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Today’s Home Spun Wisdom Archive


Lunch Break Endangered in Harried Workplaces

(MCT)—When it comes to taking a midday break, today’s workers are out to lunch. Or rather in to lunch, spilling crumbs on the keyboard while they wolf down work and a sandwich.


Mortgage-Refinancing Program Undergoes Changes

(MCT)—The federal government on Tuesday announced the nitty-gritty details of its revamped refinancing program to help homeowners who are current on their loans but can’t take advantage of low interest rates because they owe more on their homes than they are worth.


Pass the Drumstick—and Wallet; Thanksgiving Meals to Cost More

(MCT)—Add this to the nation’s economic indigestion: The cost of a traditional Thanksgiving dinner will rise by 13 percent this year, the biggest increase in the 26 years of the American Farm Bureau Federation’s informal price survey.


Do Your Part: Support ‘Made in the USA’

(MCT)—You can’t escape the angst Americans are feeling about the state of the economy and our job market. Some people blame Republicans, some blame Democrats, and some people are taking their discontent straight to the streets. As a person who sees situations through a “green” lens, I offer another


Fall Favorites: Cookin’ with Pumpkin Raises Some Questions

(MCT)—Q: Are all pumpkins edible? I have this wonderful pumpkin soup in a pumpkin recipe from Saveur magazine. It calls for a 7-inch Cinderella pumpkin, but if I cannot find that, I want to know if I would be safe with any other pumpkin. A: “A pumpkin is always, and by definition, round-fruited and edible,” says Amy P. Goldman, author of “The Compleat Squash: A Passionate Grower’s Guide to Pumpkins, Squashes and Gourds.”


The Frugal Traveler: Belgium on a Budget

(MCT)—Known for its chocolate, waffles and beer as well as its lace and in-season mussels, Belgium brings a wealth of old-world charm to the European tour experience. Those who fear it’s out of financial reach should be pleasantly surprised to learn just how affordable the country can be for the budget traveler. Follow these thrifty travel tips for an affordable Belgian vacation.


7 Ways to Save on Health Insurance Costs

(MCT)—If your paycheck shrinks in 2012, the culprit may be rising health insurance costs. But you can save money by making the right choices this fall. The cost of health care coverage is expected to increase 5.9 percent in 2012, according to consultant Towers Watson.


How to Find Nutritional Bargains

(MCT)—You can get the same healthy proteins, carbohydrates and fats for less money. “The strategy is to buy inexpensive foods that still provide the nutrients that support good health,” says Dr. Mickey Harpaz, a nutritionist and exercise physiologist with offices in New York and Connecticut. Some tips:


Young Adults Face More Hurdles than Boomers

(MCT)—Facing diminished job opportunities and heavy student-loan debt, today’s 20-somethings may be more downwardly mobile than their parents.


Trump Sells Coastal Mansion for $7.15 Million

(MCT)—Master brander Donald Trump has sold his custom estate in Rancho Palos Verdes for $7.15 million. Located at Trump National Golf Course, which he owns and operates, the 11,000-square-foot Mediterranean mansion features a game room with a bar that is a replica of the one at the course restaurant.


On Nutrition: Food Still Better Than Supplements

(MCT)— “Do you really believe there are any nutrients left in our food?” a man asked me recently. Yes I do, if you mean food that is freshly harvested. And those nutrients work pretty well…like they were put there for a good reason. Research seems to bear this out as well. Here are three cases in point:


Your Place: Find Source of Leak before Trying Costly Cure

(MCT)—Q: We’ve lived in our house for 18 years (it was built in 1985). Over that time, we’ve had water in the basement four times, but only in extreme weather conditions, such as the hurricane in August. The water each time is about five gallons total, but enough to damage carpeting, cause a musty smell,


Caped Crusaders: Bats Are Superheroes That Need our Help

(MCT)—Let’s get the myths out of the way. Bats are not blind rabies-infested vermin that will suck your blood and entangle themselves in your hair.


Hot Property: Funicello Sells Fire-Gutted Home

(MCT)— “Friends” star Matthew Perry has put two homes up for sale and sold a condo in the last three weeks. His contemporary-style house in the Sunset Strip area is priced at $5,695,000.


Pruning Pointers: Shaving off Branches

(MCT)—Whether you have a few shrubs around the porch or dozens of trees on your property, a little pruning skill is a terrific asset. You can save yourself some money, your plants will be healthier and look better for it, and there’s a feeling of satisfaction in a job well done.



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