A high-quality security system keeps you, your family, and your possessions safe while inside your home. Among the features of your security system, you’ll probably need one or more motion sensors. When a motion sensor detects movement, it sends a signal to your security system’s control panel to alert …
Everyone seems to own an RV in the US right now — not that anyone blames them. Life in an RV is exciting and a new adventure each day. However, most people feel stuck at the shopping stage when considering an RV purchase. So, which RV will take your …
It’s the most wonderful time of the year: Holiday gift shopping season! And with gift shopping comes another important, yet oft-overlooked, part of the season: Gift hiding.
Nothing beats the moment a loved one rips off the wrapping paper and sees the gift for the first time. But if these gifts aren’t hidden well, the surprise may be ruined!
We wanted to know all about people’s gift-hiding tips and tricks — where gifts get hidden, where they get found, and everything in between. So we surveyed 1,000 Americans to ask how they keep holiday presents a surprise until it’s time to celebrate. Here’s what we learned.
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Black Friday has long been considered the day that kicks off the start of the holiday shopping season. But before you head for your nearest big-box stores for those irresistible door-buster deals, consider this: There’s another shopping holiday that celebrates shopping small and supporting local businesses that are the backbone of every community.
The first Small Business Saturday took place in 2010, after American Express launched an ad campaign encouraging its customers to consider doing some or all of their holiday shopping at small businesses. Just one year later, President Barack Obama rallied majors, governors and senators from across the country to designate Small Business Saturday as an unofficial holiday.
A decade after Small Business Saturday first took hold, American Express estimates that Americans have spent more than $120 billion at small businesses since the holiday’s creation. There’s no doubt that this “holiday” is now as real and meaningful to Americans as Black Friday.
But every state is different. They all show different levels of support for small businesses — and different types of small businesses that have captured their community’s attention. That’s why we set out to learn more about Small Business Saturday in each state. In honor of the start of this year’s shopping season, celebrate small businesses with these statistics and fun facts about small businesses in all 50 states.
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If you’re new to boating, you’re probably thinking a lot about spending time on the water and caring for your boat. One thing that new boat owners often forget to take into consideration is towing a boat from your home or storage location to the water.
Surprisingly, towing a boat …
We’ve all been there — holding onto things we should have let go of a long time ago. From old love notes to a prom dress to your very first cellphone (one of those indestructible Nokia brick phones, no less), we all hold on to a lot of things. We’re all haunted by the ghosts of our past (belongings).
We were curious about exactly what it is that fills up junk drawers, backs of closets, garage shelves, and dusty attic boxes. So we set out to find out what belongings Americans can’t seem to let go of. Our survey found that we all hold onto different things for different reasons — but the one thing most of us have in common is that we wish all those old belongings weren’t in our houses anymore.
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Last year, we set out to find the 25 Most Neighborly Cities in America.
Looking at data around charitable giving, volunteering, and community well-being, we named the 25 cities in the U.S. where you could find the friendliest people to live next door. And after nearly two years living in the COVID-19 pandemic, having good neighbors feels more important than ever before — so we set out to do it again. …
Thinking about buying an ATV? Read our ultimate buyers’ guide first to make sure you get the right ATV for your needs — at the right price.
The pandemic upended the summer of 2020. But with vaccines and reopenings, is the summer of 2021 back to normal? We surveyed Americans to find out.
So you’ve learned how to ride, passed a safety course, and are ready for buying a motorcycle. Whether you plan to just ride for fun on the weekends, or to make a fuel-efficient bike your new commuting vehicle, there’s a lot to consider before making this purchase.
For a first-time motorcycle buyer in particular, it will take time and careful consideration to decide the type of bike you want, your budget, where to buy, and so much more. But once you hit the road on the perfect bike, you’ll be glad you did your homework first.
This ultimate guide should prepare you for buying a motorcycle, covering everything you need to know before and during the buying process.
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Road trips are woven into the fabric of America.
From Route 66 to our nation’s expansive National Parks system, the U.S. is a large country with so much to see — if you’re willing to drive to get there. That’s part of why RVs are so popular — around 11% of American households own some sort of recreational vehicle.
If you’re considering buying an RV, there’s a lot to think about. Buying an RV comes with all kinds of choices and considerations, and for such a major purchase, you’ll want to do your homework before taking the plunge.
This ultimate guide offers everything you need to know before, during, and after the process of buying an RV. …
Whether your boat frequents rivers, lakes, or open seas, your attention to detail and regular maintenance will help you enjoy your vessel for many years to come. Most boat maintenance tasks are easy to learn and perform on your own. However, major repairs should be taken care of by …
Your RV brings you and your family countless hours of enjoyment, and you likely intend to enjoy using it for years to come. Taking good care of your investment is a good way to prolong the lifespan of your RV and make your camping and road trips fun and …
If you own a boat or are in the market for one, you’ll definitely need a boat trailer to haul your boat, and in some cases, even store it. There are several types of boat trailers to choose from and it’s important to make sure that you get the …
For ages, leather has served as one of the most versatile materials for clothing and goods available. Eternally fashionable and extremely durable, leather can last for decades with proper care. Leather boot care may sound like a hassle at first, but if you’re investing in high-quality leather, you want …
Whether you own a collection of various types of jewelry or a few special pieces, there will come a time when you need to clean them. Tarnish and daily wear dulls the shine of precious metals and fades the sparkle of your favorite gems. But it’s not practical to …
During winter and early spring, it’s important to have the right items on hand in your car emergency kit. You can pick up a basic roadside emergency kit and first aid kit on Amazon or at your favorite local retailer to help you save a little money. But those …
Onions are great to add to a variety of meals to increase flavor and enhance the taste. Whether you grow onions or buy them from the grocery store, it’s important to know how to store onions properly so they last. When stored properly, some onions can last for months. …
One thing that’s made it tougher to be a good neighbor recently is the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. While good neighbors watch each other’s kids and invite each other to parties and events, those are things no one should be doing right now — in fact, they could put your neighbors at risk, which is the opposite of being a good neighbor.
So, for as long as the pandemic continues (and as it finally comes to an end), consider these neighborly actions.
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Maria G., a mom of two elementary school kids, lives in New York, the U.S. city most battered by the coronavirus. She understands why her kids’ school remained closed this fall. But that doesn’t mean remote learning is going well for her family.
“It’s impossible,” she said. “I work full time from home and have two children doing remote learning all week. As I suspect it is in most homes, kids turn to mom for everything — including help with school. I feel like I’m always 10 steps behind.”
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When choosing your kitchen colors, what’s the right strategy?
Do you just pick some colors you like, and then hit the paint chip display at your local hardware store? Do you look for colors on sale to save a few bucks? They’re just paint colors — not exactly a high-stakes decision, right?
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Everyone wants good neighbors.
When you get along with the people around you and know you can count on them (and they can count on you), it creates a feeling of neighborhood solidarity, builds community, and keeps everyone safer. A recent Housing and Urban Development study showed that while neighborhood crime rates are lower in the U.S. than they’ve ever been before, strong community bonds are closely associated with safe neighborhoods where people have a sense of community well-being.
But where in the U.S. can you find the best, most friendly neighbors? And what does it actually mean to be neighborly? We wanted to find out.
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When you’re looking for the perfect home, you need to know all the details. There are a variety of traditional single-family popular home types, but if you’re planning to purchase a home and aren’t interested in a detached home, you still have choices. Condos and townhouses are soaring in …
Over the last 40 years, newly constructed homes have gotten steadily bigger and bigger.
In 1973, the first year the Census Bureau released data about Americans’ home sizes, the average home came in at 1,660 square feet. In 2015, 42 years later, that had increased by more than 1,000 square feet — the average size of a new home built that year was 2,687 square feet.
The steady increase in the size of newly constructed homes made us wonder — is it really consumer demand that’s driving the construction of all these huge new houses? Do Americans feel like they need 2,600 square feet of living space, and if so, why? …
Forget about moving to a new city. Every year, millions of Americans plan out how to move to another country altogether. They’re drawn by love, adventure, work, and everything in-between.
Moving abroad means uprooting your established home and starting a new life in a different part of the world, and …
We wanted to know how quarantine was affecting families who were now spending more time together than they were used to, so we surveyed them. We found that a majority of people say despite some challenges, changes to their routine brought on by the coronavirus pandemic ultimately did make their families closer.
Traveling on a plane with animals can be challenging, especially if it’s a large dog. But flying with a child or infant can be even more difficult. You not only have to think about the health and comfort of the baby, but also their safety. Try not to worry, …
Vegas and “cheap” do not seem like they should appear in the same sentence. A trip to Las Vegas, Nevada often evokes mental images of bright lights, walking the strip, throwing dice, and the whirl of slot machines. The popular image of someone leaving Vegas, though, is more likely …
Your neighborhood is full of people who have varied lifestyles and cultures. Building a connection with your neighbors is essential to your social health and the comfort you have in your neighborhood. One of the best ways to become acquainted with your neighbors and welcome them into your new …
Spontaneous, fun & unique date ideas to bring adventure into your marriage. Our Top 50 list includes fortune telling, truth or dare, ghost towns, photography and more.
If you are old enough to have considered renting an apartment or house, odds are, you’ve heard the term “sublet” or “sublease”. But what is subletting/subleasing? And what does it have to do with you getting that dream apartment?
Like many real estate terms, “subletting” sounds more obscure than it …
Saving for a house is a major undertaking. However, home buying can lead to an increase in equity; instead of paying someone else for a place to live every month, homeowners can put that money toward value in the home. Buying a house can be expensive, and it doesn’t …
Water bath canning is a processing method used to preserve high-acid foods. Jars are filled with food, sealed loosely with a lid, and boiled for a specific amount of time. Some examples of acidic foods include applesauce, jams, jellies, pickles, relishes, chutneys, salsas, and tomato products with added acid. …
There are lots of beaches in Los Angeles County, and each beach has its own highlights and unique appeal. If you’re thinking of making the move to Los Angeles, you’ll want to know where the best California beaches are (you’ll may also want to find a Los Angeles storage …
Fresh herbs are a great way to add flavor to practically every meal you prepare, but they aren’t always easy to find and can be expensive. Growing your own herbs is one way to always have the flavors you want without going to the grocery store. You don’t have …
Gardening is becoming more popular in every corner of the country. Rather than taking care of houseplants, people are focusing on growing food.
Urban gardening in Los Angeles is a great way to grow fresh produce for yourself or to sell at farmers markets. Whether you hope to grow a …
Make a trip to these Utah Valley splash pads part of your summer bucket list! They’re fun, free, typically located near city parks, and are finally starting to open up for the season. All splash pads below are located in Utah County and are ordered from north to south. …
As with any large city, you’ll find many parks in Los Angeles. In this post, we’ll take a look at some of the highest-rated parks in the city and tell you what makes them so special. Because everyone has different tastes, we’ve included a little something of everything. If …
While you may have heard plenty of jokes about the traffic nightmare on I-405 over the years, you’re just as likely to have heard about the joys of driving all over and around the city. There’s no shortage of scenic drives to enjoy. When driving around Los Angeles, there …
Heading off to a farmers market in Los Angeles is a surefire way to get local-grown produce at great prices. If you’re looking for a Saturday farmers market that will help you find quality produce, start the search in your own neighborhood. Many local neighborhoods have their own cultures, …
If you’re a movie fan visiting or living in Los Angeles, you can have a fun — and affordable — day out driving around some of the places where your favorite movies filmed in Los Angeles were shot. Whether you’re planning to explore the famous locales on your own …
A raised garden bed solves many problems associated with typical gardens. Whether your reason for choosing a raised bed style is because of poor soil, lack of space, or simply to avoid weeds, you’ll need a few more supplies and a different approach to build your new garden. This …
Real estate has remained a sound investment that can yield large profits for beginners and veterans alike. Even if you have been considering real estate investing, you might not know where to start. This guide real estate investing for beginners provides you with broad overviews of some basic real …
Types of shared and coworking spaces, advantages and disadvantages, tips to work productively, and where to find high-quality workspaces.
Everything you need to know to fly with a large dog. Learn safety and cost-effective tips to take your dog on an airplane with confidence!
When an ink-based accident occurs, it seems like Murphy’s Law is always there to ensure your favorite clothes are involved. Whether your ink pen at work is the culprit or your toddler found the one permanent marker that exists in your home, there is a laundry hack out there to remove …
Buying a houseboat is a big decision. You can save money and live a fun new lifestyle. But it’s not all good. Here are some things to consider.
If you are moving in with someone new it’s important to establish roommate rules. These will help you enjoy your shared home without annoying each other.
Do you want to know how to save money fast? Don’t worry we’re here to help with 12 practical ways on how to save more than you ever thought.
Money quotes are an easy way to learn about finances and how to plan for your future. Whether old or new, there is a lot of wisdom in quotes.
