consumers who consider themselves “prosumers.”
As cooler temperatures approach, more homeowners are turning to value-driven renovation projects that will warm up their space and withstand the test of time. Refreshing your outdoor siding not only adds curb appeal but overall home value.
Smart sellers know that taking extra steps to care for and present a home’s exterior is a worthwhile investment, particularly during the real estate off-season. There is one improvement you can make that will help boost your home’s outdoor appeal no matter what the season: a deck.
The beginning of the year is a great time to make positive changes in your home. While many will wait until March to embrace “spring cleaning” season and make home improvements, a few simple changes can be made now to help you conserve energy and start saving money right away. Here are some steps that can help lower energy consumption – and associated costs – in your home this month and throughout the year.
