The great rate wait

For the first time in nearly 10 years, the Federal Reserve has slightly spiked interest rates. Which begs the questions: How long before mortgage interest rates also inch higher, and how much longer can you afford to delay your decision to buy a home if you're on the fence?

These and other matters are explored in my newest real estate-related story, published in various newspapers, which you can read here.

The tooth of the matter on marijuana

Most people are aware that smoking cigarettes can stain your teeth, cause bad breath, lead to cavities, harm your gums and increase your risk of oral cancer. But many don't realize that using marijuana can be equally harmful to your mouth. That's the topic I examine in my newest cover story for AGD Impact, the newsmagazine of the Academy of General Dentistry.

Open wide and click here for all the details.

Ad hoc strategies for ad block tragedies

If the world of digital publishing were a hockey game--with the content providers on one team and consumers on the other--the outcome of tomorrow's matchup would be all but certain: The latter would trounce the former in a lopsided shutout. That's because consumers have the ultimate goalie in the net: ad-blocking technology, which prevents digital advertising such as banners and display ads from appearing on device screens. But digital publishers and e-content providers can neutralize this threat by adopting effective strategies.

Read more about this topic, my latest for EContent Magazine, by clicking here.

Fresh from the counter-culture

Do the unwanted sugars and preservatives in store-bought yogurt make your stomach curdle? Suspicious of the active culture potency in that cup you just opened? Wish you could get more bang for your probiotic buck? Maybe it’s time to sack that packaged dairy snack and become a do-it-yourself yogurt convert.

In my latest story for The Costco Connection, I write about the perks and pleasures of homemade yogurt and how to make it from the comforts of your kitchen. Click here for a taste.

Welcome to flavor country

Rest in peace, vanilla. You’ve served the hungry consumer admirably for eons. But menus and palates have evolved, and “plain” doesn’t have much of a shelf life among snack lovers these days. Taste buds are waking up to new cravings and curiosities seemingly faster than chefs and flavor experts can invent them—from tangy, burnt and smoky to bitter, pickled and oaky.

The latest snack flavors is the topic du jour I explored recently for CSP Magazine; check out the article here.

No disc required

Face facts: Those DVDs you painstakingly alphabetized are gathering dust and hogging shelf space. Thankfully, there’s an easier way to collect and watch your favorite films and TV episodes, without worrying about scratched or lost discs, immobile players that inevitably break down, or leaving your library behind when you’re away. Simply switch to digital copies – stored and streaming video files that can be instantly accessed on smartphones, tablets, computers, streaming players, and smart TVs.

Learn more about digital copies and UltraViolet by clicking here and reading my latest article on the topic for the Costco Connection magazine.