As part of the Real Simple Smart Money Awards, we’re highlighting the best credit cards and tools for managing them of 2020 with the help of a panel of judges. There’s a service for everyone, from first-time credit card holders to those trying to escape credit card debt. Read on for the best credit cards and credit card services, or click here to see the other 2020 Real Simple Smart Money Award winners....
To buy: $32 (was $39); amazon.com. Made with polyester, the flowing skirt is breathable, so you could wear it right now as we close out summer and later in fall with tights on your legs and a pumpkin spice latte in hand. Even though it’s lightweight, shoppers say it is not too thin. And while several swear it is not sheer, a few claim it is, so if you’re concerned, consider wearing a liner....
The customer-loved robot vacuum features a powerful three-stage cleaning system with dual brush heads that loosen and trap dirt, dust, and pet hair from all floor types. It comes with edge-sweeping brushes that operate at a 27-degree angle to sweep dirt from your walls. The smart vacuum also has dirt-detecting sensors that increase its suction power in high traffic areas—and it has a patented AeroVac filter that traps allergens, dander, dust, and pollen, according to the brand....
The O2Cool Personal Misting Fan has racked up thousands of five-star ratings from people who say it’s a “must-have” item for surviving heat waves. Weighing only six ounces, the battery-powered device is super lightweight and is small enough to fit in the palm of your hand. It features soft, flexible blades and a powerful motor that shoppers say is incredibly quiet. But what really set’s this handheld fan apart from others on the market is that the base of the fan is actually a misting water bottle....
This body pillow has a thread count of 300 and is made of cotton-rich fabric. In other words, it’s incredibly comfortable and soft for sleeping on throughout the night. The inside is filled with plush fiber for even more softness, and maintains its shape no matter what position you sleep in. But what shoppers really love is the unique Coolmax technology created by Sensorpedic that helps them sleep better at night....
Made with a polyester and spandex blend, these “buttery soft” leggings are stretchy enough to withstand yoga poses and comfortable enough to wear all day long. Ideal for colder months, these leggings have a velvety soft fleece lining that gives you an additional layer of toasty warmth without weighing you down. Plus, they launder well per multiple reviewers who confirm that the lining doesn’t pill, lose its soft texture, or become misshapen after washing....
To buy: $36 with code 10REALSIMPLE (was $40); amazon.com. “Amazing storage bags,” one shopper wrote in their five-star review. “I moved into my first house and was lacking in storage space, specifically for bedding. Quilts and blankets take up so much space, so I bought the L and XL sizes with bedding in mind. These bags delivered. I stuffed a massive, fluffy quilt (complete with duvet cover) into an XL bag, and—within seconds—that huge thing shrunk down to nothing!...
She typically sees employers offering to pay for a portion of tuition costs for employees who opt to go back to school. This usually does not apply to courses you were taking at the time of your hiring. It’s one of the benefits that become available a bit later; once you’ve been with the company for a few months or a year. Some will even take it a step further and offer educational sabbaticals....
Mist Your Plants You’ve probably seen the fancy plant misters at the local nursery and wondered: Do I really need that? No matter if you splurge on a stylish mister or stick to a basic plastic spray bottle, many house plants are happier when they’re misted. Particularly during the winter months or if you live in an area with low humidity, misting your plants works to boost the humidity in the air....
To buy: $15; amazon.com. The Blooming Jungle’s plant pole is made with coir, natural fibers made from coconut husk, so plants can easily cling onto and grow vertically along the stick. It acts great as support for climbing plants and vines that are growing in containers, as well as large indoor plants such as the popular Monstera that can become statement pieces for any room. Each pack comes with two pieces of string to tie your plants to the two 17-inch moss sticks, but you can even stack one pole on top of the other to create a super long support stick for large plants....
“Since she was seven, she was begging me and her dad to start a charity,” Candace Phaire, Chelsea’s mom, told CNN. “She was so persistent, every couple of months she would ask, ‘Are we starting Chelsea’s Charity yet?’ When she was turning 10, she asked us again, and we decided it was time to go for it.” Between August and March, the Phaires donated nearly 900 art kits filled with markers, crayons, paper, coloring books, colored pencils, and gel pens....
Similar to a sub, hoagie, and hero, the grinder is said to date back to the 19th century, when Italian immigrants on the East Coast would bring these overstuffed, but stable, sandwiches to work at the shipyards. The name may refer to the grinding of teeth workers needed to bite into the hard and overstuffed bread, or grinder may be slang for a worker on the docks. It’s not documented, but what does remain is this delicious relic, that’s perfect for a workday lunch or truly anytime....
Most Popular Chores Asked about their favorite type of cleaning in a survey on behalf of Clorox, 37 % of people say doing laundry is their preferred chore. The survey results—named “The Dirt on Spring Cleaning: American’s Top Cleaning Confessions”—included responses from 1,234 people, the majority of whom somehow view laundry as the least-terrible chore. Other preferred chores include cleaning the kitchen (chosen by 32 % of respondents) and vacuuming. Choosing a favorite chore can be tricky—are any truly enjoyable?...
To buy: From $27 with coupon; amazon.com. “It’s lightweight, so it’s not too heavy. The neck is very impressive because it’s not constricting,” wrote another five-star reviewer. “It’s very loose and not itchy at all. [I] want this in other colors!” There are even more standout features of the knit oversized sweater than its fit. One is the mock turtleneck, which adds a trendy element that still feels comfortable. Another is that the sweater is available in both colorblock patterns and solid colors in up to 28 shades—some of which are on sale right now in select sizes....
There was nothing necessarily wrong with the original kitchen’s design, it was simply from another era. “Although we loved the layout and all of the storage, the oak cabinets and dark countertops felt a little dated,” she said. The couple had lived in Australia before they met, and looked to it for an airier style where their two pugs, Gertrude and Matilda, could relish the sunshine as much as their snacks....
Before ordering it for myself, I checked out the customer ratings and reviews and found mostly positive feedback for the chair. Nearly 300 people gave it a five-star rating, and reviewers agreed it looks nice and has a firm cushion that’s large enough to sit cross-legged on. A few even said they bought it specifically for temporary home offices. “It’s comfortable, and the color and velvet material [are] beautiful,” wrote one shopper....
To buy: $40 (was $100); amazon.com. This home gadget can be set on a table or stand on its own while it quietly removes particles like pet dander, pollen, microbes, and bacteria from the air. A pet owner who has year-round allergies from plants gave it a five-star rating because this air purifier acts “fast and effectively” at cleaning the air in their home. Another satisfied reviewer shared that it was “easy to assemble” and was happy that it came with the extra filters....
That’s when I decided to rearrange my apartment to make space for a desk, keeping in mind there wasn’t much space to work with. After hemming and hawing over bulky corner desks that took up too much space and tiny writing desks that I could barely get my legs under, I discovered the perfect solution: A wall-mounted desk that takes up absolutely no space on the floor and has all the space and shelving needed for a home office....
Dubbed Hot Cocoa Ornaments, these new chocolate treats look exactly like the ornaments one might put on a Christmas tree or use as part of other holiday decor. Each package, which retails for $6.99, contains four large, spherical bulbs, and each one is a different color. Additionally, the red, yellow, blue, and green “ornaments” are covered in a glittery, edible coating. While these glistening bulbs look like they belong on a tree or in close proximity to a pile of presents, they’re actually designed to be dunked into a steaming mug of milk—or your favorite non-dairy beverage....
Why Buy Trader Joe’s Sicilian Selezione Extra Virgin Olive Oil? Price. Quality. Range. The ability to make weeks, or even months, of eating better. There’s nothing quite like good olive oil for enhancing pasta, beans, poached fish, and so many other dishes. Better still, there’s nothing like good olive oil that doesn’t cost much. And this is where we need to discuss Trader Joe’s Sicilian Selezione Extra Virgin Olive Oil, a product that deserves a spot in TJ’s hall of fame....
