money Archives - ThePhillyFiles.com

January 15, 2021

Wine-tastings allow lots of sampling without a lot of spending

If you’re a casual wine drinker who enjoys a glass of Ménage à Trois with your pizza, you’re not likely to consider buying a…

January 12, 2021

4 ways life with pets evolved during the pandemic

With more time spent at home, pet owners are seeing their daily routines upended. Many who once relied on dog-walkers and smart devices to…

August 15, 2020

Strengthen mental health by embracing culture

One in five U.S. adults experience mental illness each year, according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, and adult African Americans are 20%…

August 13, 2020

5 ways to save big on everyday essentials

With many Americans spending more time at home, they are also using more common household items such as cleaning supplies, pantry items and snacks,…

June 25, 2020

Upgrade your home, downgrade energy usage

7 efficient home improvement projects The best home upgrades not only make spaces more livable and energy-efficient but are also cost-effective. Making energy-efficient improvements…

May 20, 2020

Planning for warm weather wine, post-pandemic

As we write this column, the black cloud of the Novel Coronavirus continues to wreak havoc on the health of our citizens and the…

May 7, 2020

$6.8 million in Pew grants to help 38 Philadelphia-area nonprofits overcome COVID-19 emergency

PHILADELPHIA — Millions of dollars are going to help dozens of area health and human service organizations. The Pew Charitable Trusts announced it’s going…

April 23, 2020

Get away without going away

5 family staycation ideas that won’t break your budget Family vacations are a great way to bond and take a step back from the…

April 21, 2020

4 ways to help nurses during the Coronavirus pandemic

America’s nurses are on the front lines of the fight against coronavirus, providing safe, quality, compassionate and nondiscriminatory care to those they serve, many…

April 19, 2020

Now’s the time to focus on financial health in the workplace

Employers have both an opportunity and a responsibility to care for their employees’ financial wellbeing. Employers that help their teams achieve better financial health…

April 15, 2020

Eating, and drinking more wine, while stuck at home? You’re not alone!

Why some wines are less expensive, plus examples and a free seminar As we continue to hunker in our bunkers, there is every indication…

March 19, 2020

Energy-efficient ideas to upgrade your home

Energy bills are likely among the largest expenses for homeowners, but you can take action to lower those costs. During a remodel, a certified contractor…

March 11, 2020

The prices of many imported wines almost doubled, and they still might

If you, like us, are looking forward to those exquisite, thirst-quenching rosés from southern France this spring, we just dodged a bullet. A potential…

March 1, 2020

Smart saving strategies most Americans need to know

Money management and building long-term financial health is a careful balancing act between long- and short-term financial needs, and now is a perfect opportunity…

February 27, 2020

Video: Break free from costly streaming services

Monthly subscription fees for streaming video services can really add up. That’s my television, film and music stars — such as The Pussycat Dolls…

February 13, 2020

Remodel your way to a bigger return on investment

Homeowners and renters remodel, redesign and restructure their homes for a variety of reasons. Even a newly constructed dream home needs improvements over time….

January 26, 2020

Money matters: 5 financial tips for teens

When it comes to economics, many teens’ mouths write checks their knowledge can’t cash. While 93% of American teens say they know how the…

January 1, 2020

Weighing the past 10 years in wine, and what to watch in the next decade

The beginning of a new year gives us the opportunity to set personal goals and reflect on where we’ve been and where we’re going….

December 5, 2019

How Streaming Can Make Watching Favorite Shows Easier

At home, you have ultimate control over your entertainment environment. Now, with today’s technology, you can create the same viewing experience wherever you are,…

November 21, 2019

5 professional tips to prep your home for winter

Before blustery winter days arrive, there are plenty of home improvement projects contractors can tackle for homeowners. Many cooler weather projects focus on cost…

October 5, 2019

Last day to adopt a 4-legged friend for free as part of #ACCTtotheFuture

FELTONVILLE — Looking to adopt a new four-legged best friend? Sunday, Oct. 6, will be the last day to do so for free! ACCT Philly,…

July 24, 2019

Free Thursday movies at the Great Plaza at Penn’s Landing

PENN’S LANDING — There are still six chances to catch free movies, Thursday nights at the Great Plaza at Penn’s Landing. The “Screenings Under…

July 24, 2019

Video: Man wanted for taking Starbucks money bag from counter

CENTER CITY — A man is wanted for stealing from a Starbucks on the corner of Broad and Arch streets, a block north of…

Presidents DayMonday, February 15, 2021

Presidents Day is an American holiday celebrated on the third Monday in February. It was originally established in 1885 in recognition of President George Washington, but the holiday became popularly known as Presidents Day after it was moved as part of 1971’s Uniform Monday Holiday Act, an attempt to create more three-day weekends for the nation’s workers. While several states still have individual holidays honoring the birthdays of Washington, Abraham Lincoln and other figures, Presidents Day is now popularly viewed as a day to celebrate all U.S. presidents, past and present.

PurimThursday, February 25, 2021

The jolly festival of Purim starts tonight, on the 14th of the Hebrew month of Adar. It commemorates the salvation of the Jewish people in ancient Persia from Haman’s plot “to destroy, kill and annihilate all the Jews, young and old, infants and women, in a single day,” as recorded in the Book of Esther. Purim means “lots” in ancient Persian, and Haman had thrown lots to determine which day he would carry out his diabolical scheme. One of the observances is a feast, which often includes wine or other intoxicating beverages.

Daylight Saving TimeSaturday, March 13, 2021

“Spring forward” tonight at 2am, the second Sunday in March. The idea of daylight saving was first conceived by (who else? Philadelphian) Benjamin Franklin to reduce electricity usage by extending daylight hours. People in about 70 countries observe Daylight Saving, but they don’t in Hawaii and most of Arizona. It’s also a good time to change batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, and flashlights, and remove expired items from your refrigerator and first aid kit.

St. Patrick’s DayWednesday, March 17, 2021

The Feast of Saint Patrick is both a cultural and religious celebration held on March 17, the traditional date of death of the foremost patron saint of Ireland. Saint Patrick lived from about 385 to 461, but the day was only made an official Christian feast day in the early 1600s. It commemorates Saint Patrick and the arrival of Christianity in Ireland, and celebrates the heritage and culture of the Irish in general. Also, the Lenten restrictions on eating, and drinking alcohol, are lifted for the day.

Beginning of SpringSaturday, March 20, 2021

At the spring (or vernal) equinox, days and nights are approximately 12 hours long, with day length starting to increase and night length starting to decrease. As the season progresses, the Earth’s axis increases its tilt relative to the sun and the hemisphere warms significantly, causing new plant growth to “spring forth,” giving the season its name. “Springtime” can also refer to the ideas of rebirth, rejuvenation, renewal and regrowth.