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Why Is May the Best Month to Replace Your Mattress?

A good night’s sleep is critical to maintain one’s best health and well-being. And as sure as spring turns to summer, May brings with it Memorial Day and mattress sales. According to Business Insider, May is the best month to buy a mattress and other bedding accessories. But with all the mattress ads vying for […]
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Prevent Water Problems with These Spring Plumbing Tips

Spring is a time for many people to get organized around the house. Yet, it’s easy to ignore your plumbing when taking care of other household responsibilities. Here are some easy tips to help make sure your plumbing continues to work reliably throughout the coming months: Water Heaters This will be a good opportunity to […]
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Good Debt vs. Bad Debt

(TNS)—People tend to lump all debts together, yet they are not all equal. Knowing the distinction between a good debt and a bad one can help you make better financial decisions. Not that long ago, when people needed extra large sums of money, their home equity was their go-to source of loans. After the housing […]
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Diggin’ In: May Days the Best for Successful Planting

(TNS)—April showers bring May flowers and a month for the best planting time ever. If you are putting in new plants, use these best-practice planting tips from Dan Nortman, Virginia Cooperative Extension horticultural agent in Yorktown, Va., and other gardening experts. Honestly assess your space for new plants. A well-organized landscape with fewer plants looks […]
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To Sell or Not to Sell? 5 Signs It’s Time to List Your Home

If you’re like me, thoughts of putting your home on the market and moving up, down or out of dodge all together periodically float through your mind. These days, there’s extra incentive given the inventory shortage in most regions of the country—some areas are even experiencing bidding wars. “After back-to-back years of a robust housing […]
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Living Smart: 4 Tips to Keep Your Dishwasher from Breaking

(TNS)—Dishwashers are prone to breaking down and even conking out if not maintained correctly. Here are four ways appliance technicians say you can prevent premature dishwasher repairs. 1. Don’t Overload Do you ever end up with too many dishes in the sink? Instead of stuffing them all in at the same time, break the dishes […]
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6 Ways to Help Your Child Excel in School

It is important for children to feel successful in school at a young age. When children become frustrated and don’t feel successful, their confidence plummets and so does their motivation to succeed in school. Here are some tips to help your child excel in school, shared by the team of moms and teachers behind Smart […]
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Chew on These Ideas for Successful Gardening with Pets

(TNS)—Safe, friendly gardening with a pet in your household can be a difficult pastime if your yard isn’t set up to handle the wear and tear from a four-footed animal who doesn’t know the difference between your prized petunias and the potty. In Hampton, Va., gardener Wendy Iles preaches the dos and don’ts of gardening […]
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How to Lock in a Great Mortgage Rate

(TNS)—Mortgage rates fluctuate daily, making it hard to pinpoint the perfect moment to lock. To simplify the mortgage rate-lock decision, keep these things in mind: Mortgate rate lock: A guarantee that the lender will deliver a specific combination of interest rate and points if the mortgage closes by a specified date. A point is a […]