Smart Living
Get practical advice and inspiration on organizing, home décor, lifestyle and personal finance for everyday living.
Feeling Overwhelmed By Clutter? How To Start Decluttering In 10 Easy Steps
Sometimes, our home can present itself to us like an immense accumulation of commodities. If that resonates with you, know you’re not alone: clutter is taking over the nation’s homes right now(opens in new tab), and a recent study shows that 44% of Americans feel overwhelmed by clutter(opens in new tab). The good news is that decluttering gets easier the moment you start, and it comes with mental health benefits galore(opens in new tab), beyond the obvious practical upsides. Here’s our plan on how to start decluttering when overwhelmed, based on the advice of mental health and home organization experts. Word to the wise: a cluttered place contains the seeds of its own decluttering.
Why Preserving Physical Media Game Libraries Beats Digital Clouds
Things used to be simple. Straightforward. You waited in line at your favorite store for the latest Silent Hill release, excitement building with every passing minute. You went in, bought the game, and rushed home to immerse yourself in it and explore this new world. You paid for it. You owned it.
Smart Storage Unit Deals: How To Pay Less For Self Storage
Storage units solve practical problems during moves, remodels, and downsizing, but prices vary widely. To find the best deals on self storage, you need smart comparisons and clear planning. These tips for saving money on storage units help you treat storage as a short-term tool rather than a set-and-forget expense, so you keep more money in your pocket.
Decluttering Tips For Seniors: Small Changes That Make A Big Difference
Decluttering later in life tends to work best when three things take center stage: making the home safer, respecting the memories attached to what’s inside it, and keeping daily routines simple and manageable. A home should feel comfortable to move through and peaceful to live in, while still leaving room for the stories and history behind the things that remain. These decluttering tips for seniors focus on practical, doable steps that fit everyday life, without rushing or pressure.
Where To Donate Books In LA
Los Angeles stretches wide, with long drives between work, home and everyone else. In a city built on distance, donated books have a way of passing from one stranger to another without traffic or small talk. If you move, downsize or just want your books to matter again, donating keeps this community of strangers growing. So, let’s take a look at the nine best places to donate books in Los Angeles, from historic public libraries to committed nonprofits.
10 Best Places To Donate Books In NYC
Book donations make the world less lonely. Why? Well, a donated book is a link between two strangers who give their time to a third stranger: the author. Maybe that’s why New York City, whose huge population is bound to come with “strangers,” also ranks as the second-best city for book lovers in the U.S. If you’re moving, decluttering, or just want to share some joy and knowledge, this is a great way to spread the magic. Here are the 10 best places to donate books in NYC, based on our research.
The “Yes Home”: Babyproofing Your House So Your Child Can Explore Freely
Most parents begin the babyproofing journey with the same question: How do I babyproof my home to keep my baby safe without constantly saying no? As parents, we don’t want to discourage their natural curiosity , their drive to explore and to learn from their environment. However, at the same time, we do need to keep them safe. Traditional advice focuses heavily on restrictions like child locks, barriers, and endless reminders. Necessary, yes, but not the whole story.
Pantry Organization Ideas: How to Organize Your Kitchen Pantry To Make Cooking Easier
Pantries have a way of becoming chaotic – it might be that we tend to cram in there all of the things we don’t want to see around the kitchen, or we bulk buy all sorts of ingredients than promptly forget about them. So, if your pantry is overflowing with half-empty cereal boxes, dusty cans of soup, and mystery bags of flour, you’re certainly not alone.
Car-Optional: Minneapolis And Miami Top The Best Walk & Ride Cities As U.S. Urban Living Gets Reimagined
Today, the most valuable commodity is time, and many U.S. cities are striving to deliver. After decades when sprawling suburbs reigned supreme and downtowns were seen mainly as business districts or tourist stops, urban life is being redefined. Increasingly, convenience means proximity – being close to the essentials that make daily life livable – without relying on a car.
How Much To Tip Your Movers: A Friendly Guide To Moving-Day Etiquette
Tipping etiquette can be confusing in almost any industry, but figuring out how much to tip your movers can somehow leave you feeling even more stumped. Unlike a quick restaurant meal or salon visit, moving involves hours of heavy lifting and, most important of all, trust. After all, these professionals are handling your most valued belongings — moving not just furniture and boxes, but the familiar pieces of your life that make a house feel like home again. And while people often say you can’t put a price on that kind of care, when it comes to tipping, it turns out you actually can.
How to Host Thanksgiving For Busy Professionals: Decorating, Cooking and Celebrating
Busy workweek? No problem. Hosting Thanksgiving doesn’t require taking days off or compromising your professional commitments. With the right strategy, you can balance career demands while creating a warm, elegant holiday experience.
Alternative Housing In The U.S.: 15 Options For Modern Needs
Home prices are rising. Apartment sizes are shrinking. Combine a tight housing market with a fluctuating economy and the demands of modern lifestyles, and it’s no surprise that people are starting to think outside the classic single-family box. After all, necessity is the mother of invention — so why shouldn’t housing needs inspire the invention of alternative homes?