HOW TO GIVE YOUR HOME MORE CHARACTER When you look around your home and then compare it to a design magazine, you may be wondering what exactly is that unique element that makes the rooms on those pages look so appealing. The answer? Character. Homes whose design have character built in seem so natu

HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF FROM 4 HEALTH CONCERNS DURING TRAVEL It’s the night before that long- awaited vacation you’ve been planning. You’ve tripled-checked your suitcase, checked into your flight and have notified the bank of your travel plans. Everything is ready to go, but even the most experience

INSPIRATION FOR TODAY: “The tragedy of life is not so much what men suffer, but rather what they miss.” ~ Thomas Carlyle TAKE A SIESTA! When setting goals and planning our future, we sometimes fail to look far enough ahead. Consider the following story: An American investment banker was at the pier

DOES A ‘BUYER’S MARKET’ MEAN WE SHOULD WAIT TO SELL? Q: Dear Jay, My wife and I live in what is often called (and continues to be) “a nice neighborhood with good schools.” Despite having accumulated 30 years of happy memories, we’re not attached to staying in this particular piece of real estate unt

KIDS AND MONEY: WEDDING SEASON MEANS IT’S TIME TO HAVE A MONEY TALK If wedding bells are about to be chiming, your child and future spouse have probably heard by now of the need to have a heart-to-heart talk about money and managing finances. But here comes the hard part for many couples. How do you

Surprising Labor Day Facts Labor Day is one of the least recognized, forgotten-about-until-around-the-corner holidays of the year—one that we seem to appreciate only after realizing it gives us a three-day weekend. Here are some surprising facts you may not know about Labor Day! THE FIRST LABOR DAY

IS THERE A RECESSION COMING? WHAT WILL THE HOUSING MARKET LOOK LIKE? by Jay Patel The U.S. is on the brink of recession at just about any moment. However, the economy has remained steady over the last few years. The Great Recession began in December 2007 and ended in June 2009, but many Americans ar

Wolfgang Puck’s Cheeseburger Pizza Recipe INGREDIENTS FOR THE PIZZA DOUGH: • 1 package active dry yeast • 1 teaspoon honey • 1 cup warm water, 105 F • 3 cups all-purpose flour • 1 teaspoon kosher salt • 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil FOR THE PIZZA: • 4 6-ounce balls Wolfgang’s Pizza Dough or 4

INSPIRATION FOR TODAY: “Time is clay. Make something.” ~ Unknown TIME’S A’WASTING! To paraphrase a favorite tune, “If I could save time in a bottle…” I could have saved literally millions of minutes so far. Of course most of us think in terms of a 24-hour clock that gives us another chance to save e

THE NEW ANGELS HAVE LANDED… ALL SIX OF THEM Sony Pictures Entertainment recently debuted the trailer for the upcoming “Charlie’s Angels” reboot, directed, co-written and produced by Elizabeth Banks. The wig- and action-packed teaser introduces stars Kristen Stewart, Ella Balinska and Naomi Scott as

EASY DIY PROJECTS TO REFRESH YOUR HOME DECOR When you look at your favorite interior spaces, are you craving a refresh? If your home decor is dated, drab or you’re just bored with it, an update is in order. Fortunately, you don’t need to hire an expensive interior designer or completely redo rooms.

INSPIRATION FOR TODAY: “The children are watching us.” ~ Italian film title (Vittorio De Sica, director) BACK TO SCHOOL! Turns out the children are listening, too. The question is, what are they learning and what are we teaching? No matter whom we interact with, we should all take some time to refle

HOW TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT WASHER FOR YOUR LAUNDRY ROOM Some people love laundry, while others dread it and put it off until the last possible moment. But no matter whether you love the joy of sorting, folding and stain-treating or not, laundry simply has to be done. One way to get those clothes clean

BOOTH DINING AT HOME Going out to eat is always a treat. And the tables most often requested? Booths. Booths and banquettes are often favored for their intimacy. In addition to the cozy charm, a booth is also simply comfortable. Surrounded by the cushy padding, the booth seems secluded and gives off

INSPIRATION FOR TODAY: “I always wanted to be somebody. Now I realize I should have been more specific.” ~ Lily Tomlin (from her “One Woman Show”) AGE DOESN’T MATTER! Whether you’re 23, 43 or 73, ask yourself this wonderfully refreshing question: “What do I want to be when I grow up?” Regardless of

6 MUST-DOS FOR MARATHON TRAINING Whether it’s your first marathon or you’re an experienced runner, you probably know there’s much more to it than just the cardio. Your entire lifestyle must adjust to support your training. How you train, and what you eat and drink, all counts when you’re preparing f

What’s Your Home Worth? Q: Dear Jay, I’ve decided to sell my home and upgrade outside of my metro-area. The thought of listing makes me ask the question—what is my home worth? Over the past few years I’ve upgraded the appliances, re-modeled various rooms and landscaped, so I believe my home is worth

INSPIRATION FOR TODAY: “The key is to keep company only with people who uplift you, whose presence calls forth your best.” ~ Epictetus GIVE YOURSELF A LIFT! Have you ever aspired to be deeply depressed? On your list of major life’s achievements, have you included becoming an itinerant ne’er-do-well?

WE BREAK DOWN VANGUARD’S ‘HOW AMERICA SAVES’ 2019 REPORT Want some highlights of how Americans save for retirement? We read Vanguard’s latest “How America Saves” 2019 report issued on Tuesday for trends and other takeaways. Here are some key highlights from Vanguard’s report on the popular workplace

VALLEY’S NEW HOME MARKET SEES DEMAND SURGE © Phoenix Business Journal. Used with permission. After eight months of lower activity, homebuilders have seen a rebound around the Phoenix region with a major uptick in sales — especially in the West Valley. From mid-May through mid-June, new home sales sh