Home prices have risen so much during the past year that, in 2023, loan limits for all but two U.S. counties will be higher — and it will be possible to get a federally backed mortgage of more than $1 million in some areas. In the highest-cost areas of the country — which include, among … Read more

Tada Images / Shutterstock.com When it comes to holiday shopping, sometimes it’s easier to buy the presents that go under the tree rather than the ones that go into the stockings hung by the chimney with care. Finding items that are small, inexpensive and durable enough to spend the night crammed under other goodies can … Read more

Monkey Business Images / Shutterstock.com Editor’s Note: This story originally appeared on LawnStarter. Gutters are rarely a homeowner’s primary concern. In fact, you might not even notice if a house has them when evaluating a potential purchase. This makes you wonder whether gutters really are necessary for a house. Let’s take a closer look. What … Read more

The Social Security Administration has overhauled its website to make it more user-friendly. According to an announcement posted on the website: “Many of our most visited sections now use a more user-friendly and task-based approach. In the coming months we will continue to unveil new pages and improvements based on public feedback.” In a press … Read more

Roman Samborskyi / Shutterstock.com Today’s investors are frightened — and that anxiety is causing them to change their investing behavior. A startling 51% of investors who are not retired say they are “terrified” about their financial future, including the years of retirement, according to Nationwide Retirement Institute’s eighth annual Advisor Authority survey. Men are somewhat … Read more

Looking for another way to keep COVID-19 at bay this winter? Make sure to carefully wash produce and to thoroughly clean your hands after touching foods and food packaging. The coronavirus that causes COVID-19 can live on certain foods for up to one week, according to a recent study by the U.K. government’s Food Standards … Read more

goodluz / Shutterstock.com Editor’s Note: This story originally appeared on The Penny Hoarder. Good fences make good neighbors, they say. But fencing isn’t the only way to shield your outdoor space from peeping Toms and passers-by. You can create privacy in your yard on a budget — especially if you get creative. Fences are usually … Read more

High inflation has made this year a financial struggle for many, and if you’re not already carrying a balance on your credit cards, the desire to give loved ones (and maybe yourself) a happy holiday season is probably tempting. Combine that with rising interest rates, and you’re looking at starting 2023 already in the hole. … Read more

LightField Studios / Shutterstock.com California recently became the fifth U.S. state to legalize human composting as an alternative to traditional burials and cremation. While some of us have heard of the green burial movement that offers more environmentally friendly ways for conducting funerals and burials, not everyone is familiar with human composting (also called natural … Read more

Irina999petrova / Shutterstock.com Editor’s Note: This story originally appeared on Smartest Dollar. The COVID-19 pandemic brought a number of abrupt changes to the U.S. economy, but some of the most lasting impacts could be in the future of work. From the rise of hybrid and remote work to the Great Resignation and “quiet quitting,” workers … Read more