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Share ideas and learn about the latest in home improvement and décor from Tom and Leslie.

Money Pit Blogs

The Right Way to File a Homeowners Insurance Claim

Fri, 11/09/2012 - 12:11 - Tom Kraeutler

Filing a homeowners insurance claim isn’t the most pleasant process, but it goes much more smoothly when you give attention to the details. Every step you take ensures that you get the most out of the coverage you’ve paid for, and the following will ease your way to a properly filed...

Inspecting for Home Damage After a Storm

Sat, 11/03/2012 - 23:35 - Leslie Segrete

Major weather events like Hurricane Sandy leave a lot of obvious structural damage in their wake. But there can also be hidden damage that turns into big expenses later on. A season of weather extremes is just beginning, and no matter where you live, it’s important to do a thorough inspection...

Green House of Cards: With U.S. green building Standards under scrutiny, it's up to homeowners to make their own decisions

Fri, 10/26/2012 - 11:24 - Tom Kraeutler

In its recent “Green, Inc.” news series, USA Today uncovered shortcomings in the U.S. Green Building Council’s popular LEED standards for sustainable design and building.

The exposé describes how a program that’s supposed to represent Leadership in Environmental Design also appears to be tied...

Replace Windows for Better Health

Fri, 10/19/2012 - 02:46 - Tom Kraeutler

You may know that replacing windows boosts a home’s energy efficiency, but new models can also be better for your health. If your home was built prior to 1978, your current windows are likely finished with lead-based paint and exposing your family to harm on a daily basis. Research has shown...

Decorate for Falloween

Sat, 10/13/2012 - 13:23 - Leslie Segrete

Autumn is the official start of the holiday decorating season—the beginning of that make-everything-festive moment. Now’s the time to add a little warmth to your home, and the best way to make the decorative impact last through November is to think “Falloween.” Create displays and deck the halls...

For Safety's Sake, Make a Fire Escape Plan

Sat, 10/06/2012 - 23:04 - Tom Kraeutler

Do you have an escape plan in case of fire in your home? According to a survey by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), only one third of American households have developed and practiced such a plan. What’s more, many of us overestimate the amount of time we’ll have before a fire...

When it Comes to Home Decorating, Americans are True to Blue

Fri, 09/28/2012 - 22:31 - Leslie Segrete

If there’s a lot of blue happening in your home décor, you’re not alone. According to House Beautiful’s first-annual Color Report published this month, blue is the favorite hue of decorators around the United States. On the way to confirming this love for the blues, House Beautiful collected...

Get Better Customer Service by Being a Better Customer

Fri, 09/21/2012 - 11:00 - Tom Kraeutler

We’re entering a time of year when there’s a lot to do, prepare and repair, and that means plenty of contact with customer service representatives. Whether they’re on the other end of the phone line at the utility company or making an in-person service call at your home, the quality of the...

Where Mold Hides in the Cleanest Homes

Sat, 09/15/2012 - 21:17 - Leslie Segrete

September is Mold Awareness Month, a time to remember that we can sometimes be unaware of mold lurking in our homes. All mold needs to grow is a little moisture, air and the “food” of organic matter like paper, fibers and dust. And no matter how clean a home you keep, mold will find those little...

For Fall Savings, Get Reacquainted with Your Electric Bill

Sat, 09/08/2012 - 19:43 - Tom Kraeutler

Did you hear the one about the Connecticut homeowner who got an electric company refund of $10,500 after discovering she’d been paying to power two nearby streetlights for 25 years? True story, and even though it’s an extreme one, it’s a good reminder of the importance of understanding your...