Unless you have a degree in finance and a passion for crunching numbers, things like budgeting, paying off loans, and figuring out your taxes can feel overwhelming and intimidating. If you have other constant stressors in your life, are struggling with your mental health, or have never been educated about personal finances, these tasks can feel even more difficult to tackle—and the advice to “just do it” isn’t exactly helpful....
Take a Virtual Tour of the Real Simple Home Here! For even more tidying tips, check out The Home Edit co-founders Joanna Teplin and Clea Shearer’s new special-edition magazine, The Home Edit: Feel-Good Organizing. It may even inspire you to actually organize that junk drawer. Resort Your Refrigerator If you’re currently stacking yogurt cups and placing produce on the open shelves in your fridge, you’re doing it wrong. Clear storage bins will keep items contained while making it easy to see what’s inside....
Once I reached week 14 and finally shared the news that I was expecting, advice rolled in from my friends about how they got through the first trimester. While their insight was interesting, it came a little too late. Here are a few of the healthy pregnancy tips I wish I’d known a bit earlier to make my first few weeks go more smoothly. Keep in mind that every pregnancy is different, so what works for some might not work for you—but you might just find something that makes those first few months a little easier to bear....
It certainly can be, but don’t fret: You can absolutely be plant-based on a budget. Whether you have limited income or are just trying to save more and spend less, there’s no reason to break the bank to afford truly nutritious—and delicious—food. You just have to follow a few expert tips—and stop believing the predominant money myths (and other myths, too) about eating vegan. Common Myths Myth 1: Plant-based means organic, and organic means expensive....
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Yes, chickpeas are a standard hummus base, but these bite-sized legumes also make a great addition to most rice dishes and soups, and can even be used to make a vegan version of tuna salad. Like other pantry staples, they’re also easy to find and don’t mind being neglected for a few months until you remember you purchased them. From a health perspective, they’re packed with vitamins and minerals, including manganese, copper, iron, and zinc....
That being said, lip trends have naturally shifted and changed over the years, with different lip shapes, colors, and viral techniques becoming more or less mainstream in waves. And as of late, velvety matte finishes have officially taken a backseat to glowing glosses that make lips look uber-hydrated. From sheer cherry hues that pair perfectly with those effortless, “no makeup” makeup looks, to more high-shine formulas that pack a seriously pigmented punch in dreamy scarlet tones, here are eight of the best red lip glosses you’re going to want to add to cart....
As a general rule, keep this in mind: the fresher the cheese, the more lactose it contains. So those with particularly sensitive stomachs will want to avoid creamier varieties such as ricotta or cottage cheese at all costs. Sugar is the primary component of lactose that makes it difficult to digest, which means that aged, hard cheeses—which have a lower sugar content—are easier on the stomach. According to lactose intolerance expert Steve Carper, author of Milk Is Not For Every Body: Living With Lactose Intolerance, there are nine cheeses that contain less than five grams of sugar per serving, clocking in at about two to three percent lactose....
This year’s hue is Very Peri, a soft periwinkle color that’s easy on the eyes—and on the nails, thanks to its cool tone that complements any skin color. For a quick and noncommittal way to add 2022’s color of the year to your world, try one of these Very Peri-inspired nail polishes.
Building an emergency fund is a big talking point for personal finance: The emergency fund is the financial cushion that can keep you afloat if you lose your job, are in an accident, or are otherwise unable to work for an extended period of time. Emergency funds are typically rather large—the standard recommendation is to save three to six months of expenses—and often overshadow their smaller counterpart: rainy day funds....
Counters Clear the counters of anything that doesn’t belong: straggling mail, cookbooks, and permission slips awaiting signatures. Sink Fill the sink with hot water and a few squirts of dish soap. Drop in items that need soaking, like the crisper drawer, the dish rack, and the microwave turntable. Refrigerator Empty the refrigerator, tossing anything that has expired. Throw dirty food storage containers into the sink to soak. Working from top to bottom, wipe down the shelves with a paper towel or a rag spritzed with a nontoxic all-purpose cleaner....
The Bonvivo Writing Desk has a modern design that features thin-yet-sturdy bamboo legs and an open wood shelf topped with a shatter-resistant glass surface. The 21 x 43 x 29 inch desk is ideal for small rooms, with many city apartment dwellers commenting that it works perfectly in their space. It’s easy to assemble and maintain—just wipe it down with a damp cloth or gentle cleaning solution. Plus, if you don’t have a need for a desk, shoppers say it also makes a great vanity....
The Battery Organizer Storage Case is an ingenious, briefcase-like organizational tool that can house up to 180 batteries at a time. The case can be mounted on a wall or tucked away in a drawer or closet for easy and convenient storage and it has compartments for even the most obscure battery types. It’s made of strong, durable plastic to keep everything safe and is clear so you can see everything inside without even opening it up....
One shopper, who “took a chance” buying the adhesive paper to fix up a desk, said that it was worth every penny. “I ended up liking it so much, I bought more and re-finished my kitchen countertop with it as well,” they wrote. Compared to real marble countertops, which cost around $60 per square foot, this solution costs $6 for an entire 11.8-inch by 78.7-inch roll. “Highly recommended if you want to change the look of your counters, but you don’t have the money for a full remodel just yet,” wrote one five-star reviewer....
I don’t know about you, but I tend to buy a bag of frozen peas for a specific recipe or to have on hand as a flexible ice pack, then promptly forget they’re there. But it’s time to dig past the ice cream and pull out these sweet little buds for a nutritional punch that can help you do everything from fighting chronic illness to staying full between meals....
It was sometime in the late 1990s, and I was somewhere in my late 20s, visiting my best friend in Toronto. When her friend Guy (not his real name) arrived to meet us at a bar, every head turned his way. His lustrous, platinum blond hair resembled a dazzling gem from a spectacular planet we had not yet discovered. You couldn’t help looking, and when you did, little dark spots filled your vision, like you’d looked at the sun....
