There are two types of home security systems prevalent on today’s market: those with professional monitoring (by a central monitoring station), and those that are self-monitored (by you and your network of contacts). The former typically includes a fairly steep ($30-$75) monthly fee to cover the cost of the monitoring station, while with the latter you typically only pay for the equipment. Don’t want this added expense of monthly monitoring? Worried about false alarms and getting fined by your city? We hear ya! These are a few of the reasons that self-monitored security systems have become so intriguing. They put you in control of your system, and you have access to cutting edge “smart” technology that you can control from your smartphone. With these DIY (do it yourself) security systems you’re in charge of when the authorities are called to your home and how you secure your home…

Did you know that the security company you buy your system from is most likely different from the company that monitors the system? That’s why it’s important to purchase a security system from a company with quality equipment as well as a responsive monitoring company…

COVID-19 is a strain of coronavirus that began in December 2019 in Wuhan, China. It affects the respiratory system, similar to SARS. The number of deaths from COVID-19 have already surpassed those from the 2002-2003 SARS epidemic. Scientists believe the virus originated in a market in Wuhan but are still working to find the source as well as “patient zero,” i.e. the animal that transmitted it to the first human. COVID-19 is a highly infectious pandemic that is affecting a large percentage of the global population. Read our coronavirus guide to find out how you can prepare…

Who will take care of your children if you and your spouse meet an unexpected demise? What will happen to your assets, like your home, savings, family heirlooms and investments? No one wants to think about end-of-life issues, but it’s up to you to protect your family the way you see fit; otherwise you’re taking a huge risk. If you die without a will, the state will step in to settle everything from child custody to the distribution of your assets, and may do so in a way that’s not what you would have wanted. If you don’t have a will, you should — and it’s not as daunting a task as you might think…

Unfortunately the news is consistently full of headlines about security and data breaches. Major retailers, credit card companies and other organizations have all fallen victim to hackers, putting millions of consumers at risk. Trying to keep up with all the latest hacks and who’s affected can be overwhelming. So we’ve put together this comprehensive guide to help you stay on top of what’s happening in the world of data breaches…

Do you think vacuuming sucks (literally and figuratively)? Then don’t do it anymore! A robot vacuum can do all your floor cleaning with the press of a button. All you’ll have to do is empty the dust bin. A robot vacuum cleaner can range anywhere from $100 to $1,000. We suggest reading each vacuum robot review, so you have an idea of what features you’ll get at each price point…

You’re away on a work trip when you get strep throat, and you don’t have time to go to the doctor. Wouldn’t it be nice to get a prescription without finding a doctor’s office, trying to schedule an appointment and filling out all of that endless paperwork? This is where using a virtual doctor app can be handy. From the comfort of your bed, you can visit with a physician, get a diagnosis and have medication prescribed. Learn more about how these services work and if they really work as they’re advertised…

Water leaks can cause serious damage to your home and cost you a lot of money in repairs.  The longer the water sits, the worse the damage will be.  You need to have a reliable way to detect water leaks so you can keep your home safe.

Does your elderly parent live at home alone? What if something happens when you’re not available? Or maybe you don’t live nearby. Medical alert systems can save you from worrying about your loved one — and maybe save their lives…

Owning a vacation home is something many people dream about. But they don’t dream about showing up for a relaxing stay and seeing that their vacation home has been ransacked by burglars. There are things you can do to secure your vacation home and decrease the risk of it being broken into while you’re away…