Around the House Stories

Tackling Spring Cleaning
The mere mention of spring evokes pleasant images of planting flowers, flying kites, taking picnics and watching baseball.

Insuring Your House   by Mardy Fones
Homeowners insurance covers your home, its contents, and living expenses if you are temporarily unable to live in your home due to an insured disaster.

Reasons to Recycle   by Lisa Zhito
When the Trigg County Recycling Center opened in Cadiz, Ky. (pop. 2,373), in 1993, Howell Hopson and his wife, Geneva Parris, were eager to use the facility.

Taking a Home Inventory   by Anne Gillem
After a tornado destroyed Becky Gamble’s home in Southport, Ind. (pop. 1,852), 30 years ago, she spent days documenting her lost possessions so she could file an insurance claim.

Budget-Friendly Decorating Ideas   by Katie and Gene Hamilton
Your home is your castle, but that doesn’t mean you have to spend a king’s ransom to breathe new life into a tired decor.

Do It Yourself, Or Not?   by Katie and Gene Hamilton
Just because you can tackle a home project yourself doesn’t mean you should.

Adding Value to Your Abode   by Katie and Gene Hamilton
Homeowners spent more than $155 billion on home improvements and repairs in 2006, according to Harvard University's Joint Center for Housing Studies.

Summer Energy-Saving Tips   by Katie and Gene Hamilton
Keeping your home cool and comfortable in the summer can be expensive, considering the escalating price of energy.

Living Small   by j. poet
Jay Shafer appears larger than life, standing on the front porch of his 100-square-foot home in Sebastopol, Calif. (pop. 7,774), welcoming a visitor with an outstretched hand and a big smile.

Helpful Tips for Around the House

Finding a Good Contractor   by Katie and Gene Hamilton
Finding a good professional home contractor—from an independent handyman to large-scale builder—is not always a speedy process.

Creating Gift Wrap   by Mari S. Gold
You’ve bought or made the perfect gift, but that’s only the first step. Wrapping your present in a creative and unexpected way makes a gift even more personal,...

"Enlarging" Small Rooms   by Carol Bousquet Chop
If you're tired of your home's small, crowded rooms, here are several decorating techniques to make them appear more spacious.

Kitchen Cleaning Tips

Trim Your Heating Bill   by Gene & Katie Hamilton

Home Inventory Made Easier   by Katie & Gene Hamilton

Let There Be Outdoor Light   by Gene & Katie Hamilton

Light Up Your Lawn   by Gene & Katie Hamilton

Childproof Your Home   by Kathy Peel

Simple Solutions for the Home   by The Family Handyman