How to decorate for the perfect English country Christmas
“I like seeing festive elements all over the place, so that you turn the corner and think, ‘Oh yes, it’s Christmas!’” says Paula. “I do the whole house, including upstairs, where there will be more trailing ivy – it sounds a bit naff, but I use faux ivy upstairs, as I don’t want to run […]
Step-by-Step Guide: How to Wear a Shawl Like a Runway Model, Not Your Nan
GIFTS AREN’T ALL you should be wrapping this season. If you’re remotely fashion-minded, now’s the time to swaddle yourself dramatically in oversize shawls and wraps. Stow away those wispy pashminas and grab one of the voluminous alternatives that billowed down fall runways, such as Michael Kors’s scarves, whose fringed ends practically tickled the ground. Consider […]
How to fit charitable giving into your budget this holiday season
With high prices continuing to squeeze budgets, 47% of Americans say their charitable giving will be affected by inflation as the holidays approach, a recent WalletHub survey found. “It certainly isn’t surprising that all of the economic factors that have been going on are impacting not only families’ baseline budgets, but that it’s trickling over […]
How to avoid emotional spending
If stress or sadness has ever pushed you to buy something you probably don’t need, you’re not alone. Nearly 70% of Americans say emotions have influenced their spending, a recent LendingTree survey finds. When it comes to emotional spending, “the deck is stacked against us,” says financial psychologist and certified financial planner Brad Klontz. “We’re […]
How to Avoid Being Boring at 60
By Rob LaZebnik Nov. 23, 2023 9:00 pm ET Listen to article (2 minutes) When I recently turned 60, I realized with alarm that I was starting to see unmistakable signs from friends and colleagues that I was becoming—there’s no easy way to put this—boring. It was almost as if the same stories I had […]
How to make small talk if you are to succeed socially this Christmas
“Hello, lovely to meet you. So, how much do you weigh?” Don’t worry, you needn’t answer unless you wish to. But you’ll agree it’s a useful reminder of how not to make small talk if you want to succeed socially this Christmas. You might assume it’s intuitive to avoid highly personal questions when shooting the […]
How To Switch Home Insurance
Whether you’re looking to save money or simply unhappy with your homeowners insurance company, you can switch providers at any time. That said, you want to follow the right steps to ensure you get the financial protection you need and avoid a lapse in coverage (and its resulting consequences). Below, CNBC Select explains the step-by-step […]
How to Create a Soulful but Up-to-Date Kitchen
DON’T LET the exposed brick fool you. Until recently, this vibrant kitchen in Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn, was dingy, dull and stripped of original details—the victim of a hit-and-run renovation that removed every bit of character from the circa-1900 row house, says architect-designer Sarah Jacoby. The upshot? In 2022, when the new owners, an education administrator and […]
How to stop snacking and develop healthy eating habits
Put protein first Protein is “thermogenic”, which means it requires the body to expend more energy digesting it than it would with other, more processed foods. That makes you less likely to feel hungry after a protein-based meal. But eating it before the other food on your plate might also help keep you full too. […]
How to cut down on drinking but still have a social life
Cutting back on alcohol can be tough, especially if you enjoy going out with friends. But a former bartender-turned-mindful drinker has come up with a guide to make it a little bit easier. After 22 years at his award-winning bar in Washington, D.C., Derek Brown decided that it was time to give up alcohol and […]