The trucks, teddy bears, dolls and Barbie Dream House may be history. But their fading from favor doesn’t mean you’re off the hook.Next comes the hard-core electronics. Desktop and laptop computers. Video games. CDs. DVDs. Xbox. Nintendo’s Wii. Cables and more cables.Your child’s room or playroom can be as much of a mess with electronic […]

One of the best ways to stretch a tight food budget is to think big.Buying in bulk, especially when it comes to meat, can save a substantial amount of money.For example, small center-cut pork loin roasts or boneless pork loin chops cost $4 or more a pound. But buying a whole pork loin (usually about […]

DEAR ABBY: I am a 43-year-old male with major dental issues to take care of. Because I have no insurance, and dental work is costly, I plan to have my treatment overseas. A close friend has arranged for me to stay with his parents for two weeks while I’m there.The parents were here on vacation […]

DEAR MR. DAD: My wife and I are about to get a divorce. We have a 1-year-old boy and she’s pregnant with our second. Here’s the problem: She’s been having an affair for the last two years and I’m concerned that the children aren’t actually mine. What can I do to protect myself?Answer: Hire a […]

We’ve all seen it: The house that’s overrun with kids’ stuff because the kids run it. Disorganization is everywhere. Homes strewn with toys in every room on HGTV horrify would-be buyers. Your neighbor’s living room is like an obstacle course filled with video games, dolls, bats and balls. Or, even worse, it’s your home that’s […]

RUMFORD – “A cook in the house with a family has to be able to look inside the refrigerator and see a meal.”So says John Glaus, who, thanks to his extensive culinary education, is able to see some wonderful gourmet meals in his refrigerator and pantry.From 1973-1977, he attended L’ecôle Hôtelière de la Société Suisse […]

“If you go straight, you’ll drive right into the bay.” That’s what my mother says when she gives newcomers directions to the cottage. I smile as I make the sharp left turn necessary to avoid such a fate and pull up next to the mini-van my baby sister has driven from Pennsylvania. Trekking five hours […]

NEW YORK – Beauty products are personal: What works for one oily-skinned woman with brown eyes and thin hair might not work for her dry-skinned friend with blue eyes and thick, color-processed hair. But some products have better batting averages than others. The editorial staffs of many magazines, their readers and an industry group called […]

Doctors and etiquette experts constantly flog flip-flops for mistreating the feet.But they keep pounding the pavement to your office anyway.Now, companies are working to rehabilitate the flip-flop’s image, by creating stable, supportive versions worth a try for your commute.Here’s a look at a few pointers and brands that are like chicken soup for your soles. […]

The staff at Cook’s Illustrated magazine tested five varieties of hardneck garlic and concluded that rocambole and porcelain were the tastiest. But they also determined that preparation played a big role in making the most of garlic flavor, said Jack Bishop, editorial director. His advice:– The more finely garlic is minced, the stronger its flavor.– […]