ByJill PertlerMy husband has a new lady friend. He shares her with our three sons, who are also sweet on the most recent family acquaintance. They are, in a word, enamored. Under normal circumstances, I might feel threatened what with my four guys throwing their rapt attention toward another ...

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 2010 Dollar Stretcher, Inc.Ever get tired of looking at the same old art pieces in your home?Get some friends together and see if you can trade ...

ByLaura SnyderGoing to a Walmart store feels like going to the dentist. I know I should go because the prices are generally cheaper than other stores and I can do most of my shopping in one stop. But I would rather eat dirt than go to Walmart.As soon as I pull into that sea of cars in the ...

BySenator Charles GrassleyQ: Included in the health care reform reconciliation bill was a major change to the student loan program. What does it do?Currently, most American college students with Stafford student loans received federally backed loans from the private bank of their choice. ...

By State Rep. Lance HorbachA couple of people have contacted me asking why legislators are worried about saving family-owned Maid-Rites, like the one in Marshalltown or Toledo, while the State of Iowa is broke and 110,000 people are out of work?You deserve an answer!Several years ago, the ...

BySenator Charles GrassleyQ: How can Iowans prepare for flooding this spring?A: Flooding can be very dangerous for both people and property. With 2008 flooding still fresh in Iowans' minds and flooding already becoming an issue in parts of Iowa this spring, we're all aware that this isn't a ...

By Senator Tim KapucianThis week at the Capitol seemed to move quickly as we worked on several bills that appropriated money to various state agencies. Thanks to one particular bill that passed in the Senate, if you accidentally ...

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 2010 Dollar Stretcher, Inc.Before It Dies!Recently, my boyfriend and I have begun using "dying" produce (produce that's just about had it in ...

Q: What is Red Cross Month?A: Red Cross Month provides an opportunity to educate citizens and their communities about services provided by the Red Cross to the public. The Red Cross isn't a government agency. It's an independent, tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organization whose mission is defined by ...

BySenator Tim KapucianThe sun is shining and tufts of grass are peeking through on hillsides here and there. We finally have evidence that Spring will once again arrive. We continue to be on schedule for an early departure from the state house this year. The budget remains the focus. I ...