Q: We moved into this house two years ago. We were told there was a 3-year-old apple tree in the backyard. Last year, there was no fruit, but this year, the tree has thousands of small apples. First, is this normal? One year of no fruit and the next with too much? Second, will the…
Add a Softer Layer Over Your Patio and Deck for Comfort
Dear James: My old deck and patio have gotten worn and rough over the years. Instead of having expensive repairs done, are there comfortable, durable coverings I can put over them? —Cheryl T. Dear Cheryl: Deteriorated deck and patio surfaces can be very uncomfortable to walk on, and they look bad. A rough wood surface…
Tips to Keep Your House Cool on a Budget
Are you dreading the heat of summer? Relax while you consider these ingenious solutions to keep your house comfortable without putting a freeze on your bank account. Keep Furniture Clear Your air conditioning unit needs freedom to blast out air unobstructed. None of your furniture should be blocking that flow of air. This means you…
10 Secrets to Throwing an Unforgettable Summer Dinner Party
As we start to resume gathering with our friends and family, outdoor dinner parties are a perfect way to ease back into entertaining. Dust off your hosting skills with these summer party hacks to make it the easiest dinner party ever! Here’s how to spend less time playing host and more time hanging out with…
Mom Buys Birthday Cake From Publix for Son—Finds Anonymous Note Inside That Brings Her to Tears
A Florida mom was overwhelmed when a cake she had preordered from Publix for her son’s birthday last month had been anonymously paid for. Melanie Andrews Pitts had ordered the cake from the supermarket at Fleming Island shopping center in advance of her son Graham’s 18th birthday. On the afternoon of May 14, Melanie went to…
Secret Insider-Savings Info
I enjoy discovering secret information—stuff most people don’t know about. And I love spreading the word. For example, my supermarket, like most, offers a rain check if they run out of a product that is on sale. This is really great, in my opinion, because my store’s rain checks have no set expiration date. But…
A Foolproof Plan for Saving $10,000
The most important thing you can do to make your personal economy strong is to have an umbrella—a rainy-day fund with at least enough money to pay all of your bills for at least three months without a paycheck. Call it $10,000. Save 10 Percent of Your Paycheck It may sound like a lot, but…
Ingenious Ways to Beat Frustration and Save Money, Too
Secretly, I feel like a genius when I discover a secondary use for this or that—in case I run out of this but have plenty of that. Like using a paper coffee filter to wash a glass top or mirror when I’m in a pinch for paper towels. Or using a paper towel to create…
The Heartbreak and Effects of Filing for Bankruptcy
Dear Mary: Please give me some pointers on bouncing back from bankruptcy. Will this have any effect on future employment opportunities? —Emmaline Dear Emmaline: Pay your bills on time; never be late. Do not run up big balances. Do not apply for a lot of credit. Never use more than 30 percent of your credit…
How to Safely Remove a Tick From Your Dog
Q: What’s the best way to remove a tick embedded in my dog Floyd’s skin? I tried covering the tick with alcohol, nail polish, and petroleum jelly, but nothing loosened its grip. I’ve heard that touching a lit match to the tick works, but I’m afraid I’ll burn Floyd. What do you recommend? A: None…
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