Syndicated Features

Features brought to you by: ARA

New car shopping? Why the time is right, and why it's the right thing to do

(ARA) - Highly motivated dealers, offers to make your payments if you lose your job and a wealth of inventory - all make it a great time to buy a new car.

Turn Ordinary Digital Photos into Lasting Memories

(ARA) - At this time of year, it seems people are taking more pictures than ever. Another school year is wrapping up -- there are graduations, proms and sporting events. And don't forget about summer holidays, family vacations, reunions and weddings. Without a doubt, the digital camera has made it easier than ever for anyone to capture hundreds -- even thousands -- of pictures of these cherished moments. But this modern marvel of technology has been both a blessing and a curse.

Business And Careers ( top )

A nursing degree offers a variety of career opportunities

(ARA) - As we look for signs of the economy to improve, many Americans are taking the opportunity to return to school. Some feel a college degree will provide better job security, and others look to study a new field altogether.

Community Cares ( top )

Athletes with Diabetes Take Their Message on the Road

(ARA) - A group of amateur and professional athletes, many of whom have diabetes, is touring the country, hoping to inspire and motivate others with the condition to take a proactive approach to managing their health and strive for blood sugar control.

Education ( top )

Recession Inspiring More Mothers to Go Back to School

(ARA) - Earning a degree has long been a dream of many working mothers. While it might seem the recession would put that dream even further out of reach for most, many working and single mothers are actually drawing inspiration from the economy to pursue their dream of getting a higher education.

Family Living ( top )

Five strategies to help you save on summer travel

(ARA) - After a long winter of hard work, inclement weather, schoolbooks and bad news on the economy, who couldn't use a break this summer? The recession probably has many American families reconsidering their summer vacation plans, but with some smart travel strategies, it is possible for the whole family to enjoy a budget-friendly summer getaway.

Fashion Beauty Fitness ( top )

Go beyond green with eco-friendly beauty trends

(ARA) - Green living doesn't have to mean forgoing the latest looks, especially when eco-conscious beauty is the hottest thing going. Formulations driven by nature, practices that are kind to the earth and minimal packaging are all cool ways to celebrate the warm weather.

Food Recipes Entertaining ( top )

Stretch Grocery Budget with Frozen Fruit

(ARA) - Saving money is on everyone's mind these days. Gas prices may have fallen, but other costs are still rising. One place Americans are being more frugal than ever is with their food budgets.

Gift Ideas ( top )

Turn Ordinary Digital Photos into Lasting Memories

Green Living ( top )

Homeowners warm up to tax credit for wood- and pellet-fueled heat

(ARA) - For warmth and beauty in the home, it's hard to beat the ambience of a real wood-burning stove or fireplace. Homeowners now have another reason to warm up to one - they may qualify for a federal tax credit of up to $1,500 if they purchase and install a 75-percent efficient wood- or pellet-burning (biomass) stove in 2009 or 2010. Thirty-percent of the total cost, including the appliance, installation and piping, can be claimed.

Health And Wellness ( top )

Camping Tips for Parents

(ARA) - Camping can help create lifelong memories for adults and children alike, which is one of the reasons it is the No. 1 outdoor activity in America. But before you pack up the tent and start the long drive, remember that proper preparation for a camping trip is important, especially when kids are involved.

Home Decorating ( top )

How to Enrich a Home's Value With the Beauty of Stone

(ARA) - Whether used indoors or outdoors, stone adds warmth and character that no other building material can deliver. Once, only the very wealthy could afford homes graced by the sophistication of stone. But with today's manufactured stone veneer products, stone's exquisite looks are within the reach of a wide range of homeowners.

Home Improvement ( top )

More tax breaks for homeowners in 2009 and beyond

(ARA) - Homeownership and green improvements will be more affordable for more Americans in 2009, thanks to several provisions in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The changes will put more money in taxpayers' pockets and allow homeowners to save thousands of dollars over the next several years.

Hot Topics ( top )

What You Should Know When Shopping for a Water Heater

(ARA) - How's your relationship with your household appliances? You open your refrigerator every day and run the dishwasher, clothes washer and dryer several times each week.

Kitchen Bed Bath ( top )

What Shade of Green Are You?

(ARA) - If you thought green was a trend primarily embraced by Gen X and Yers, think again.

Lawn And Garden ( top )

Groceries from the Backyard: A Harvest of Savings

(ARA) - The economy is tanking, grocery bills are climbing and food safety scares are on the rise. For the 43 million Americans planning a vegetable garden this year, growing your own is a matter of dollars and sense.

Money And Finance ( top )

Online coupons yield the most value when you shop for big-ticket items

(ARA) - Is hunting for online coupons costing you time instead of saving you money? If you spend your online time chasing coupons you could easily find elsewhere - like grocery or health and beauty items regularly advertised in your local paper - you're not getting the most for your time.

Pets ( top )

Does your housecat need a behavioral housecall? Help is here

(ARA) - Cats have earned the title of America's favorite pet in part because they outnumber dogs in households across the country, but it could also be because their quirky personalities make life interesting.

Real Estate ( top )

Five Kitchen Fix-ups for $500 or Less

(ARA) - After years of telling yourself you can live with the outdated hardware, the ugly orange laminate countertops and the daffodil-yellow wall paint, you've finally admitted to yourself that your love affair with your kitchen decor is over.

Seasonal ( top )

Five strategies to help you save on summer travel

Senior Living ( top )

The Successful Method to Growing Young

(ARA) - As we grow older, we look forward to the changes that life brings -- retirement, grandchildren, financial security and travel. Other changes that we might not accept so readily are the aches, pains and mental slowdowns that leave us longing for the good old days of our youth.

Tech Talk And Innovation ( top )

Back to Basics at the Pump

(ARA) - For most drivers, filling up at the pump is an automatic routine. But considering that cars are typically one of our largest investments, it's important to remember the way we take care of them can mean the difference between trouble-free driving and costly repairs.