Lauren Sieben

After what feels like the longest ever stretch of months stuck indoors, summer—glorious summer—is finally upon us. But before you get too comfy and curl up in a hammock with a delicious blended beverage, know that there are a few things you really should check off your to-do list first.
Yes, that’s right: We hate to be a drag, but in between barbecues and beach days, you still need to stay on top of maintenance around the home. Otherwise you might find yourself with big problems down the line...

Heading into the great outdoors isn't just a pleasant way to spend an afternoon. There's a strong link between spending time outdoors and mental health benefits.
As we age, staying active in retirement and spending time outdoors can increase feelings of happiness and well-being, no matter how you choose to enjoy yourself in nature. Heading outdoors can also help lower blood pressure and the stress hormone cortisol. Spending quality time in nature can even boost your vitamin D levels, which ca...

You’re ready to list your house—but are your dated bedrooms a turn-off to prospective buyers?
Today’s buyers are more focused than ever on finding luxe master suites that double as relaxing retreats.
“Pre-pandemic, nobody really cared about the bedroom. Now, people need somewhere to get away,” says Brad Whittaker, an agent with Realty ONE Group Pacifica in Longview, WA. “Bedrooms are really becoming a place of solace for Mom and Dad, because when kids are stuck at home, and they’re working fr...

Nutrition and exercise go hand in hand — to put together the wellness puzzle and embrace a healthy lifestyle, you need to focus on both. By balancing nutrition and exercise, you can set yourself up for a long, healthy retirement.
Even if you've maintained healthy habits over the years, you might need to rethink your old routines when you retire. Our bodies change as we age. You might lose a little strength or flexibility, or you might put on a little weight. These are common signs of aging, b...

First impressions matter when you’re getting ready to sell a house. Your home’s curb appeal can help you earn top dollar—or it can send buyers running for the hills.
“Today’s buyers are driven by curb appeal and look for exteriors that reflect their taste and appear well taken care of,” says Tamara Moritz, a Realtor® at Coldwell Banker Realty in Austin, TX.
Even if the inside of your home is decked out with a top-of-the-line kitchen and bathrooms to die for, a dingy exterior will send the wro...

It’s a seller’s market in many parts of the country right now. But if you’re serious about selling your house fast, you need to make sure your bathrooms are updated to impress.
“Kitchens and bathrooms sell homes,” says Kris Lindahl, CEO and founder of Kris Lindahl Real Estate. “If a buyer sees a bathroom that still needs projects or upgrades, the home is going to be much less appealing to them.”
Before you put your home on the market, here are some of the best bathroom improvements to fetch t...

By Lauren Sieben
Kristen Carter, like many college students, is on TikTok.
But Carter’s presence on the fast-paced social media platform isn’t just a pastime or a play to become an influencer — it’s a crucial marketing tool for the business she launched during the pandemic while studying at Marquette and tapping into its resources for student entrepreneurs.
In October, Carter started selling the Krisband,a wristband that dispenses hand sanitizer on the go. It’s the first product launched unde...

Ah, the telltale signs of spring: trees in bloom, slightly warmer weather, allergies flaring—and a long list of chores to tackle around the house.
Before you pause to savor the sunnier days, it’s important to make sure your home is ready for the season. Here’s what experts say you need to include on your spring home maintenance checklist.
1. Check for leaks and water damage
Between winter storms and spring showers, this is a key time to check for water damage around your home and prevent smal...

Preparing to list your house? If you want to get top dollar, start sprucing up your kitchen now.
“The kitchen is often the centerpiece in a home and the place where most of the entertaining happens,” says Tony Rodriguez-Tellaheche, owner and managing broker of Prestige Realty Group in Miami. “Sellers should not cut corners.”
A killer kitchen is one of the best ways to sell your home. Before you list your place, start making some of these improvements to help swing buyers in the right directio...

Is it worth spending extra money on a “clean” medicine? The answer depends on your health history, your budget and your priorities. We talked to experts to learn about inactive ingredients in medications and whether it’s worth making the switch to clean alternatives.

If staying active wasn't part of your routine before retirement, you might wonder if it's too late to start exercising now. But even if you're not already a regular at the gym, it's not too late to get moving. And there are plenty of good reasons to get active in retirement.
The Benefits of Staying Active in Retirement
When you start exercising, you'll enjoy a long list of benefits — and not all of them are physical.
Studies from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) have shown that physica...

Retirement is a huge accomplishment, and it's also a time of considerable change and new challenges. Fortunately, the path before you is well-worn by retirees who have been in your shoes and overcome the same challenges. Whether your retirement concerns are financial or familial, there are solutions available. Here are some of the most common challenges in retirement and strategies to help you navigate them.
Maintaining Healthy Habits
Committing to regular exercise in retirement can increase ...

It’s a big question with no easy answer: Should you keep renting, or is it time to think about buying a home?
One of the major benefits of being a homeowner is building equity with each mortgage payment, instead of putting money into your landlord’s pocket.
But that doesn’t mean buying is always the best choice—as a renter, you enjoy more flexibility and avoid many of the costs that come with homeownership.
“This is an extremely personal decision,” says David Parsons, broker/owner of Re/Max N...

For many hopeful first-time home buyers, the barriers to purchasing a house are high.
If you're a potential home buyer and you qualify for a conventional loan, you still need thousands of dollars in cash for a down payment, closing costs, and other expenses. If you have only limited credit, you may not qualify for a mortgage at all.
In both cases, you may end up renting when you would rather build wealth by purchasing a home.
But a new micromortgage pilot program is creating a path to homeown...