Planting a backyard vegetable garden is a terrific idea, but it can be a pricey—and time-consuming. Today’s first reader has a great tip: Let the master gardeners foot the bill and do all the work while you have a laid-back summer. Then show up to get in on the harvest. It’s all perfectly legal, and…
Tiny, Mighty Cleaning Brushes, Natural Ant Repellant, and More Great Reader Tips
Selecting the Right Brush Makes Painting Easier
Dear James: I have a box of old paintbrushes here, but should get new ones for my remodeling projects? With so many options in the paintbrush aisle, what type is best to buy? —Jose M. Dear Jose: As you have funds, there are typically at least several dozen different sizes, bristle types, and shapes in…
UK Becomes First to Approve Antiviral Home Pill for COVID-19
Britain has become the first country to approve an antiviral COVID-19 treatment that can be taken as a pill at home. The UK national medicines regulator, the MHRA, announced on Nov. 4 that the antiviral Lagevrio (molnupiravir) had been authorised to treat mild to moderate COVID-19—in those with other risk factors, such as obesity, diabetes,…
Wilted Trees and Finicky Birds
Q: Back in the spring, we planted several 10- to 15-foot-tall trees around our new house. We tried to keep up with the watering, but the trees looked a bit wilted all summer long. Now that they are going dormant for the winter, is there anything special we can do to help them? A: You…
Get Organized to Put Money in Your Pocket and a Smile on Your Face
Has this ever happened to you? While searching for the Valentine’s Day centerpiece, you stumble across the Christmas wrap you bought at the half-off-after-holiday sale two years ago. You still don’t know where the centerpiece is. Or you discover six partially full peanut butter jars in the pantry while putting away the new one you…
5 15-Minute Projects to Slash Your Utility Bills
Don’t assume there’s nothing you can do to stop spending so much of your hard-earned money on utility bills! Check out these five projects that can be completed in 15 minutes or less and require no advanced skills or special equipment. Soon you’ll be keeping more of your hard-earned money in your pocket—not your utility…
Make Drilling Easier With the Correct Drill Bit
Dear James: I have a box of old, dull drills that could not go through warm butter. When I buy new ones, what type is best for different types of drilling tasks? —Anne Y. Dear Anne: There’s nothing more frustrating than trying to work with old, dull tools, and drilling holes is about the worst….
Frugal Laundry Tips That Will Save You a Fortune
If you’ve ever suffered the heartbreak of stains or other kinds of annoying laundry issues, you’re going to love this! These laundry hacks will elevate you to laundry genius in no time. Dried-On Latex Paint Getting any kind of paint on clothes or other items you care about is awful. Even if latex paint is…
US Pending Home Sales Unexpectedly Fall in September
WASHINGTON—Contracts to buy U.S. previously owned homes unexpectedly fell in September likely as some potential buyers delayed purchases amid higher prices. The National Association of Realtors (NAR) said on Thursday its Pending Home Sales Index, based on signed contracts, decreased 2.3 percent last month to 116.7. Pending home sales fell in all four regions. Economists…
How to Create a Functional, Stylish Family Room
A well-designed family room can truly be the heart of the household. But too often, the family room ends up feeling like either a formal parlor—stiff and uninviting—or a free-for-all kids’ playroom. Strike a balance by picking up some of these ideas for attractive, functional family rooms that look good and work hard for the…
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