By Laura SynderMy house has never been a bastion of domestic bliss. I am simply not talented in the domestic arts.Oh, I try to keep the entertaining areas of my house reasonably clean, but the private areas look like a flea market.My cooking skills are just adequate, but my lack of enthusiasm ...
By Jill PertlerMeow. It's me again. The cat. From time to time I take a crack at this column stuff. If you are reading this, today is your lucky day.The female adult human who usually sits at the computer must have a cramp in her opposable thumbs, because she is not typing. Never fear, I am ...
By U.S. Senator Chuck GrassleyQ: How does the government determine cost-of-living adjustments, or COLAs, for Social Security?A: Since 1978, the annual Social Security COLA has been determined by the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers. This CPI-W is ...
Want to live better on the money you already make? Visit to find hundreds of articles to help you stretch your day and your dollar! Copyright 2011 Dollar Stretcher, Inc.The Password BookI could not keep track of all the user name and password combinations required for different websites. They ...
By Laura SnyderWhen I was in second grade, I was in a play. I don't remember what it was called, but I do remember singing, ad nauseum, "It's A Small World After All" for months before this play. As a result, it has been a soundtrack in my mind for the past forty years. I will never forget ...
By Senator Charles GrassleyQ: How is The World Food Prize tied to Iowa?A: Two Iowans were behind creation of the World Food Prize, the international award recognizing individuals who improve the quality, quantity and availability of food in the world. Dr. Norman Borlaug (1914-2009) - an ...
Want to live better on the money you already make? Visit to find hundreds of articles to help you stretch your day and your dollar! Copyright 2011 Dollar Stretcher, Inc.Every PaydayOn each payday, I have direct deposit putting $100 into my savings account and then I forget about it. You would ...
By Jill PerterFall is a good time to tackle home improvement projects. My husband and I were recently forced to this conclusion after ignoring the fix-it needs of our house and yard for longer than we'd like to admit.You may have experienced a situation like ours. It starts with something ...
Q:What's the effect on Americans when China undervalues its currency?A:China's policy of intervening in its currency markets to limit or halt the appreciation of its currency, the yuan, against the U.S. dollar or other currencies has the effect of keeping Chinese exports cheap and imports ...
By Laura Snyder A parent's highest priority is to raise independent, contributing, law-abiding members of society. We are motivated to do so because anything less could cost us a lot of money.During this process, we are obligated to keep them safe from harm, no matter how often they try to ...