Lauren Sieben

I’m one of those sick people who loves going to the dentist.
Yes, such people exist, albeit in small numbers. It turns out that 36 percent of the population is afflicted by dental anxiety, and another 12 percent suffers from extreme dental fear, so I’m part of a small pool of oddballs who genuinely look forward to letting near-strangers poke and prod inside their mouths.
But it’s not that weird, really, if I can psychoanalyze myself for a minute: Since childhood, the dentist has been a place ...

These days, writers and bloggers alike strive to be creative in order to capture and maintain reader attention.
According to HubSpot, 43 percent of readers admit to only skimming blog posts. But, if you pivot your writing strategy and focus on presenting readers with “snackable content” (posts and articles that are informative, but easily digestible), you’ll successfully reel in readers for the duration of your post.
Why we skim
Part of the blame can be placed on the many screens vying for ou...

In 2012, Leslie Becker threw caution to the wind and scheduled ankle surgery without knowing the cost.
She was 23, fresh out of college and covered by her employer’s high-deductible insurance plan. She did her best to anticipate how much she’d have to pay for the procedure. When she asked about the cost during a pre-surgery visit, a nurse told her it could be anywhere from $5,000 to $25,000.
“I pressed her for more information but didn’t really get any,” says Becker, now 31 and working as an ...

If you and your partner are a prime example of the theory that opposites attract, then chances are good your differences extend down to your financial habits.
Even in the happiest of unions, conflicting attitudes about money can test a relationship. In fact, one in five Americans say they have financial disagreements with their partner at least once a month, according to our 2018 Planning & Progress study.
But coming together to bridge your differences can strengthen a relationship, too. It’s...

Fyre Festival might just be the biggest event fail of our time. If you aren’t up to speed on the ill-fated 2017 festival, it was the brainchild of an alleged pathological liar and a has-been rapper that promised to bring a star-studded music festival to an island paradise. Hordes of festival goers eagerly emptied their bank accounts for tickets that cost up to nearly $400,000.
But things didn’t go quite as planned.
The masterminds behind the festival couldn’t deliver on their lofty promises. ...

My husband and I are no strangers to bathroom renovation projects. We've tackled four bathrooms in two different houses, and while we've been ultimately pleased with each outcome, it's painfully clear we are no Chip and Joanna Gaines.
Case in point: While fixing up our first bathroom, my husband sawed through a waterline, resulting in an emergency plumbing project (and a very irritated me when I came home from the gym unable to hop in the shower).
Even if it’s the tiniest room in your house, ...

Unless you've been living under a rock, you've probably heard about Marie Kondo's new Netflix show, "Tidying Up." Known for her best-seller, “The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up,” the organizing guru has made decluttering a phenomenon on the small screen.
So with all the buzz, there's a good chance that the early weekends of 2019 have seen you diving headfirst into decluttering. But if you’re doing it with a spouse or a significant other, sorting through your shared possessions can be a rel...

Digital Marketing
Professionals who work with nonprofit organizations are the masters of doing a lot with limited resources, and social media marketing is no exception.
After you share the perfect tweet or Instagram post, don’t let it get buried within the fast-paced newsfeeds of your followers. Take advantage of tools that streamline your workflow and fold your social media content right into your website.
By taking a few steps, you’ll make it more convenient for stakeholders to stay connect...

1. New food halls
The Cream City just joined the food hall trend with Crossroads Collective on the city’s hip east side, spotlighting local restaurants such as Beerline Café and The Laughing Taco. After your meal, grab a drink at the collective’s hidden speakeasy or sip a glass of champagne at the oyster bar.
Also in the works: 3rd Street Market Hall, scheduled to open downtown in the fall with both food vendors and entertainment, including a vintage arcade, bocce ball and ping pong.
2. Fiser...

Whether you’re creating a website from scratch or upgrading your existing site, a WordPress.com Business plan gives you the freedom, flexibility, and support to create a site that’s tailor-made for your small business’s goals.
Wondering if a WordPress.com Business plan is right for you? Here are five ways you could use the plan to make the most of your WordPress.com site.

Through Girl Scouts, both girls and adults embrace opportunities to mentor and be mentored.
January is National Mentoring Month, and at Girl Scouts, we know first-hand how mentoring can play an important role in a young person’s life.
While an amazing troop leader or inspiring camp counselor can make a positive impact on girls, Girl Scouts aren’t just mentees—they also become mentors as they grow and guide the younger girls following in their path. The result is an incredible cycle of mentori...

If your business caters to a niche market, it can be both a blessing and a curse: A blessing because it instantly narrows down your target audience, but a curse since it can be difficult to reach a super-specific group of people when promoting your events.
Fortunately, with a little sleuthing and creativity, you can find your target audience, no matter how specific or esoteric your niche is. You can even be proactive and make it easier for your niche target audience to find you. Read on for t...

You know that feeling of satisfaction after you organize your office or finally sort through a pile of laundry the floor? Turns out you can conjure the same feel-good sensation when you tidy up your WordPress calendar using event categories and tags!
But that sense of satisfaction isn’t just for your own benefit. Your website visitors will also have a better experience using a calendar that’s well-organized and easy to search. By cleaning up your calendar taxonomy, attendees will be able to f...

Performing a WordPress website audit is an easy way to ensure your site is optimized for your business goals.
Think of it as a regular checkup for your site that provides insight on your specific goals, whether that’s driving more traffic, increasing sales, growing your subscriber base, improving your SEO, or something entirely unique to your business.
Where to Start
The most valuable audit isn’t necessarily the most comprehensive one (though those can be helpful, too). Which parameters you a...