How to Survive a Power Outage in Summer Without Losing Your Mind

Our power went out last August during a heat advisory. 98 degrees outside. No AC. No fans. My phone was […]

How to Store Holiday Decorations So They Do Not Get Tangled

I spent 45 minutes untangling Christmas lights last December. Forty-five minutes. That is almost an entire hour of my life […]

The Best Way to Remove Ice From Your Windshield Fast

I used to pour hot water on my windshield. Let me save you the repair bill: do not do that. […]

The Trick to Packing a Cooler That Stays Cold for Three Days

We did a four-day camping trip in northern Michigan two summers ago. By day two, the cooler was a lukewarm […]

The Trick to Keeping Your Patio Umbrella From Blowing Away

I lost a patio umbrella to a gust of wind three years ago. It lifted out of the table, cartwheeled […]

How to Keep Outdoor Cushions From Getting Moldy After Rain

Outdoor cushions get rained on. That is the job. But if they stay wet for more than a day, mold […]

How to Get Sand Out of Everything After a Beach Trip

I once found beach sand in my car six months after my last trip to the beach. It was in […]

The Easiest Way to Remove Snow From Your Driveway Without a Shovel

Shoveling snow is how middle-aged men have heart attacks. Every winter, emergency rooms see a spike in cardiac events after […]

How to Protect Your Garden From an Unexpected Early Frost

I lost my entire tomato crop to a single October night. The forecast said forty-two degrees. I woke up to […]

How to Keep Pets Cool and Safe During Summer Heat

Last July, my neighbor’s dog — a fluffy golden retriever named Gus — started panting so hard on a walk […]