Posts

But sometimes life gets in the way of saving as much as you’d like. Student loans, mortgage payments, and unforeseen financial expenses can completely throw off the best-laid retirement plans. However, it is possible to start in your 30s, 40s, and even 50s and still have enough to bid your day job adieu. In fact, proper retirement planning must be tailored to your current financial situation, as well as your future goals and dreams....

Beyond the details of the actual foodstuffs (price, preference, dietary needs, and more), there’s also an element of social and environmental responsibility. Simply put, not all food brands are created equally. Some companies are intentional about making the world a better place and some are not. Knowing which ones are giving back in meaningful ways can be helpful in the grocery decision-making process. When choosing between two items that look pretty much the same, choose the one that pays off school lunch debt for hungry kids....

One of the best purchases I made for my first New York apartment was a simple cube organizer shelf from Target. Years later, I have two of these affordable, easy-to-assemble shelving units in my home, and until I save up enough money to invest in more high-end pieces, they’ll get the job done. Buy it: $70; target.com. Ideal for cramped dorm rooms, first apartments, kids’ rooms, closets, and garages, Target’s array of cube shelves makes organization easy and affordable....

One of the most popular home decor brands at Target is the collaboration between Opalhouse and Justina Blakeney’s Jungalow, which launched last summer—and it just dropped its latest home collection for spring. The new collection is filled with bohemian home decor, furniture, and kitchen items. It features bright colors, bold patterns, and soft textures, proving that spring decor is more than just dainty florals and light pastels. Spruce up your bedding with lively patterns like this black and white palm frond quilt that pairs well with just about any color scheme....

To come up with this list, we tested 35 weighted blankets in our Lab, considering factors like quality, comfort, warmth, ease of cleaning, durability, and value. We also tapped Dr. Polos for expert tips on how to shop for a weighted blanket—including how to choose the right weight and materials for your preferences. The Threshold Microplush Weighted Blanket earned its place as our best overall pick for its soft and cozy material, high-quality construction, and affordable price tag....

Not all robes are created equal, and factors like material and fit will greatly affect the overall quality of your robe experience. For example, robes with fabrics that offer that irresistible plushness may not be the most absorbent. Longer robes will no doubt keep you extra toasty during the winter, but come summer may be too warm. We took into account all these factors and more when choosing the best robes for women....

Best Deal Overall: Apple AirPods (2nd Generation), $90 (was $159) Thanksgiving Must-Have: Hamilton Beach Electric Carving Knife, $18 (was $25) Editor-Loved: Olay Regenerist Retinol Night Cream Moisturizer, $30 with coupon (was $40) 50% Off: Sperry Women’s Saltwater Alpine Snow Boots, $50 (was $100) iRobot Roomba 694 Robot Vacuum Cleaner, $250 (was $274) National Tree Company Pre-Lit Artificial Christmas Tree Smart Home Bundle, $190 (was $220) Bissell 2998 MultiClean Allergen Lift-Off Pet Vacuum Cleaner, $150 (was $237) Kate Spade Carson Convertible Crossbody Handbag, $97 (was $113) Le Creuset Enameled Cast Iron Signature Oven, $200 (was $250) Lane Linen Organic Cotton Sheet Set (Queen), $36 (was $60)...

To find the best storage furniture, we spent hours researching the most popular options on the market. While narrowing down the list, we considered factors like versatility, durability, storage capacity, and price. We also spoke with Kevin Francis O’Gara, interior designer and owner of his eponymous design studio, for expert recommendations on choosing the best storage solution for your unique space. “When it comes to design projects, it’s rare for me not to recommend storage furniture,” says O’Gara....

To find the best outdoor mosquito repellent, we spent hours researching the various options on the market. While narrowing down the list, we considered factors like type, ingredients, longevity, and overall value. We also spoke with David Price, entomologist at Mosquito Joe, and Abigail Lehner, entomologist for Murphy’s Naturals, for their expert insight. Above all, one of the most important things to remember when repelling mosquitoes is that they breed in standing water....

How many times have you been asked do you want chocolate chips added to that? Whether it’s pancakes, waffles, or muffins – the answer is always yes. Add chocolate chips, chocolate chunks, or some other form of chocolate to everything! Always. There’s a reason chocolate chip cookies are so popular! The chocolate chips in these banana chocolate chip muffins is really what makes these better than all the other banana muffins out there....

Not every dinner in the summer is an elaborate backyard barbecue. Sometimes, you just need to get a meal on the table quickly. Turning the oven to 350 degrees every time you want to roast some chicken thighs or bake a piece of salmon isn’t feasible, especially when it’s even hotter and muggier inside than it is outside. After too many years of screaming “out of the kitchen!” in an overheated stupor to anyone who crossed my path, wiping beads of sweat with the back of my chicken-covered hand, I decided to switch up my summertime cooking strategy....

From how it works to how to incorporate it into your routine, read on for everything you need to know about this “holy grail” acid. What Is Glycolic Acid? Simply put, glycolic acid is a colorless, odorless, highly water-soluble molecule (or, more specifically, alpha-hydroxy acid) derived from sugarcane. “Of the alpha hydroxy acids, glycolic acid is the smallest molecule with the least complex chemical structure, which allows it to more easily penetrate the outer layers of the skin and get to work,” explains Jeffrey Fromowitz, M....

Indoor plants make for pretty, living décor options that grow and change, but they can also serve so many other purposes—and the latest batch of trending plants take functional to a whole new level. Some are just interesting to look at, with playful silhouettes and unexpected shapes, but others can offer a little help in the kitchen or help improve the smell of a room. Buying a new plant doesn’t mean the old ones have to go....

To buy: $36 with coupon(was $40); amazon.com. The three-tier cart is made of powder-coated steel frames with easy-to-clean mesh basket shelves. It has four 360-degree swivel wheels—two of which are lockable—and is safe to use on both hard-surfaced floors and carpets. For me, the cart was the perfect solution to hold my towels, hair tools, skincare, and makeup in one place without taking up too much space in my bathroom....

Droves of shoppers love Weiman’s stainless steel cleaning kit, specially designed for the common kitchen finish. The $17 trio cleans, brightens, and polishes surfaces, while also helping to maintain them. The set has earned nearly 7,000 five-star ratings from reviewers who rave about its effectiveness, calling it “nothing short of amazing.” To buy: $17; amazon.com. The three-piece bundle comes with a microfiber buffing cloth, a spray cleaner, and pre-soaked wipes that remove stains, breakdown grease, and polish and protect surfaces....