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Consumer Credit Default Rates Fall Flat

Updates in consumer credit defaults show a composite rate of 0.93 percent in March, down four basis points from the previous month, according to the S&P/Experian Consumer Credit Default Indices. The first mortgage default reported a 0.77 percent rate for March, down seven basis points from the prior month. Auto loan defaults recorded a 1.02 […]
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10 Tips for Taking Care of Wood Furniture

Quality wood furniture can last a lifetime and is often a treasured heirloom, passed down through multiple generations. Still, even the highest quality wood is susceptible to scratches and abrasions if not properly cared for. When purchasing furniture, it’s always a good idea to ask for specific cleaning and care instructions. For furnishings already in […]
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How to Choose the Right Vertical Blinds for Your Home

After making the decision to use vertical window blinds in their homes, many people are surprised to learn that the decisions don’t end there. There are plenty of different options to choose from and choosing the right ones for your home is imperative. Fortunately, asking yourself a few simple questions can help you determine what […]
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6 Essential Things to Look for in a New Home

Investing in real estate is one of the most financially sound things you can do, but buying a new home might feel intimidating when it is your first time. It is understandable that you’d want to make the best decision possible. Here are six things to look for that can help with your decision. Efficient […]
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Commit to Living a Greener, More Sustainable Life this Earth Day

With more than 1 billion people participating in Earth Day activities each year, it’s hard to fathom what we all did on April 22 prior to 1970—the year Senator Gaylord Nelson put into motion a movement that continues to motivate people into action when it comes to caring for—and protecting—our environment. Whether you’re a preservationist, or activist—or somewhere […]
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These Neighborhood Amenities Can Kill Your Property Value

In real estate, the phrase “cash is king” is oft overused. However, if you’re struggling to sell a house in a bad ‘hood, then you already know that in reality, location is king. Purchasing a home in a great area, or an area that is up-and-coming, can help maximize the value of your home investment. So what can […]
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Rethinking Your Landscape: Lush Lawns Offer More than Just a Pretty Face

With summer quickly approaching, homeowners and renters alike are doing everything they can to prepare their lawns for family-friendly soccer games, neighborhood cookouts, evenings gathered around the fire pit roasting marshmallows and nights spent sleeping under the stars. While a lush, healthy lawn will certainly go a long way toward making your neighbors jealous, the […]
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The Gender Pay Gap: 3 Reasons Women Earn Less than Men

(TNS)–Tuesday was Equal Pay Day, which was invented by an activist group two decades ago to draw attention to the wage divide between men and women. The day comes in April, roughly marking how many extra months women would have to work into the new year to make what men made the year the year […]
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For Sale: New Orleans’ Very Haunted Magnolia Mansion

In a city famous for its fabulous food, music and art, New Orleans also has some of the most colorful homes in the world—many with legends that are even more interesting than the homes themselves. Encompassing everything from French Quarter cast-iron balconies and colorful courtyards, such as the Gardette-LePretre Mansion, where a Turkish sultan and […]
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DIY Garden Beds the Whole Family Can Help With

What’s a surefire way to get kids to eat their vegetables? Heap their plates with homegrown bounty plucked right from the backyard. Gardening as a family gives children an appreciation for the work behind the food on the table, an understanding of basic ecology, and a chance to help parents outside. Meanwhile, for us adults, […]