Start by decluttering and asking yourself some tough questions. “Do you really need a physical copy of your cable bill?” Rosenthal asks. Instead of keeping the hard copy, scan it! And don’t worry, you don’t need an ugly, bulky scanner anymore—a smartphone and an app will do the trick. “The Dropbox app has a scanning feature built right in, so you can scan and organize the digital file and then toss or shred the original,” she explains....
But even after the final COVID restrictions are removed, there may be some lasting effects of the pandemic on how we choose to celebrate. “I think how often and how people entertain will depend entirely on how their area was affected by COVID,” says Tamara Reynolds, author of How to Throw a Dinner Party Without Having a Nervous Breakdown. “People who didn’t feel affected will return sooner—people who were very affected are having a harder time coming back....
Sorting through Hive’s categories, from skin care to canned goods, reminds me of walking the aisles of my local co-op. I can almost smell the essential oils and freshly ground organic almond butter as I click and scroll. My favorite thing about those local brick-and-mortar health food stores is how carefully they consider the brands they put up on their shelves, and since I’ve been shopping online more in the past year, I’ve turned to Hive to sustainably shop my favorite brands and discover new ones doing awesome things....
If the anticipation of a large family gathering full of arguments is causing some of your holiday stress, a lot of that anxiety and frustration may come from feeling like you lack control over the situation. You can’t magically force everyone to be on their best behavior, and you can’t exactly write a script for everyone to follow. But here’s one thing you can do to put yourself in the driver’s seat and steer the conversation in a pleasant direction: Be a good storyteller, suggests Paul J....
First things first, how many grams of sugar per day are actually OK? “For women, the daily recommended allowance [of sugar] is six teaspoons, and for men, nine teaspoons. Children should have less than six teaspoons per day,” says Nicole Avena, PhD, a research neuroscientist, food addiction expert, and author of What to Feed Your Baby and Toddler. There are roughly four grams of sugar per teaspoon, meaning women and children should get no more than 25 grams of added sugar each day (those under 2 should get no added sugar) and men should get no more than 36 grams per day....
How much you donate is up to you, but if you plan for it, you’re more likely to follow through on those good intentions. Here’s how to make giving back part of your financial plan.
How to Clean a Leather Jacket What You’ll Need: Soft Sponge Mr. Clean Leather cleaning wipes (optional) Leather conditioner (such as Leather Honey Leather Conditioner, $16; amazon.com) Follow These Steps: Before you start, check to make sure the jacket is finished leather, not suede or nubuck. The steps below apply to finished leather. Start with the mildest method: using water and a soft sponge, lightly blot (don’t rub) the stain, working from the inside of the stain to outside....
Fortunately, cleaning a tea kettle and removing limescale is simple, and all you need are a few supplies you probably have on hand. Follow these steps to learn how to clean a tea kettle, the easy way. How Often to Clean a Kettle How often you clean your electric or stovetop kettle depends on how often you use it. After every use or at the end of the day, empty any remaining water....
While it might seem complicated to clean wood, a simple approach is always best. For starters, when purchasing wood furniture, always ask the vendor for tips on how to care for the piece. Because every finish, stain, and type of wood is different, it’s hard to have a one-size-fits-all approach to cleaning. However, a good rule of thumb is to start with the mildest cleaning solutions first and work your way up from there....
Innerspring construction (steel coils topped with layers of padding) is the most common. One good measure of how well it will support your body is the number of coils it contains. Davis recommends a minimum of 350 coils for a full-size mattress, 480 for a queen, and 580 for a king.Air-filled models (composed of air chambers surrounded by foam) let you adjust the firmness. Opt for a top layer of high-density foam....
Keep reading to learn our advice for how to cut watermelon confidently and safely for all the summer salads, granitas, and agua frescas your heart desires. Spoiler: it’s a lot easier than you think to cut watermelon slices, cubes, and more! Just make sure you have a big, sturdy cutting board and a sharp chef’s knife, and you’re good to go. How to Cut Watermelon Slices With built-in watermelon rind handles, classic triangular slices are a perfect picnic snack....
Enter: Hot oil treatments for hair, a hairstylist-recommended way to practice self-care and bring life back to your locks. But before you go pouring a bottle of steaming oil over your head, give this a read. We asked hairstylists the burning questions about hot oil you’ll need to know, plus how to execute the treatment safely. How Hot Oil Helps Hair Using hot oil hair treatments has many benefits for dry hair and a dry scalp....
“Social connections add meaning to our lives and decrease our risk for depression, anxiety, substance disorder, loneliness, and low self-esteem,” says Paula Durlofsky, PhD, a clinical psychologist based in Bryn Mawr, Pa., and the author of Logged In and Stressed Out: How Social Media is Affecting Your Mental Health. “In fact, research shows that social connectedness is as good for our physical health as exercising or quitting smoking.” The past year, however, has forced most people to reckon with the consequences of social isolation, the physical distance from our closest acquaintances, and the loss of opportunities to meet new people or join like-minded groups....
When to Plant Potatoes Potatoes are cool weather crops and can be planted in the early spring as soon as the soil is workable. Although they like cool temperatures, they do not like freezing temperatures. Plant them as soon as the soil reaches 45 degrees Fahrenheit, or two to three weeks before your last frost date. Potato plants can tolerate a light frost, but you will need to cover the plants with some protection if your area gets a late-season heavy frost....
Blistering vegetables takes only about 10 minutes, prep time included, and can result in a restaurant-worthy (and healthy) side dish. Firm veggies, like green beans, snap peas, broccolini, shishito peppers, asparagus and more of your summer bounty work well for blistering. Water-rich vegetables, like zucchini and eggplant, with the skin still intact work too, though you’ll want to slightly grease your skillet (more on that later). This technique can also work for fruits, like avocado and stone fruit, like peaches, for a sweeter treat....
“Finances are often ranked as the top source of stress for Americans,” says Ken Lin, founder and CEO of Credit Karma. “Financial distress—especially due to debt—can seriously impact how confident people feel about their financial well-being, but it doesn’t have to.” Financial wellness is all about establishing overall financial health and learning how to successfully manage your finances. Doing so means you’re well prepared for economic challenges, of course, but practicing financial wellness can also have positive mental health benefits, including boosted self-confidence....
Just like cleaning out a crowded storage closet, confronting your personal finances can be intimidating—especially if you’ve been avoiding doing so for a while. But experts Rachel Cruze, bestselling author and personal finance expert of Ramsey Solutions, and Laurie Adams, certified financial planner of Country Financial, share simple ways to clean up three significant aspects of your financial life: budgets, savings goals, and insurance coverage. Follow the steps below to tidy up your finances and create an approachable plan that works for you....
