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So if learning more about community care is on your New Year’s resolutions list, here are some tips for getting started. “The idea of mutual aid is built on this idea that all of us at some point in our lives will need help,” explains Janice Gassam Asare, an author and organizational diversity, equity, and inclusion consultant. “It might not be monetarily; it might be emotional support, or a time where we are on the side of the road and our phone died....

Start by talking with your tax accountant. You’re already paying this person to prepare your return, and they have all the documentation at their fingertips to answer questions about your personal situation. If you aren’t working with a CPA, software such as TurboTax typically offers a way to chat with a specialist or have your questions reviewed. But if you think your question is best answered by an IRS employee, visit their website before calling....

Just picture it: Endless stacks of kitchen towels, dish-washing and cleaning supplies, old sponges, recycled paper bags—the list of items that most people categorize as eligible for under-the-sink storage goes on and on. It doesn’t matter if your farmhouse kitchen sink is as charming as can be. If you know there’s a mess of clutter and junk under there, you’ll have a hard time enjoying it fully. But take heart, there’s hope!...

If your offer is under asking price or significantly lower than other offers, a letter probably won’t be enough to sway the seller in your favor. If there are multiple equal offers, though, and if your Realtor agrees that a letter might help give your offer a leg up on the competition, here’s what you should include as you put pen to paper. How a Letter to the Home-Seller Can Help Letters can plead a case to sellers, make an emotional appeal, and clear up any confusion....

“Wishcyclers might ask themselves, ‘should I?’ or ‘shouldn’t I?’ when deciding where to put an item but ultimately place it in that familiar blue bin and assume that the recycling company will know what to do with it,” says Jeremy Walters, sustainability ambassador for Republic Services, a leader in U.S. recycling and non-hazardous waste. Sound familiar? Whether you mean to or not, you may be tossing items in your recycling bin that can’t actually be recycled....

The amount and size of pores in a stone referred to as porosity, affect its strength and stain resistance. If you’re installing stone in a high-traffic area, such as a kitchen, mudroom, or family bath, the natural stone flooring idea best for you is nonporous stone, such as granite or slate. Softer, more porous stones, such as marble, limestone, and travertine, require regular applications of sealants and frequent cleaning to prevent staining and pitting....

What you’ll need: ¾ cup whole milk 2 large eggs plus 2 large egg yolks, lightly beaten, at room temperature 6 tablespoons (¾ stick) unsalted butter, room temperature, plus more for the bowl 3½ cups all-purpose flour, plus more for work surfaces 1 cup sugar, divided 1 package (¼ ounce) active dry yeast 1 teaspoon kosher salt Vegetable oil, for frying Directions: Fillings: Chocolate Custard Place 2 ounces chopped bittersweet chocolate in a medium bowl....

But why is it called that? And what’s the deal with the grand hats and mint-flavored drinks? Before we place our bets on this year’s winner, we wanted to find out a bit more about the classic horse race that’s become more popular than any other. When Is the Kentucky Derby? The Kentucky Derby is always held on the first Saturday in May. This year, the Kentucky Derby will be held on Saturday, May 7, 2022....

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With expert advice and care tips from a couple of plant pros, we’ve ID’d 15 pretty plants that will thrive in even the least plant-friendly spaces. Fragrant, flowering dianthus will not only survive in sandy soil, but it will also fill your backyard with color and a lovely, slightly spicy scent. If you have a shady yard that doesn’t get much sun, skip the grass and carpet the ground with common oak sedge, which adds textural interest to the area....

Between hibernating, holiday prepping, and bundling up to enjoy outdoor winter activities, December is all about welcoming the new season, wrapping up the past year, and being with our loved ones. Before the year is over, here are a few fun activities (and, yes, a few productive recommendations, too) to do in December with friends, kids, your partner, or solo. Depending on where you live and your preferred activity intensity, take advantage of the first truly cold and snowy month to go ice skating, sledding, skiing, cross-country skiing, winter hiking, tubing, or snow-shoeing....

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advise that unvaccinated people, including children ages two and older, wear masks over their nose and mouth in all public indoor settings to help stop the spread of the Delta variant of the virus that causes COVID-19. Additionally, 12 out of the 20 biggest U.S. school districts will require students to wear face masks when classes start this fall, according to a recent CNN report....

The retailer is a bargain hunter’s dream, thanks to the wide variety of affordable finds, the outlet section of discounted overstock items, and the daily deals section that highlights the best sales of the day. It may already be your go-to source for everything from budget-friendly clothing items to inexpensive beauty products, but don’t forget to check out its wide variety of affordable kitchen organizers. If you’re looking to get your cabinets under control, check out this pan organizer rack that’s currently on sale for just $21, or this three-tier spice jar organizer that can be yours for only $7....

How to Season Tuna The first step in your complete guide for how to cook tuna fish is adding your desired flavor enhancers. Before cooking tuna steaks, check for scales. If any are present, rinse with cool water. Pat dry with paper towels. Measure the thickness of the fish with a ruler, so you know how long to cook tuna steak. Fresh tuna steaks love a good marinade recipe, which flavors this fairly mild fish and helps keep it moist during cooking....

Best Gift for Foodies: Dash Air Fryer If you happen to know a foodie who doesn’t happen to have an air fryer, it’s time for them to join the air-frying trend. Trust us: one taste of air-fried potatoes, dumplings, or chicken tenders will make them a devoted convert to this cooking craze. To buy: $60, amazon.com. Best Gift for Your Friend With Great Hair: Hair Dryer Brush To buy: $30, amazon....

The entire holiday season is filled with opportunities for creative gift exchanges, from your tried-and-true office Secret Santa to that boozy bash with good friends where no one can remember the White Elephant rules. (Get those White Elephant gift ideas ready now.) With the following gift exchange ideas and tips, gift giving will feel joyful again. Let our team of elves—including holiday party planners, etiquette experts, and Real Simple readers—enlighten you with innovative strategies to make any party or early-morning frenzy more memorable....

On February 14, in addition to (or instead of) Valentine’s Day gifts for him, consider getting crafty. What are some good Valentine’s crafts? This list of craft ideas (with supply lists and instructions) has Valentine’s Day crafts for kids, teens, and adults—and many are good for all ages. (Do be sure little ones are supervised at all times while crafting.) For teens or tweens just getting into crafting, they’ll love making these crafts as decor or affordable gifts for friends....

In an ideal world, we’d have a list of clever and funny Thanksgiving conversation starters on deck. We’d be equipped to defuse any awkward family tensions or change the subject quickly yet affably if a potentially controversial topic arose; we might even learn something new about our friends or family members. The following questions are perfect for Thanksgiving and will help prevent those dreaded silences. If you’re hosting a Friendsgiving this year, the icebreakers will also help everyone warm up to each other, especially if you’re bringing different groups of friends together....

If and when someone does choose to remarry, not only might there be financial trauma to overcome, but there will also be new discussions about how this go-‘round will be different from the last. These financial loose ends need to be tied up early so that your newfound wedded bliss won’t be derailed by preventable money stumbles. Some of that history may entail a drag on finances—alimony owed, assumed debt....

The next time you’re looking for a bottle that punches above its price, consider one of these five finds at Trader Joe’s. This sparkling rosé is lush and balanced, with notes of raspberry and light-but-rich red fruit shining through. Sips almost have a touch of creamy mouthfeel. This wine is a charming sparkler made for both summer heat and side kicking small bites before a meal. When bottles are iced, and you’re with a crowd, expect to go through a few....