How to Read Your Water Bill and Lower Your Monthly Costs Now
Water bills are one of the most confusing utility bills there is — and one of the easiest to lower.
Repairs and Maintenance
Repairs and maintenance costs can put a serious dent in your budget and savings. And, a dent this big can be tough to fix.
There are certain things you definitely need an expert to handle. But there are plenty of other situations in which you can perform your own minor, but meaningful, repairs. And, not having to call for a professional can save you some serious cash!
From A Shoemaker Can Save Your Sole, to Preventive Maintenance is Cheap Insurance, to Give Your Washing Machine This Extremely Critical Check-Up Now, here are some great posts to help you keep your home in tip-top shape without spending a fortune.
The 7-Item Emergency Car Kit Every Driver Needs (Cheaper Than One Tow)
Every year, thousands of drivers get stranded because of things that a $50 kit in the trunk would have fixed
How to Get Rid of a Smelly Kitchen Sink Drain for Good
That faint sour smell rising up from your kitchen sink isn't your imagination — and it isn't going away on
10-Point Car Check Before Your Summer Road Trip (Skip the Dealership)
Twenty minutes in your own driveway can spare you a $400 tow off the interstate. This ten-point pre-trip check covers
DIY Wood Cabinet Cleaner That Removes Sticky Grease
Kitchen cabinets have a quiet way of telling on us. One day they’re fine… and the next you notice that
How to Remove Stubborn Leaf Stains from Concrete
The worst of winter is finally behind us, and spring has a way of shining a spotlight on everything that
How to Remove Salt Stains From Car Carpet Easily
Winter can be rough on your car’s interior. Snow melts, road salt dissolves, and before you know it, those chalky
DIY Dishwasher Cleaner That Removes Hidden Buildup
Most of us assume the dishwasher is self-cleaning. After all, it washes dishes all day. But if yours smells a
Paint on the Carpet? Try These Fixes Before You Panic
Paint on the carpet has a special way of stopping your heart for a second. Before you grab scissors or
How to Remove Rust Stains From a Bathtub (For Good)
Rust stains are one of those problems that don’t respond to effort. You can scrub until your arm aches and
How to Properly Load a Dishwasher So It Operates Like Brand New
Loading a dishwasher isn’t rocket science—but it’s not a free-for-all either. Do it right, and you’ll save water, energy, and
Skip the Pro, Grab a Roller: Painting on a Cheapskate Budget
Professional painters charge thousands, but you can get the same fresh, polished look for a fraction of the price. Learn
How to Get Rid of Dust Mites and Breathe Cleaner Air
You can’t see them, but they’re everywhere—dust mites, the tiny freeloaders living in your mattress, carpet, and favorite recliner. Here’s
Are Expensive Appliances Worth It? What You Should Know
Are expensive appliances actually better? Not always. Here’s a practical, no-nonsense guide to knowing when it’s worth the splurge—and when
Simple Ways to Prevent Car Theft and Protect Your Vehicle
Car theft happens far too often, but don’t worry—you can take several effective steps to prevent car theft and make
Wrap It Up: How a Water Heater Blanket Can Save You Money and Energy
Ever feel like your water heater is running a secret marathon you didn’t sign it up for? If it’s working
Seasonal Window Care: Tips for Winterizing, Cleaning, and Maintaining Your Windows
When it comes to home maintenance, windows usually get overlooked. We might clean them occasionally, but they’re the unsung heroes—letting
How to Easily Find Replacement Parts for Anything You Own
Whether it’s a teaspoon you’re missing from your grandmother’s sterling, the “X” in your Scrabble game, or a unique button
DIY Mop Pad Replacement, Cheap Tub Scum Removal, and Other Reader-Approved Tips
Welcome to another edition of great tips from our clever readers! This week, we’re diving into a treasure trove of
How to Conduct a Home Energy Audit: DIY Step-by-Step Guide
A DIY home energy audit is like giving you house a check-up to see how energy-efficient it is. This means
Before You List: 12 Easy Wins to Boost Your Sale Price
Selling, soon? You’re about to learn that when it comes to selling a house, you CAN judge a book by
How to Remove Stubborn Soot and Smoke Film from Household Surfaces
Lestoil, available in home improvement centers like Home Depot and online, is a powerful cleaner that can be used to
10 Reasons Your Dishwasher Is Not Cleaning Properly
Few things are more disappointing than opening the dishwasher to put away its clean contents, only to be greeted by
Stay Cozy All Winter Without the High Heating Costs: Here’s How
There is an alternative and more effective way to keep heating costs down without feeling cold. It’s called infrared technology.
17 Surprising Ways a Bar of Soap Can Make Your Life Easier
If you're a fan of liquid soap for handwashing and prefer to use body wash in the tub and shower,
11 Things You Should Never Put in Your Garbage Disposal
Most every home has a plumbing system that includes a number of drains. One of those drains may have a
Top DIY Appliance Service Tips for a Smooth-Running Home
It was Christmas Eve, and our refrigerator decided to play the ultimate prank by hitting 70°F. With guests due any
How to Clean Laminate Floors: Plus, Best Laminate Floor Cleaners
Laminate flooring is a durable and easy-to-maintain option that can give the look of real wood or stone at a
Practical Tips to Help with Home Maintenance and Repair
Maintenance costs can put a serious dent in your budget and savings—a dent that’s tough to repair. And while there
Keep Your Home Cool on a Budget This Summer
Are you dreading the heat of summer? Relax while you consider these ingenious solutions to keep your house comfortable without
Ask Me Anything: Washer Dryer Purchase, Christmas Cactus Care and Feeding
Time to reach into the mailbag to answer a few of the questions from my dear readers. It's kinda' my
How to Clean Rusty Sinks and Fix Pitted Chrome Fast
Isn't it ironic that the places in our homes that should be the cleanest—the washing machine, kitchen sink, bathroom tub,
The Night Old Faithful Visited San Francisco
Over the past three decades, I’ve logged more than 1.4 million air miles for book tours, speaking events, and television
Quick Guide: How to Clean a Steam Iron
Before you toss out that steam iron because it refuses to steam and the soleplate is now sporting a brown,
17 Simple Uses for Salt You’ll Wish You Knew Sooner
Sometimes the very thing you need to solve an ordinary household problem is sitting right in the pantry. Take salt
Why Shoe Repair Beats Buying New
To some people, a cobbler is a lovely fruit dessert, best served warm. To others, it is a shoemaker who
What Not to Burn in Your Fireplace (You’ll Be Surprised!)
If you have a wood-burning fireplace, it's likely that now and then you toss things like cardboard, junk mail, and
7 DIY Ways to Cut Your Heating Costs This Winter
With heating costs predicted to rise, it’s more important than ever to make your home as energy-efficient as possible. Luckily,
16 Costly Mistakes That Are Wrecking Your Household Appliances
Sad but true: Modern day home appliances are not made to last for decades the way our grandparents' appliances did.
12 Things You Should Never Plug Into a Power Strip and Why
Whether you live in a house, apartment, condo, mobile home, RV, or dorm room, having sufficient electrical outlets to handle
Why Your Home Feels Sticky and How to Fix It Fast
Recently, lots of readers have inquired about how to deal with high humidity, which can get pretty miserable this time
How to Clean a Jetted Tub in 9 Easy Steps
There are few things as luxurious as taking a bath in a jetted tub. The warm water and body massage
Preventive Maintenance is Cheap “Insurance”
It was a Sunday night and the house felt cold. The only way for the Doloski family to keep their
10 Things You Can Do to Make a Vehicle Last Twice as Long
Most cars and trucks are built to last far longer than we can imagine. And when all is said and
The Best Fire Extinguisher for Home – Because Seconds Matter
My heart was pounding, the smoke alarm was screaming and I was in full-on panic mode. Flames were reaching toward
The Vacuum Attachment That Reaches Places Others Can’t
Today I want to tell you about an inexpensive, super effective tool I that attaches to my vacuum cleaner's hose
The 8 Best Window Cleaning Hacks That Really Work
Want sparkling windows without hiring a pro? These eight tried-and-true window cleaning hacks will make your glass gleam! From using
Ceiling Fan Direction: Optimize Your Fan for Summer and Winter Comfort
That switch! "Forward" spins one way, "Reverse" the other. But why? What for? Counterclockwise in winter ... or is it
How to Easily Remove Scratches from Glass with 4 Simple Methods
Our homes are well accessorized with glass from windowpanes to shower doors, tabletops, and glassware. While glass is both beautiful
18 Critically Important Garbage Disposal Dos and Don’ts
Is there anything more convenient in a kitchen than a garbage disposal? For me, it's right up there with my
Your Guide to Know When to Repair or Replace Appliances
You’re worried the washing machine may be on its last spin cycle. It makes a horrible screeching sound and needs
WD-40 to the Rescue for Every Problem Around the House
It’s not new. The blue and yellow can is about as familiar as anything I remember growing up. Banished to
How to Clean a Glass Cooktop Without Scratching It
When it comes to kitchen appliances, nothing says modern and sleek like a beautiful new smooth, glass cooktop. And nothing
How to Unclog a Toilet Fast: 3 Easy and Effective Methods
No one likes to talk about it, but truth be told it happens. Toilets malfunction. They get clogged. Sure, it’s inconvenient
Budget DIY Kitchen Makeover for Under $400 That Wows
I know what you're thinking ... there is no way! A beautiful, well-done kitchen makeover for less than $400?! Yes.
6 Ways to Unclog a Drain Without Using Caustic Chemicals
A plugged-up sink, shower, or tub drain sends most people running for either a bottle of caustic drain cleaner or
How to Remove Salt Stains from Leather and Suede Boots
Salt. It’s mandatory in a human diet. But in other situations, salt can be as destructive as it is needful
15-Minute Projects to Lower Utility Bills Fast
Outrageously high utility bills got you down? Check out these six simple things you can perform around the house to
The Complete Homeowner’s Guide to Cleaning and Restoring Old, Stained Carpet
If you hate your carpet because it's old, stained, and bordering on disgusting, I have great news. There are steps
Fix Almost Anything With These 12 Home Repair Must-Haves
Maintenance and home repair are a never-ending reality for just about everyone. But it doesn't have to be painful or
Old Dishwasher Not Cleaning? Here’s How to Make It Work Like New
It doesn’t matter how old your dishwasher is. If it will turn on, spray hot water and go through a
How to Remove Scratches from Stainless Steel Sinks and Appliances
As sleek and sturdy as it is, stainless steel is not immune to picking up unsightly scratches in the course
How to Remove Pen from Leather Without Damage
Because of the variables, there are a number of remedies, all of which do work to remove ink stains from
Where to Buy Nok-Out Now That NokOut.com Is Closed
Nok-Out and I met quite by accident. In searching for ways my readers could deal with offensive odors, we found
Rust on Stainless Steel? This Fix Might Surprise You
If there's one subject that shows up in my inbox more often than any other, it has to be rust.
How to Clean a Non-Slip Bathtub Bottom Like New
If you have a bathtub with a slip-resistant bottom that no matter what you use to clean, it still looks
Take the Sag Out of a Closet Rod and Lots More Clever Tips and Tricks!
A sagging closet rod is so annoying but minor compared to clogging up your entire apartment building's plumbing system. Both
Learn How to Get Rid of Gasoline Smell Like a Pro
A message showed up in my inbox that made my heart sink. I couldn’t help imagine what it would be
Prevent Costly Water Damage with Critical Washing Machine Maintenance
As wonderful as a washing machine is when it comes to saving time and effort, it can also be a
How to Fix, Clean, and Maintain Your Window Air Conditioner: A Complete Guide
The heat of summer is giving millions of window-mounted air conditioners a real workout. Undoubtedly, many owners of said units
When Driving a Lemon is Easier Than Getting Rid of It
There’s a moment most of us hit with an old car when every new noise feels like a negotiation. You’re
How to Buy Carpet That Lasts and Looks Great for Years
It’s not something you buy every day. But when it’s time to buy carpet, you'll want to know your stuff.
DIY Mold and Mildew Treatment That Really Works Safely
If you've ever called in a professional service to rid your home of mold, you know the meaning of shock
The Best Carpet Cleaner and My Simple No-Soap Method
I have a love/hate relationship with carpeting. I love how it looks, how it feels under my feet and how