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1 week ago | 
tnj.com | Mary Hunt |Tom Margenau
Will Your Social Security Check Follow You if You Move Overseas?
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1 week ago | 
jericho-news-journal.com | Mary Hunt
Weeds. Those freeloaders of the garden world. No matter how lovingly you tend your tomatoes or fluff your mulch, those green invaders always show up like uninvited houseguests who overstay their welcome — and bring their cousins. If you’ve found yourself muttering on your knees while yanking weeds or reading weed killer labels that sound like chemistry class meets hazard training, you’re not alone. The good news? You don’t need toxic sprays or a Ph.D. in environmental science to fight weeds.
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1 week ago | 
tnj.com | Mary Hunt |Tom Margenau
If I asked you to deduct your monthly expenses from your monthly income, I have a feeling you’d look pretty good on paper. The mystery for many people is why they can’t get through a month without using a credit card to cover unexpected expenses, such as a prescription for a sick child, a quarterly insurance premium or a wedding shower gift. Your predictable, fixed monthly bills are not the problem. Somehow, the rent and utilities get paid, and the family gets fed.
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1 week ago | 
theepochtimes.com | Mary Hunt
Is plastic wrap really the best we can do? 5/26/2025Updated: 5/26/2025Let’s talk about plastic wrap. That clingy, crinkly roll we all keep in the drawer—the one that never tears straight and sticks to everything except the bowl you’re trying to cover. It’s convenient until you stop and ask: Is this really the best we can do? Spoiler: It’s not. And honestly, it’s time to break the habit. The Trouble With Plastic WrapPlastic wrap is made from materials like PVDC and LDPE—plastics that don’t break down.
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1 week ago | 
tnj.com | Mary Hunt
These days, it’s practically inevitable that you or someone close to you will face a period of unemployment. Consider these practical tips while dealing with the financial and emotional toll of leaving one job and searching for another. Losing a job can cause shame, humiliation and embarrassment. You may feel depressed and lose your confidence. Yes, it’s a very stressful time, but don’t take it personally. Thousands and thousands of people have lost their jobs in this pandemic.
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1 week ago | 
tnj.com | Tom Margenau |Mary Hunt
I’ve been getting more than a few emails lately from folks who say they plan to move overseas. Some told me they just want to escape the political turmoil in this country. Others probably have a bad case of wanderlust.
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2 weeks ago | 
arcamax.com | Mary Hunt
Are you feeling jittery about taking a family vacation this summer? You're not alone. Whether it's your family's safety abroad, the high cost of gasoline or a thin bank account that has you unsettled, this might be a great time to consider a dramatic alternative: a stay-at-home vacation!You can become tourists in your own town by uncovering local gems and taking advantage of the burgeoning number of children's activities offered by state and county cultural and environmental organizations.
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2 weeks ago | 
theepochtimes.com | Mary Hunt
Consider credit counseling before filing for bankruptcy. 5/21/2025Updated: 5/21/2025Dear Mary: Please give me some pointers on bouncing back from bankruptcy. Will this have any effect on future employment opportunities?—EmmalineDear Emmaline: Pay your bills on time; never be late. Do not run up big balances. Do not apply for a lot of credit. Never use more than 30 percent of your credit limits. Never allow a credit card balance to roll from one month to the next.
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2 weeks ago | 
arcamax.com | Mary Hunt
Dear Mary: Please give me some pointers on bouncing back from bankruptcy. Will this have any effect on future employment opportunities? -- EmmalineDear Emmaline: Pay your bills on time; never be late. Do not run up big balances. Do not apply for a lot of credit. Never use more than 30% of your credit limits. Never allow a credit card balance to roll from one month to the next. Above all, let nothing prevent you from saving 10% of your net income.
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2 weeks ago | 
theepochtimes.com | Mary Hunt
A question that I answered in a previous column brought a small avalanche of mail, mostly from readers who were aghast that I would suggest they save such a significant portion of their paychecks for retirement. It was money they insisted they could not afford to save. I can only imagine that for a person who saves nothing, suggesting they should be saving thousands every year can be shocking or perceived as impossible. Here is one of those messages:Dear Mary: I am a 34-year-old college grad.
