Jeff Somers

If you own a home, you’ve probably gotten cold calls from folks who want to buy your house even though it’s not for sale. It’s probably not in your best interest.

You’re relaxing at home when suddenly water starts pouring from the ceiling. Don't panic—but don't just wait for your roofer, either.

You’ve got more books than bookshelf space—and more coming all the time.

That new house you’re about to buy could be a time bomb of shoddy, illegal work.

Yes, you can use your savings account money without losing it.

From traffic cones to rechargeable lighters and endoscopes, there’s a lot of unexpected stuff you absolutely should have on hand in your house.

No, the hack isn’t just putting a bucket down, you disgusting heathens.

If you have some trees in your yard, their true tree value might be worth more than just shade.

Sometimes the old stuff you have lying around is worth more if you take it apart.

If you know your way around an engine, you can do the repairs yourself without buying a ton of tools.

Make your home friendlier to folks over six feet, without a gut renovation.

Yes, there is such a thing as fence etiquette—and if you want a happy life, you’d best observe it.

Think of it like life's biggest "mystery box."

Sometimes your loose change is worth a little more than you realize.

Your car is collecting (and transmitting) data about you to third parties.

When you’re struggling with your finances, a second job might seem like a no-brainer solution—but in practice, it doesn’t always help.

Some surfaces and materials are easier to clean (and keep clean) than others.

You don’t have to spend a fortune to increase your home value.

Interest rates are high and closing costs can eat into equity—here’s how to figure out if you’ll be better off adding onto your existing home instead of buying a larger one.

Pennies aren’t worth much, but there are ways to make them useful.