Real Simple Tips

You love your kids—but man, is this gig relentless! Susan G. Groner, founder of The Parenting Mentor, offers simple strategies to help you channel positivity while raising resilient, self-sufficient humans.

Life-Changing Closet-Purging Tips From an Organizational Psychologist

October 05, 2020 10:01 - 4 minutes - 5.76 MB

Who knew something as simple as reorganizing my closet would make me feel so empowered?

4 Major Plant Trends Spotted in the 2020 Real Simple Home

October 01, 2020 10:01 - 2 minutes - 3.97 MB

Go ahead, steal these stylish plants for your own space.

The Top 7 Antioxidant-Rich Foods You Should Stock Up On

September 30, 2020 10:01 - 4 minutes - 5.92 MB

Here are the ingredients to grab for fighting free radicals, according to two registered dietitians.

If You Want to Refinance Your Mortgage This Year, You Need to Do It Now—Here's Why

September 29, 2020 10:01 - 4 minutes - 6.94 MB

Refinance sooner rather than later to dodge the new adverse market refinance fee.

If You Aren't Sipping Hibiscus Tea, You're Missing Out on Major Health Benefits

September 25, 2020 10:01 - 2 minutes - 3.19 MB

Aside from looking beautiful in the garden, hibiscus flowers also offer a variety of health benefits when consumed.

The Temperature Your Refrigerator Is Set to Is Probably Wrong—Here's How to Know

September 24, 2020 10:01 - 4 minutes - 7.59 MB

Keeping foods chilled properly, at the right refrigerator temperature, helps them last longer and stay fresher. Sticking to the ideal refrigerator temperature can help you avoid potential foodborne illnesses, too.

Struggling to Stay Positive? Experts Say Don’t Fight It

September 23, 2020 10:00 - 4 minutes - 5.97 MB

You have permission to stop sprinkling sunshine.

This Is What Really Happens When You Stop Wearing a Bra

September 22, 2020 10:00 - 3 minutes - 6.83 MB

Going braless might not be as risky to the girls as you thought.

7 Things to Get Rid of in Your Garage or Basement Right Now

September 21, 2020 10:17 - 4 minutes - 4.95 MB

There's never been a better time to tackle these long-avoided storage spaces.

7 Secrets for Making the Most Delicious Meatballs

September 18, 2020 10:00 - 3 minutes - 5.8 MB

Even if you cook from a favorite age-old recipe, you can tweak and upgrade your approach.

5 Things to Consider Before Bringing Home a New Houseplant

September 17, 2020 10:00 - 4 minutes - 5.17 MB

Here's how to get your houseplants off to the right start.

Feeling Sluggish? Here Are 5 Ways Being Physically Inactive Affects Our Mind and Mood

September 16, 2020 10:00 - 4 minutes - 6.77 MB

All the more reason to squeeze in a quick walk—even when you don’t feel like it.

How to Decide If Now’s the Right Time for You to Move

September 15, 2020 10:00 - 4 minutes - 5.95 MB

We may be in the middle of a pandemic, but on the bright side, the real estate market might be in your favor.

You May Be Washing Your Dingy Bath Towels All Wrong

September 14, 2020 10:01 - 3 minutes - 5.35 MB

This is the secret to fluffy, fresh-smelling bath towels.

Adaptogens Are Incredibly Popular Right Now—but What Are They, Exactly?

September 11, 2020 10:01 - 4 minutes - 6.64 MB

Heard about the health benefits of adaptogenic herbs and felt completely out of the loop? You're not alone. We consulted a Registered Dietitian to clear the air.

6 Holiday Decor Trends That Will Be Huge This Year

September 10, 2020 10:01 - 4 minutes - 4.9 MB

Data shows that many people are preparing for the holidays extra early this year. Here's what to look out for, according to the pros at Pinterest, Etsy, and more.

Shopping for CBD Products? Here’s How to Make Sure You Know What You’re Getting

September 09, 2020 10:00 - 2 minutes - 4.02 MB

You can find the cannabis-based compound in everything from gummies to bath salts, but how do you know what’s good and what’s not-so-good? We asked an expert how to shop safely.

6 Steps Every Voter Should Take to Make Sure Their Vote Counts This Year

September 08, 2020 10:00 - 4 minutes - 5.23 MB

Election Day—November 3—is still coming, pandemic or no. Don’t let changes to the voting process this year keep your voice from being heard.

5 Cleaning Tips We Learned During Quarantine—and Plan to Continue

September 07, 2020 10:01 - 3 minutes - 5.94 MB

These are the cleaning tricks you won't want to forget about.

7 Best Sources of Vegan Protein, According to Nutrition Experts (Real Simple Tips, Friday)

September 04, 2020 10:01 - 2 minutes - 4.69 MB

By Betty Gold Despite what outdated nutrition advice tells us, vegan sources of protein are plentiful, delicious, and affordable. Unfortunately, most consumers still view plant protein as inferior to animal protein sources. According to Dr.

Here's How a Pro Organizer Arranges Her Home Office (Real Simple Tips, Thursday)

September 03, 2020 10:01 - 4 minutes - 4.98 MB

By Katie Holdefehr Over the past year, more Americans have started working from home than ever before. And while companies in some cities and states are now returning to their offices, others will be embracing the work-from-home life for the foreseeable future. If you still haven't gotten your work-from-home space in order (no judgement here!), it might be time to ask for professional help.

Why Intermittent Silence May Be the Form of Meditation That Actually Works for You (Real Simple Tips, Wednesday)

September 02, 2020 10:00 - 4 minutes - 7.26 MB

By Elizabeth Yuko If you’re someone who is really into yoga and/or meditation and find that the practices reliably provide you with the peace and calm you need in your life, that’s fantastic. But then there are the rest of us, trying to stifle a giggle during yoga or group meditation. It’s not that we think they’re ineffective, but listening to a raspy voice on an app, guiding us through breathing exercises or feeding us mantras, doesn’t do it for everyone.

We Asked Experts What Travel Might Look Like Post-COVID (Real Simple Tips, Tuesday)

September 01, 2020 10:18 - 4 minutes - 5.43 MB

By Hana Hong It’s no surprise that the travel industry has been slammed pretty hard with the coronavirus pandemic. Even with the number of coronavirus cases calming down in some states, a lot of people are still hesitant to fly—and for people who do choose to travel, there is a long list of new precautions that travelers need to take, including the use of face masks during the airport screening process and maintaining six feet apart at checkpoints.

Everything You've Ever Wanted to Know About DIY Dry Cleaning (Real Simple Tips, Monday)

August 31, 2020 10:01 - 4 minutes - 7.23 MB

By Caylin Harris Technically, at-home dry cleaning isn’t quite the same thing as dropping your clothes off at the cleaner. Not only are you using different methods to clean and refresh garments, you do have to put in a little more effort—but it’s ultimately worth it. Not only is it easier on your wallet, but learning how to care for your clothes properly will keep pieces you truly love looking and feeling their best for years to come.

9 Fuss-Free Ways You Can Grocery Shop Faster Right Now (Real Simple Tips, Friday)

August 27, 2020 10:01 - 4 minutes - 6.87 MB

by Betty Gold Some call it soothing; others call it one sizable time suck. Whether you enjoy grocery shopping or not, you probably wouldn’t mind getting back an hour or two each week that you’d otherwise spend roaming the aisles for dairy products, deodorant, and dog food—especially given the fact that we continue to endure a worldwide pandemic. Indeed, one of the biggest obstacles of social distancing has been figuring out how to safely feed ourselves and our families.

6 Home Upgrades and Improvements That Really Pay Off (Real Simple Tips, Wed)

August 26, 2020 10:01 - 4 minutes - 5.88 MB

By Allegra Muzzillo and Lauren Phillips The timing for a home upgrade or major house improvement project may never be ideal, but now—when you’re at home most of the time and able to receive deliveries, keep an eye on progress, and do some DIY work when you have a few hours—is as good a time as any to tackle major improvements to your home. You may not be interest in moving now, but that doesn’t mean you should put off that kitchen redo or landscaping job.

Busy? The Pomodoro Technique Can Work Wonders for Productivity—and All You Need Is a Timer (Real Simple Tips, Tues)

August 25, 2020 10:01 - 3 minutes - 4.07 MB

By Stephanie Sisco and Maggie Seaver If concentration and productivity are a struggle for you these days (or anytime), you need a no-frills time management solution—and fast. There are a lot of productivity tips and dozens of fancy time management apps, all of them helpful to someone out there.

Yes, Cleaning Products Can Expire—Here's What That Really Means (Real Simple Tips, Monday)

August 24, 2020 10:01 - 3 minutes - 6.3 MB

By Katie Holdefehr If you look closely at your cleaning supplies, you'll notice that many of them are printed with an expiration date. But if we're being honest, most of us likely don't check this fine print. The next time you're embarking on a big cleaning spree, check the expiration date or manufacture date on that bottle of bleach, cleaning spray, and dishwashing liquid you've had stashed in the cabinet for years.

9 Ingredients Chefs Can't Live Without (Real Simple Tips, Friday)

August 21, 2020 10:00 - 4 minutes - 7.16 MB

By Maki Yazawa Remember when you'd dine at a restaurant and leave wondering how on earth their food always seems to taste a million times better than what you make at home? Aside from fancy knife skills and the ability to easily flip an egg in a pan, chefs rely on a selection of ingredients to enhance flavors and add umami that will leave you craving more. Here are 9 common ingredients that will transform your ordinary pantry into a chef’s paradise.

9 Tricks to Help Your Home Decor Last Forever (Besides Plastic Couch Covers) (Real Simple Tips, Thursday)

August 20, 2020 10:00 - 5 minutes - 5.98 MB

By Laura Fenton Our home have all been taking a beating this spring and summer as we’ve been spending more time at home. If you’ve noticed that things are looking a little, ahem, worn, you’re not alone. But you don’t have to sit back and watch as your house goes to seed. We talked to seven interior design experts to get their advice beyond the usual cleaning and polishing. Here are 10 tricks to help your home decor last forever.

3 Immunity-Boosting Ingredients RDs Want You to Add to Your Diet (Real Simple Tips, Wednesday)

August 19, 2020 10:00 - 3 minutes - 6.15 MB

By Betty Gold Eating our way to better health is a popular course of wellness these days, and rightfully so. But when it comes to boosting one's immune system through food, some are still stalling out after a few orange slices or the usual vitamin C (or Emergen-C) routine. According to registered dietitians, there are plenty of other edible options we can stock up on to increase our immunity.

It’s Probably Time for a Self Check-in—Here’s How to Do It (Real Simple Tips, Tuesday)

August 18, 2020 10:00 - 4 minutes - 5.5 MB

By Dinsa Sachan You sneak a peek at your Fitbit stats every 10 seconds. You look for suspicious moles after every shower. But when was the last time you checked in with your emotions? Big life events, like layoffs, divorces, and deaths, can inspire you to evaluate your headspace because you know you should “feel the feelings” before moving on.

6 Cleaning Myths That Don't Actually Work—Plus 2 That Do (Real Simple Tips, Monday)

August 17, 2020 10:01 - 2 minutes - 4.9 MB

By Caylin Harris The internet is the Wild West when it comes to cleaning tips, that’s why it’s important to look to sources you trust when you have a tricky cleaning question. When in doubt, always start with the least damaging cleaning method and work from there. But just in case, here are some common cleaning myths that need to be debunked once and for all—along with two that really work. False: Freezing your jeans kills bacteria.

The Top 5 Healthiest Cooking Oils (Real Simple Tips, Friday)

August 14, 2020 10:01 - 4 minutes - 7.7 MB

By Betty Gold Take one look at the oil aisle in any grocery store and you’ll likely be paralyzed with indecision. Is there any food left that hasn’t been turned into a cooking oil? Olive oil always seems like a safe bet, but sometimes you need to change things up (or crank the heat).

10 Design Choices That Could Actually Make Your Home Harder to Organize (Real Simple Tips, Thursday)

August 13, 2020 10:01 - 4 minutes - 5.6 MB

By Laura Fenton Your personal style might be your own worst enemy when it comes to organizing your home. There are plenty of books and articles that will tell you how to declutter, sort, and store your belongings, but what is often overlooked in home organizing advice are the big-picture decor decisions. The furniture you buy and how you renovate your home can have a big impact on how easy it will be to keep things tidy.

How to Stay Cool While Wearing a Face Mask in the Summer Heat (Real Simple Tips, Wednesday)

August 12, 2020 10:01 - 4 minutes - 6.52 MB

By Maggie Seaver And we thought wearing masks in March was uncomfortable. Now that we’re in the depths of summer, and wearing a face covering remains a primary prevention tactic against the spread of COVID-19, people are experiencing a whole new discomfort dilemma: Trying not to melt under their face coverings in the summer heat and humidity.

How to Prep Your Skin Before, During, and After a Beach Day (Real Simple Tips, Tuesday)

August 11, 2020 10:01 - 4 minutes - 5.6 MB

By Yelena Moroz Alpert Summer and beaches are synonymous. However, while the beach may beckon with its cool waves and sunny rays, to your skin it’s anything but a vacation. Why? Damaging UV exposure, salty water, and sandy wind all affect your skin, compromising its natural barrier. “The sea and UV light will especially dry out the skin,” says Dr. Sharyn Laughlin, a board-certified dermatologist and co-founder of The Sunscreen Company.

5 Simple Steps to Make Your Cleaning Routine More Green (Real Simple Tips, Monday)

August 10, 2020 10:01 - 2 minutes - 4.33 MB

By Katie Holdefehr Maybe you want to cut down on all the paper towel rolls your household runs through each week, or perhaps you want to avoid chemical-filled cleaning sprays around your new pet. For the health of both your household and the environment, there are plenty of reasons to want to adopt a greener cleaning routine. The hard part is figuring out where to start.

The Top 5 Coffee Trends to Look Out for This Year (Real Simple Tips, Friday)

August 07, 2020 10:01 - 3 minutes - 6.33 MB

Included in this episode: 1. The Top 5 Coffee Trends to Look Out for This Year (Real Simple Tips, Friday)

Meet the 5 Trendiest Houseplants of Summer 2020 (Real Simple Tips, Thursday)

August 06, 2020 10:01 - 4 minutes - 4.94 MB

By Katie Holdefehr A season of social distancing and staycations, summer 2020 has been deemed the best time to adopt more plant babies. Because if you have to spend more time at home, you might as well turn your house into a lush oasis, right? It seems many have the same idea. Victory Gardens made a serious comeback this spring, prompting a spike in online sales of vegetable seeds. Now, indoor houseplants are quickly selling out at online sources like The Sill, Bloomscape, and The Bouqs...

How to Prepare Your Kids to Go Back to School During Coronavirus (Real Simple Tips, Wednesday)

August 05, 2020 10:01 - 3 minutes - 6.48 MB

By Lisa Milbrand When schools closed suddenly earlier this spring because of COVID-19, parents were hopeful that we might be able to send kids back to school normally this fall. But if you’ve looked at the news lately, school is going to look a lot different this year, no matter if your school district has decided to go all-remote, back to in-person classes five days a week, or somewhere in between.

How to Safely Host a Picnic Gathering This Summer (Real Simple Tips, Tuesday)

August 04, 2020 10:00 - 4 minutes - 6.29 MB

By Maki Yazawa Summer is here and it’s time to head outdoors for a much-needed breath of fresh air. Though your typical summer plans may not look the same this year, heading to the park or your backyard for a picnic is a perfect way to safely bring a sense of normalcy and excitement to your weekend plans. Here are tips on what foods to pack, ways to stay safe and practice social distancing, plus how to stay entertained during your next picnic retreat during these uncertain times. ...

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