The products and services mentioned below were selected independent of sales and advertising. However, Don't Waste Your Money may receive a small commission from the purchase of any products or services through an affiliate link to the retailer's website.Most of us need alarm clocks to keep us on track. These clocks can normalize our sleep …
Continue reading "3 cute alarm clocks that make waking up easier"
Taco night is a great go-to weekday dinner staple that the whole family can enjoy. It doesn’t matter if it’s an ordinary Tuesday night or Cinco de Mayo, tasty tacos are a crowd-pleaser. Whether you’re setting up a make-your-own taco bar with soft or hard-shelled tacos, or reaching for the best taco holder to display …
Continue reading "7 clever hacks to have the best taco night ever"
Kids’ rooms can be a challenge to organize. With limited space, it’s essential to get creative with storage solutions that are both functional and adorable. Fortunately, plenty of cute and easy options are available for organizing children’s bedrooms. From hanging shelves and drawers to decorative baskets and the best storage bean bag chair, learn some …
Continue reading "4 cute and easy storage ideas for kids’ rooms"
Dusting is often seen as annoying, but learning to do it correctly can make a big difference in your home. Regular dusting helps clean indoor air by removing allergens like dust mites, pet dander and pollen. It keeps surfaces free of bacteria, preventing the spread of germs. Dusting also prevents the buildup of dirt that …
Continue reading "This is the right way to get rid of dust in your home"
Charcuterie boards are usually a big hit at parties, but buying them pre-made can cost you big bucks. With the right tools, such as the best cheese slicer, a flat piece of wood and high-quality ingredients, you can make an impressive, drool-worthy board fairly easily at home for a fraction of the cost. Charcuterie boards …
Continue reading "How to make an expensive-looking charcuterie board at home"
Tea lights are small versatile candles that can be used on their own or placed inside a candle holder. Perfect as table centerpieces or mantle accents, these inexpensive candles will set the tone for a party or a romantic night in. The burn time varies with regular tea light candles, but each one should burn …
When you bring home a bag of coffee beans, you want to keep the beans as fresh as possible until you plan to use them. If you’ve been leaving the beans in their original packaging, you might want to reconsider your coffee storage strategy. Coffee is hygroscopic, meaning it acts like a sponge and absorbs …
Continue reading "This canister is the secret to keeping your coffee fresh for longer"
Life moves pretty quickly. One minute you’re using your best fire pit tongs to set up the smoker for a summer backyard bash, and the next you’re cozying up inside by the fire over the holidays. It’s almost impressive how fast one season moves to the next. However, you might be happy to hear that …
Continue reading "How to enjoy your backyard all year long—even when it’s cold out"
As a brand-new homeowner, a whopping utility bill can feel like a punch to the gut. While house hunting, it’s normal to focus on the cost of the home and what amenities it includes, but how much the basic utilities cost isn’t always front and center during the buying process. If that feels intimidating, there …
Continue reading "States where homeowners spend the most—and least—on basic utilities"
The products and services mentioned below were selected independent of sales and advertising. However, Don't Waste Your Money may receive a small commission from the purchase of any products or services through an affiliate link to the retailer's website.Beanbags have a lot going for them: they’re cozy, casual and take up limited space. While their …
Continue reading "This clever beanbag chair transforms into a queen-sized bed"
The products and services mentioned below were selected independent of sales and advertising. However, Don't Waste Your Money may receive a small commission from the purchase of any products or services through an affiliate link to the retailer's website.After making it through a long winter season, there’s nothing quite as satisfying as prepping your outdoor …
Continue reading "This 4-piece outdoor sofa set is more than half off right now"
The products and services mentioned below were selected independent of sales and advertising. However, Don't Waste Your Money may receive a small commission from the purchase of any products or services through an affiliate link to the retailer's website.Spring is nearly here! Are you ready to spend more time outdoors? We can’t think of a …
Continue reading "You can get a 5-person hot tub shipped to your door for under $3,000"
There’s nothing quite as nice as cozying up to a warm fireplace on a cold winter night. Having a wood-burning fireplace means you’re responsible for its upkeep and maintenance. For safety precautions, you’ll need to ensure the chimney and flue are in good working condition and that kids and pets don’t get too close to …
Continue reading "Gas vs. electric fireplace: how to decide which is right for your home"
If you own an Instant Pot, you already know what a godsend it can be, transforming a slew of ingredients into a delectable meal in a matter of mere minutes. With an Instant Pot, you can slow cook, sauté, pressure cook and make rice all in one spot, leaving you with only one item to …
When winter snow starts to fall, you might wonder how much snow you can expect your roof to handle. After all, heavy loads of snow can cause severe damage and costly repairs if not taken care of. So how much snow can your roof really hold? The answer depends on several factors. Determining How Much …
The kitchen sink is the workhorse of the room. From washing fruit and vegetables to cleaning up pots and pans, the sink keeps our hands and utensils clean. But that doesn’t mean the sink itself wouldn’t benefit from a regular wash. While you might assume that a clean sink is a byproduct of usage, it …
Continue reading "Are you cleaning your kitchen sink often enough?"
Enforcing a “no shoes” policy at home helps keep out dust and allergens. It also protects your floors from dirt and debris, allowing you to go longer between cleans. But how do you encourage guests who pop over on a whim or come over for dinner to remove their shoes without sounding like a stickler? …
Continue reading "How to politely ask guests to remove their shoes at your house"
While we’d all probably love to cook and eat in the kitchen of our dreams, a complete kitchen overhaul is definitely not a money-saving venture. The good news is that you can still enhance the feel of your kitchen without needing costly renovations or digging into savings. Before you start, first things first — clear …
Continue reading "7 little luxuries that will elevate your kitchen’s appeal"
You already know you need to wash your sheets regularly, but you might not have realized that you also need to wash your mattress. Dead skin, dirt, dust, sweat and more can gather beneath your bedding, making it a lot less sanitary than you may have previously thought. While you can toss sheets, duvet covers …
Continue reading "How to clean your mattress—and why you really should"
We know that toilet problems are usually the last thing anyone wants to deal with — but did you know there are several issues you can fix without shelling out your hard-earned cash to a plumber? The construction of a toilet is fairly straightforward. It consists of two main parts: the bowl and the upper …
Continue reading "3 common toilet problems and how to solve them"
Flushing certain items down the toilet can cause significant damage to your plumbing system and even be hazardous to your health. Items such as paper towels, cooking oil and even wipes for adults should never be flushed down the toilet. These items can cause blockages in the pipes, lead to water contamination, and some items …
Continue reading "9 things you should never, ever flush down the toilet"
It’s one thing to have a husband or partner who is handy around the house. But, when Laura Young posted on Facebook about her husband James having some availability to help with odd jobs around the neighborhood, she had no idea she’d be building a new business for her family. Laura knew James had what …
Continue reading "Woman builds a business by renting out her handy husband"
The products and services mentioned below were selected independent of sales and advertising. However, Don't Waste Your Money may receive a small commission from the purchase of any products or services through an affiliate link to the retailer's website.Do you have a teenager or soon-to-been teen in your home? If so, you probably already know …
Continue reading "10 fun decorating ideas for teenage bedrooms"
The products and services mentioned below were selected independent of sales and advertising. However, Don't Waste Your Money may receive a small commission from the purchase of any products or services through an affiliate link to the retailer's website.Cold weather can often make you aware of how well (or not) insulated your home is. But …
Continue reading "8 affordable ways to make your house less drafty"
If you’re thinking of fixing up your home this spring or summer, you are not alone. With high home prices and mortgage rates this year, many homeowners are choosing to remodel instead of move. So you may want to know what supplies and prices are like this spring, after two years of long delays and …
Continue reading "Planning a home project? Here’s how supplies and prices will be in 2023"
Keeping your home in tip-top shape requires a lot of grunt work. There’s clutter to pick up, floors to wash and rugs that need vacuuming — and more, of course. Cleaning your glass oven door probably isn’t top of mind unless you notice how cloudy it is when you check on a dish that’s baking. …
Good lighting is not only functional, it can affect how a room feels to everyone in it. Have you ever been inside a house that’s been lit up as if you’re on a stage? That level of brightness can make people feel uncomfortable. Too much light can make a room feel cold and sterile. The …
Continue reading "3 home lighting mistakes you’re probably making"
How do you turn an ordinary shower into a luxurious experience? Some people would argue it all comes down to the nozzle. With a wider-diameter face distributing water, a rain showerhead can make you feel like you’re showering in a waterfall without leaving your house. The best rain showerheads distribute water so that it feels …
A clean and organized home is aesthetically pleasing and can give you peace of mind. Keeping your home free from clutter and mess is no easy task, but setting up simple routines can make a huge difference. Having systems to keep your house clean and orderly will save you loads of stress and time. Learn …
Continue reading "8 simple rules for keeping your home clean and organized"
Gas stoves have been popular in homes for decades due to their affordability, convenience and ease of use. However, there are reasons you might want to think about moving away from gas stoves — including safety, health, precision and how bad they are for the environment. Recent studies have shown that burning gas emits pollutants …
Continue reading "Why you should consider replacing your gas stove with an induction cooktop"
Double boilers are handy to have in the kitchen for making delicate sauces like hollandaise, preparing custards or stretchy doughs and melting chocolate for sweet treats. You need a double boiler when you’re working with cocoa power or heating egg whites and sugar for a meringue that will hold pointed peaks. These “hot water baths” …
Ceiling fans create refreshing breezes and even help your heating system run more efficiently. The downside is that even the best ceiling fans accumulate dust, which can build up and cause it to run off-kilter. A dirty fan not only runs less efficiently, but it can distribute small particles across the room that were previously stuck …
The products and services mentioned below were selected independent of sales and advertising. However, Don't Waste Your Money may receive a small commission from the purchase of any products or services through an affiliate link to the retailer's website.In small bathrooms, finding storage solutions that don’t crowd the space or look cluttered can be difficult. …
Continue reading "6 Clever Toilet Paper Storage Solutions for Small Bathrooms"
You might think the bathroom is the simplest space in your house to decorate and maintain because there’s not much to it. Most people simply hang up a shower curtain and plastic liner and call it good, right? There’s actually more to it than that! From finding the best shower curtain rods to guaranteeing they’re …
Continue reading "5 mistakes you’re making with your shower curtain"
Prices at the grocery store have been increasing significantly since the start of the COVID pandemic. USDA predicts they will continue to rise, with food prices going up between 3% and 4% in 2023. With a significant portion of the average income going to groceries, nobody wants to throw food away because it has gotten …
Continue reading "How to keep chips, cereal and other pantry staples from going stale"
The products and services mentioned below were selected independent of sales and advertising. However, Don't Waste Your Money may receive a small commission from the purchase of any products or services through an affiliate link to the retailer's website.There’s nothing quite like fresh popcorn to make an at-home movie night extra special, and to make …
Continue reading "This clever microwave popcorn popper makes single servings"
The unique construction of a Dutch oven allows it to retain heat well, making it an ideal choice for slow-cooking foods such as soups and stews over low heat. Additionally, it can also be used for baking bread or casseroles. The Best Dutch Ovens Finding the best Dutch oven can be challenging, but you can …
Continue reading "Le Creuset vs Staub vs Lodge: How to Pick the Right Dutch Oven For You"
There’s nothing quite like cooking with a new nonstick pan. You can whip up scrambled eggs or sear a steak quickly and easily, without feeling like you need to pull your hair out afterward trying to scrape it clean. The food simply slides right out. The trick to keeping nonstick pans in perfect shape all …
Continue reading "Tips for Cleaning Nonstick Pans and Dishes"
Purchasing a home — especially for the first time — can be a confusing and stressful experience, but one thing that can make the process easier is knowing your debt-to-income ratio. As the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau explains, your debt-to-income ratio is how much you owe (your monthly debt) divided by how much money you …
Continue reading "How to calculate your debt-to-income ratio for a mortgage"
Home projects you take on yourself can be a great way to update your home. DIY home projects are cost-effective, as the materials needed for many basic tasks are often inexpensive. They can increase your home’s property value, improve your living space’s functionality, and give you a sense of accomplishment and self-satisfaction. Furthermore, these projects …
Continue reading "7 Tools to Help You Tackle Weekend Home DIY Projects"
While we love our four-legged friends, we don’t always love their actions — like when they get sick or have an accident on the carpet. Urine stains will leave behind an odor that can be difficult to remove, especially if it’s not treated right away, because porous carpet fibers and the padding underneath can trap …
Continue reading "How to get pet urine smells and stains out of your carpet"
Some of us started working from home during the pandemic and don’t ever plan to go back into the office again. Whether you’re locked in for good to your home office or have a hybrid work situation, upgrading a home workspace can make the workday a little easier. Hopefully, long gone are the makeshift desks …
Continue reading "5 Simple But Effective Ways to Upgrade Your Desk"
We’re all aware of the benefits of eating ample amounts of produce. A diet rich in various fruits and vegetables can reduce your risk of numerous ailments, from cancer and heart disease to eye and digestive issues. But getting enough of them in every day can be challenging. Gadgets that make it easy and fun …
Continue reading "8 Cheap Kitchen Tools To Help You Eat More Fruits and Veggies"
Lint is always a drag, whether it’s from pilled clothing or our pets, but luckily, with a few tricks up your sleeve, it’s pretty easy to remove. Several types of materials act as magnets for lint, such as linen, synthetic fibers, corduroy or knit garments. Having the best lint remover by your side is always …
The products and services mentioned below were selected independent of sales and advertising. However, Don't Waste Your Money may receive a small commission from the purchase of any products or services through an affiliate link to the retailer's website.Cold weather is here, and it looks like it plans to stick around for a while. So, …
The products and services mentioned below were selected independent of sales and advertising. However, Don't Waste Your Money may receive a small commission from the purchase of any products or services through an affiliate link to the retailer's website.A humidifier can work wonders on illness- and allergy-related symptoms like a dry cough or stuffy nose. …
Continue reading "You can get a large-room humidifier for just $25 this week"
While cleaning the bathroom is probably one of your least favorite chores, it’s hard not to appreciate a fresh bathroom. It’s always worth the time and energy! That’s why cleaning it quickly and efficiently is your best bet. It’s wise, and more pleasant, to clean by getting in and getting out. Since mildew and mold …
Continue reading "5 Mistakes You’re Probably Making While Cleaning the Bathroom"
The products and services mentioned below were selected independent of sales and advertising. However, Don't Waste Your Money may receive a small commission from the purchase of any products or services through an affiliate link to the retailer's website.Whether you use a Nalgene, Hydro Flask or Yeti Rambler or other brands, water bottles offer an …
Continue reading "How to Get Your Reusable Water Bottle Squeaky Clean"
Your floors take a beating. They are walked, played, stomped, spilled, danced, scooted and crawled on. So who can blame them for looking a little dull and dingy? But if you’d like to see them glisten again, you can take a few simple steps to get — and keep — your floors looking great. Learn …
Continue reading "How to Get Your Floors Sparkling Clean—And Keep Them That Way"
Cleaning can feel like a bit of a chore, can’t it? But by using a steam cleaner, you can help take some of the hassle out of cleaning, bypassing the mop and bucket. With a steam cleaner, you can give your home a deep clean or simply stay on top of the weekly buildup. In …
Continue reading "Everything you need to know before cleaning with a steam cleaner"