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It certainly can be, but don’t fret: You can absolutely be plant-based on a budget. Whether you have limited income or are just trying to save more and spend less, there’s no reason to break the bank to afford truly nutritious—and delicious—food. You just have to follow a few expert tips—and stop believing the predominant money myths (and other myths, too) about eating vegan. Common Myths Myth 1: Plant-based means organic, and organic means expensive....

If you don’t have a doctor you’re already fond of, check out the list of in-network providers in your new potential plan. Then, reach out to the new doc to ask about standard office hours, if they are seeing new patients, and for their credentials. This way, you know what you’re getting into before you switch. You can always go a step further and check with the American Medical Association (AMA) for a provider’s information....

“Fortunately, there is much to be grateful for even if you’re marking it [Thanksgiving] at home with yourself,” explains Tracy Thomas, Ph.D., psychologist and founder of Dr. Tracy Inc., an emotional training company in California. “As an emotional scientist who helps people build the emotional strength they need to succeed, one of the most important shifts a person can make is to deepen self-connection. This opens up the ability to experience everything more deeply, peacefully and enjoyably—regardless of external circumstances....

Yes, chickpeas are a standard hummus base, but these bite-sized legumes also make a great addition to most rice dishes and soups, and can even be used to make a vegan version of tuna salad. Like other pantry staples, they’re also easy to find and don’t mind being neglected for a few months until you remember you purchased them. From a health perspective, they’re packed with vitamins and minerals, including manganese, copper, iron, and zinc....

We’re all for reusing seasonal decor items, but if your pumpkins and faux leaf garlands are looking a little worse for wear, consider swapping them out for a more modern look. Of course, you don’t have to spend your entire holiday budget on a new fall porchscape. Look for ways to repurpose your old decor (like giving faux pumpkins a fresh coat of paint) and add in a few new pieces if your budget allows....

All of these National Tree Company trees are designed to look realistic with branch tips that look like a live tree. Shop trees between 2 and 5 feet tall and pre-lit with white and multicolored lights. They come pre-assembled, so all you have to do is fluff and separate the branches to get the fullness you want. Plus, the branches are fire-resistant and they fold up, so you can easily store the tree when the holidays are over (also a bonus for shoppers with limited storage)....

We’re not suggesting you put up your tree and hang the stockings in between barbecues and pool parties (though if you want to, we fully support that decision), but there are a few simple tasks you can tackle in the summer months that will make the busy holiday season so much less hectic. It seems like the weeks between Thanksgiving and Christmas get busier every year. Between holiday parties, cookie exchanges, Christmas card photo sessions, and last-minute shopping trips, there’s hardly any time to relax and enjoy the season....

As a general rule, keep this in mind: the fresher the cheese, the more lactose it contains. So those with particularly sensitive stomachs will want to avoid creamier varieties such as ricotta or cottage cheese at all costs. Sugar is the primary component of lactose that makes it difficult to digest, which means that aged, hard cheeses—which have a lower sugar content—are easier on the stomach. According to lactose intolerance expert Steve Carper, author of Milk Is Not For Every Body: Living With Lactose Intolerance, there are nine cheeses that contain less than five grams of sugar per serving, clocking in at about two to three percent lactose....

Building an emergency fund is a big talking point for personal finance: The emergency fund is the financial cushion that can keep you afloat if you lose your job, are in an accident, or are otherwise unable to work for an extended period of time. Emergency funds are typically rather large—the standard recommendation is to save three to six months of expenses—and often overshadow their smaller counterpart: rainy day funds....

Counters Clear the counters of anything that doesn’t belong: straggling mail, cookbooks, and permission slips awaiting signatures. Sink Fill the sink with hot water and a few squirts of dish soap. Drop in items that need soaking, like the crisper drawer, the dish rack, and the microwave turntable. Refrigerator Empty the refrigerator, tossing anything that has expired. Throw dirty food storage containers into the sink to soak. Working from top to bottom, wipe down the shelves with a paper towel or a rag spritzed with a nontoxic all-purpose cleaner....

The Bonvivo Writing Desk has a modern design that features thin-yet-sturdy bamboo legs and an open wood shelf topped with a shatter-resistant glass surface. The 21 x 43 x 29 inch desk is ideal for small rooms, with many city apartment dwellers commenting that it works perfectly in their space. It’s easy to assemble and maintain—just wipe it down with a damp cloth or gentle cleaning solution. Plus, if you don’t have a need for a desk, shoppers say it also makes a great vanity....

To buy: from $33 (was from $39); amazon.com. One reviewer who had difficulty finding similar styles to suit her 4'11" frame was relieved to find they fit perfectly “without needing to hem” them. “I was so happy the waist and length were perfect,” echoed another skeptical shopper faced with the same sizing issue. RELATED: 15 Stylish Jackets and Sweaters That Will Replace Your Go-To Hoodie Stat—Starting at $28 The flowy silhouette works with your core wardrobe, whether you’re sporting them for a leisurely weekend or office party—they’ll provide a nice contrast to your sparkly partywear....

One shopper, who “took a chance” buying the adhesive paper to fix up a desk, said that it was worth every penny. “I ended up liking it so much, I bought more and re-finished my kitchen countertop with it as well,” they wrote. Compared to real marble countertops, which cost around $60 per square foot, this solution costs $6 for an entire 11.8-inch by 78.7-inch roll. “Highly recommended if you want to change the look of your counters, but you don’t have the money for a full remodel just yet,” wrote one five-star reviewer....

A credit monitoring service can alert you if your social security number is used to open a new line of credit, if you’re the victim of identity theft, or even if there’s unauthorized activity on your credit cards. There are services in the marketplace that offer these services for a monthly fee, while other providers allow you to enroll in credit monitoring services for no charge. Below, find out more about the benefit of credit monitoring and how you can choose the right service for yourself....

I don’t know about you, but I tend to buy a bag of frozen peas for a specific recipe or to have on hand as a flexible ice pack, then promptly forget they’re there. But it’s time to dig past the ice cream and pull out these sweet little buds for a nutritional punch that can help you do everything from fighting chronic illness to staying full between meals....

It was sometime in the late 1990s, and I was somewhere in my late 20s, visiting my best friend in Toronto. When her friend Guy (not his real name) arrived to meet us at a bar, every head turned his way. His lustrous, platinum blond hair resembled a dazzling gem from a spectacular planet we had not yet discovered. You couldn’t help looking, and when you did, little dark spots filled your vision, like you’d looked at the sun....

One of our favorite kinds is Ben & Jerry’s Cookie Dough Chunks, which is available in three flavors: Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough, Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough, and Vegan Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough. The most obvious way to eat this dreamy creamy snack is by inhaling as-is, and we’re in full support of that exploit. But in recent months the company started combining its dough chunks with candy and calling it Cookie Dough Mixes....

These services vary greatly in how they operate: Some allow you to make your purchases through an app, with all transactions taking place on your phone. Others allow you to shop from a variety of available products in an online store. These services may offer one-time purchases, or they may operate as a subscription that delivers alcohol to you on a regular basis, such as every month or quarter....

With a succulent subscription, you can expect a fresh batch of these plants delivered to your door every month (or whatever frequency of your choosing). Before you can start experiencing the excitement of a new plant arriving on your front step, there are several factors to consider such as affordability, succulent variety, shipping, and more when committing to a succulent subscription. Prepare to bring more greenery into your life with minimal hassle when you sign up for one of these fully vetted succulent subscriptions....

Brooklinen, which first came on the scene touting affordable sheets, has since expanded into home essentials like towels, comforters, furniture, and loungewear. Like the original, reasonably priced bedding, the super-plush towels are just as budget-friendly without forgoing quality. The 100 percent Turkish cotton towels can soak up water without becoming entirely water-logged thanks to the durable Z-twist construction. I’d compare them to the kind of towels you’d find in a spa: luxuriously soft to the touch and extra thick....