Start off the new year by taking a look at the safety features of your home. Are you well-protected in case of an emergency? Here are some things you can add to ensure it's even safer. You can buy most of them at a hardware store, Home Depot, Lowe's, or Amazon.

• An "emergency" ladder. That's the kind you drop out of an upstairs window in case you need to escape a fire. Price: about $35.

Being liked puts you on the fast track to success in everything you do. You are naturally likable by being genuine and sincere, but here are some simple tips that can give you a psychological advantage and result in people liking you even more:

Like Yourself First
Be confident in your strengths. Your likability increases as you increase your ability to like yourself. Smiling and sharing your positivity will bring out the same in others.

Buying a house requires a lot of time and effort, but these 10 steps can help make the home buying process manageable and help you make the best decisions possible.

Step 1: Start Your Research Early

As soon as you can, start reading Web sites, newspapers, and magazines that have real estate listings. Make a note of particular homes you are interested in and see how long they stay on the market.

Moving out of a home can be undeniably stressful. Make things as easy as possible for yourself by following these helpful tips:

• Schedule a donation pickup - Don’t waste time driving to a donation center. Contact local nonprots (or use a service like donationtown.org) for pickup so you never have to leave home.