The sun is shining, the birds are chirping — and you’re sweeping up a trail of caked mud leading from the back door to the family room. Along with blue jays and daffodils, spring ushers in a houseful of dirt as kids and pets track everything from mud to grass cuttings throughout the house. But … Read more
It’s impossible to live in a house and not have a fix-it list. But small home repairs quickly add up, particularly if you hire someone to do them for you. The solution: DIY. “I save hundreds of dollars a year by doing repairs myself,” says Leshel Pond, a handy mom from Louisville, Colo. Fortunately, there … Read more
For many of us, the bedtime warning, “Don’t let the bedbugs bite!” was just a silly thing grown-ups said. Now it’s a real and rising threat in many parts of the country. After more than 50 years of virtual elimination in the U.S., bedbugs have made a roaring comeback over the last decade, spreading most … Read more
It only takes a second: You bump into one of your dinner guests, and her wine splatters onto your tablecloth. You overfill your mug with coffee and spill some on your pants. Your puppy doesn’t make it outside in time and … you know the rest. Too often, we assume these stains are permanent — … Read more
If you’re looking to save money on gardening this season, you’re not alone. The good news is, a beautiful garden doesn’t have to cost big bucks, says Catriona Tudor Erler, author of The Frugal Gardener and Design Ideas for Home Landscaping. “You can often get better results with cheaper — or even free — materials and … Read more