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Are Sparklers Legal Fireworks? According to the American Pyrotechnics Association (APA), “The definition of consumer fireworks varies from state to state, but can include everything from cone fountains to roman candles to multiple tube ‘cake’ devices to sparklers.” Sparklers should only be used if they’re legal in your municipality. (Check your state’s regulations in this directory of state fireworks control laws from the American Pyrotechnics Association.) However, the APA also says, “49 of the 50 U....

Sure, a large chunk of the U.S. population does have a 401(k) and consistent employment, so this standard advice applies—but there’s also a large group of people who don’t have a 401(k) or a traditional career path. (Plus, the number of people who are unemployed or who have experienced unemployment for an extended period of time is sure to be higher than ever after the pandemic.) While every situation is different, even for those with more traditional financial situations, there are a few things anyone with a non-traditional financial situation or career path can do to build retirement savings....

“Repetitive activities can contribute to aches, pains, and eventual injuries,” says Colleen Louw, PT, MEd, American Physical Therapy Association spokeswoman and physical therapist at the Ortho Spine Pain Clinic. If typing away on your keyboard, surfing the net on your tablet, and swiping on your phone are among your most-frequent activities, these are the exact motions Louw warns of. “Sitting at a desk while using a keyboard for hours daily can result in poor circulation to joints and muscles,” she says....

At a minimum, winter coats should be washed once a year, at the end of the season, to remove environmental and body soils, stains, and odors prior to storing them. Washing coats twice a season is ideal. Some winter coats, like fleece or performance outerwear, can be washed more frequently, anywhere from biweekly to monthly depending on usage and factors such as visible staining or odor retention that indicate it’s time to wash the jacket....

Then someone recommended a wood stain pen. This amazing tool was just $16.42, and available in seven colors to match many types of wood, from maple to mahogany. With hardwood floors, the color choice would have been easier. With my faux wood, I simply selected the shade that was closest to my laminate floor. Luckily, “Golden Oak” blended in perfectly. When the marker arrived, I carefully filled in all of the exposed scrapes and scratches on my living room floor....

I knew it was going to happen–big boobs run in my family–but I wasn’t expecting them to get that big. My favorite VS and Gap bras no longer fit, and they no longer made bras in my size. I had to go to department stores with my mom and buy what I liked to call “grandma bras”–ugly tan bras with thick straps and lots of coverage. It wasn’t until a few years ago that I found bras that fit me that actually made me feel confident and sexy....

Instead of spooning frothy milk on top of the coffee, this whipped fluffy coffee goes on top of the milk. Simply mix together equal part instant coffee, granulated sugar, and water—about 2 tablespoons of each. We recommend whisking your ingredients in a stand mixer or with an electric whisk. The goal is to make the texture light and airy, like you would with whipped cream. Once your coffee begins to form stiff peaks, you’re done....

On This Episode More than half of American workers say they’re behind on their retirement savings, and 46% expect to retire with debt. Stefanie interviews Joe Saul-Sehy, personal finance expert and author, about how we can prepare our finances and our lifestyles for this retirement reality. Meet Our Caller “Cecilia” is a 60-year-old listener from New Jersey. She has spent her career working in the beauty industry and is hoping to retire within the next five years....

What is lactic acid? Lactic acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) derived from dairy-based sugars. Simply put, it’s a gentle chemical exfoliant that penetrates the top layers of one’s skin. While incredibly affective, lactic acid isn’t anything new or revolutionary. In fact, the skin-boosting ingredient has been popular for centuries (Cleopatra was rumored to cleanse her face with milk). “Lactic acid is one of my favorite topical agents because it’s more forgiving and less irritating than salicylic acid, and it can be used to treat common acne and skin rosacea,” says Jennifer Segal, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and founder of Metropolitan Dermatology Institute in Houston....

That’s why a few potted mums perched on your porch seems like a no-brainer for transitioning from summer into the next season. But don’t be in too much of a hurry if you want your plants to last. Even though retailers start selling mums well before fall begins, you may want to hold off on buying them just yet. Mums prefer cooler temperatures, which can be a problem if you buy them when they’re first available and it’s still getting to 90°F during the day....

1. Print and Hang Cooking Guides Nothing halts culinary progress like running out of baking powder, oregano, or pumpkin pie spice. Our printable list of key ingredient substitutions will keep meal prep in progress. Pin up our other informative guides, like measurement conversions, meat temperatures, and a quick table setting guide, for stress-free entertaining. This easy-to-access information will take the confusion out of the kitchen. From halving a recipe to making sure chicken is cooked thoroughly, you’ll be prepared for whatever your next recipe throws at you....

She and her partner are thinking of keeping their current home as an investment property, which comes with its own set of concerns. “I think it would be a big learning curve to figure out if we’re taking advantage of the investment property to its full extent and just being good landlords,” Jasmine says. Money Confidential host Stefanie O’Connell Rodriguez turned to Mindy Jensen, a licensed real estate agent, author, and host of The Bigger Pockets money podcast to help give Jasmine some advice....

If the word “resolution” sounds intimidating, think of it as an intention instead, suggests Brittany Castro, a certified financial planner at Mint. “With intentions, the idea is to be clear about your vision and what you want for yourself in the new year in all areas of your life,” says Castro. “It becomes more about creating lifestyle changes versus feeling pressure to be perfect and restricting yourself to achieve your resolutions....

The hyaluronic sea serum is packed with hyaluronic acid and gigartina skottsbergii (algea) extract. The hyaluronic acid deeply hydrates the skin and leaves it plump and rejuvenated, and the algae have anti-aging properties that assist in softening lines and wrinkles. To buy: $77; credobeauty.com. Hyaluronic acid naturally occurs in the body and seals in moisture. Susan Weinkle, an assistant clinical professor of dermatology at the University of South Florida told Real Simple that “hyaluronic acid works by drawing in moisture to give your skin a smooth, and almost plumped-out appearance, making fine lines and wrinkles less prominent....

With its multi-tasking cookware essentials, this Instagram-loved and editor-approved brand aims to bring back the joy of cooking to your kitchen with its stylish collection of items. Whether you’re looking to refresh your home cooking routine or want to invest in sturdy and trendy dinnerware, you’ll want to run, not walk, to take advantage of this sale. Our Place makes sustainability more achievable in the kitchen thanks to its thoughtfully developed products that take the place of several unnecessary cookware....

The material also matters: If you’re already feeling a chill in the air, a knitted option might be up your alley, however, those who live down south might want an breathable flowy dress—you’ll feel like it’s fall, even if the pretty foliage is a little delayed. Amkoyam Tie Neck Ruffle Mini Dress, $21 with coupon (was $31) Tobrief Lantern-Sleeve Knit Tie Waist Sweater Dress, $35 (was $46) Amoretu Long-Sleeve Ruffle Tunic Dress, $23 (was $33) Lamilus Long-Sleeve Ruched Mini Dress, $19 (was $40) Zattcas Long-Sleeve Ruffle Shift Dress, $10 with coupon (was $34) Kate Kasin Lantern-Sleeve A-Line Tunic Dress, $12 (was $16) Amoretu Round Neck Lantern-Sleeve Dress, $25 (was $37) Shibever Floral Midi Dress, $16 with coupon (was $26) Anrabess Turtleneck Chunky Sweater Dress, $35 with coupon (was $39) Kirundo Fall Floral Midi Dress, $37 with coupon (was $41)...

Below, you’ll find sales on skincare products from top brands like Origins and Avlon as well as makeup from drugstore royalty Revlon, Rimmel, and Maybelline. There are also major discounts on hot hair tools and masks from Conair, Chi, and more. To give your skin a much-needed hydration boost, you can’t go wrong with a collagen-infused facial cream. This popular anti-aging moisturizer from DHC brightens your skin via Vitamin C and smoothes out fine lines and wrinkles thanks to ingredients like collagen, and rapeseed and jojoba oils....

2. Steam vegetables. If your machine comes with a steamer rack, use it to cook cut vegetables, tofu, potatoes, or even shrimp, fish fillets, or chicken breasts. Take out and serve as an easy, one-pot meal. 3. Make risotto without stirring. Saute onions in butter in an open rice cooker, then add 1 part Arborio rice and 4 parts liquid (such as broth and wine). Cook for about 25 minutes in an on/off cooker or use the “slow” or “porridge” cycle if your machine has one....

A coworker I was traveling with kindly came to the rescue with a mini bottle of the Avène Thermal Spring Water. I immediately understood why the facial mist had earned its place as a prestigious skincare staple. That night, I ordered a travel-friendly and full-sized bottle to come home to, and I haven’t ventured out without it since. The mineral-rich skin savior is made with only two ingredients: thermal spring water bottled at the source and nitrogen, according to the brand....

My modest Manhattan apartment was able to grow a total of 30 different plants for big salads, hearty soups and stews, and bright, green side dishes for every meal. That’s thanks to the Gardyn Home Kit. This ingenious device enabled me to grow all of these plants in only 2 square feet of space. If this sounds like the beautiful and delicious addition your home needs, you’re in luck. Right now, Real Simple readers can save $75 on their own Gardyn system by entering code L10B422 at checkout....