Home & Garden

Refinancing my mortgage recently was definitely the right move for me, but it may not be for you! In this article, you will find out: 1) Is it a good time to refinance your home now — see when it makes sense and when it doesn’t. 2) How to refinance your home — details about each of the steps to refinance a home. 3) How much it costs to refinance a home mortgage — and how to lower those costs. 4) What is required to qualify for a home refinance. 5) How long it takes to do a home refinance these days.

Here are 5 home recipes to make your own natural fabric softener, plus 3 great tips for removing static cling in the dryer, and 4 ways to remove static cling on clothes as you’re wearing them!

My Idea Notebook goes everywhere that I go! It usually stays in the car, but I always have it handy should I need a measurement, a color, or a description for someone who’s helping us make this home a reality — such as a bank lender, blueprint designer, or cabinet installer. Or, if my friends & relatives have a question or make a suggestion on the fly, then I just grab the Idea Notebook and add it to my collection of great ideas.

DIY Dog Stair Treads – Suddenly our dog started refusing to walk down stairs in our home. (Hardwood, not carpeted.) See my cheap DIY stair treads solution. It has worked for us for 10 years now… and counting!

Doorless shower ideas for people who hate to clean glass shower doors! Yep, our master bathroom has a doorless walk-in shower. See why we decided to jump on this new idea in bathroom design. Plus LOTS of doorless shower designs — to help you plan and design the walk-in shower of your dreams!

I’ve researched the cities (and states) which appear on 5 popular lists of dog friendly cities. There are 27 cities in 20 different states represented. I’m going to summarize the findings for you — to help you decide if you might want to move to one of these cities or travel there with your dog!

Have a senior dog? Here are the most common health problems in older dogs that you need to be aware of. How to prepare for your senior dog’s final years healthwise.

If you don’t already have a product to clean tarnished silver, or you’re just looking for a simple (and cheap) way to polish your silver… try chalk! See how well it works here.

My dog is great at bringing me the TV remote control. Any time I can’t find it, he will go on a hunt and gently bring it to me! Here’s how to teach your dog to bring something to you… on command.

Is Littermate Syndrome real? YES! Most experts strongly advise against raising sibling puppies — because they may become difficult to handle as they mature due to Littermate Syndrome. What Is Littermate Syndrome? Littermate Syndrome (sometimes called Sibling Puppy Syndrome) refers to issues that are more likely to arise when puppies from the same litter (or […]

Love sleeping with a down comforter, but hate washing and changing the duvet cover? (Me too.) I recently found a quick way to make your bed AND have fresh bedding as often as you like! Try these hotel bed making secrets for a faster, more luxurious way to make the bed without the need for a duvet cover. Turns out the best way to make a bed is to do triple sheeting! Here’s how…

I found the most modern night lights ever! You can replace a regular wall outlet cover with an LED night light outlet cover… using just a screwdriver. I did! No more plug-in night lights — so all my outlets are still free for other things! Here are 3 things to know before you get an outlet cover night light.

If you can’t read small print up close and need a quick (and FREE) DIY hack when you’re at home, read this! This easy hack works every time. (I use it when I’m reading instruction manuals, recipes, the mail, and dosage instructions on prescription bottles.) I’ve also found a great magnifier for reading small print and tackling other household projects (like removing splinters and ticks, fixing jewelry, etc.) See the 7 reasons I think it’s the best magnifying glass for reading small print.

How well you prepare and pack your computer BEFORE moving will impact your productivity AFTER moving — especially if you use your computer to earn money and/or organize your life. Here are 9 steps you should take when packing a computer so it won’t get damaged during the move, AND you won’t be left without a computer or important files, AND you will be able to quickly reconnect your computer correctly at its new location! Plus tips for packing other electronics — like printers, scanners/copiers, TVs, stereos, iPads, tablets, cameras, digital photo frames, stereo systems, DVD players, kitchen appliances, etc.

See how well Roombas and other robot vacuum cleaners work on stairs, hardwood floors, with rugs and other obscacles. I like iLife robot vacuums because they’re more affordable. (Actually, I have two — one upstairs and one downstairs!) These photos and videos tell the whole story about the iRobot Roomba and other popular robot vacuum cleaners — HOW they work, how WELL they work, which are the BEST ones, and how to CLEAN them. My personal experience with robot vacuum cleaners and pets.

If you’ve ever wondered how in the world you’re going to brush your dog’s teeth yourself, I’ve got SO MANY helpful tips that will make it incredibly easy for you to do! See exactly how to clean your dog’s teeth. Handy gadgets that make the process MUCH easier. The difference between plaque and tartar – how to tell which one your dog has (and which one is the most harmful). Plus some scary facts that will become your reality if you DON’T start brushing your dog’s teeth. 80% of dogs have dental disease by age 3 – so it’s crucial that you start now!

If your dog still pees or poops in the house, read this! Top 7 reasons dogs have accidents & best the DIY remedy for each. Top 5 dog potty training gadgets… that work! And our best tips for potty training puppies and adult dogs.

Here’s proof that a basic dog collar (and even your dog’s ID tags) can be dangerous, causing your dog to get entangled — even strangled! It happened to me twice with 2 different types of dog collars. See which types of collars they were — and which types of dog collars are safe to use.

Wish your George Foreman grill wasn’t such a chore to clean? Want to see how to clean a George Foreman grill with very little effort? Here are 3 tricks that make cleaning George Foreman grills super easy. (The aluminum foil idea is the best!)

I have finally discovered the correct way to hang the toilet paper roll! RIGHT: rolling down from the top. WRONG: rolling down from the bottom. It was always intended to be this way, according to the original patent for the toilet paper roll.

Is your dog nervous in public places? Does he always have his eye on strangers and watch their every move? A dog trainer shares 2 important ways to make your fearful dog more comfortable around strangers. Is your dog even afraid to play? Here’s how to help a scared dog build confidence in themselves and become less fearful.

Good apartment dogs come in all shapes and sizes — your best choice will be one with an energy level that matches your lifestyle! See a list of the best dog breeds for apartments. Plus, important things you need to know before adopting a dog that will live in an apartment. Finally, see how to find dog friendly apartments nearby. And tips for getting apartments that allow dogs to accept YOUR dog!

We received the most wonderful housewarming gift for our new home: the Ring Video Doorbell. See what I like best about the Ring WiFi Doorbell in my Ring Video Doorbell review…

Green (eco-friendly) moving tips to help you save money while being environmentally friendly at the same time. Some of the ideas include: find a moving company with sustainable business practices, reuse green moving and packing supplies, and don’t move every single item from your old house to your new house!

These are actual tax deductions, as quoted by people ‘in the know’ who share their advice about tax write-offs, as they relate to dogs. (Including dog foster parents, dog breeders, guard dog owners, Instagram influencers, and more!) Most of us cannot deduct our dogs or any expenses associated with them on our IRS tax returns. But that doesn’t stop people from trying! Lots of funny dog write-off stories here, too.

Buying a house for the first time? These are the most important things that a first time home buyer needs to be aware of BEFORE beginning the process of buying your first home. 8 important Do’s and Don’ts you need to know!

I used to work at a vet. Here’s my secret to having a quick (yet thorough) vet appointment! Plus a few other ways I’ve found to speed up vet visits.

Can dogs be traumatized by fireworks? YES! If your dog becomes traumatized after fireworks, read these helpful tips. A dog’s hearing is 10 times more sensitive than a human’s, so the fireworks are likely to cause your dog some anxiety, stress, and fear. Here are 11 things you can do in the hours leading up to the fireworks to keep your dog from stressing out. Plus, 7 things you should do during the fireworks if you notice your dog becoming overly stressed by the loud noises and bright lights.

At some point, your dog will need a professional teeth cleaning from a veterinarian. This article will answer all of your questions! See how much it costs, signs that a dog dental cleaning is necessary, and what you can expect before, during, and after the dog teeth cleaning procedure.

I know how challenging raising two dogs together can be — especially when one is jealous or aggressive. It’s downright scary at times! See how we dealt with many long months of sibling rivalry of the worst kind in our home, what dog jealousy and aggression look like (photos and videos), and how I managed to stop dog on dog jealousy with my dogs.

Whether it be because of employment circumstances, moving, or another personal situation, living in extended stay motels could be the affordable housing solution you’re looking for! Cheap extended stay hotels can be comfortable and practical — for yourself or your entire family — as temporary housing for a few months. Here’s what it’s like living in a motel, how much it costs, and how to find monthly hotel rentals that meet your needs best.

See why I think Google Docs is the perfect recipe organizer. Not many people use Google Docs for organizing recipes, but it serves my purpose well. I can save everything from the recipe in just ONE click (recipe title, ingredients, cooking directions, nutrition info, photos, notes, comments). Turns out, Google Docs is a fairly sophisticated way to organize recipes… and it’s FREE!

How many of the following tricks can your dog do? Does your dog perform any cool tricks that aren’t on this list? I honestly can’t imagine many more dog tricks that could possibly have been left of this list! These are the best dog tricks… ever!

When I’m stuck at home and experiencing cabin fever for whatever reason AND my dogs are there with me, I find myself searching for ways to do these 2 things: save money and get organized! Specifically, I’m always on the hunt to find new ways to save money on stuff for the dog (dog treats, dog food, dog toys, dog beds, dog grooming items, etc). And I’m also looking for clever ways to re-organize all of the dog’s gear and supplies (like I way I organized all of the dog treats and dog food in our house). Today I’m going to share with you some fun ways to do BOTH of those things while spending good quality time with your dog at the same time!

Some say that the best dog toy in the world is a tennis ball. Others think Kong toys are best. I have a hard time arguing against either of those, but in our house of many dogs, the best balls for dogs are clearly Splash Bombs! Followed by Zogoflex durable dog balls, Kong LARGE tennis balls, the Wicked Ball, and the Omega Tricky Treat Ball. See why these are our top 5 picks for best dog balls!

Want to dye your dog’s fur a different color? The safest dog hair dye is food coloring (juice from colorful foods or organic food coloring). Here’s how to dye dog hair yourself at home — without making your pet uncomfortable… or sick!

Here is the best list of foods you should AVOID giving to your dog (human foods that are poisonous or toxic to dogs) + Foods that you CAN give to your dog (human food safe for dogs) — according to pet experts. Plus, what you should know if you decide to offer table scraps and other people foods to your dog at some point.

Doorstops are easy to make! See 10 of my own makeshift door stoppers using everyday household items, 7 DIY door stop tutorials from other clever people, and 16 of the most unique door stops on Amazon.

Are you trying to compare Home Depot Tuff Sheds vs. Heartland Sheds from Lowes? I did all the research so you don’t have to! Before I bought my wood Tuff Shed, I thoroughly explored all the options regarding Home Depot sheds and Lowes sheds. In this article, I answer the following questions: How much does a Tuff Shed cost? Do you need a permit to put up a Tuff Shed? What are the similarities and differences between the Home Depot Tuff Shed vs. Heartland Shed from Lowes? Are Tuff Sheds good and would you buy one again? What is the Tuff Shed installation process like? Why is a wood shed better than a metal shed or plastic shed?

Wondering what to stuff inside of your dog’s Kong toy? Here’s a list of the best Kong recipes that have worked well for lots of dog owners. These dog recipes make delicious treats that you can stuff inside a Kong toy!

One way to save money on your wedding invitations is to make them yourself. This can be a very fun project — especially if you’re creative. Today, it’s easier than ever to make your own wedding invitations. Here are some ideas to get you started…

Wondering how to get help with vet bills for your pet, and don’t know where to start? The Brown Dog Foundation helps dog owners who are facing expensive vet bills in order to save their dog’s life. As long as you are willing and able to pay a portion of the veterinarian’s cost to save your dog’s life, the Brown Dog Foundation will help pay the rest! If you don’t live in Tennessee, see our extensive list of other organizations that help pay vet bills by state.

Dealing with a bad case of dog diarrhea? I used to work at a vet. While there, I learned a few home remedies for dog diarrhea. Diarrhea in dogs can be serious. See which dog diarrhea treatment works best for my dog, and when you should see a vet for doggie diarrhea. Vet-approved dog diarrhea home remedies… that work!