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

Money Pit Blogs

Big-City Studio Apartments Getting More Affordable

Thu, 07/19/2012 - 23:11 - Leslie Segrete

If small-space city living is your style, the current real estate market could be your chance to snap up a stylish studio apartment at nearly a quarter of past prices. A softened market means many properties are now within reach for bargain hunters and first-time buyers, even in famously pricey...

Homeowners Get Personal With Long-Term Home Improvements

Fri, 07/13/2012 - 02:19 - Tom Kraeutler

As the tough housing market forces more homeowners to stay put rather than move, their remodeling plans are getting more personal than ever. A recent poll by the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) highlights this home improvement trend, with 26 percent of respondents...

Green Ideas for Celebrating the Red, White and Blue

Mon, 06/25/2012 - 10:55 - Leslie Segrete

Planning a backyard bash for the Fourth of July? Whether the celebration is large or small, add some green to your red, white and blue party plans. The specialists at GreenBrideGuide offer the following five sustainable solutions for Independence Day and any other outdoor gala on your summer...

Midseason Makeover for Your Gas Grill

Mon, 06/25/2012 - 10:47 - Tom Kraeutler

By now, your gas grill has probably been through several backyard bashes, family dinners and casual cookouts. Before the next round of cooking begins, take time to clean your grill for safe operation and dependable results. Here’s an easy five-step grill cleaning plan:

  1. Start by soaking the...

Now Hear This: DIY Projects Can Lead to Hearing Loss

Thu, 06/21/2012 - 23:28 - Tom Kraeutler

We all know that safety is job one when it comes to working with power tools and outdoor gear, but too many DIYers tend to turn a soon-to-be-deaf ear to reminders to wear hearing protection. Most hearing loss is cumulative, happening over a long period of time, and many common tools emit the...

Safety for Your Backyard Playground

Wed, 06/13/2012 - 23:42 - Leslie Segrete

Each year in the United States, more than 200,000 children ages 14 and younger get treated for playground-related injuries. That includes accidents that happen on backyard playgrounds, and the last thing you want in your own yard is a danger zone that can injure neighborhood kids and even get...

Natural Ways to Keep Summer Pests at Bay

Tue, 06/12/2012 - 01:29 - Tom Kraeutler

Is summer your favorite season? Do you love the warm weather, fresh air and luscious produce that comes with it? Unfortunately, bugs feel the same way. Banishing bugs and other pests is a year-round challenge for homeowners, but this summer, try some natural methods for keeping the little...

High-Tech Bathrooms Keep You Connected While You Go

Thu, 06/07/2012 - 01:31 - Tom Kraeutler

Wondering what’s next in a world of smartphones, iPods and wireless everything? Could be the iBathroom, fitted with technology that can keep you connected or help you customize a momentary escape.

According to a recent survey from 11Mark, three-quarters of Americans are already taking their...

Life-Saving Upgrades for Home Safety Month

Thu, 05/31/2012 - 01:25 - Leslie Segrete

With all the chores on your home improvement list, it may feel like a stretch to add another, but this one could save your life: upgrading home fire safety equipment.  It’s easy to take smoke alarms for granted, and if yours are over 10 years old, there’s a 30 percent chance that, thanks to age...

New Doors for My Money Pit

Thu, 05/24/2012 - 13:49 - Tom Kraeutler

As many of our listeners may know, both Leslie and I truly feel both the pain and pleasure of home ownership.  My house has been an ongoing project I’ve been working on for most of my adult life.  It’s 126 years old and was built by my great grandfather.  Back then, most doors didn’t even have a...