With all the crazy shifts in the weather this year, it is already turning out to be an active tornado season. Here are some tips to help you stay safe.Get a free warning app. Many people who have survived tornadoes say that they didn’t hear the sirens until it was too late. Tornados often pop up … [Read more...] about How to stay safe during a tornado
Home & Garden
5 smart ways to cash in on your home
In the old days, if you wanted to make money from your home without actually selling it, your options were pretty much to do some fishing in the couch cushions or hold a garage sale. Those are still viable options (according to StatisticBrain.com, there are approximately 165,000 garage sales every … [Read more...] about 5 smart ways to cash in on your home
Avoid home-repair scams: advice from the BBB
Hiring a roofer or a plumber or a deck builder can be tricky business. Hiring the wrong roofer or plumber or deck builder can cost you a lot more money than it should, not to mention the time it takes to right a wrong.That’s why the Better Business Bureau exists, says Katie Carrol, an … [Read more...] about Avoid home-repair scams: advice from the BBB
Create sweet Valentine’s Day crafts using photos
Between digital cameras, cellphones, and an influx of school portraits, most of us have tons of great photos. And where are they? Stuck in a drawer or, more likely, in a computer file. If you have these great shots, you should use them. Print them out and make some simple, inexpensive Valentine's … [Read more...] about Create sweet Valentine’s Day crafts using photos
5 easy, cheap home decorating ideas
If cabin fever has you tired of staring at the same walls, make some refreshing changes and redecorate. Using a lot of imagination and creativity and a little bit of cash, you can transform your home into a well-decorated refuge. Try these simple tricks for redecorating on a … [Read more...] about 5 easy, cheap home decorating ideas
Does keeping chickens save money on eggs?
Backyard chicken keeping is sweeping the nation, but is it really cheaper to keep your own chickens for eggs? Unfortunately, there’s no hard-boiled answer. Consider a few facts from an experienced keeper to help you decide.First, do you care what sort of eggs you eat? If you always buy the … [Read more...] about Does keeping chickens save money on eggs?
7 little-known homeowner insurance traps
Do you know what your homeowner's insurance policy covers should you file a claim in 2013? Yes, it's not exciting, but with more insurers are inserting provisions to shift risk and costs to homeowners, a careful read is more important than ever, say the experts at the Consumer Federation of America … [Read more...] about 7 little-known homeowner insurance traps
Get charities to take your unwanted stuff
You'd think charities would do back flips over your unwanted items. But unless you have the ability and strength to get them out of your home, you'd be wrong. When I recently combined two households I called all the biggies (Goodwill, Salvation Army, Habitat for Humanity), anxious to donate quality … [Read more...] about Get charities to take your unwanted stuff
Get free stuff, give old stuff away
Wouldn't it be great if there were an easy way to give your unwanted but perfectly good stuff to someone who needed it? And a way to get stuff that's perfect for you but doesn't work for your neighbors any more?There is, and it's called Freecycle. It's a great way to work with your neighbors to … [Read more...] about Get free stuff, give old stuff away
How to get the best used furniture deals
My husband and I recently bought a home roughly twice the size of our old one. We enjoy the extra space, but several rooms in our home are completely devoid of furniture. Since I’m not impressed with the high prices and low quality of most “big-box” furniture stores, I’ve slowly been amassing … [Read more...] about How to get the best used furniture deals
Daily savings for papercrafters who like deals
Papercrafting is a hobby that includes so many moving parts — paint, sewing, alcohol markers, inks, mists, stamps, edge punches, buttons, flowers, diecuts and, of course, the paper — it's easy for crafters to get more wrapped up in buying than using these supplies.So by your second shopping … [Read more...] about Daily savings for papercrafters who like deals
Can’t afford a spa? Throw a spa party
Anyone who has been to a salon or spa recently knows that it’s a high-ticket indulgence. It can cost hundreds of dollars for a manicure, hairstyle, foot massage and facial mask. So why not do it at home? And why not make it fun with a group of friends? A group can gather for a day of penny-pinching … [Read more...] about Can’t afford a spa? Throw a spa party
Free wheelchair ramps and home repairs for needy
If you or your parents or grandparents need help with home renovations you can't afford, Rebuilding Together may be able to help. The nonprofit organization builds free wheelchair ramps and provides FREE critical home repairs, modifications and improvements to low-income, elderly and disabled … [Read more...] about Free wheelchair ramps and home repairs for needy
Kids’ crafts: Make a braided-rope dog toy
When it comes to kids' crafts, I like projects they can make and use rather than just make and throw away. During a recent sleepover in my house, I enlisted the help of two kids to try out one of the DIY projects I have bookmarked on Pinterest.Using fleece fabric left over from winter projects, … [Read more...] about Kids’ crafts: Make a braided-rope dog toy