Consumer

/

Home & Leisure

/

ArcaMax

Aric Crabb/Bay Area News Group/TNS

Paw-friendly? Proposed bill would prevent California landlords from banning pets in rentals

Consumer / Home and Consumer News /

In California’s tight rental market, apartment hunting is a daunting task. For pet owners, the options are even fewer.

But a bill proposed in the California State Assembly this year could make it easier for those with furry friends to find a place to rent.

The bill, AB 2216, would prohibit blanket bans of pets in rentals and allow landlords ...Read more

Frederic J. Brown/AFP/GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/TNS

Conor Sen: Need to sell your house? It's time to hustle

Consumer / Home and Consumer News /

If you need to sell your home in the next few months, I’d get on with it. As we enter the spring selling season, it’s becoming increasingly clear that the period during which sellers had the leverage in the housing market is over.

The surge in mortgage rates last year led most potential sellers to hold onto their homes and their rock-bottom...Read more

K.M. Cannon/Las Vegas Review-Journal/TNS

Gen Z is in the real estate business -- and has thoughts on its future

Consumer / Home and Consumer News /

Technological advancements in social media marketing, artificial intelligence and online listings will drive the future of real estate, but making in-person connections will remain integral to the industry, according to Las Vegas-area Generation Z real estate agents getting started in the business.

“I think there is going to be a big step ...Read more

Real estate Q&A: What's a Lady Bird deed?

Consumer / Home and Consumer News /

Q: I am hearing more about Lady Bird deeds. What are they, and what are their pros and cons? — Arnie

A: Deeds that create an enhanced life estate, which are often called “Lady Bird deeds,” are becoming increasingly popular estate planning tools.

When a life estate is created, a property owner, called the “grantor,” deeds the property...Read more

Getty Images for Global Citizen/Getty Images North America/TNS

Business owners face unique challenges when going through a divorce. Here's what you should know

Consumer / Home and Consumer News /

Although research varies, it is estimated that anywhere between 40% and 50% of marriages end in divorce. A divorce can be emotional, painful — and expensive. And if you’re running a small business, it could have a significant impact on your cash flow.

If you own a small business, here are few things to consider:

Get your books in order

...Read more

Anna Buchmann/The Sacramento Bee/TNS

Kaiser expects to launch construction of new San Jose hospital in 2025

Consumer / Home and Consumer News /

SAN JOSE, Calif. — A brand-new Kaiser hospital in San Jose could begin construction next year, the centerpiece of the healthcare organization’s plans to replace a 50-year-old medical center and revamp an adjacent campus.

Kaiser Permanente plans to develop a modern hospital at its south San Jose medical campus, documents on file with San ...Read more

Everyday Cheapskate: Turns Out It's Not Just Me -- It's AFS

Consumer / Everyday Cheapskate /

I've written about it a lot over the years, and by "it" I refer to my six-figure credit card debt and how it affected me mentally, physically and spiritually. I speak of it routinely as I have addressed audiences across the U.S. and around the world. While my debt has been paid off for many years now (my gratitude knows no limits), I can recall ...Read more

Bizuayehu Tesfaye/Las Vegas Review-Journal/TNS

Homebuilders are fighting green building. Homeowners will pay

Consumer / Home and Consumer News /

Back in the 1990s, political guru James Carville said he wanted to be reincarnated as the bond market because it could “intimidate everybody.” Here in the 2020s, you might prefer to come back as a homebuilder. The industry has the political muscle to protect its profits at the expense of both homeowners and the climate.

In some fast-growing...Read more

Everyday Cheapskate: The Art of Consignment Shopping

Consumer / Everyday Cheapskate /

Everything I know about buying and selling clothes on consignment I owe to my friend Kathleen, a remarkably well-dressed woman. She shops for clothing exclusively in consignment stores, but only those that are located in upscale areas. And boy, can she dress!

Kathleen is a consignment seller, too. In fact, I've known her to buy an outfit from ...Read more

Dania Maxwell/Los Angeles Times/TNS

Looking to buy or sell a home this spring? Here's what to expect

Consumer / Home and Consumer News /

Spring is less than a month away, and with it typically comes a busy time to buy and sell a home in Southern California.

The holidays have passed. The weather is warmer. At least in theory, families should have enough time to find a home, move and settle in before their children start school in the fall.

But during four years of a pandemic-...Read more

Jay L. Clendenin/Los Angeles Times/TNS

Goodbye carport, hello ADU: A tiny parking spot is reborn as a stunning live-work studio

Consumer / Home and Consumer News /

LOS ANGELES -- “This is the backyard of which dreams are made,” the 2017 listing read. “Relax or entertain in your covered outdoor dining area beside the swimming pool and lush bamboo, creating a tranquil privacy. California living at its finest.”

Included among the listing’s photos: A simple A-frame carport standing next to a kidney-...Read more

Everyday Cheapskate: The Dirty Dishes Dilemma

Consumer / Everyday Cheapskate /

As you might imagine, I get a lot of mail. And since I could never respond to all your letters, questions and comments individually, I love to reach into the mail bag, selecting some of your letters to answer right here.

Dear Cheapskate: Is it cheaper to wash dishes by hand since I wash most of my pots and pans by hand anyway, or use the ...Read more

DREAMSTIME/TNS

Pet financing: Should you get a pet loan?

Consumer / Home and Consumer News /

Owning a pet can be expensive. Setting aside funds for your pet’s needs from everyday expenses to unexpected medical costs is important. This is especially true if you have or are looking for a service, therapy or emotional support animal because they often need specific training.

Luckily, various veterinary financing options, like pet or vet...Read more

DREAMSTIME/TNS

403(b) vs. 401(k): What's the difference in these retirement accounts?

Consumer / Home and Consumer News /

If you’re looking at retirement accounts, then you may come across the 403(b) and the 401(k) plans. Both the 403(b) and 401(k) are among the best retirement plans available, and one key difference between them is relatively simple: the group of workers that is allowed to use them.

Here’s how 403(b) and 401(k) plans work and their major ...Read more

Jason Armond/Los Angeles Times/TNS

They earn nearly $200,000. Can they afford to have kids in SoCal?

Consumer / Home and Consumer News /

During their daily walk a few years ago, a Burbank couple brainstormed baby names, settling on one option for a boy and another for a girl.

But the names never got used.

After several conversations and scrutiny of their life goals and monthly budget, Beccy Quinn and Xavier Coelho-Kostolny decided last year to join the growing cohort of ...Read more

Jeff Wheeler/Minneapolis Star Tribune/TNS

Despite COVID pause, Minnesotans are again living with debt

Consumer / Home and Consumer News /

Every time Abigail Turner starts to catch up on her debt, something happens.

She listens to financial podcasts. She makes a budget. She spends carefully. And then an ER visit or a pet expense or a layoff pops up, and she's behind again.

"It's like having a rock around your ankle: Everything you do, you have to factor in this rock," said the ...Read more

Everyday Cheapskate: Delete, Please

Consumer / Everyday Cheapskate /

I have a love-hate relationship with the delete button on my computer keyboard, but not so much on my phone. For some reason, after more than 20 years of having a mobile phone, the two of us have never bonded. Most of the time, I don't even know for certain where it is. But my laptop? Oh, yes, the bond is tight.

I know where it is at every ...Read more

Real estate Q&A: Does my reverse mortgage have a non-recourse clause?

Consumer / Home and Consumer News /

Q: We took out a reverse mortgage in 2011 and thought I understood how it worked. However, having reviewed the documents, I cannot find where it discusses the non-recourse clause I heard about. As I get on in years, I want to be sure I can safely leave my other assets to my daughter. Am I missing something? — Pat

A: Older people, 62 years or ...Read more

Gardiner Anderson/New York Daily News/TNS

NYC fines, suspends engineer blamed for 'negligence' after Bronx building collapse

Consumer / Home and Consumer News /

The private engineer accused of “negligence” by the Adams administration in examining the Bronx building that partially collapsed in December has reached an agreement with New York City that includes a $10,000 fine and a two-year suspension of his inspection authority, the Daily News has learned.

Investigations are ongoing into what caused ...Read more

Gardiner Anderson/New York Daily News/TNS

NYC fines, suspends engineer blamed for 'negligence' after Bronx building collapse

Consumer / Home and Consumer News /

The private engineer accused of “negligence” by the Adams administration in examining the Bronx building that partially collapsed in December has reached an agreement with New York City that includes a $10,000 fine and a two-year suspension of his inspection authority, the Daily News has learned.

Investigations are ongoing into what caused ...Read more