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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....

All foods, especially fatty ones, delay the body’s absorption of alcohol, doctors say. And delaying the absorption of alcohol is a good step toward avoiding a hangover. An easy food to eat before going out that’s filled with healthy fats is avocado—so you won’t regret an order of guacamole for the table. Eat high-fiber foods. Chris Meletis, the dean of naturopathic medicine and chief medical officer at the National College of Naturopathic Medicine, explains that high-fiber foods—like Brussels sprouts, lentils, and popcorn—break down alcohol and absorb it, keeping it from reaching the bloodstream as quickly....

In Your Everyday Closet Despite the fact that we move through our closets every day, they gather dust just like everywhere else. “For me, it’s the tops of the shelves and hanging racks and the area down by the baseboards that get the most dust,” says Melissa Maker, the owner of housekeeping company Clean My Space and author of Clean My Space: The Secret to Cleaning Better, Faster, and Loving Your Home Every Day....

And all those experts who advise skipping out on small pleasures, like your daily latte or avocado toast, might be missing the mark. “The whole idea of rice and beans, beans and rice is cool in theory, but it’s just not realistic,” says financial expert Aja Dang on a recent episode of the Money Confidential podcast. Dang burned out on the savings front after scrimping to pay off credit cards, a car loan, and a student loan....

What are figs? The common edible fig belongs to the genus Ficus, which includes hundreds of species throughout the world, with most originating in the tropics like popular fiddle leaf fig houseplants. Common figs, however, are native to the Mediterranean and Western Asia, where they have been grown for their sweet fruits for thousands of years. Coming from more temperate climates, deciduous common figs can grow much further north than their tropical cousins and thrive in USDA Zones 7-10....

“Muscle soreness is caused by micro-tears and inflammation in the muscle and is a response to physical stress from exercise,” says Kyle Gonzalez, NSCA, CSCS, CES, FMS level 1, a performance coach at Future, an app that pairs users with a remote fitness coach. “The micro-tears, increased blood flow, and inflammation cause mild swelling, which makes pain receptors more sensitive to movement. Soreness is a natural process, but without the right guidance it can be debilitating and lead to injury....

So what do you do if your weed trimmer comes without string or you’ve run out of string during a job? How exactly do you restring it? Just follow these simple steps to get back to whipping your yard into shape. Step 1: Remove Existing Spool Whether you’re starting with a pre-strung spool or you’re going to restring your existing spool, you will first need to remove it from the motor housing....

Garden Pests That Eat Hostas Before you declare war on slugs, confirm they’re the ones making holes in your hosta leaves. Besides hail, cutworms could also be the culprits; their signature is chewing the soft parts of the leaves and avoiding the veins. Slugs will munch anywhere on the leaves, right through the veins. Deer and rabbits will eat hostas, too, but they don’t leave holes behind. Instead, you’ll likely see bare stems with maybe a ragged piece of leaf left behind....

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....

I learned a lot on this first trip and am much better prepared now for future distance driving in an EV. For a successful and memorable road trip, it just takes a little additional planning to make the journey smooth. Here’s what you need to know about driving electric cars long distances. Cold weatherBlasting the air conditioning or heaterDriving with a lot of uphill climbsSpeeding and driving with a heavy foot...

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....

What are blackheads? Blackheads are a type of acne, also called open comedones, but not technically pimples. “Rather than white/yellow fluid-filled bumps, blackheads look flat and dark, hence their name,” explains Rackley. “Blackheads are very common and occur when follicles in your skin get clogged due to excess oil and irritation.” What is a blackhead extractor? A comedone or blackhead extractor is a stainless steel tool designed to remove the dirt and oil that cause blackheads and whiteheads....

Hyaluronic acid is touted as an MVP in the skincare world for being able to absorb up to 1,000 times its weight in water, therefore helping the skin absorb and retain hydrating ingredients to keep it healthy. Well, it turns out that it does the same for hair. “It hydrates the cuticle when applied to hair,” explains Caroline Robinson, MD, a Chicago-based dermatologist. “Adding hyaluronic acid into your hair routine, especially hair that tends to be drier, creates softer strands and controls frizz....

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....

When Allbirds launched the Tree Breezers earlier this year (a response to valued customer feedback), I had to try them to see if a pair of flats could really make that much of a difference. I’ll go into more detail in a moment, but for the quick summary: These are the most comfortable and supportive ballet-style flats my feet and I have ever met. Right from the first wear, I did not feel the ground while wearing them, and instead I felt like I was buoyantly prancing on clouds....

Top School Quotes “Your education is a dress rehearsal for a life that is yours to lead."—Nora Ephron"Fortune does favor the bold, and I promise that you will never know what you’re capable of unless you try."—Sheryl Sandberg"Education is our passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to the people who prepare for it today."—Malcolm X"There may be people that have more talent than you, but there’s no excuse for anyone to work harder than you do....

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....

Our eyes regularly create the first type, basal secretion tears, to keep them nourished, clean, and free of bacteria. These are generally always present. The second type, reflex tears, respond to things like smoke, particles in our eyes, cutting an onion, or handling powerful spices. It’s the third type, emotional tears, that responds to emotions. “Emotional tears are unique in that they contain proteins and hormones not found in basal secretion or reflex tears,” explains board-certified ophthalmologist Diane Hilal-Campo, MD....

To keep these pesky symptoms at bay, there are tons of over-the-counter allergy medications out there, of course, but many people also swear by certain home remedies too—and eating local honey is one of the most common recommendations. But what’s the theory behind this sweet treatment, and is there any truth to it? We asked several allergists to help us separate theory from reality. What’s the Idea Behind Eating Local Honey for Allergy Relief?...