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So, while you can’t control natural gas prices, you can improve the way your home maintains heat and how you use it. We spoke to home and energy pros for their expert tips—from bigger investments to simple swaps—for saving on the ever-dreaded mid-winter heating bill. 1. Service your appliances. Sometimes you have to spend to save. At least, that can be the case when trying to lower your heating bill....

Even though today’s the last day to score big during the Prime Early Access Sale, there is so much in store, so you’ll need to start shopping before the deals end by 11:59 p.m. PT tonight. Sure, the 48-hour sale is exclusive to Prime members, truly anyone can shop and save. The benefit of signing up for a Prime membership? You’ll gain access to select unique sales, Prime Video, and of course, that coveted free two-day shipping....

There are lots of different approaches to decorating the Christmas tree. Alternative Christmas trees are increasingly popular, and people have their pick of a live Christmas tree, an artificial one, or a colored one—even upside-down Christmas trees have become popular for people with smaller spaces (or kids and pets who mess with their Christmas tree). Whatever your personal style, your holiday personality, your budget, and your space constraints, we have some great holiday decorating ideas for you....

Books are some of the best Christmas gifts around, but spending time reading together is its own gift. If you’re looking for a great Christmas book to read with children, look no further than our list of timeless Christmas books. Some of these books are true classics (and the sources of more than a few Christmas quotes), while others are more contemporary stories about Christmas, winter, and the holidays that little ones are sure to love....

The entire holiday season is filled with opportunities for creative gift exchanges, from your tried-and-true office Secret Santa to that boozy bash with good friends where no one can remember the White Elephant rules. (Get those White Elephant gift ideas ready now.) With the following gift exchange ideas and tips, gift giving will feel joyful again. Let our team of elves—including holiday party planners, etiquette experts, and Real Simple readers—enlighten you with innovative strategies to make any party or early-morning frenzy more memorable....

Below are some guidelines for picking out the most productive WFH spot, lighting it properly, and finding a desk and chair combo that will keep you comfortable. Keep these four tips—and two common mistakes—in mind to build a better workspace. If you have kids at home, depending upon their ages and the level of supervision they need, you may have to coordinate your workspace so you can keep an eye on them....

Sure, you can always gift experiences, like tickets to a show or a cooking class, but if you want a more tangible, environmentally-friendly gift idea, here are a few eco-friendly gift ideas to get you started. Price at time of publish: $175 Price at time of publish: $40 Bonus: Each board is a unique work of art, as no two have the same configuration of caps. Price at time of publish: $249 Price at time of publish: $145 Price at time of publish: $85 Price at time of publish: $95 Price at time of publish: $13 Price at time of publish: $19 Price at time of publish: $92 Price at time of publish: $83 Price at time of publish: $100 Price at time of publish: $499 Price at time of publish: $195 Price at time of publish: $45 They’re also sweat- and splash-proof, and sound great, too....

Ever wondered what A-list chefs like Giada De Laurentiis or Anne Burrell pick up for everyday snacking, meal prep, and feeding last-minute guests? We chatted with a few famous chefs at the 2020 South Beach Wine and Food Festival in Miami, Florida. They shared which items they always reach for along the aisles of their local supermarkets. Some of them are tiny, others are indulgent, and some are just plain necessary....

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My first lesson of college that year? Consult a pro when selecting complicated paint colors. To avoid future regrets, we asked some paint experts for their most popular, versatile yellow paint picks. Rest assured, these are shades of yellow you’ll want to live with for years to come. What makes this shade of yellow unique? It contains just the barest hint of green. “Slightly sunny, yet perfectly subdued, Good as Gold is a mellow mustard hue that’s absolutely perfect....

If your to-do list is anything like ours (i.e., already miles long), you probably don’t have time to replace your entire lawn with low-water plant options. But there are some super-easy tweaks you can make to do your part in solving this national problem. The sooner you take note of what you might be guilty of (we all are, don’t panic), the sooner you can alter your habits and start reducing your water footprint....

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Copy supervisor at the advertising agency in New York CityFreelance writer with a focus on lifestyle, fashion, beauty, technology, home, cooking, and gardening topicsWork has appeared in Real Simple, Well+Good, Travel+Leisure, Better Homes and Gardens, and Food & Wine magazine Throughout her years working as a full-time copywriter, Ariel has also been a freelance writer for several DotDash Meredith properties. Her experience and interests include lifestyle, home and garden, cooking, humor, and pop culture....

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One of our favorite kinds is Ben & Jerry’s Cookie Dough Chunks, which is available in three flavors: Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough, Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough, and Vegan Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough. The most obvious way to eat this dreamy creamy snack is by inhaling as-is, and we’re in full support of that exploit. But in recent months the company started combining its dough chunks with candy and calling it Cookie Dough Mixes....

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To begin, tequila is produced from the fermented sap of blue agave plants grown in one of five Mexican states: Guanajuato, Jalisco, Michoacan, Mayarit, and Tamaulipas. It comes in a range of categories, including Blanco tequila, Reposado tequila, and Añejo tequila. As a rule of thumb, look for tequila bottles labeled “100% Blue Agave.” With that certification, you’ll be sure the tequila was distilled entirely from the plant and not mixed with other ingredients, like sugarcane....

While this may contradict the standard home-selling best practices you’ve heard, many seasoned investors say there are a variety of instances where a real estate agent isn’t really necessary to sell your home. Surprisingly, even some agents themselves waive off certain kinds of transactions if it makes more sense for the seller to do it themselves. However, these specific scenarios will depend on who you are, who you’re trying to sell to, and, of course, the home you’re selling....