On This Episode Nearly half of all marriages end in divorce—and that can leave not only an emotional impact but a financial one. Host Stefanie O’Connell Rodriguez and attorney and wealth expert Tasha Cochran, who has made it through her own divorce, lay out a step-by-step plan to help those going through divorce get their financial lives in order. Meet Our Caller “Alicia” is a 49-year-old school psychologist and mother of two children, and she’s juggling multiple money goals following her recent divorce: furnishing her new home, paying off debt, helping her college-aged kids pay their tuition, and building up her savings....

Enter Caffeinated and Homebuyer Educated—a free virtual workshop organized by Chicago-based real estate advisor Emily Kaczmarek and loan consultant Bill Pendley for potential first-time homebuyers. What pulled me in right away was the fact that the workshop was also for people who might be a few years away from buying their first home, like me. The event description said the goal of the workshop was to “alleviate any stressors to those who are considering a home purchase in the future, whether that be in the next few months or years down the road....

So when I learned that there were at-home microdermabrasion devices that could exfoliate my tired-looking skin and deep-clean my pores, I was very excited to give it a whirl. Here’s how it went, and everything you need to know if you want to try it. There are actually hundreds of home Microderm wands (who knew?!), but I opted to test out PMD’s Personal Microderm Pro Elite ($299; ulta.com). Between the glowing reviews, customizable settings, and sleek, self-contained packaging, I was intrigued....

On This Episode More than half of American workers say they’re behind on their retirement savings, and 46% expect to retire with debt. Stefanie interviews Joe Saul-Sehy, personal finance expert and author, about how we can prepare our finances and our lifestyles for this retirement reality. Meet Our Caller “Cecilia” is a 60-year-old listener from New Jersey. She has spent her career working in the beauty industry and is hoping to retire within the next five years....

But when you think about the impact that this significant amount of red meat might be making on the environment, it’s no surprise that IKEA has considered more sustainable ways to sell its famous Swedish meatballs. Enter the Plant Ball, a plant-based alternative that has just 4 percent of the carbon footprint of the real-deal meatballs. IKEA’s announcement today states that the Plant Ball was designed with one intention: to recreate the meatball without meat, meaning its vegan alternative actually tastes like meat and doesn’t compromise taste or texture....

Here’s the good news: “Regardless of the time of day you exercise, you’ll achieve gains in cardiorespiratory fitness and strength,” says Catherine Yeckel, MS, PhD, exercise physiologist and assistant professor of clinical public health at Yale School of Public Health in New Haven, Conn. Of course, the more important question is when you’ll be more motivated to exercise. “The best time to exercise is when you can take time for yourself and put your full effort into completing your workout,” says Marisa Mickey, MS, assistant professor of exercise science at Endicott College in Beverly, Mass....

As with any choice, it comes down to cost, convenience, and time. A new survey from New York City-based real estate site StreetEasy and renovation matchmaking service Sweeten reveals how a renovation and a move compare, and the findings may surprise you, especially if you assume that cutting ties with a current home and moving into a fresh, new one is easy. The survey findings are based on a survey of New York City homeowners (predominantly apartment-owners), but it reveals some interesting arguments for staying put and renovating or moving that anyone can use, wherever they live....

You can crank out three dozen of these sweet little iced balls in an hour, so it’s a great go-to for serving a crowd. Get the recipe: Angeletti Store these cookies between sheets of wax paper in an airtight container at room temperature, and they’ll keep for up to 2 days (if they last that long). Get the recipe: Jam Sandwich Cookies These shouldn’t be confused with French macarons (with only one “o”), which are delicate, airy sandwich cookies with a layer of filling in between, resembling a brightly colored Oreo....

So when size-inclusive and sustainable brand Kinflyte offered to send me a couple of bras made with its patented Posture System, I immediately said yes. Before I delve any deeper into my experience, it’s important to go through what the bra claims to do. The goal, according to Kinflyte, is to “cue a women’s body into better alignment” through a combination of its extra supportive construction, non-slip straps that are meant to eliminate some of the weight from the shoulders, and comfortable compression fabric....

With kitchen trends constantly shifting, being confident that a backsplash tile idea will last as long as the kitchen does—a few years, at least—isn’t always a sure thing. Trends in larger kitchen features such as appliances, countertops, and kitchen cabinet paint colors seem to be all over the place. They pop up, disappear, and then make a comeback every few years, and kitchen backsplash designs are in the same boat....

As COVID-19 cases increase nationwide due to the newly dominant Omicron variant, you might be rethinking your go-to face masks for running errands, going to work, and traveling. And according to some experts and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), it’s about time to retire your cloth face coverings and switch to disposable masks, including N95 or KN95 masks. Face masks with at least three layers of material, surgical masks, N95 masks, and KN95 masks “all offer good protection provided that they fit well,” according to Amira Roess, PhD, MPH, professor of global health and epidemiology at George Mason University College of Health and Human Services....

The adjustment period that accompanies making the switch to an aluminum-free deodorant has previously scared me off. Similar options left my armpits unbearably itchy; I was sweating more than ever, and my skin felt irritated. But when I started using the Kopari deodorant, I was shocked to find how little of that I experienced. To buy: $14; koparibeauty.com. Kopari’s natural deodorant is an entirely plant-based formula that includes coconut oil to hydrate the skin, as well as sage oil, which helps soothe potential irritation, according to the brand....

Luckily, there’s an alternative that works just as well. We’ll show you how to make your own no-waste kitchen sponges. It’s an easy sewing project you can finish in an afternoon, and the best part is that the sponges use printed cotton fabric, so you can choose any color or pattern you like. How to Make a Zero-Waste Sponge Supplies Needed Cotton fabric Terrycloth Mesh Scissors Mildew-resistant poly batting Sewing pinsSewing machine (or needle and thread)Foam...

While reusable face masks are better for the environment and require a one-time purchase rather than regular restocks, disposable face masks have a lot to offer, too. They ensure hygienic protection with every use, most have built-in filters so you don’t have to buy your own, and don’t require regular laundering since you only wear them once—just be sure to clip the ear loops before throwing yours away to help protect the environment....

“I’m sort of figuring out how to make my monthly payments on my loans, but I don’t want that to be the only focus on my finances right now,” she says. “I’m interested in investing. I’m interested in making my money work for me. So I’m trying to figure out how I can make both of those things happen.” While Avery has started investing small amounts in her company’s 401K and saving in an emergency fund, in addition to paying off her debt, she’s trying to find the right way to prioritize her financial goals....

The High & Mighty 18-Inch Beveled Floating Shelf has a 15-pound capacity thanks to two metal hangers, whose sharp teeth push into drywall and leave nothing more than pin-sized holes. Frankly, filling them with spackle will probably take less time than the wildly brief installation. An included adhesive level makes the shelf easy to put up, and it even has markings for where to place the hangers. To mount the shelf, I placed the level on my wall, pressed the hangers into their designated spots, and hooked its corresponding metal slots onto the hangers....

You might think you’re helping your machine run smoother by washing off bits of your dinner, but you’re actually using up far more water than necessary. “Most faucets operate at a 1.5 gallon per minute flow rate,” Adam Hoffman, director of engineering for dishwashers at GE Appliances, says. “Which means that if it is on for two minutes and 18 seconds, then the amount of water used to rinse just a few dishes is already the same as the 3....

The peptide-infused serum promises to reduce wrinkles and visibly smooth the skin for a rejuvenated and more youthful appearance. The serum uses peptides to hold up to its promises. So what exactly are peptides and why do they matter? Well, according to the Medical Dermatology Associates of Chicago, peptides are naturally made in our bodies and contribute to keeping skin looking its best. The tiny molecules contribute to keeping collagen production strong and consistent....

You might be tempted to choose the easier option that doesn’t involve travel or additional expenses. But it may be wise to make the trip: A new study suggests that in-person interviews tend to leave better impressions on both the hiring company and the candidate. “We live in a world where we increasingly rely on technology, but this study reminds us that personal interactions should never be underestimated,” study co-author Nikki Blacksmith, a doctoral candidate at the George Washington University’s Department of Organizational Sciences and Communication, said in a press release....

Picking The Best Berries While it’s a treat that some berries are available in grocery stores year-round, they’re seasonal fruits and will be more plentiful, less expensive, and usually better-tasting when they’re in season. Berries are best when the weather is warm. When you’re buying, choose the ones that are plump, tender, and bright in color. Avoid containers that are damp or stained, which might be signs of overripe or bruised fruit....