SpeedKingz / Shutterstock.com Editor’s Note: This story originally appeared on LawnStarter. Shade gardens are among the best-kept secrets of the gardening world. Often seen as a plague on turfgrass and flowering plants, shade can boost your landscape’s curb appeal in more ways than one. We’ll show you how with these 15 shade garden ideas. Rather … Read more
fizkes / Shutterstock.com Not so long ago, Melinda and Bill Gates announced they were getting a divorce after 27 years of marriage — and jaws everywhere dropped. Because of their wealth and their energetic and generous global philanthropy, the couple have had an outsized effect around the world. Bloomberg’s Billionaire Index currently lists his net … Read more
Mangostar / Shutterstock.com The approach of a milestone birthday is a reminder that, as life changes, so do your needs and circumstances. With the Big Five-O, the question is settled: You’re no longer a kid. And that’s a great thing, because maturity is much better than it’s cracked up to be. So, instead of dreading … Read more
DenisProduction.com / Shutterstock.com Editor’s Note: This story originally appeared on How to Home. The last few years have been tough on working parents. Policymakers expanded the Child Tax Credit in 2021 to provide additional financial assistance for families with kids, but Congress has let the payments revert to previous levels. Over the past two decades, … Read more
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Jacob Lund / Shutterstock.com Retirement: How do people know that they are truly ready for this big life change? The answers may depend on how well they have prepared, financially, emotionally and socially. Some of these indicators are subtle. Pay careful attention to these signs that you may not yet be ready for retirement. 1. … Read more
It’s been something like an article of faith for many years: Drinking 8 ounces of water eight times a day is ideal for staying hydrated. But a new study is pouring that theory down the drain. Researchers say individual water needs vary from person to person, and blanket recommendations for water intake should be forgotten. … Read more
I’ve invested in precious metals for more than a decade and have worked with several precious metals companies along the way. I’m not the only one interested in these assets either. Gold, silver, and other precious metals have long been staples in many retirement portfolios. These assets have been used throughout history as a solid … Read more
They didn’t have app-based custodial debit cards when I was a kid, but my parents still did what they could to prepare me for financial self-sufficiency. Now that I have my own kids, the appeal of a kid-friendly debit card I can effortlessly load, monitor, and control from my phone is clear. I’ve spent hours … Read more
Quick Look If you receive your paycheck via direct deposit, then you probably already use e-checks. E-checks work like paper checks, but you authorize, send, and receive them electronically. Thanks to the efficiency of the ACH network, e-checks are fast and usually free to the consumer. E-checks are much safer and more secure than paper … Read more