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According to a study conducted by Princeton University in 2010, a person’s happiness increases until they reach an annual income of $75,000—and then plateaus. Meanwhile, a more recent study from Purdue University found that emotional well-being can be achieved on a salary that’s between $60,000 and $75,000. However, participants who earned a $105,000 salary noted that their happiness had decreased since previously earning less. According to Shari Greco Reiches, wealth manager, behavioral finance expert, and author of Maximize Your Return on Life, this money-buying-happiness (to a certain extent and not beyond) logic centers on the adherence to adaptability—aka “lifestyle creep....

On the other hand, making a cheesy chicken nachos recipe at home leaves you to pile the goodies evenly over the chips, which you’ll arrange in a single layer on a rimmed baking sheet. This means every chip is gloriously topped with chicken, cheese, salsa, avocado, and, well, more cheese. Make this dish a heartier meal by adding black beans, or get crazy and swap the avocado for an easy guacamole dip....

This recipe is an excerpt from Amalia’s Mesoamerican Table-Ancient Traditions with Gourmet Infusions. As an option, use certified organic tree-range chickens (not to be confused with free-range chickens). They are raised outdoors under the canopy of trees and roam around, freely pecking on sprouted grain and a diversity of forages, including perennial medicinal herbs. The chickens are fed a balanced organic-certified feed. Tree-range chickens are better for the environment, farmers, people, and the planet, as they are raised under regenerative farming standards....

“Chickpeas are amazing,” says Mascha Davis, R.D., MPH, owner of Nomadista Nutrition. “They are a really good source of plant protein, fiber, and different vitamins and minerals.” You can roast seasoned chickpeas to crispy perfection—a scrumptious snack and salad topper. Toss drained chickpeas straight into soups, salads, grain bowls, and pastas for added nutrients and texture. Or whip them together with fresh lemon juice, garlic, and tahini for velvety, homemade hummus, one of the best ways to make veggies more desirable....

Admittedly, it’s not ideal—opening a picture of a Playstation or a cozy sweater isn’t going to be as exciting as opening the gift itself. But there are ways to build a little anticipation (and add a little fun to the proceedings). The top tip: Don’t make your IOU gift a bummer. No need to go into your shipping woes and how hard it was to track down the gift in the first place....

To reap the most health benefits of corn, Davis recommends eating it in its least-processed form. Fresh corn on the cob (roasted, grilled, or boiled), or frozen corn (flash-frozen at the peak of freshness and steamed until al dente), are both fantastic ways to enjoy its sweet kernels in all their glory. Minimally processed corn tortillas can be a great option, too, she says, adding that it’s always smart to look at the quality of the corn used and sodium content....

Faux-fur decor pieces elevate your home’s cold-weather sanctuary vibes and they make great holiday gifts for anyone on your list. Luxurious throws and faux-fur pillows offer an easy way to cozy up a couch and a quick comforter swap takes your bed to the next level . Or, invest in snuggly new pieces of furniture for your own space that are comfortable enough to use year-round. When it comes to shopping for loved ones on your holiday list, give the gift of comfort and warmth with microwavable faux-fur slippers and a faux-fur trim robe, which is now 62 percent off in both colors....

Whether you’re planning a date night, roommate dinner or just cooking for someone you love, these dinner ideas for two prove that two cooks in the kitchen can be a very good thing. Italian Dinner Ideas for Two When you think of Italian dinners for two, pasta certainly comes to mind, but there’s more to this popular cuisine than a bowl of noodles. Italian Fish Stew This quick stew recipe topped with halibut serves four, but it’s easy to cut all ingredients in half!...

While this may contradict the standard home-selling best practices you’ve heard, many seasoned investors say there are a variety of instances where a real estate agent isn’t really necessary to sell your home. Surprisingly, even some agents themselves waive off certain kinds of transactions if it makes more sense for the seller to do it themselves. However, these specific scenarios will depend on who you are, who you’re trying to sell to, and, of course, the home you’re selling....

Does Flour Go Bad? Have you ever noticed that flour almost always comes in a giant paper bag? While flour is considered to be non-perishable, it will certainly go bad if left in that bag for too long. In fact, flour will only stay fresh for about three months if not stored properly. That’s why you should transfer any store-bought flour to an air-tight container after you open it. By moving the flour to a designated food storage container, you can extend its shelf life for up to two years....

For 17 years, I contributed to a state-sponsored retirement plan; however, according to the rules, I couldn’t draw a monthly pension until I hit age 50 and 20 years of service. But I hadn’t started saving any money until my 40s, and I’d have to work until well after 60 to qualify for an adequate pension. At 48 and divorced, I paid a monthly mortgage and utilities for a house where I lived alone since my son had grown and left home....

“This comforter is exactly what I’ve been looking for,” one reviewer wrote. “It’s good for any season; not overly thick, but high quality. It’s surprisingly light yet has a weight to it that prevents my husband from callously and recklessly exposing my body to the frigid AC while tossing and turning….As an added bonus, the comforter has a luxury hotel feel—like sleeping under a cloud without the excessive puffiness.” Others add that the comforter doesn’t decrease in quality even after several washes, and it’s both lightweight and breathable, so you feel “snug, comfortable, and cool” as you sleep—not overheated....