MONEY
Thrifty, happy people. MSN Lifestyle () recently enlisted experts from around the country to help readers kick the late-winter/early-spring blahs. Among them, the man who helped make pottery cool again and the face of “Top Design” on Bravo, Jonathan Adler. He’s also the author of “My Prescription for Anti-Depressive Living” (Collins Design, 2005). What follows are his tips from MSN Living for lightening the mood around the house without spending gobs of cash. Lamps — The more the better, according to Adler, who’s a fan of lots of light sources with dim bulbs. He believes this approach to lighting is especially important as we age. “More lamps and less watts equal diva lighting,” Adler writes.
Candles — Adler believes in the power of aromatherapy. His advice: Make your house smell like spring and you’ll be happier. An added bonus is that candlelight erases the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
Rearrange — The cheapest and best way to get your house summer-ready is to rearrange the furniture. How about a semi-circle? Adler says: “Think conversation pit!”
ENERGY
Repairing beats replacing. This tip comes from “The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Self-Sufficient Living” by Jerome Belanger, a book that aims to make eco-responsible choices easier and more accessible. Its motto: “Live a simpler, less dependent lifestyle — without feeling deprived.” One way to do that is to fix things when they break instead of simply chucking them and buying new. Visit for guidance. Because fixing something on your own “might be a lot simpler than you expect,” Belanger writes. “You’ll save money (and) keep something from the landfill.”
TIME
Seasonal home-improvement contest. Is your deck ready for barbecue season? If not, Trex, a leading manufacturer of wood-alternative decking, railing, fencing and trim products, may have a solution. As part of its Designer Deck Contest, Trex will award three homeowners new decking and railing. Each winner also will receive a professional design consultation. To enter, go to , upload one or two photos of your current outdoor living space, and describe why it deserves an extreme makeover. You have until June 15 to enter; winners are announced in July.
