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Staying warm during the cold winter months is a top priority for many, which is why holiday gifts that help in this endeavor are always a surefire hit! Here are some head-to-toe gift ideas that will add comfort to the season and show your loved ones you care. 1. Functional Gloves for the Fashionista. From navigating with GPS to queuing up a playlist, your loved one relies on her devices all the time outdoors. That’s why her gloves should offer touchscreen-capable fingertips so that even in frigid temperatures, she can stay cozy and c...
The holiday season may be warm, merry and bright, but it’s also a time when it’s all too easy to spend more than you plan to and rack up debt you can’t manage. According to CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® professionals, here’s how to celebrate the season in style while positioning yourself for a financially healthy 2025: Create your budget: Take a look at your budget to determine how much you can earmark for holiday expenses. Do you need to cut back on any nonessential spending to afford the holiday season you desire? Make a comprehe...
Even a short vacation from school can cause learning loss and leave kids feeling behind when they return to the classroom. Fortunately, there are many ways to keep minds active during the holiday break, some of which will reinforce the concepts they are learning in school. Here are a few of them: Vacation Reading: Whether traveling for the holidays or staying close to home, curling up with a book is a great way to spend some of the inevitable downtime. At the start of the break, hit up the library so everyone in the family will have plenty to r...
Whether you’re day-tripping with family, taking a week-long vacation with pals, or doing a cross-country solo drive, summer road trips of all kinds can be long and exhausting. The good news? There are plenty of ways to improve the experience. Great Snacks: Road trip snacks are non-negotiable! They make car rides of any length brighter, keeping drivers and passengers happy and fueled for the miles ahead. It’s best to have a mix of snack options that are easy to eat in the car or at roadside stops. Carrot sticks, pretzels, and nuts make gre...
For a Millennial or Gen Zer who is young and healthy, life insurance may be the last thing on their mind. However, life is unpredictable, and having coverage is important in the event of unforeseen circumstances. According to Bankers Life, a national life and health insurance brand, these are four reasons Millennials and Gen Zers should consider life insurance coverage. 1. People rely on you: Life insurance promises to pay your loved ones a sum if you pass away. If you're in a committed relation...
When choosing what plants to put down in your yard, you likely focus on the what and the where. After all, a beautiful plant in a prime location enhances curb appeal and even bragging rights. You may pay less attention though to understanding your plant hardiness zone and all the ramifications that come with it. To help ensure your plants don't just survive but thrive, the experts at lawn care equipment manufacturer Exmark are sharing the following insights about plant hardiness: What is Plant...
When it comes to overall wellness, focusing on mental health is critical, especially for older adults, according to experts. “As people age, they may experience stressors such as serious illness, losing close friends and family members, managing life on a fixed income, and coping with concerns about their mortality. While seniors may show resilience to these dimensions of vitality when they’re compounded, these losses and stressors can result in a myriad of behavioral health issues, including depression, anxiety, stress, and insomnia,” says...
If you have a big idea, goal, or dream about helping others, writing down your vision can help. Studies show you’re 42% more likely to achieve your goals if you write them down. Take it from Marcy Bursac. After reviewing thousands of handwritten entries, Pilot Pen selected her as the newest winner of the G2 Overachievers Grant, which rewards an exceptional individual who goes beyond their everyday job and responsibilities to make a difference in the lives of others. A technical analyst at a cybersecurity firm by day, Bursac is also an a...
A new survey from Duck brand found that 80% of people who weatherize their homes notice a decrease in their energy bills – yet many homeowners and renters alike still aren’t taking advantage of these easy DIY solutions to create a more comfortable and energy-efficient home. Why? Some common myths about weatherization may be to blame. Read on for the truth about the home weatherization process. Myth #1: You need to hire a professional to properly weatherize your home. Weatherizing projects can be tackled over a weekend with a few do-it-yourself...
The holiday season is a magical time of year filled with cherished traditions that bring families together. And while gift-giving is one of the most beloved customs (especially for children), it can sometimes overshadow the true spirit of the season. Here are a few festive winter activities that focus on quality time together and spreading joy. 1. Spread Joy with Kid-Created Cards. According to a recent survey from AmericanGreetings.com, nearly 90% of Americans say that season’s greetings bring them joy; and 92% say they specifically enjoy k...
From greeting cards to seasonal to-do lists, there’s a lot to write down and keep track of during the holidays. Use these tips and recommendations to reduce stress while you complete these important tasks: • To-do lists: Whether you’re listing the gifts you must buy for loved ones, the groceries you need to prepare a holiday feast, or the tasks you must complete before your guests arrive, writing and referencing a lengthy to-do list can be anxiety-provoking. However, choosing the colors of your stationery and writing utensils wisely can ease...
Most of us have at least one loved one who’s hard to shop for. Maybe it’s because they insist that they have everything they need already or perhaps they simply have discerning taste. To get a jumpstart on your holiday shopping, consider these five, functional and fun gift ideas that promise to impress even the most challenging gift recipients: 1. Portable power: Whether your loved one is a world traveler, tailgater, beach bum, remote worker or hot desker, the new M150 Portable Power Station from Duracell will be a game changer. Unlocking porta...
Nothing evokes the spirit of the holidays more powerfully than the hearty aroma of seasonal dishes and treats. To help you share in the joy, nostalgia, and tastes of the season, while making meaningful new memories, the McCormick brand is putting twists on classic favorites with its recent release of a limited-edition collection of holiday-themed doughnut bites in partnership with Dough Doughnuts. As part of this reinvention of classic holiday dishes, they're sharing their Pumpkin Pie Spice...
As the holidays approach, you might be hosting guests, shopping for gifts, and decorating your home. While all these activities can bring a lot of joy into the season, they can also bring an increase in risks. Prepare by following these five tips to prevent damage. 1. Install a smart doorbell. Whether you want to see who just arrived or help keep packages secure, a smart doorbell will keep you updated on all activities in front of your home. From trick-or-treaters to carolers, you can easily view (and communicate) with your visitors, even if...
American families are expected to spend record-high amounts this back-to-school season. According to the National Retail Federation (NRF), families with children in elementary, middle, and high school will spend $890 on average for school items, while those with college-aged students are looking at more than $1,360 in shopping expenses. Whether your kids are off to kindergarten or college, here’s how you can shop smarter and prepare for the school year: 1. Upgrade Your Devices. Electronics and tech are a top priority for families this school s...
When the temperatures drop and the precipitation turns cold, efficiently keeping your home cozy and warm is likely a top priority. As you make home upgrades this fall, be sure to use materials designed to withstand extreme weather events and which help manage indoor climate control. Doing so will mean greater comfort and more affordable energy bills, not only when it’s cold, but all year long. Roofing: As your first defense against all kinds of weather, your roof sustains a lot of wear and tear. Consider prioritizing durability, strength, a...
As barbecue season heats up, you may be wondering how to square your love for T-bone steaks and spareribs with your concern for the environment. The good news? Science is delivering new, game-changing solutions to tackle the environmental footprint of the beef and livestock industries. The Problem: Approximately 9 million dairy cows, 90 million beef cattle, 60 million swine, and billions of poultry in the United States produce more than 100 times more organic waste than humans; but where human waste makes its way to a septic tank or sewage...
During allergy season, having a safe haven from the triggers that make you sneeze and wheeze is essential. While you can't completely control your surroundings in the great outdoors, you can take steps at home to reduce allergens and feel your best. • Fresh, cool air: The right air conditioning unit can help you breathe better indoors. For example, the Midea U delivers a cold airflow that can be felt up to 20 feet away and features full DC inverter technology to rapidly cool a room. Its removabl...
Many people look forward to spring when the weather warms up and flowers start to bloom, but it also marks the start of the peak time of year for flash flooding in the United States. According to NOAA, 75% of flash floods happen between late April and mid-September. And while you may not want to think about it, when water backs up and overflows, it generally goes where it doesn’t belong and can cause serious damage to your home. Unfortunately, many homeowners have misconceptions about floods, leaving them unprepared. Here are four of the b...
It can be tempting to think that bugs simply disappear in the cooler months. The truth is that many bug species have evolved to survive all year long, sometimes hiding in the warm nooks and crannies in and around homes. Others go into a hibernation-like state. “Bugs can be a lot smarter and more resilient than you may realize. Even if you don’t see household pests right now, some may still be waiting in your home for those first warm days to signal them to become active, search for food and find a mate,” says Emma Klingman, senior products rese...
There are 2.5 million children in the United States growing up in “grand families,” meaning they’re being raised by relatives or close friends without their parents in the home, and they face higher rates of hunger and food insecurity, according to a new report. The Generations United report, “Together at the Table: Supporting the Nutrition, Health, and Well-Being of Grandfamilies,” highlights the particular struggles of such households, which are often unprepared financially for the unexpected job of raising a child, and may encounter...
As America’s drug overdose and death epidemic continues to impact communities of every size in every corner of the country, new challenges have emerged. In 2021, more than 107,000 people died from drug-related overdoses, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the bulk of which were from illicitly manufactured fentanyl, which shows up in fake pills, methamphetamine, and cocaine. Since its founding in 2014, the American Medical Association (AMA) Substance Use and Pain Care Task Force have brought together medical s...
Diabetes can impact the body in a number of ways, especially creating potentially serious complications for your feet. “Foot care is a central component of overall diabetes care,” says Bryce Paschold, DPM, FACFAS, a board-certified foot, and ankle surgeon and a fellow member of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons. “Without precautions, even small foot problems can lead to amputation or be life-threatening.” To help those living with diabetes understand potential complications and how to avoid them, ACFAS is sharing these importa...
Similar to how the ways we listen to music and watch movies have changed, cellular networks are evolving too. In fact, all major wireless providers plan to shutter their 3G cellular networks this year. 3G networks are the wireless equivalent of being on dial-up internet access years ago. Built in the early 2000s, 3G networks are slower, less efficient, and not equipped to support the way we use smartphones today. Americans increasingly depend on their ability to connect to the internet for just about everything and the latest generation of...
If you haven’t spent time considering what your healthcare needs will be in the years or even decades from now, you’re not alone. Recent research suggests that many aging Americans aren’t aware of the full range of options available to them. As we age, our healthcare needs intensify, and experts say that the U.S. healthcare system will need to embrace home healthcare options to meet the demand of an aging population. The new national survey, titled “Aging in Place: Assessing Senior’s Understanding of Home Healthcare Options,” conducted b...