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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

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

The Power of Simple Words The Power of Simple Words (image credits: unsplash) You’d be shocked how much a simple phrase from grandma can shape your entire worldview. The words our grandparents say might seem ordinary in the moment, but they stick with us forever like invisible tattoos on our hearts. Research tells us that …

Read More about 10 Remarks Grandparents Make That Leave Lifelong Memories