Category: HOME

Your Own Yellowstone

Fans of the television drama “Yellowstone,” as well as those who simply long for a quiet way of life far removed from the stress of the city, may be intrigued by this property. Located in Cora, Wyoming, roughly 60 miles south of Jackson Hole, Wyoming, the Bar Cross Ranch is a working ranch approximately 12,000…


When Holiday Debt Lingers Long After the Gifts Are Forgotten

Got debt? I could be wrong, but if you’re revolving a big credit card balance, I’m guessing at least some of it is holiday related. Sadly, holiday debt can hang on long after the gifts are forgotten. So, what’s the problem here? Procrastination. When it comes to Christmas, the longer you wait to shop, the…


Cats Require Meat-Based Diets

Q: I am a vegan, and I want to feed my cats a vegan or vegetarian diet. What’s your advice? A: Veterinarians who specialize in nutrition recommend against feeding vegan or vegetarian diets to cats because research has shown that these diets are not nutritionally adequate and therefore not safe over the long term. Moreover,…


Be Your Garden’s Bodyguard

Gardens need protection; rabbits, aphids, and sooty mold will love your harvest as much as you do, and Murphy’s law can send a once-in-a-100-years cold snap as soon as you put in new seedlings. Even if you’ve done everything right—planted the right crops in the right place and spaced them so they have room to…


How to Clean Ceiling Fans Without Making a Mess

Ceiling fans create cooling breezes that can make a stuffy room feel pleasantly comfortable. But as they rotate through the air, the blades can collect a ton of dust, dirt, pollen and other small particles. Depending on where it’s located, your fan might also gather greasy or sticky buildup over time, which can cause dust…


Dear Cheapskate: Oodles of Hotel Toiletries, Lawn Mower Agreement, and an IRS Goof-up, Too!

Lots of mail this week, but who’s complaining? Not me, that’s for sure. I love hearing from my readers, and when I can help out with an opinion, website or other solution to a problem, that makes it even better. Dear Cheapskate: I have bags and bags of hotel soaps—you know, stuffed away after trips…


Blue Hydrangeas

Question: I received a pretty blue flowering hydrangea for Mother’s Day. I already have white-flowering hydrangeas that I would like to turn blue. I was told I could put nails in the soil around the roots to turn them blue. Is that true, and if so, what kind of nails do you use? Answer: It…


Seven Steps to Sell Your Home Faster for More Money

Dear Monty: Our home has been on the market for a month. We have a sign in the yard, and we bought an ad on an FSBO website. So far, we’ve had no offers. We’ve had several showings, and they seem interested, but only at a low price. They want the commission we are trying…


’Tis the Season for Gather-’Round-the-Grill Entertaining!

No matter the weather, we fire up the grill over Memorial Day weekend. Many years, that entails thick sweaters and rain gear. We jump at the chance to launch our gather-’round-the-grill style of entertaining. Since I prefer to spend time with guests, rather than the labor in the kitchen, I work in advance. A burger buffet proves…


Little Known Ways to Get Free Seeds, Tools, Gardening Supplies

There’s nothing like spring and the promise of warmer summer days right around the corner to awaken one’s inner gardener. Whether you’re an experienced gardener or a beginner, given these inflationary times, you may need more time to fork out money on gardening supplies and tools. Well, take heart! There are a number of places…