Living alone now costs renters an extra $10,470 a year, Zillow finds
Living solo comes with plenty of perks — independence, privacy and full control of the thermostat. But that freedom also comes with a price tag. A…
Home and Living News
Latest Articles
Closing vents to ‘save heat’ can actually raise your energy bill
When you close vents, pressure builds in the ducts, forcing your furnace to work harder and run longer. That extra back pressure increases wear and…
Frugal hack: The savings trick that grows your bank account every time a bill goes down
Don’t spend the difference. When a bill goes down, act like that money never existed in your spending budget. Auto-transfer the exact amount. If yo…
Negotiate your utility bills: A couple calls can save you $500+ a year
Make the review call. Say: “I’m reviewing my bills and costs are too high. Are there any lower-rate plans, promos, or discounts on my account?” Nam…
Past Articles
January, 2026
Winter weather wreckage: The most common home insurance claims — and how to avoid them
Here are some tips for staying warm when the power goes out
Does your electricity bill feel like a mystery?
Natural gas prices surge, just as bitterly cold weather arrives
Wildfire smoke doesn’t stop at your front door, new UCLA study explains
Doubt your doubts: A surprising way to strengthen your commitment
December, 2025
Winter weather can pose serious home safety risks
Your electric bill will probably go up in 2026: Here’s why
How to keep your home safe this season
Stop throwing out perfectly good food: what “best by” dates really mean
November, 2025
Frugal hack: how to lower your cell phone bill (without losing your coverage)
Households are spending $532 billion a year on utilities
Surgeons urge caution when carving the Thanksgiving turkey
Frugal hack: before you replace anything, YouTube it
Is your home prepared for winter weather?
Modern apartments are the safest homes—and the key to solving the housing crisis
October, 2025
Los Angeles is now the ‘rattiest’ city in America
Winter heating costs: What you’re likely to pay by fuel type
Three reasons your utility bills are rising this year
Halloween celebrations can add to your utility bill
Product News: Pop-Tarts, RC Cola, A&W Root Beer
Here are some home decorating trends for 2026
Keep the critters away: How to protect your fall decor (and your home)
September, 2025
AccuWeather warns of life-threatening flooding threat in the Southeast
Ariana Grande fans cry foul after tickets vanish for ‘eternal sunshine tour’
August, 2025
Hawai‘i study uncovers how wildfires drive hidden spikes in mortality
Hurricane Erin churns along, producing dangerous surges
Report calls for stronger consumer protections in rooftop solar financing
Want to save the planet? Stay home, don't get a dog
Erin expected to become a hurricane by the weekend; here's how to prepare
Who's paying for all the electricity those new data centers are using?
July, 2025
Forecast uncertainty clouds hurricane season as peak nears
Home sales slip again as prices hit record highs
June, 2025
SoCal Realtor charged with price-gouging Pacific Palisades families
Knights in shining armor, artisanal decor and brown sugar
Trump sets timeline to begin phasing out FEMA after hurricane season
Advocates urge Congress to preserve home energy assistance programs
May, 2025
Homeowners taking the lead in DIY inspections
Inland areas at greater risk as hurricane season intensifies
New study explores whether at-home water testing kits are worth it
As tornado season intensifies, officials urge preparedness
Home improvement retailer satisfaction soars, with Lowe's in first place
ESPN launching streaming services as cable erosion continues
Trump administration wants to scrap the EPA's Energy Star program
April, 2025
Worst states for natural disasters
Best home improvements to drive up your home's sales value
Central U.S. endures brutal band of storms; is it the new normal?
March, 2025
Above-average Atlantic hurricane season predicted
The paint's OK but the website's lame, consumers complain
Spring cleaning not only improves your living space, but also your health
Satisfaction with buy now, pay later services is growing
New study finds brewing tea may remove heavy metals from your water
February, 2025
How smartphones and laptops scored on repairability in 2024
Product-safety warnings surged in 2024
January, 2025
December, 2024
The biggest appliance recalls of 2024
Wireless Christmas tree light controllers recalled because they can overheat
Lead appearing in imported cookware, FDA says
Stanley recalls 2.6 million travel mugs due to burn hazard
Battery chargers recalled because they can catch fire
LED lights recalled because of a potential fire hazard
Expect higher natural gas prices this winter, EIA says
UnitedHealthcare keeps getting bad reviews on ConsumerAffairs after CEO murder
November, 2024
Consumers warned about defective smoke/carbon monoxide detectors
Dorel wall beds recalled because they pose impact and crush hazards
RealPage fighting charges that it helps landlords fix rent prices
Carbon Monoxide alarms recalled because they prematurely shut off
How many cooking fires start on Thanksgiving and Christmas?
Trump's election likely to bring big changes to energy, environmental policy
FTC says Sitejabber gives misleading reviews and ratings
Wolf Appliance recalls 44,000 ranges that can cause fires
More than 500,000 space heaters recalled due to fire hazard
Generac class action claims the generators are prone to fail during emergencies
October, 2024
Harbor Freight recalls backpack sprayers that pose fire risk
Wall-mounted entertainment centers recalled due to injury risk
Consumers say ‘trust’ is the biggest factor in picking new patio doors and windows
People moving out of state fell sharply in 2023
Social media drowns out official voices during disasters
Homeowners insurance crisis hitting these 15 states, report says
FCC waives Lifeline eligibility for Hurricane Milton and Helene
Don't relax yet: Hurricane season has weeks to go
Home leasebacks look attractive, but the looks can be deceiving
Hurricane Milton: The other shoe drops
'Unauthorized activity on the network,' ADT reports
Where Helene victims can go for help rebuilding their homes and lives
Most homes flooded by Helene lack flood insurance
Purina aiding four legged victims of Hurricane Helene
Furniture, cars, groceries – all could be impacted during the dockworker’s strike
September, 2024
Hurricane Helene's effects will surge across the nation
These cities had more rats, mice and cockroaches invading homes in 2023
Zillow adding climate risk data and insurance info to for-sale listings
As solar panels become more popular, so do the scams
This one appliance can make your kitchen a more dangerous place
Invitation Homes accused of deceiving renters, charging junk fees
Rent prices in 20 cities changed this much in July 2024
These nursery products send children to the emergency room
Florida, other coastal states, facing property value crisis
California acts against "Homeowner Benefit Agreements"
Northeast leads the nation in average home equity gains in the second quarter
California homeowners face 34% increase in Allstate premiums
August, 2024
Summer will be back before you know it -- get ready now to beat the heat
How to blur your home on Google Maps to deter burglars
Buyers beware: New rules set to shake up real estate industry
This infant sleepwear may get banned after babies died
Homeowners face insurance drought as storms, fires, floods rev up
July, 2024
How realistic is the new movie Twisters? A meteorologist gives his review.
Couch covers making a comeback? Survey reveals furniture fails on epic scale.
June, 2024
Here's how dangerous it is to buy a home without a termite inspection
New apartments eased rents but are struggling to get built, Harvard says
May, 2024
GE appliance maker sued over failing to share gas stove pollution risks
Drowning-related deaths are on the rise in the U.S., CDC reports
Planet Fitness raises its $10 membership plan price
Gas, propane stoves produce dangerous levels of nitrogen dioxide, study finds
For many consumers, the cost of moving has reached a ‘tipping point’
April, 2024
March, 2024
Upcoming solar eclipse may lead to an increase in traffic accidents
February, 2024
January, 2024
December, 2023
October, 2023
Consumers express frustration with today’s appliances
Struggling with utility bills? Consumers offer some advice on how to rein that cost in.
September, 2023
Solar energy expected to grow by 52% in 2023
USPS is preparing for an extra-busy 2023 holiday season
August, 2023
Here’s the best way to help Maui fire victims
Here's what a shopping cart full of groceries cost last month
July, 2023
Crime is both down and up in the post-pandemic era
Americans with Disabilities Act celebrates its 33rd anniversary
Riding with Uber with a baby? Now you can get a car seat.
National survey reveals 45% of U.S. tap water may contain 'forever chemicals'
June, 2023
Planning a fireworks display? Here's how to stay safe.
Smoke from Canadian fires raises health concerns in the U.S.
May, 2023
USPS proposes new shipping option that would reduce costs, improve reliability
April, 2023
March, 2023
Thinking about buying a Ring protection system? You’ll now be paying for a monthly plan, too.
February, 2023
Counterfeit postage stamps are becoming an issue across the country
January, 2023
This might be a good year to do that home remodeling project
December, 2022
Where does your favorite fast food restaurant stand with other consumers?
September, 2022
July, 2022
May, 2022
March, 2022
Home improvement spending likely to rise this year, study finds
January, 2022
Gas stoves are bad for your health and the planet, study finds
July, 2021
Home pool sales surge, leading to chlorine shortages and installation delays
January, 2021
August, 2020
Moratorium on most foreclosures extended to end of 2020
Consumers are seeing higher residential electric bills during the pandemic
ADT will partner with Google to provide a new home security system
January, 2020
October, 2019
April, 2019
California requires new garage door openers to be equipped with battery backup
December, 2017
November, 2017
October, 2017
How to boost your home's appeal to sell in the fall and winter
September, 2017
July, 2017
June, 2017
May, 2017
April, 2017
March, 2017
Painting tips to help a home sell faster
February, 2017
December, 2016
How to save on your electric bill if you're traveling for the holidays
Do your smoke detectors need to be replaced? Here's how to tell
October, 2016
See how your room would look painted in a different color with Prestige ColorPic
September, 2016
July, 2016
April, 2016
Allstate plans big car insurance rate hike in Georgia
Installing a metal roof qualifies homeowners for a $500 tax credit
March, 2016
iRobot introduces a tiny, floor-cleaning robot that loves small spaces
August, 2015
July, 2015
New USPS program lets you see your junk mail before you get it
June, 2015
May, 2015
Tennessee HOA pays $156,000 to settle disability-discrimination lawsuit
California HOA still requires lawns in the middle of a drought
April, 2015
February, 2015
Front-loader or top-loader -- which is better?
Appliances really don't last as long as they used to
Here's a list of ways around Keurig 2.0 machine restrictions
January, 2015
Can fast food stores really pay their people $15 an hour?
What happens when the pipes freeze
Homeowners' association sues residents for parking their pickup in their driveway
December, 2014
October, 2014
June, 2014
May, 2014
April, 2014
March, 2014
January, 2014
December, 2013
November, 2013
Choosing a washer: front load or top load?
Honoring the best of the worst: the greatest-hits list for bad HOAs
September, 2013
April, 2013
March, 2013
Replacing your home's heat pump
Web advertisers attack Mozilla for protecting consumers' privacy
February, 2013
November, 2012
August, 2012
Bonded Leather Sofas vs. Genuine Leather - What's the Difference?
July, 2010
Rena Ware Agrees to Refund More Than $600,000 to California Consumers
November, 2009
November, 2008
October, 2008
'Hope for Homeowners' Program Offers Faster Relief than Wall Street Bailout