Posts

Related Video

As a rule of thumb, 401(k) distributions cannot start until you are 59 1/2 years old. “That’s the age when you can start taking the money out of retirement accounts without paying the additional 10 percent penalty,” says Shelly-Ann Eweka, director of financial planning strategy at TIAA. Retirement planning, then, has a lot to do with deciding which age to retire at and how to stretch your money between the various stages at which these funds become available: 401(k) distributions start at 59 1/2, but social security benefits won’t start until age 62....

How to Boil an Egg For such an easy cooking venture, there are way too many options and opinions out there on the best way to boil an egg. Keep it simple and follow this straightforward method whether you’re after a hard-boiled, medium, or soft-boiled egg. The technique I learned in culinary school, and have since stuck to and used in test kitchens, is cooking the eggs in boiling water. That means, bringing a pot of water to a boil on the stovetop, lowering the eggs very carefully into the boiling water, and starting the timer from that very moment....

How long does a turkey take to thaw? That depends on its size and thawing method. If it’s early in the week and there’s no rush, thaw your turkey in the refrigerator. One the other hand, if you need to defrost a fully frozen turkey fast, use the cold water method or a microwave. For a quick answer, use our simple chart chart to determine how long to thaw your turkey, even if you’re in a time crunch....

Installing an in-ground pool—the kind of permanent structure you can enjoy for years to come—can take months and cost tens of thousands of dollars. According to HomeAdvisor, the average in-ground pool cost is almost $50,000, and larger pools or pools with special features can have even higher price tags. As with any costly home upgrade, you’ll want to make sure adding a pool will pay you back in more than just summer memories....

“A dirty mattress can be a hub of bacteria, as mattresses can accumulate dust mites, bacteria, mold, dead skin, dirt, and different allergens over time,” notes Kathy Cohoon, a cleaning professional at Two Maids and a Mop. Michael Rubino, a cleaning expert and founder of HomeCleanse, adds that keeping your mattress clean not only improves your well-being and sleep quality, but it can even improve the lifespan of the mattress and promote better indoor air quality....

When crafted out of paper mache—the classic process of dipping newsprint into a glue-like mixture of flour and water—homemade pumpkins can be summoned from storage and used as decorations year after year. To set these handmade masterpieces apart from the common pumpkin-patch variety, we decoupaged ours with paper napkins in iconic patterns. (You can also use no-carve pumpkin ideas on your decorative pumpkins.) When topped off with a twisted craft paper stem and a couple of gilded crepe paper leaves, these paper pumpkins start to come alive....

Your meatball can get better, even if it’s already very good. And if you’re afraid to mess with a good thing, know that there are ways to upgrade meatballs without altering your recipe. On the other hand, other upgrades do probably require a change. These pointers fall into both groups, all of them roads to a better meatball. For meatball recipe inspiration, find our collection of delicious ideas here....

The COVID-19 pandemic heightened the gig economy, with freelance and gig marketplaces like Gigsmart and Upwork both reporting increases in their users. Some projections show freelance workers will account for half the U.S. workforce by 2023. In January of 2021, Statista published results from a survey conducted in 2018 showing 27 percent of full-time gig workers had no money saved for retirement. While the flexibility and autonomy of self-employment can be appealing to many, the lack of employer-sponsored 401Ks, fluctuating incomes, and insufficient financial guidance can make long-term financial planning difficult and daunting....

When it comes to the proper storage and disposal of sunscreen, you really don’t want to mess around—expired or spoiled sunscreen can cause major damage to your skin and, considering skin cancer is the most diagnosed form of cancer in the country, it’s important to use sunscreen responsibly. We tapped two experts for advice on how to properly store sunscreen for the season and dispose of expired products. Spoiler: The sunscreen in your bathroom drawer you bought five years ago probably won’t protect you this year....

The fact is, you can transform this space usually used to store cars and household items into a stylish, (semi) outdoor spot to hang out. Tavolino recommends using a Polyaspartic floor coating. The look is similar to epoxy but it has better abrasion, so you won’t see the tire skid marks. Plus, it can be installed in hot or cold weather. The best part? Liquids wipe up very easily, so you can get rid of any car fluids that leak out before your gathering, or soak up any beverages before you park your car....

How to Quick-Clean a Shower Curtain Liner with a Magic Eraser A couple of months ago, I was preparing for a surprise out-of-town guest (and putting these speed cleaning routines to good use), when it suddenly dawned on me that my shower was a disaster. For most last-minute cleanings, the shower is an easy fix: close the shower curtain and keep your fingers crossed that curious guests don’t take a peek inside....

While using all-purpose flour is convenient and economical, pizza purists (and this recipe) recommend using double-zero or Tipo 00 flour, “an Italian-made wheat flour that is intended for use in making traditional pizzas or pastas,” explains Ben, the founder of Na Pizza. “The term double zero specifies that this type of flour is the most refined, and the finest flour. This is because Italian flours are scaled from 2, 1, 0 and 00....

In rooms where a standard hinged door might take up too much space, sliding barn doors can make the most of the space available while introducing a splash of color or character. (And they’re so much more dignified than rickety accordion or bifold doors.) Think of them as built-in multitaskers—they can help a room feel more open (or separate) and introduce a new décor feature at the same time. Plus, they can go nearly anywhere: bathrooms, kitchens, closets, laundry rooms, bedrooms, and more....

One of the most impressive things about baking soda bread is the speed. Soda bread gets its name from baking soda, which, added in the right amount, creates levity without the use and wait of yeast. (Some recipes do call for yeast and/or kneading, but know that this isn’t required.) You don’t have to wait hours or overnight for a rise, either. In fact, you don’t even need to wait at all: dough for Irish soda bread can go right into the oven after making....

Of course, there is a slew of healthy grains to choose from, but rice is among the most readily available, particularly white and brown rice. Plus, rice comes in a variety of colors, textures, and sizes, each with a distinct flavor and health benefits. We asked experts to reveal which rice grains offer the healthiest benefits and give us the good, bad, and ugly of brown rice and white rice nutrition....

To boil down the nutrition facts on sushi—and whether or not it should be our go-to healthy date night dinner dish—we spoke with Rebekah Blakely, RDN, nutrition expert for The Vitamin Shoppe. Unsurprisingly, the answer isn’t quite black and white. Is Sushi Healthy? In short: Sushi can be good for you in moderation. Studies have shown that those who adhere to Japanese food guidelines have a 15% lower mortality rate....

When to seek medical attention So when does hair loss reach a point of concern? “A person will generally know how much hair they see fall out in their brush or in the shower on a daily basis,” says Gretchen Friese, certified trichologist for BosleyMD. “If you’re losing way more hair than usual or if the hair is coming out in clumps, that would be considered abnormal or excessive.” If you’ve been going through an unprecedented hair loss phase, you’re not alone....

What You’ll Need: Wood polish and conditioner (for furniture), such as Howard Feed-N-Wax Food-grade cutting board oil (for food surfaces), such as Howard Cutting Board Oil or Boos Block Mystery Oil Clean cloth Follow These Steps: First, make sure your cutting board is clean and thoroughly dry. Apply oil to the surface of the board, and use a clean cloth to distribute the oil evenly. Then, let the oil soak in for a few hours or up to overnight....

When it comes to non-toxic modern yet functional sustainable cookware, Caraway takes the cake. And right now, you can save $150 on Caraway’s Bakeware Set, scoring it for $395. If you’re considering adding the set to your cart, don’t hesitate; you’ll only be able to get this deal if you shop it before September 6. To buy: $395 (was $545); carawayhome.com. The 11-piece bakeware set includes a two 9-inch circle pans, a 9-inch square pan, a 9-by-13-inch rectangle pan, a 12-cup muffin pan, a 10-by-15-inch baking sheet, an 18-by-13-inch baking sheet, a 10-by-15-inch baking sheet, a 1-pound loaf pan, an 18-by-13-inch cooling rack, and two organizers to store it all....