Ask the expert: What is a rate lock
What is a mortgage rate lock? A mortgage rate lock freezes your interest rate after your loan is approved until the loan is closed. Rate locks can be…
Author: Rick Good
Rick Good spent ten years in the newspaper business, including with The News & Observer (Raleigh, NC) and The Greenville News (Greenville, SC). He co-wrote, with Melinda Coleman, Rutledge to Riley: Governors of South Carolina, 1776–Present (Published by The Greenville News), and is the author of Mind Games Trivia #1 (Amazon). He has recently spent 15 years creating original trivia content through Sounds Good Mobile Entertainment and continues that with his new company, SGME Software. He edits The Smart Reader's money, real estate, and business coverage.
The argument for ignoring the news
Eggs cost a lot and it’s someone’s fault. Democracy is ending. The totalitarians are taking over. Crime! Hurricanes! Fear. Anger. Distress. But, some…
Breathing break reduces stress
If your to-do list is running long and you feel your stress levels rising, you might want to start your day with a quick break. It sounds…
Keep your workspace organized and boost your productivity
A clean desk doesn’t just feel nice — it communicates professionalism, reduces your stress, helps you keep track of your important tasks, and saves you…
Barkitecture is the new big thing for pets
Pets have pawsitively taken over the hearts of Americans, with more people owning pets and making special accommodations for them. Since 2017, cat…
The well-traveled ketchup
That divine sauce required for french fries and barbecues has a long and exotic history that doesn’t involve tomatoes. The first documented ketchup recipe…
Meet the guy paid to watch paint dry
For paint R&D technician Matthew Risbridger, no day is ever quite the same. After clocking in at the laboratory, he’ll look at requests from clients,…
Kid-friendly gardening tasks
With spring around the corner, there’s no better time to get kids of any age involved with gardening. Whether they help with landscaping or complete their…
Want to eat fresh? Buy from the farmer
Buying meat directly from a farmer has been around as long as farming, but these days, the grocery store is about as close as most people get to the farm….
Looking for great deals on great stuff? Try estate sales
If you’re an antiques lover, a bargain hunter looking to upgrade your home, or just interested in unique finds, then an estate sale might be a great way…