Mike's Take

      Whether you’re planning the vacation of your dreams or going on an annual family getaway, the legal counsel experts at ARAG recommend addressing the following before traveling.1. Update Crucial Documents – Creating essential legal documents, like a will or a healthcare power of attorney, is...

      Looking for ways to cut costs as a homeowner? Go solar! According to Consumer Reports, installing a solar system at home can reduce your utility bills by 50 percent or more. And solar systems are here to stay – the U.S. Department of Energy expects 900,000 homes will have a solar component ...

  (BPT) – A growing trend among interior designers is layering unique patterns and textures for heightened visual interest. Get inspired to layer elements in your home with these ideas.Fancy Frames – An empty wall holds endless potential. If the room is small, expand your space with a mirror coll...

      According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), home heating equipment is the second leading cause of home fires in the U.S. Unattended equipment is the number one source of these fires, says Lorraine Carli, NFPA’s Vice President of Outreach and Advocacy. Carli urges homeowner...

      

Today’s online shoppers aren’t bothering to read the fine print when they shop, often jeopardizing their legal rights if something goes wrong, according to a recent survey from FindLaw.com. More than half of online shoppers (54 percent) say the either quickly skim or ignore any user agree...

      In winter, many homeowners are unprepared for plumbing issues associated with cold weather. Failure to prepare early may prove costly when pipes freeze, so winterize your plumbing as soon as possible. The plumbing experts at Roto-Rooter recommend: Disconnecting outside water hoses. If left ...

  From micro homes to boat living, homeowners have taken creative steps to downsize their households. One method gaining popularity are shipping container homes, which are fashioned from used containers no longer needed by manufacturers to ship goods. They’re economical and kind to the environmen...

(Family Features) If you recently committed to managing your weight or dieting, it may be time to change your approach. For long-term results, ditch fad dieting and adopt a balanced approach to eating with a focus on healthy foods. Some fad diets fail to provide your body with the nutrients your ...

  I'm interested in seeing how many people go out in February to see the movie premier of 'Fifty Shades of Gray,' versus heading into their own homes to refinish interiors in countless shades of gray.   That's because Philadelphia's Paint Quality Institute (PQI) for the second year in a row, is p...

  A new study from the University of Southern California Lusk Center for Real Estate concludes that new household formation, a key driver of housing demand, has recovered after the job losses that accompanied the recession. While it was known that negative economic shocks such as major drops in e...