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Melissa Porter

Planning Retirement As A Couple Planning Retirement As A Couple (image credits: unsplash) Many couples plan on combining their Social Security benefits to create a steady income stream. But unexpected events, such as the loss of a spouse, can disrupt those plans. The Dilemma Of When To Claim Benefits The Dilemma Of When To Claim …

Read More about I Should Have Claimed Social Security At 62 – Here’s Why

Understanding the Historic End of Penny Production Understanding the Historic End of Penny Production (image credits: unsplash) There have been ongoing discussions about potentially ending penny production, though no official announcement has been made, marking the end of an era that began in 1792. Production costs continue to exceed the coin’s value, leading to periodic …

Read More about What You Should Do With Your Pennies As Minting Comes To An End

The Rats Always Win in the End The Rats Always Win in the End (image credits: unsplash) Let’s start with the most shocking truth about composting: pests, including rats, were the third most common obstacle to home composting according to a study conducted in central New York by Cornell Cooperative Extension’s Compost Education Program. I …

Read More about Why I Quit Composting – Pests, Odors, and Mess Made Me Stop

Old Paint Cans That Freeze and Thaw Old Paint Cans That Freeze and Thaw (image credits: pixabay) Most homeowners don’t realize that storing paint in the garage is generally not a good idea, especially if you live in a location with extreme weather conditions. When paint goes through repeated cycles of freezing and thawing, it …

Read More about 10 Items Experts Say to Discard From Garages – Old Paint, Chemicals, and Broken Tools

Expired Cosmetics and Toiletries Expired Cosmetics and Toiletries (image credits: unsplash) This is probably the most shocking discovery waiting in your bathroom cabinets right now. It’s recommended you replace cosmetics according to their specific shelf lives (mascara after 3-6 months, lipstick after 1-2 years), though most of us aren’t doing that. By August, we usually …

Read More about 10 Household Items Professional Organizers Suggest Letting Go Of for Clarity

The Unexpected Return of Clean Lines and Tapered Legs The Unexpected Return of Clean Lines and Tapered Legs (image credits: unsplash) Something remarkable is happening in America’s living rooms right now, and it’s catching even the most seasoned interior designers off guard. In the past year, about half of my virtual interior design projects have …

Read More about How Mid-Century Furniture Pieces Are Gaining Popularity Again