Category: HOME

Hilltop Hideaway

Previously owned by actors Emily Blunt and John Krasinski, this 3,657-square-foot, four-bedroom, 3 1/2-bathroom home with a two-car garage is situated on a double-wide 16,243-square-foot lot. Just off Mulholland Drive, it’s an easy drive to Los Angeles and nearby schools and shopping, while serving as a very private and tranquil sanctuary with a sweeping view…


Present Creative Gift to Animal Lover

Q: I am looking for a year-end gift for my daughter’s elementary school teacher who loves animals. Can you suggest something special? A: If your daughter wants to show her appreciation by giving her teacher something memorable, let me share a few of my favorite ideas. 1. Adopt the teacher’s next class by providing a…


Small Efforts Repeated Equal Big Savings

Next to the rent or mortgage payment, food is likely your biggest household expense. And have you noticed food prices steadily creeping into the stratosphere? A little here, some more there doesn’t seem too bad until you get through the checkout. Wow, $100 doesn’t go so far these days! But you can make it go…


Plastic Laminate Countertop Is Easy to Install

Dear James: My budget is very limited, but I need a new kitchen countertop. Is there any type of attractive low-cost countertop I can make myself? — Michael D. Dear Michael: Even if you are not experienced with DIY projects, you should have no problem making your own new countertop. It’s easiest to use your…


Trees For Wet-Then-Dry Soil

Q: There is a surface storm drain in the back corner of our property. Water comes from several neighbors’ yards, so this area near the drain gets flooded and the soil is soggy. Later in summer, the same area will be dried out and cracked. A willow tree planted at the edge of the area…


How to Afford the Big Stuff

One day the market is crashing, inflation is climbing. The next day it seems like everything’s coming up roses. No matter how the economy’s swinging, your mortgage and car payments are still lurking in the shadows, waiting to pounce. And then there are the big-ticket items. A busted water heater often comes without warning and…


5 Easy Organizing Projects You Should Tackle Every Spring, According to the Home Edit

The start of spring is the perfect opportunity to hit refresh on your home. It’s the time to clear a winter’s worth of dust and polish some of those often-overlooked surfaces, such as windows, light fixtures, and walls. But beyond typical spring-cleaning tasks, the new season can also serve as your cue to clear out…


Two Accepted Offers on the Same House… What?

Dear Monty: Our offer was accepted after the first buyer backed out because they didn’t like the inspection report. We have already signed the contract with the seller and transferred the earnest money. The original buyer has resurfaced and wants to continue where they left off. The seller sent a mutual release to the first…


The Best Money Advice You’ll Ever Get

What we all really need is the money-saving know-how that will stand strong throughout life and help us build a nest egg. So I asked some prominent experts how they save. What could we all be doing better? Their answers may surprise you. They’re not complicated at all—just simple, commonsense wisdom that will have you…


Proper Hydration: The When, Where, and How

In an ideal world, every garden would receive a consistent one to two inches of rainfall per week. This can happen for a few weeks or even months, but rarely does a summer go by without a dry spell. Plants need water to transport nutrients from their roots throughout the plant, and to perform photosynthesis,…