The recent housing market boom has resulted in a substantial rise in the number of new property investors. What new investors might not know is that investment property depreciation is the second most frequently missed deduction on federal income tax forms. But there's help. A new service created by three real estate experts enables property investors to quickly identify and track personal property, or "chattels," to accelerate their depreciation deductions. Chattel Appraisals - an easy-to-use online ... [full story]

 If you want to increase the value of your home, invest in landscaping. A Clemson University study found that landscaping around your home can result in more than a 100 percent return on investment. Since the return on investment is contingent upon the quality of the landscaping job, it's important that you find the right landscaping contractor for your project and use high-quality materials like segmental retaining walls and interlocking concrete pavers. Homeowners should consider ... [full story]

Car accidents can happen in the blink of an eye. According to Car-Accidents.net, they occur approximately 6.4 million times each year. Although being involved in a car accident can be overwhelming, knowing what to do in the moments following a fender-bender can help alleviate some of the stress and confusion of the situation. The service specialists at Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge offer the following tips on how to handle a car accident: * Don't leave the ... [full story]

According to national surveys, most Americans know that massage therapy can help relieve stress and pain and benefit their overall health. If you've decided to get a massage but haven't had one before, you may have questions about what to expect during your session. The American Massage Therapy Association offers the following information for first-time recipients of massage: * Massage is beneficial whether fully or partially clothed. It's your choice whether to remove some of your ... [full story]

Dentist. The very word evokes memories of noisy drills and aching jaw muscles - and pain. It's hard enough to force yourself to go for just routine maintenance, but for cosmetic dentistry? Even people who want to improve the look of their teeth and enhance their smiles hesitate when faced with the prospect of applying veneers. Traditional veneers usually involve the drilling or grinding of sensitive tooth structure, often requiring an anesthetic and painkillers after ... [full story]

Do you ever wonder how fashion trends make it from the runway to real life? Before clothes arrive on store shelves, every article must go through hundreds of steps and travel thousands of miles. This requires well-coordinated logistics for a fast-paced industry that's already on to the next trend. "Shipping is the thread that ties our business together," says designer Tomer Gendler. His eponymous menswear label has a loyal following including many stylists and their ... [full story]

An emerging design trend is putting a new face on heirloom jewelry. While lockets were the tradition of past generations, today's mothers and grandmothers are adding three-dimensional charms of their loved ones to their jewelry collections. Through modern computer technology, designer Joel Ragan, based in St. Louis, transforms photos into custom pendants that capture the distinct characteristics of a child's face in 3-D. He calls them "Baby Faces." Clients call them heirlooms. "When my charm arrived ... [full story]

Mobile phones have become a lifeline for North American motorists. According to the Cellular Telephone Industry Association, more than 73 million calls are placed to 911 hotlines from cell phones every year. AAA handles an additional 14 million calls for emergency roadside assistance from cell callers. "Your cell phone can be perceived as a companion or a status symbol, but when you really need it, it can be your most important personal safety device," said ... [full story]

The market is saturated with low-fat, low-carb and sugar-free foods. But despite the popular diets, "magical" pills and the latest, greatest fitness machines that all promise to melt away the pounds, more than half of American adults are overweight. For true weight-loss success, health experts stress the importance of changing your lifestyle for the long term and exercising regularly. Here are some creative ways to make fitness fun again and help you win the battle ... [full story]

Ready to experience the treasures of small towns and roadside curiosities? Pack up your family, hop in the car and make your next adventure a road trip. Whether it's travel for the holidays, summer vacation, spring break or just a long weekend, a road trip is a fun way to travel with your family and make memories that will last a lifetime. To be the ultimate road warrior, keep the following road trip rules in ... [full story]