Many Americans dont realize how much water their family uses in a typical day or how much of that water is wasted. Conserving water can help to protect the environment and lower your bills. How to Save Water in the House If you typically leave the water running while you wash dishes, brush your teeth or shave, that can waste hundreds of gallons each month. Work on breaking the habit to reduce your water bills. A plumbing leak may not seem like a big deal, but even a small one can waste hundreds of gallons of water per month. Have a plumber check your sinks, toilets and appliances for leaks an ..read more

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), handwashing is one of the best ways to protect yourself and your family from getting sick, especially during cold and flu season. However, many people might not know when and how to properly wash their hands for the most effective results. To help you stay healthy, the CDC offers the following information: When to Wash Its important to wash your hands often, especially during these key times when youre likely to get and spread germs: Before, during, and after preparing food Before eating food Before and after caring for someo ..read more

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As for home appliances, your dishwasher is one of the most hard working and utilized. When the cycle is finished, its nice to see your dishes, glasses and silverware sparkling clean. But in some cases, when the time comes to empty, residue is stuck and youre left wondering how a plate, glass or pan is still dirty after an entire wash cycle. This can happen simply because the dishes weren’t properly loaded. Here, youll find a guide to loading your dishwasher the right way to ensure the best clean. Top Rack Designed for your smaller items, the top rack is perfect for glasses and cups, bowls and ..read more

Keeping track of every single dollar you spend can be difficult, no matter how closely you track your spending and monitor your bank accounts. Automatic payments from your checking account to pay for a gym membership, for example, can be forgotten and leave a checkbook unbalanced. But besides accounting for where your money goes, there are some invisible money leaks that you may not be paying attention to that can add up to wasted money. Here are four: Unused memberships and subscriptions A gym membership is a common example of an automatic payment that gets forgotten and is rarely used. But ..read more

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There is perhaps nothing more synonymous with luxury than a penthouse apartment. Here are a few advantages you can expect by living in the height of luxury! Extra Spacious The penthouse is almost always the largest residence in the building. Rooftop Terrace Penthouse residences usually boast a private rooftop terrace that you can escape to high above the city. Far-Ranging Views If youre looking for a dwelling that captures breathtaking views of the cityscape, this is where you want to be. Extra Natural Light Often designed with taller ceilings and bigger windows, penthouses let in an abundanc ..read more

If you submitted a claim to your homeowners insurance company and received a payment, the company most likely sent you a letter stating that your claim was closed. That doesnt necessarily mean that the issue has been completely settled, however. The insurer might reopen your claim, even if it has already sent you a payment, if you present evidence that the company didnt adequately compensate you for your losses or introduce new information that wasnt available when you initially submitted your claim. How to Get Your Insurance Company to Reconsider Your Claim If your claim is complex, consider ..read more

Here are five defining features of the increasingly popular style of mountain-modern architecture. Dramatic Lines Dramatic rooflines inspired by the scenery set the stage before youre even inside. Locally-Sourced Materials Living in the mountains usually means having access to an abundance of wood and natural stone from the area. Open Floorplans Mountain-modern residences are well-suited to contemporary living with open floorplans that flow freely from room to room. Abundance of Glass Large walls of glass are a common characteristic for the architectural style, bringing the mesmerizing vistas ..read more

Americans need to have more than $1 million saved in order to retire comfortably at age 65, according to many estimates. Thats a lot of money. It also underscores the need for people to begin planning for retirement as early as possible in their careers. If youve put off saving for your golden years, though, the good news is that its still possible for late starters to build a comfortable retirement fund. American Consumer Credit Counseling, a national nonprofit, offers the following six tips for consumers who are late to the game: 1. Have a realistic target. One of the reasons consumers are ..read more