Writer, editor, dog lover
Autumn and early winter can be the perfect time for taking a trip to Europe. Between the mild weather, smaller crowds, scenic outdoor activities, and lower hotel rates, there are a handful of reasons to fly across the pond. There’s more good news: You can score low-priced flights if you plan accordingly.
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Late spring is the best time to sell your home: There’s a good chance you’ll make top dollar on your place and sell it more quickly since summer is the most popular time to move, according to research from the U.S. Census Bureau. In fact, prices on homes sold in spring 2018 soared to a record high of $269,000 on average, up 5.3 percent from the previous year, the National Association of Realtors reports. But if you need to put your place on the market during another time of year—say, winter, because of a job transfer—how can you still sell your house for what it’s worth (and maybe even a bit more), even when the market isn’t as hot? Keep reading for five secrets for selling your home during the slow season.
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Trying to find a job can feel like an epic quest, full of smoke, mirrors, and plenty of perplexities—including some falsehoods that are meant to throw you off your game. These job search myths are tricky beasts. Even experienced job seekers believe—and spread—common misconceptions about the job search process. Yet these flawed ideas can derail your ability to nab a job offer.
There’s no magic involved in getting a job, but there are a number of myths. So, how do you separate fact from fiction?
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Want to give your kitchen a facelift without draining your wallet? Consider painting the cabinets.
Wood cabinet refinishing entails removing the existing paint, sanding the surface (depending on the type of paint you are using) and applying new paint to the bare wood. This cosmetic project revives cabinets that have become scratched, faded or discolored, and breathes new life into an old kitchen.
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Planning a camping trip? Be prepared to open your wallet. Adult campers spent an average of $546 on camping gear alone in 2016, according to the 2017 American Camper Report from Coleman Company, Inc. and The Outdoor Foundation. And when you factor in expenses for food, permits, and transportation, your camping budget could quickly go up in flames.
The upshot? There are ways to cut costs without putting a damper on your camping trip.
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In 2016, there were an estimated 1,053,000 home burglaries in the United States, according to FBI data. That means there’s a burglary about every 30 seconds.
These numbers alone help build the case for implementing a good security system in your home, but they aren’t the only reason for the urgency. After all, burglars don’t discriminate.
“Criminals are creatures of opportunity and wherever there’s an opportunity to strike, they will, be it in a big city or small suburb,” says Lee Walters, founder of FortifyMyHouse.com, a home-security education website. Translation: Even if you feel like you live in a “safe neighborhood,” you ought to have some type of security system.
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Planning a road trip this summer? Expect some company on the expressway. Even amid rising gas prices, Americans are packing up their cars for a vacation. According to a recent AAA survey, 64 percent of Americans traveling this summer are planning a road trip, and it’s the most popular option for family vacations. But to stretch your travel dollars while you’re on the road, you’ll want to avoid these five common mistakes.
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For many, it’s an enviable situation: You own a house and have the ability to buy a new home before selling your current place.
But even if you have the cash — or can qualify for a second mortgage — you’ll want to consider a few pros and cons before making the offer. One big consideration: In a seller’s market where houses are going for (or even above) list price, making an offer that’s contingent on the sale of your current home can make it difficult to compete against first-time buyers.
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On a sizzling summer day, there’s nothing better than taking a refreshing dip in a swimming pool. But that private oasis in your backyard can be a big safety hazard for kids.
More than 3,700 people drowned in the United States in 2016, the National Safety Council (NSC) reports. Drowning deaths are particularly prevalent among babies and toddlers. In fact, it was the leading cause of preventable death for 1- to 4-year-olds in 2016.
However, there are precautions you can take to protect your children while still letting them have fun in the pool this summer.
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“Renovating my house was a piece of cake,” said no one ever. Indeed, even seemingly simple projects, like installing a screen door, staining hardwood floors, or refacing kitchen cabinets, can surprise homeowners with unexpected challenges and ever-escalating costs. And the problems multiply if you make certain all-too-common mistakes.
We’re not trying to discourage you from renovating your house, but if you’re planning to give your house a face-lift, be sure to avoid these seven renovation fumbles.
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Daniel Bortz 