(BPT) - Spring. The time of year when, as poet Alfred Lord Tennyson famously said, a young man’s (and woman’s) fancy "lightly turns to thoughts of love." That is, of course, if you're not sneezing, coughing or dealing with itchy eyes. Spring allergies seem to get worse every year. Is there a…

(StatePoint) For many people, owning a home is the American dream, and the single biggest financial investment they will ever make. With the stakes so high, in addition to picking out the perfect property, it’s critical to have the right insurance.

(BPT) - Balancing work, school and family can be a challenge. Some days might feel like more of a struggle than a juggle, but that doesn’t mean it’s impossible to have it all. In fact, one in four of the 17 million Americans enrolled as an undergraduate in a higher education institution is c…

(BPT) - Nobody bats an eyelash when it comes to buying homeowner's insurance, but many homeowners don’t apply that same logic to planning for home repairs — not what might happen, but what will happen.

(BPT) - For pediatric patients, being in the hospital can be a frightening, vulnerable and lonely experience, especially for those undergoing serious medical treatments. However, research has shown that dogs, with their playful, comforting and loving nature, can have beneficial, long-lasting…

(BPT) - It’s always a good time to reassess financial goals and work toward improving your overall financial health. No matter what your financial goals may be, having the right information and tools in place is key to getting you on track to take control of your credit.

(BPT) - In recent years, technology has changed every aspect of our daily life. We interact with friends and family on social media, use the GPS to guide us to our desired destination, and products we buy online are delivered right to our home.

(BPT) - After a long day, digging into a hearty pasta dish or a piping hot bowl of soup can fill you with warmth and coziness — especially on those chilly days.

(BPT) - While it’s been popular in the past to bring the outdoors inside using trees and floral arrangements, a recent trend for many wedding venues is to create a homey space outdoors. Guests don’t need to rough it just because you’ve chosen to host your ceremony or reception outside.

(BPT) - Getting married means a whole lot of changes, not the least of which could be moving to a new house or apartment. Whether you’re getting a brand-new place for the both of you or one of you is shifting all your earthly possessions to join your spouse, it’s a good idea to take proactiv…

(BPT) - “You’re sitting at home one night and get a phone call that your husband is being medevaced and he’s coming home. They said it was for spinal injuries,” recalled Mandy Spooneybarger, 36, caregiver to her husband, Charles, an Army veteran. “You have to live in your new normal. It’s st…

(BPT) - Today’s tile trends extend so far beyond their traditional use as a staple of bathroom design that you may not recognize them. While once the most attractive and innovative tiles had to be imported, contemporary handcrafted tile and stone products for home design are now being made r…

(BPT) - Student loan debt in the U.S. has been skyrocketing for years, recently topping $1.5 trillion, and now surpassing automobile loans and credit cards to become the largest source of personal debt, aside from mortgages. Millennials bear the brunt of that burden, with 75 percent of the g…

(BPT) - Did you know that what you eat affects your hair? That's news to most people, especially those who are dealing with hair loss. While there are many possible causes for hair loss — stress, the environment, health problems — achieving thick, full and healthy hair ultimately starts with…

(BPT) - How are this year's resolutions doing? Chances are, you may have fallen off the resolution wagon, especially if you were overly ambitious. Fear not — it’s never too late to make small, sustainable changes in your lifestyle that result in big health improvements. Review your hardest-t…

(BPT) - What if you were 60 but felt more like you were 30? Consider taking charge of your nutrition by adding in foods that help you feel decades younger.

(BPT) - Today’s chefs and home cooks alike are seeking more meaningful food experiences, with smart, intuitive technology that’s high-performing and saves time. This year, leading brands are changing the way culinary enthusiasts source and prepare their food, emphasizing a heightened level o…

(BPT) - Many Americans consider themselves well-informed and attentive when it comes to their health.

(BPT) - Whether you’ve been together for years or you’re in the first blush of romance, nothing says you’re thinking about your sweetheart like flowers on Valentine’s Day. With so many options for gift-giving, it’s easy to lose sight of the classics. Don’t forget to show your Valentine how y…

(BPT) - After more than a century of debate over the role of salt in human health, new medical evidence suggests that reducing salt in the U.S. diet may pose a greater risk of harm to the average person. Consider these four common myths about salt:

(BPT) - If your new home is among the one million or so being built in the U.S. this year, congratulations! You’ll have the chance to customize it to your dream home preferences.

(BPT) - Are you 65 or older? While your primary care doctor may be an internist or general practitioner, have you thought about adding a geriatrician to your health care team?

(BPT) - When you’re sick, the last thing that you want to worry about is how you’re going to pay for your critical medical treatment. Even if you have health insurance, you may find that the prescription drugs you need the most are out of reach due to high out-of-pocket costs — the deductibl…

(BPT) - Valentine’s Day is not just for lovers anymore. While we naturally want to show our significant others how much we love them on the sweetest holiday of the year, Valentine’s Day has become a wonderful day to celebrate everyone we care about, from your BFF to your furry, feathered and…

(BPT) - Headlines filled with news of opioid abuse, overdoses and reports that 90 percent of addictions start in the teen years could make any parent worry. Yet parents remain conflicted about opioids: While more than half express concern their child may be at risk for opioid addiction, near…

(BPT) - Enrollment in youth hockey is at an all-time high in communities across the country. According to USA Hockey, a record 562,145 players registered to play in the 2017-2018 season, with 187,492 of those players ages 10 and younger.

(BPT) - The homebuying process is exciting, but can also seem fraught with added costs, like a home inspection, title insurance and closing costs. And if you can’t afford a full 20 percent down payment on a conventional home loan, then you will most likely pay for private mortgage insurance …

(BPT) - A bathroom renovation is a highly desired home improvement, but many homeowners put off making updates due to the perceived cost. Fortunately, you don't need a complete remodel to get the bathroom of your dreams — nor do you need to break the bank.

(BPT) - Most of us can come up with at least one good idea to help solve our community’s most pressing challenges.

(BPT) - At 32 years of age, Jessica “Jess” McNair experienced what doctors described as “cascades of multiple strokes” resulting from irregularly formed arteries in her neck. With a bleak prognosis, McNair's team of doctors predicted she had a 5 percent chance of living, and that it would be…

(BPT) - Puberty is a transformational time for girls that comes with unique challenges in physical, mental and emotional forms. Between trying to manage increasingly complex emotions, adjusting to their evolving bodies and navigating social changes, it’s no wonder half of girls lose confiden…

(BPT) - Persistent dry cough. Fatigue. Shortness of breath. These symptoms are sometimes associated with a passing virus, especially during the peak of cold and flu season. Coughs can last an average of 18 days; however, if your dry cough is still lingering after two months, another conditio…

(BPT) - When it comes to real estate, you've probably heard kitchens and bathrooms typically sell houses. While you may not have enough money for a kitchen remodel, adding a bathroom can be a more affordable way to enhance your property and catch buyers' attention.

(BPT) - Pet owners will do just about anything they can to keep their furry friends happy and healthy, which is why the vast majority of pet owners say they’re concerned about the ingredients in their pet’s food. Based on a quality and safety Purina survey conducted in 2017, 84 percent of pe…

(BPT) - When it comes to vaccines this time of year, influenza is often top-of-mind — and it should be, with as many as 35 million cases expected this flu season. But as you age, don’t neglect the shingles vaccine.

(BPT) - When looking ahead to the rest of the year, so many get excited about the latest trends, gadgets or gizmos getting the most attention as they look for what they might be interested in for themselves or their family. The world of health and fitness is an area that is always evolving t…

(BPT) - If you’re like many Americans, retirement planning may not be high on your ”to-do” list. When life is busy and you’re shouldering the burden of looking out for yourself and your family, setting up a retirement plan can slide down the priority list — especially if you’re hoping it wil…

(BPT) - Whether it's a hot drink of honey, lemon and brandy, or a steaming bowl of chicken soup, many families have age-old home remedies, passed down through the generations, that they still use today when winter kicks into high gear. Grandma knew a thing or two about soothing a sore throat…

(BPT) - Are supplements part of your daily routine? If they are, you're not alone. According to the National Institutes of Health, more than half of all Americans take one or more supplements in their quest for better health. That's because even if you have an ultra-healthy diet (and many pe…