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Showing posts from July, 2025

Best Meal Kits 2025: I've Tried 7 Services (Honest Reviews & Comparison)

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Wondering if meal kit delivery services are worth it? After trying 7 different meal kits and receiving over 173 boxes (that's 346+ dinners!), I can tell you exactly which ones are worth your money. This meal kit comparison reviews HelloFresh, Blue Apron, Hungryroot, Home Chef, and more based on real experience, not sponsored content. These services deliver fresh ingredients and recipes right to your door , taking the guesswork out of what’s for dinner. For a busy week, they’ve been a lifesaver. I currently get four meals a week , usually by splitting between two different services . I enjoy having two boxes show up at different times. It gives me variety without overloading my fridge or schedule. If you’ve been wondering which box meal service is right for you, I’ve personally tried several of the most popular ones and I’m sharing my honest thoughts below. ๐Ÿ“ฆ What Are Meal Kit Delivery Services? Meal kit delivery services send pre-portioned ingredients and recipe cards directl...

Cricut Beginner's Guide: My First Year with the Cricut Maker 3

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Last year, I bought a Cricut Maker 3 as a complete beginner with no crafting machine experience. If you're wondering whether a Cricut is worth it or feeling overwhelmed as a new Cricut owner, this beginner's guide will help. I'll share what I've made, how I learned to use Design Space, and which Cricut machine is best for different types of projects. ✂️ What is a Cricut Machine? A Cricut is a cutting machine that uses a small blade to precisely cut materials like vinyl, paper, fabric, leather, and more. Think of it as a printer that cuts instead of prints. You design projects on your computer or tablet using Cricut's free software called Design Space, then send the design to the machine to cut. Cricut machines are popular for making: Custom decals and stickers Personalized gifts Home decor Party decorations T-shirts and apparel Cards and scrapbooking No crafting experience needed - if you can use basic software, you can use a Cricut! ๐ŸŽ„ What I’ve Made So Far ...

Growing Herbs in Michigan: Beginner's Guide to a Simple Herb Garden

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When I started my first herb garden two years ago as a complete beginner, I knew next to nothing about growing herbs. Now, after two seasons of trial and error in my Michigan (Zone 6) garden, I've learned which herbs are easiest to grow, which ones struggle in our climate, and practical tips for beginners starting their own herb garden. This post is all about herbs, specifically the ones I’ve grown myself and how I’m learning to make the most of them, one season at a time. ๐ŸŒฟ Best Herbs for Beginners to Grow Based on my experience growing herbs in Michigan, here are the easiest herbs for beginner gardeners: Easiest (Nearly Impossible to Kill): Peppermint - Grows aggressively, thrives in most conditions Chives - Hardy perennial, comes back year after year Thyme - Drought-tolerant, low maintenance Moderate (Pretty Easy): Basil - Easy to grow but sensitive to cold Parsley - Grows well but needs consistent moisture Challenging: Cilantro - Bolts quickly in heat, prefers coo...

Best High-Yield Savings Accounts 2025 | HYSA Rates Compared

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Looking for the best high-yield savings accounts in 2025? This guide compares the top FDIC-insured HYSAs with rates up to 4.66% APY. I've researched the best high-interest savings accounts to help you find safe, flexible options that earn more than traditional banks offer. ๐Ÿ“˜What is a High-Yield Savings Account? A high-yield savings account is an FDIC-insured savings account that pays significantly higher interest rates than traditional bank savings accounts. While traditional savings accounts might pay 0.01%-0.50% APY, the best HYSAs currently offer 3.5%-4.66% APY. These accounts are typically offered by online banks with lower overhead costs, allowing them to pass savings to customers through better rates. ๐Ÿฅ‡Quick Comparison: Top 3 HYSAs Best Overall Rate: Axos ONE® Savings (up to 4.66% APY)  Best for Goal-Tracking: SmartyPig (3.90% APY + visual savings tools)  Best for Easy Access: EverBank Performance Savings (4.30% APY, no minimum) ๐Ÿ– SmartyPig High-Yield Savings Acc...