For guidance, we asked four industry experts who know mortgages, the housing sector, and smart money planning to walk through the important steps you can take now to become a homeowner. How the economic climate impacts homeownership The current housing market is daunting and for potential homebuyers in their twenties, many of whom are saddled by student debt, things can be even more discouraging. According to a recent study by Rocket Mortgage, of the 86....

You’re probably already familiar with garlic’s pungent taste (and smell), but here are a few more facts to know when it comes to cooking with fresh garlic. Choosing a Fresh Garlic Bulb Garlic is available year-round, and common types can be purchased loose as a single bulb or “head” as it’s sometimes called. To select the freshest, most flavorful garlic, look for a dry, solid bulb that is plump, compact, and heavy....

Oven-Going Meat Thermometer An oven-safe meat thermometer goes into any size or cut of meat (whole turkeys, roasts, chicken breast, you name it!) before roasting or grilling. This type of thermometer can remain in the meat while roasting in the oven or cooking on the grill. To use a leave-in meat thermometer: Insert the thermometer at least two inches into the center of the largest muscle or thickest portion of the uncooked meat....

1. Take Stock The end of the growing season is the perfect time to assess the perennial garden. All the successes and challenges will be fresher in your mind than next spring, when your memories of the previous season may have faded. Look with a critical eye, pairing your vision for the space with how the plants are growing. Which perennials thrived? Which ones struggled, and can any of those plants be moved to a better spot?...

Bachelor of Arts focused in English Literature (2015)Master of Fine Arts focused on Creative Nonfiction (2024) Related Video

From timeless to trendy, we’ve rounded up five of our favorite countertops and matched them up with the homeowner or remodeler they’d fit best. Whether you’re in search of a Fixer Upper-style kitchen or a sleek, modern cook space, there’s a countertop here that will make you want to remodel. Trilium Countertops Best for: Trendy Modern-Industrialists A high-tech hybrid of quartz, porcelain, and glass, Dekton is a newcomer to the countertop industry, first introduced in 2013....

Related Video

Ideally, you should answer “yes” to all of these questions, but if not, we’re here to help. This list of must-haves clarifies exactly what you should have in case of minor illness and injuries. For severe symptoms, bypass the medicine cabinet and go directly to your doctor when possible. Apart from your prescriptions, what you want are the tools to treat less severe cuts and burns, headaches, fevers, coughs, itching, allergies, or a runny nose....

Related Video

The Nordic Ware Harvest Leaves Bundt Pan is a fall must-have if you’re a regular at making coffee, carrot, or pumpkin cakes this time of year. It’s made from cast aluminum with a nonstick coating to evenly bake cakes up to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. The 9-cup capacity feeds a crowd, and you can easily hand wash the pan after serving. Note: It’s recommended to brush the pan with butter or shortening, and top with flour or cocoa powder before baking to ensure the design comes out clean....

To see what all the hype was about, we decided to give it a try. I signed up for several different services, each one with my apartment-size living room in mind. The steps are about the same for each service: Create a profile with a design style questionnaire, send photos and measurements of the room, and work with a designer to piece together a 3-D layout of the space. Price points and design packages vary, as does the quality of the service....

Related Video

The Umbra Gallery Frame Set already has more than 2,200 five-star ratings and hundreds of positive reviews. It comes with a total of five frames (two 4-by-6-inch frames and three 5-by-7-inch frames) that all hang from a modern beam. The best thing about it is you only need to use two screws on the beam to attach the whole set to your wall, rather than having to work through the hassle of hanging multiple frames....

I received a sample of the Dermora Foot Peel Mask last year to test out and, I have to admit, my expectations were low. My attitude didn’t change after I finished the mask and saw no change in the skin on my feet—but then a butterfly-like metamorphosis happened just a few days later. It was gross, and I’ll spare you all the grizzly details, but after my feet finished shedding the cocoon of my old layer of skin, a new, ridiculously baby-soft pair of feet emerged that I couldn’t even recognize....

The Adidas Cloudfoam 2.0 Pure Running Shoes are known for their cushioning, and they’re on sale for as little as $49 in select sizes and colors. According to the brand, the support comes down to the inner sole that promises to make wearers feel as though they are “walking on air.” Plus, the shoes are said to offer a breathable, foot-hugging knit upper that seemed like it would only enhance the lightweight feel of the shoes....

Related Video

Mural Effect The room looks like it’s been meticulously wallpapered, but Tamara painted the design herself. She created a brushstroke pattern on a piece of paper as a test, then copied the motif on the walls. All Aboard Tamara added the hall tree because she wanted an accessible place for her kids to hang their jackets. She sketched out the design, got wood panels cut to size at the Home Depot, and nailed them up....

Related Video

Those who’ve inadvertently kept a carton long past its expiration date (and smelled the result) know how crucial it is to prevent spoilage by storing eggs properly. To figure out how best to preserve almost-spoiled eggs, we spoke to Jesse Laflamme, the CEO (and third-generation egg farmer) of Pete and Gerry’s Organic Eggs. He told us the best way to preserve eggs long-term is to freeze them. Below are some egg-freezing tips that work for his family....

To find the best coolers for every need, we tested 48 models (including coolers with wheels and backpack-style soft coolers) in our Lab over three days. We evaluated each cooler based on its design, capacity, insulation, portability, durability, and overall value. For expert insight, we tapped Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s merchant Jesse Schulte. According to Schulte, “size and capacity, weight, and ice retention” are the most important factors to consider when shopping for a cooler....