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Gift wrap is sold by the roll, not by the gift, so it’s likely that you’ll have some left over at the end of the season. Families often keep several rolls of gift wrap on hand for birthdays, Christmas, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day and other gift-giving holidays. All those supplies — wrapping paper, ribbons, bows, stickers, boxes and more — can turn into a big mess without proper holiday storage. A gift wrap organizer is also important for longevity, since wrapping paper gets discolored, torn and misshapen easily....

It’s easy to get bent out of shape about bills. You work hard just to see so much of your income go to living expenses. But have you ever stopped to think how your habits affect your bills? Check out these 10 myths about saving energy at home. You don’t have to uproot your whole life to save energy. In fact, by making some small changes to your lifestyle, you can save money and help the environment....

Why Change Your Own Oil? You’ll save time and money changing your own motor oil, plus it gives you a chance to get underneath your vehicle to inspect for other issues or maintenance that may be needed. On This Page There are two sides to every motor oil change: draining/replacing/disposing of the oil and removing/changing the oil filter. The oil filter side of the job requires inexpensive but specialized tools, and choosing the right ones depends on the size and type of oil filter you have....

It was August as I wandered around the beds of my mom’s garden, searching for ingredients. A few potatoes, a sweet little onion, fresh tarragon, sorrel leaves, tiny tomatoes and a habanero pepper made it into my basket. Before long, my mom and I were talking and laughing as we savored a soup made from what she’d spent all summer creating. This, and many other garden meals we shared, are some of my most cherished memories....

During World War II, people maintained food security by planting Victory Gardens at homes and public parks. It worked so well that at one point small plots provided close to 40 percent of America’s fresh vegetables. The idea re-blossoms in times of uncertainty and scarcity, like oil crises and stock market crashes. In the last few years, the popularity of community gardens began to skyrocket again. “More than ever, community gardens are supporting city residents not only in their everyday meals, but also socially and mentally,” says Carrie Spoonemore, co-creator of From Seed to Spoon, a garden planner app devoted to making it simple to grow food....

Electrical tools with onboard voltage tester Plus: Don’t believe this common electrical panel myth. Learn how to connect a new circuit safely yourself. Disclosure: This post is brought to you by The Family Handyman editors, who aim to highlight products and services you might find interesting. If you buy them, we get a small share of the revenue from the sale from our commerce partners. We frequently receive products free of charge from manufacturers to test....

A home safe provides security for your belongings and peace of mind for you. While the average home safe isn’t completely impenetrable, it’s an effective deterrent for all but the most determined thieves. Even an inexpensive home safe certainly stops prying eyes and opportunistic hands in their tracks. Before purchasing a safe, you must first decide what it is that you want to protect. Safes intended for irreplaceable valuables have extra security features and cost more than simple, fire resistant document safes....

Family Handyman What is an Access Panel? An access panel is a door, panel or piece of plywood that can be easily removed to provide access to a shut-off valve, drain or other (most often) plumbing part to which you need occasional access in order to make a repair. It can also be called a plumbing access door. Learn how to install a shower faucet and plumbing access panel. Perhaps the most common place you’ll encounter an access panel is on the back side of the plumbing wall of a bathtub or shower....

Few homes in this country are immune to the threat of frozen pipes. Wherever you live and whatever kind of home you live in, all it takes is one cold snap to unleash a flood of destruction through your home. It’s one of the most common causes of property damage. Fortunately, frozen pipes are easy to prevent. What Happens When Pipes Burst? When water freezes, it expands in volume by about nine percent....

When temperatures drop, many folks will start warming themselves around a campfire, backyard firepit or living room fireplace. But will their firewood be ready? Generally you should dry or “season” firewood for six to 18 months before burning. But Mike Kuhns, a Utah State University professor and extension forester, says that time frame can be too broad to be useful. Luckily there are plenty of ways to narrow that window....

A swimming pool without a deck is like a cup without a saucer — they go together naturally. You installed your pool as a place for backyard family fun, but just as much fun takes place around the pool as it does in it. Pool decking, or the border area around your pool, provides space for lounge chairs, sun umbrellas, patio dining sets, gear storage boxes and more. As a perimeter between the pool and your yard, it also helps keep lawn clippings and other garden debris from winding up in the pool....

Edging lends a crisp, clean, finished look to a flower bed. It also keeps the lawn from migrating into the bed and mulch from migrating out. Additionally, certain kinds of edging have a wide surface so you can run the lawnmower wheels over it for a close cut that eliminates trimming. Types of Flower Bed Edging There are many kinds of edging available—plastic, wood, metal and concrete. Many people like concrete because it never needs to be replaced....

While COVID-19 has certainly caused its fair share of problems for the construction industry in the U.S., residential construction and home building have seen a massive upswing in activity. With unemployment numbers on the rise and construction activity hitting all-time highs, it makes sense to think that a significant portion of the people looking for work might turn to jobs in skilled labor. But this has not been the case, at least not according to the 2020 Marcum Jobs Opening and Labor Turnover Survey (JOLTS) Analysis....

The typical home uses about 11,000 kilowatt hours (kWh) of electricity a year, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. The washer and dryer, refrigerator and dishwasher take up 20 percent of the average home’s overall energy usage. Making small changes in how and when you use your appliances can make a big difference in your overall energy bill. First Steps to Energy Efficient Usage First, know your appliances. “When it comes to energy consumption, your water heater, clothes dryer and refrigerators are your electricity hogs,” said Joel Worthington, president of Mr....

Sponsored by Liquid Plumr The first rule of homeownership is to do routine maintenance on a scheduled basis to prevent small problems from snowballing into costly and time-consuming repairs later on. When it comes to drains in your home, the same rule applies-nip the problem in the bud with regular applications of Liquid-Plumr? Full Clog DestroyerTM and you’ll never have to deal with stopped-up drains. You can’t prevent drain buildup....

It’s almost that time of year again. Holiday markdowns are around the corner and we’re thinking about how to shop early and smart. We’ll definitely have eyes on all of the best tools deals, but looking for sales at already affordable retailers like Walmart is at the top of our list. Walmart Black Friday Deals: What to Expect This year, Walmart announced that it will be rolling out savings every Monday through the month of November!...

Eric Audras/Getty Images Whimsical Handmade Lighting Fixtures Artisanal lighting fixtures are a good way to personalize a home, and interior designers are betting to see more of them in homes. This woven piece makes a dramatic statement, adding interest to an otherwise minimalist room. On This Page Marco Curaba/Getty Images Wood-Look Tile Tile is durable and easy to care for, but the appearance of wood fits the earthy, natural trends of the moment....

In poor weather conditions a rear windshield wiper provides clear vision through your rear view mirror’s line of sight. As a bonus, it usually allows for the incorporation of a washer-fluid dispenser that can improve vision in dry conditions, too. Rear wipers come standard on SUVs and many hatchbacks, but why don’t all cars have one? Is a Rear Windshield Wiper Even Necessary? Many opinions exist regarding the absence of rear windshield wipers on sedans....

1000kbps/Getty Images The average new vehicle loses 50 percent of its value after five years, according to analysis and reporting by iSeeCars.com. The percentage lost ranges from 30 percent for the Jeep Wrangler to as much as 72 percent for the Maserati Quattroporte. Knowing which vehicles best maintain their value can help you make an informed purchase or sale. Whether you’re considering a new car purchase or a deal on a used car, choosing one with good resale value will mean more money stays in your pocket....

Courtesy of IBS The annual International Builders’ Show from the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) will transition to an online format for 2021. Originally planned for Orlando, Fla. next February, the event will instead be entirely virtual for the first time in its 76-year history. “Out of an abundance of caution and concern for the safety of our exhibitors, attendees and the thousands of onsite workers who support the premier event of the residential construction industry, we feel the only prudent course is to make this year’s show a virtual event,” said NAHB Chairman Chuck Fowke....