A second house might be an investment, a vacation property or a combination of the two. Regardless of its intended use, a rising number of people are purchasing residential real estate. They see real estate as a safer investment than other investments that might come with increased risks. A National Association of Realtors survey showed...
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Here are ways to prep your house before you hit the road for vacation or holiday travel so it doesn’t look empty and attract the attention of robbers. 1. Simulate activity Controlling your lights with timers only goes so far in faking activity at your house while you’re on vacation, says Mark Clement, home improvement,...
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Switching time zones can be hard on your body. The more drastic the time change, the more severe your jet lag can be. Jet lag causes you to feel sluggish and can impair your ability to function. This can make it hard to enjoy your surroundings on vacation, or make decisions if you’re on a...
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Installing energy-saving technology is a great idea, whether you’re moving into a new place or upgrading your current home. Different devices and types of technology can increase the comfort of your home and help you save money. They can also help you become more environmentally conscious. There’s an increasing array of devices and software programs...
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Whether you’re living in a newly constructed or older dwelling, it can still become the home of the future. Quickly evolving technology is allowing homeowners to improve the functions of a wide range of their household systems. Wireless thermostats are one great example. The latest versions are helping households regulate temperatures with greater speed and...
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For Millennials, figuring out how and where to save money and invest it is a little trickier than for previous generations. In many ways this group has the same financial concerns of previous generations. They might be paying off student debt, saving for a house, putting money into retirement accounts, building an emergency fund and...
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Classic car shows are the auto lover’s equivalent of a candy store. There are so many different makes, models and marques all in one place. There’s also no better place for car enthusiasts to find one another, to gawk admiringly at a lovingly restored vintage vehicle or swap a story or two about your experiences...
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A plate of cookies can go a long way. “Getting to know people is a peacemaking strategy,” says Laura Jeffords, an Asheville, N.C. community mediator who is on the board of the National Association for Community Mediation (NAFCM). Starting off as a friendly neighbor Making friendly overtures to newcomers sets the tone for your own...
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Once the kids fly the coop, it’s a time of change for parents. For many it can be a time to do things they’ve dreamed about doing – traveling or resuming a sport or hobby they’d set aside. While some might dream about what they’ll do, others dream about what they’ll drive. A family car,...
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If it’s striking scenery, quaint towns or fascinating history you’re after, then buckle up and plug Sacramento and the surrounding Gold Country into your GPS. California’s interior in and around the state capital offers a wealth of options for multiple day drives or short road trips, whether you wish to sit back and enjoy the...
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Most of us have experienced that dreadful moment when the car simply refuses to start. While we often equate dead batteries with those frigid temperatures of winter, did you know that summer months are actually harder on your car’s battery? In fact, batteries in cold climates have a life expectancy of 51 months, while those...
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Regardless of where a woman is in her life, she should arm herself with the tools and knowledge she needs to confidently manage her finances. Every woman should know the basics of personal finance to avoid potentially costly consequences. In financial literacy matters, women tend to score lower than men consistently, according to an article...
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It’s time to hit the road for vacation, with bikes in tow — usually on a rack strapped to the exterior of your car. The last thing you want to do is arrive at your destination with one or more of your bikes damaged. Here are some tips to ensure no harm is done to...
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The rising popularity of smartphones is playing a role in the growth of home security systems. Now, security systems don’t just trip an alarm if an intruder comes through the door anymore, they enable homeowners to watch live streaming video of their homes, turn on lights and disarm the system – all from their smartphones....
Read more about 5 Digital Trends That Are Dominating Home Security [Infographic]
We’ve all left for vacation and been hit with the nagging feeling that something important was left behind. And while the typical road-tripper will often forget replaceable items like a toothbrush or mobile phone charger, RV safety equipment like a breakaway switch, umbilical cord, sway bars and safety chains might be harder to find at the local hardware store.
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