ArcaMax

The U.S. Senate on Thursday passed a bipartisan bill aimed at boosting the nation’s supply of homes on an 89-10 vote, setting up a showdown in the House over a contentious provision to limit Wall Street’s footprint in the housing market.

The bill bars investors with more than 350 houses from purchasing additional single-family homes — a ...Read more

Q: They’ve been building the house at the end of my block for months, and the builder put out these giant signs like mini-billboards, and they look terrible. If we’re not allowed to have billboards in our residential neighborhood, how do they get away with this? — Alison

A: Construction projects can be a common sight in many neighborhoods...Read more

So, you planted a garden, lucked out when your property included fruit trees, stumbled upon a produce sale you just couldn't pass up, or joined a Community Supported Agriculture group. Good for you! Now what? What will you do with all that bounty?

Your choices are: 1) quickly consume your harvest before it spoils 2) give it away or 3) preserve ...Read more

All-purpose cleaners are designed to clean everything from dust bunnies to toilet rings and grease spills. Having evaluated many commercial products for effectiveness, ease of use, versatility, price and overall value, here are my picks for the seven best all-purpose cleaning products for keeping your house clean.

BEST INEXPENSIVE

Don't let ...Read more

In a society of continuous change, those things that remain constant give us the courage to boldly face the uncertainty of each new day. No matter what should befall us, we rest in the assurance that some things never change. The rising of the sun, the coming of spring, the levy of taxes -- and the operation of refrigerators.

Few things in our ...Read more

There was a time when I assumed I needed to buy name brand, readymade cleaning solutions and laundry products. If something needed cleaning, fixing, deodorizing or shining, surely there was a brightly labeled bottle for that -- preferably one promising miracles in a trigger spray. I bought them faithfully. And then one day I realized something ...Read more

Q: Can my association fine me because they’re saying my roof is dirty and needs to be power-washed? When I asked them what the guidelines were, they just pointed to the section that said I was responsible for general maintenance under the declaration. I think my roof looks fine. Can they make me power wash my roof? — Zach

A: Homeowners ...Read more

Have you ever walked into the kitchen to get that first cup of coffee only to discover someone left the ice cream on the counter all night? Or the milk? I don't hate spoiled food as much as I did before. I found many clever ways to use items I used to throw out.

SOUR MILK

It often happens in warm weather, with even a limited milk supply; some ...Read more

More people are taking loans from their retirement accounts (401(k), 403(b), etc.) than ever, simply because they can. Here's the problem: seeing one's retirement account as a savings account, or worse, a personal ATM machine. That's so ridiculous I cannot even tell you. Sure, it's your money, but it's not your money now. It's for later. It is ...Read more

Whether you'll be traveling in the next few weeks or have plans for a trip in the summer, it's always a good time for travel tips.

NO ROOM FOR AIR

Sure, you can find cheap plane tickets, but you'll pay many extra fees if you are not aware. Thankfully, most airlines still allow one free carry-on bag. The way to win this game is to make the most...Read more