According to Wingspan, a company that provides freelancers with a range of resources in one place (think invoicing, benefits, and bookkeeping), 68 percent of freelancers say their life has improved since making the transition to freelance. So, it should come as no surprise that freelancers will account for the majority of the American workforce by 2027. While becoming a freelancer has its perks, there are many factors to think about before leaving your full-time job behind....

“Mental health stigma encompasses a lot of misunderstanding, but essentially it’s the persistent perception that people with mental health disorders are strange, broken, different, or even dangerous,” says Jennifer Dragonette, PsyD, executive director of Newport Institute. “This stigma perpetuates the belief that individuals with mental health concerns should be minimized or condemned, and results in fewer people seeking help when they need it.” The Impact of Mental Health Stigma According to a study in World Pshychiatry, the impact of stigma on people with mental illness is twofold: “On one hand, they struggle with the symptoms and disabilities that result from the disease....

I’ve a huge fan of Disney if you couldn’t tell by my Disney board game or the amount of Disneyland food I’ve consumed in the past three years. Disney Plus subscribers, Disneyland annual passholders – yeah we’re Disney fanatics around here. And I’ll always have a soft spot in my heart for the classic Disney movies. This Disney matching game printable is full of popular quotes from some of the most popular animated Disney movies....

There are a few flavors that I can’t get enough of around Christmastime. Cranberry orange (like in these cranberry orange muffins) is one, hot chocolate (like these hot chocolate muddy buddies) is other, and peppermint is the last one. I already shared my peppermint hot chocolate recipe so today I’m sharing some yummy peppermint sugar cookies to go along with it! If you’ve ever had a Chick Fil-A peppermint milkshake, these remind me of those with their peppermint flavor, chocolate shavings, and peppermint crunch on top....

The data, which reflects U.S. search terms only, also contains several recipes that went viral (thanks TikTok!) as well as some dishes that have increased in popularity thanks to some exciting moments in pop culture. Who remembers when the cicadas returned at the start of the summer after a 17-year absence and a certain segment of the population simply couldn’t wait to eat them? Unsurprisingly, there are also a few recipes that simply trended in 2021 thanks to how great they taste and how easy they are to prepare....

“Each person has a unique hair type and texture; the hair that grows out of your scalp is always going to be the true texture of your hair. Even if you go for a straightening treatment, it’ll only affect the bottom half of the hair. So, if you have naturally wavy or curly hair, it will still grow in that way,” explains Cédric, a celebrity stylist and owner of Cédric Salon at Lotte New York Palace Hotel....

Fun Halloween Activities at Home You don’t have to go out and about to enjoy the holiday. In fact, there are plenty of Halloween activities you can enjoy while staying cozy at home. Paint (or carve) pumpkins It’s never too late to decorate pumpkins—even on Halloween night. If you’re stuck inside (or just want to stay indoors), spend the spookiest night of the year trying some no-carve pumpkin ideas. Kids love it, and it’s way less messy than carving pumpkins....

Ear Mitts A cousin of the ear muff, these warmers come in two separate pieces and fit easily over your ears without even a headband to mess up your hair. Everything will stay in place and your ears will be nice and warm, says celebrity fashion expert Dawn del Russo. They also come in fun faux fur and crystal-studded options. Earmuffs This is the number one go-to for stylist and lifestyle correspondent Natalie Decleve of Natty Style....

The first step is to determine whether your carpet is made of synthetic or natural fibers. Then follow our guide below to find out which combination of ingredients is best for your type of stain and your type of carpet. Follow these recipes for homemade carpet cleaners exactly and your rug will be on its way to being stain-free once again. (Until the next mess, at least.) DIY Carpet Cleaning Solutions To spot clean synthetic rugs, dip a white cloth into these DIY carpet cleaners and apply to the stain....

Make a DIY Balloon Garland Set the tone of your New Year’s Eve party by hanging a DIY balloon garland above the serving area. As soon as guests walk in, they’ll know this is going to be a party to remember. A large balloon garland might look intimidating, but it’s actually super quick and easy to make. We purchased a package of balloons in various shades of pink, then used a string of balloon garland tape (yes, that’s a thing!...

On This Episode In this episode, Stefanie talks to a listener who is the first in her family to live, work, and build her wealth in the United States, and learns about the impact that has on her relationship with both her money and her family. Personal finance author Berna Anat weighs in with how to manage the unique financial considerations for immigrants and first- and second-generation Americans. Meet Our Caller “Vanessa” is a 23-year-old listener based in the Midwest, who came to the United States by way of Brazil....

What Is Acorn Squash? Available year-round and at peak production from September through March, acorn squash is a sought-after vegetable that’s known for its nutty flavor. Plus, it’s filled with vitamins A and C, antioxidants, fiber, and potassium. Just like other winter squash such as butternut, delicata, buttercup, and spaghetti squash, it has a hard skin. But don’t let that hard skin scare you away—after you bake it, the skin will become soft and easily separate from the flesh, so there’s no need to worry about peeling it....

You know who’s nailed it? Jacques Torres. Often referred to as Mr. Chocolate, Jacques is the ultimate authority on all things related to this confectionary delight—particularly chocolate chip cookies. His are the best balance of melty-on-the-inside, crisp-on-the-edges; they’re buttery, chewy, and have just the right amount of chips to boot. What’s his secret? “Let the dough age,” he says. Many of us are already chilling the dough prior to rolling it out for a bit....

For this project, stringers are attached to a crossbrace at the top and a toe-kick at the bottom. The landing is made of concrete pavers set in a sand bed. Stairs with 14-inch runs (tread widths) should have rises of between 5-1/2 and 6-1/2 inches. The wider the treads, the more total run the stringers have to span. When you notch stringers, you weaken them. After the notches are cut out of these 2x12 stringers, about 5-1/2 inches of uncut width is left for strength—in other words, the stringers are as strong as 2x6s....

Plus, everything you cook on the grill will be easier to flip and remove from the grates when the surface is clean—which means your best burger starts with a squeaky clean grill. Cleaning your grill is a quick task that will help keep your friends and family healthy and make your burgers and brats taste better. Whether you prefer cooking with charcoal or gas, these Test Kitchen-approved tips on the best way to clean a grill will help you achieve professional-level results at your backyard barbecue....

Laminate wood flooring is made from layers of composite wood pressed together and sealed with laminate. Laminate wood looks like solid wood, but it can be a better choice in many ways: It is more durable, less susceptible to scratches (which can be a major issue if you have pets), and more moisture resistant. Choosing to install laminate wood flooring can also help homeowners save money. It gives you the look of a wood floor at a much lower price point....

Is this task critical or optional? Critical. The sink is the kitchen’s second dirtiest spot (after the sponge). Without weekly scrub-downs, a plaquelike biofilm—containing germs from raw meat and more (eww)—can form and contaminate whatever touches it, says microbiologist Philip Tierno Jr. Critical or optional? Technically the dirt and grime are far enough out of reach that they’re generally not a significant health hazard (also, you know, out of sight, out of mind), which makes this optional....

If someone in your life is causing you emotional, physical, or ethical distress, at some point you’re going to need to gather the courage to speak up. There’s a way to approach confrontation in a healthy and constructive way without coming across as weak and wishy-washy, or tipping over into overt aggression. Luckily, having a few tricks up your sleeve will help ease the discomfort of confronting someone. Here, Jodi R....

While you’re there, you’ll be prompted to check the product categories that interest you and that’s it! Shoppers can select one or all of the following departments: Food and beverage, women’s beauty, men’s grooming, cat food and supplies, dog food and supplies, baby products, sports nutrition, health and wellness, feminine care, household essentials, and office supplies. And there’s no obligation to review or purchase items. RevitaLash Advanced Eyelash Conditioner Serum, $98; amazon....

Rotating your mattress has some clear-cut answers to those questions (about every three months, carefully, and yes, probably), while retirement planning can be a little more vague and situation-specific. The good news for retirement planners, though, is that you can get really, truly excited about retirement planning, and doing so can help motivate you to set and reach goals for a better future and find answers to those big questions for yourself....