As many of us look for practical ways to cut monthly expenses, it’s easy to overlook a simple and effective strategy: just ask. Recently, by making a few phone calls about our three largest monthly bills—internet/cable/phone, car insurance, and cell service—my wife Sherry and I reduced our annual outlay by $590. Below I’ll explain what … Read more

***This giveaway has reached its cap and is now closed – see who won below!*** You all absolutely shut this giveaway down with 10,000 entries in less than a day — incredible! We’ve already selected our random winner: Rhonda, who joked she might ask for a juicer to accompany her Christmas blender. Congratulations, Rhonda! Tomorrow … Read more

Last year Thanksgiving rushed past so quickly we barely had time for seasonal decorating (aside from one post with a bit of inspiration). This year we were determined to add some autumn touches, so yesterday we refreshed our living room console to feel more fall-friendly and welcoming. We swapped the spooky Halloween display for a … Read more

This being our second time through the newborn phase, we feel a bit more experienced and ready to make smarter choices. We can repeat what worked well with Clara and tweak the things that didn’t, while also trying a few new ideas. Every child is different, so what helped with our first may not apply … Read more

It’s Wednesday the 2nd, which means it’s time for this season’s unofficial Pinterest Challenge — a little creative push dreamed up by Katie to turn inspiration into action. I decided to get a jump start on holiday decor and focused on ornaments. Even though Thanksgiving hasn’t arrived yet, making these felt surprisingly convenient and festive. … Read more

BEHOLD! The refreshed middle bedroom at the beach house is finished, and I’m still delighted by how the board & batten pairs with the peel-and-stick wallpaper, especially next to the original heart pine floors and doors. Those floors are about 115 years old, and while the wallpaper photographs brighter than it looks in person, it … Read more

Painting your cabinets is one of the most effective and affordable ways to refresh a dated kitchen without committing to a full renovation. With reasonable supplies and careful preparation, a DIY cabinet paint job can look professional and last for years. The method described here was used to update cabinets in several kitchens, so it’s … Read more

Go navy! Don’t worry — that’s not me picking a side in the long-standing Army vs. Navy rivalry. I’m neutral on the rivalry (my dad was in the Army), but I do love a good navy paint color. What I’m actually talking about here is the basement — and since I started this on a … Read more

Yes, this post is about running a dryer duct and rerouting HVAC vents. Before diving into the how-to, some context: when Monday’s post went up, David the framer was finishing the new laundry room by adding the fourth wall—the one that will include the door to the hallway. He also framed the wall that will … Read more

How much wood could a woodchuck chuck if a woodchuck could chuck wood? I’m no woodchuck expert, but I can answer a similar, lesser-known question: how many pallet planks could a Petersik pry free if a Petersik could pry free pallet planks? Say that five times fast while I walk you through what happened. Our … Read more