Category: HOME

Tiny Insects That Cause Big Problems

Question: Our magnolia tree has sooty mold. We had the tree sprayed for the fungus, but it is still dripping stuff. Do you have any suggestions? Answer: Sooty mold is a fungus that grows on the sugary sap that is dripped on everything below a tree that has sucking insects. Some insects are sort of…


Till Debt Do Us Part

It is difficult to imagine: Our wedding cost a whopping $200. I borrowed my dress and veil; I made the bridesmaid’s dresses; a friend made and gifted the cake; we had one bouquet for the church; and our fathers (both ministers) performed the ceremony. We opted for the photographer’s monthly special ($100 for eight 8x10s)…


How to Deal With an Unresponsive HOA

Dear Monty: We recently purchased a condo in a community with a homeowners association board and bylaws. This property was only a slab when we bought it with a July closing date. The builder did not complete the unit until the middle of October. The builder promised a closing date inspection for any blemishes or…


Debt Consolidation — Good Solution or Terrible Mistake?

To the person drowning in debt, a debt-consolidation loan looks like a lifesaver. But reaching for it without knowing exactly what it’s made of could be a severe mistake. The way it’s supposed to work: You pay off all your small high-interest consumer debts with the proceeds of a new low-interest loan whose payment is…


How To Catch A Loose Dog

You’d think dogs don’t have a sense of humor until your dog slips her leash while you’re out on a walk. While you panic and look out for cars, there’s your very funny dog, dancing around and daring you to chase her. In most cases, the worst thing you can do is run after your…


Why Does My Cat Keep Meowing?

Cat meowing can certainly become annoying or worrisome if your cat is meowing constantly, loudly or all night long. Your cat may be meowing because they want attention, they’re bored, hungry, stressed out, their litter box needs cleaning, they want to breed, or perhaps it’s something more serious like pain, illness, or age-related difficulties. Let’s…


A Simple Way to Organize Your Home Life: Building Your Mom Binder

More often than not, moms are the CEOs of the household, managing the bulk of the duties related to shopping, cooking, planning, scheduling, cleaning, budgeting, and ever increasingly, teaching the kids. Keeping track of such a wide variety of responsibilities can be challenging, especially if moms lack the benefit of the executive assistant a typical…


Pottery Company Was Well Known for Colorful Cookie Jars Like These

By Helaine Fendelman and Joe Rosson From Tribune News Service Good morning: I am curious to know what you can tell me about this pair of cookie jars. I got them from my grandmother, and if I remember correctly, they were given to her by a pair of sisters who boarded with her, my mom…


Energy Bills Are High and Not Coming Down Soon. Here Are Ways to Cut Costs.

Andrew Maykuth The Philadelphia Inquirer If you haven’t examined your monthly utility bill lately, brace for a shock when the cost of air-conditioning comes due in the next few weeks. If the AC bill doesn’t raise your pulse, your heating tab next January might, assuming that global energy markets remain unsettled. According to the most…


Paying Too Much for Cellphone Service? Here’s 5 Ways To Save Money

If soaring costs are getting you down, finding realistic ways to reduce expenses will keep your head above water and your spirits high. In this column, I will share five ways to save money on your cellphone bill. By applying one or more of these tips, you may be able to cut your monthly bill…