Rebecca Jones

How To Say ‘No’ – Politely – During The Holidays

Overwhelmed? Here are tips to graciously manage common holiday issues, and decline decisively, when your time and talents are in demand. The holidays are so close we can almost smell the gingerbread baking. It’s so easy to be swept up in the spirit…

Last-Minute Gift Ideas for Nearly Everyone

Not every present needs to be wrapped up in paper and a bow. Check out these last-minute gift ideas for nearly everyone on your list. The season of giving is here. Our aim this year, and every holiday, is to find the perfect gift for each and every…

12 Wrapping Items To Keep In Stock This Holiday Season

Now is the time to stock up on wrapping essentials. We independently research, test, review, and recommend the bestproducts—learn more about our process. If you buy something through our links, we may earn a commission. The holidays and the…

6 Holiday Events in Birmingham to Attend with Your Family

Special Feature Take a day (or a few!) with your family this year and explore some of the best Christmas events in Birmingham. Here’s a list of family Christmas events that you don’t want to miss. 1. The City Of Hoover Christmas Tree Lighting…

Seven Moms On Their Best Financial Advice For Their Daughters

We learn everything from our moms, including money and personal finance. We checked in with seven moms to get their best lessons. From an early age, they teach us everything we know. They offer words of wisdom that we find ourselves returning to over…

How To Navigate Retirement While Paying for College

You want to save for retirement, but you also want to help put your kids through college. Here's how to navigate these competing priorities. We buy their favorite snacks, make their doctor’s appointments, schedule their summer camps, and ultimately,…

Implementing the ADKAR Method into Learning and Development

When were you super excited to begin a new project? To start a new role? To make a change with a group or your team? Heather of Skill Masters Market tells her story about a recent volunteer experience: “I had just started volunteering with this…

The Top L&D Conferences of 2022

During 2020 and into 2021 many of the L & D conferences went virtual, but for 2022 many are back in person. You’ll certainly want to be sure to check the registration details when signing up to see if it is in fact virtual or in person. In some cases…

7 Valentine’s Day Gifts That Will Help You and Your Partner Save Money

Want to give the perfect Valentine’s Day gift that will also help you and your partner save money? Here are our best money-saving gift ideas Roses are red, violets are blue. A gift other than flowers for you? And one that will help you and your…

The 12 Cooking Supplies That We Can’t Live Without Before The Holiday Season

Are you ready for the holidays, and all the cooking that comes along with them? Here are the best cooking items to stock in your kitchen. It’s that time of year again — time for holiday festivities, family celebrations, and a parade of guests through…

8 Phrases To Avoid Saying In A Job Interview And What To Say Instead

You’ve landed the job interview you wanted. Congrats! It’s time to put your best foot forward. Here’s what to avoid in the interview (+ what to say instead)! One pandemic takeaway that we’re taking with us for decades to come (i.e. forever) is the…

The 5 Best Nature Books to Read With Your Kids

There’s nothing I love more than looking at the natural world through the eyes of my two children, Jon Thomas (9) and Brooks (3). My sons and I read to each other more than ever—at bedtime, naptime, playtime—and they often choose books about nature.…

Everything You Need To Know About Buying Pet Insurance

If lately it felt like every other neighbor on your street or in your building adopted a pet, it wasn’t just your imagination. According to the North American Pet Insurance Association nearly 1 in 3 Americans adopted a pet during the pandemic, and…

The Top 12 Valentine’s Day Gifts Under $50

It seems like everyone could use a little extra love this Valentine’s Day, especially since in-person hugs and kisses aren’t exactly on the agenda. We’ve gathered some of our favorite gifts for you and for all the love bugs on your list — whether…

Holiday Tipping Guide For All The People In Your Life You Need To Thank

From hairdressers to housekeepers, childcare providers to mail carriers... here's a holiday tipping guide on who to tip, how much to give and the art of gratuities. The holiday season is all about giving thanks, particularly to the people in your…

8 Home Maintenance Tasks To Do Every Year Or It’ll Cost You

If you own a home, you’re likely already familiar with the fact that the joys of home ownership go hand in hand with the jobs of home ownership. While building equity in a property is truly a wonderful thing, your home owning journey will be paved…

The Best TED Talks about Money You Need To Watch Before 2021

The best things in life are free — and that’s definitely true about these incredible TED talks on money. Watch and learn. Let’s be honest — you’ve been binging a lot of Netflix lately. But what are you really learning, other than the fact that you…

12 Next Level Work-From-Home Office Items You Have To Have

Remote work is here to stay for the foreseeable future, with one in four Americans now working entirely from home. And by now if you are working from home, you certainly have your work-from-home basics down, complete with a dedicated space (hopefully…

How to Stay Sane and Add Variety While Socially Distancing

Is your routine becoming more boring than comforting? Here's how to keep things fresh (and protect your mental health) during social distancing. Your daily walk is becoming a bit boring, you’ve organized your pantry for the fifth time, and you’ve…

Want To Help Others During Coronavirus? How to Choose Where To Donate

There are plenty of people in need right now, and you want to help, but how can you? Here's how your coronavirus donation can go the furthest. With a staggering 30 million Americans now unemployed, and 70,000 deaths in the U.S. due to the…