Posts

What’s more, the number of disasters has increased by a factor of five over the past 50 years, according to a 2021 report from the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), called the most comprehensive review of mortality and economic losses from weather, water, and climate extremes to date. This report found that, between 1970 and 2019, disasters linked to weather, climate, or water hazard averaged one per day. More specifically, these types of disasters accounted for 50 percent of all disasters, 45 percent of all reported deaths, and 74 percent of all reported economic losses....

First, use and trust only reputable sources to check on the status of your payment or to calculate how much you may receive. Disreputable websites and individuals may advertise trackers or calculators that ask for your personal information (think social security number or bank account info) in order to check on your payment. Always do a little research before sharing that info. For best results, try the IRS’s Get My Payment service or calculators or registration forms developed in partnership with the IRS, such as the TurboTax stimulus center....

Not every dish is worth making days in advance, and stuffing is no exception. The following guide details how to make and reheat stuffing. And don’t forget to put it to work later in these specially-created recipes for leftover stuffing. Reheating Stuffing You can assemble the stuffing the day before you plan on serving it, just don’t bake it until the day of. You’ll do all the hands-on work: cubing and drying out the bread, cooking the vegetables and aromatics, and tossing them together with the eggs and broth....

But what stops many people from making the dream of owning a second home come true is the cost. How can you come up with enough money to make the down payment on an additional property, while still managing the expenses of your first home? In short, it requires careful planning and stashing away extra cash as often as you can. Here are six little ways you can save for your second home every day....

Finding the best ways to save money is important, but it doesn’t erase the fact that the cost of living in many places is quickly outpacing (or has already outpaced) minimum wage and median pay. When you’re not making a living wage, it’s difficult to afford the essentials, and no amount of penny-pinching can change that completely. The same is true if you’ve recently been laid off or furloughed because of the coronavirus crisis: When larger forces drastically decrease your income, major shifts—such as seeking unemployment benefits, forbearance, and leniency from lenders—are necessary....

Moths are destructive, but they don’t actually eat your clothes—their babies do. According to Blake Newton, an Extension Entomologist at the University of Kentucky, moths lay eggs on fabrics, caterpillars hatch from those eggs, and then the caterpillars munch on the clothing. Another surprise? These caterpillars have refined taste. “They will only eat animal-based fabrics like wool and cashmere, because the caterpillars need animal proteins from the fabric to grow and develop,” Newton says....

Since apple picking adventures and autumn market hauls are just a few weeks away, there are a few things to keep in mind when shopping for any apple variety. Perfectly ripe apples are free of bruises and dents, and are firm to the touch. Soft spots indicate that the apple is overripe and no longer fresh to eat. Once you pick out your perfect fruits, knowing how to store apples (and where) can mean the difference between a crisp snack and a mushy mess....

That’s where wellness sabbaticals come in. These are getaways to focus on your health, and on the surface look like your typical wellness retreat at a spa or similar destination. However, they’re structured to include periods of time—alongside breathing exercises and pilates classes—where attendees can get work done and stay connected. It’s a brilliant idea and an excellent option for those who can’t completely unplug and have the resources to attend—but for many, a destination wellness sabbatical is still out of budget or out of the question due to family or other responsibilities....

Since the beginning of the pandemic, the government has put a freeze on student loan payments and charging additional interest on student loan balances, which has helped many people stabilize their finances a bit. But this week’s announcement of a new student loan plan could help many of those families get a big step closer to a more stable financial picture. “This is a huge first step,” says Stefanie O’Connell Rodriguez, host of Real Simple’s Money Confidential podcast....

If you’ve received a tax refund in the past, you know how that money can feel like a pleasant surprise or a bonus. You may have treated your refund (whatever its size) as a surprise gift and spent it on a vacation or a big purchase you otherwise wouldn’t have been able to comfortably afford. If that was you, it’s time for a hard truth: Treating your tax refund as a total windfall you can spend on whatever you want isn’t a good financial decision....

Bike shorts might be my favorite item of clothing ever, as they’re versatile, comfy, and the perfect item to wear under summer dresses. I was keen on wearing a pair whenever the occasion warranted, but after trying on the Satina high-waisted bike shorts, I don’t know that I’ll ever want to take them off. The material used by the brand—what Satina calls its “peachskin” fabric—really is “buttery soft.” It’s a polyester blend that’s lightweight, non-irritating, highly stretchy, and unbelievably comfortable....

The 2022 Houzz Kitchen Trends Report pulls data from over 2,000 Houzz users who have completed a kitchen reno in the past 12 months or plan to start one in the next three months. Among the results in the 2022 report is this interesting nugget: One in five homeowners report to their kitchen island for work. So it’s no surprise that kitchen renovators are incorporating and/or upgrading a cool kitchen island....