We live part-time in California but still own our big house in the Midwest. With some creativity, we did it on a budget.

Tech Insider : Business, Travel
Author Kelly Dwyer smiling next to railing in front of ocean at Huntington Beach
I love spending part of my year in California while being able to return home to the Midwest.

Kelly Dwyer

I made coffee using 4 different appliances. The cheapest method reigned supreme, leaving my Keurig in the dust.

Tech Insider : Business, Travel
four glasses of coffee with cream
To find the best way to make coffee, I made a cup in an Aeropress, coffee pot, French press, and Keurig.

Meredith Schneider

THEN AND NOW: The cast of 'You've Got Mail' 26 years later

Tech Insider : Business, Technology
Composite image of a close-up of Meg Ryan smiling in
"You've Got Mail" debuted in 1998.

Warner Bros. Pictures; Michael Tran/Getty Images

8 of the best ways to upgrade a box of brownie mix, from a professional baker

Tech Insider : Business
Brownies topped with powdered sugar and rainbow sprinkles on white background
As a professional baker, I've learned a lot of easy ways to upgrade a box of brownie mix.

Tetra Images/Getty Images

I was a guest on 'Top Chef.' These 5 things surprised me about what actually happens on the show.

Tech Insider : Business, Travel
Guests and judges speaking to a
Being a guest on "Top Chef" was a cool experience.

Jennifer Chang (NBCUniversal )

I took a $6.50 ferry to a beautiful nature-filled island near Seattle. I'd recommend it to anyone in the area.

Tech Insider : Travel, Travel, Business
The writer Sharon McDonnell wearing a pink shirt with an illustration of a llama and
I took the Washington State Ferry to Vashon Island.

Sharon McDonnell

I spent a night at Disney World and Universal. Both have their strengths, but you get more for your money at the latter.

Tech Insider : Travel, Travel, Business
composite image of terri peters at disney world at Christmas and terri peters at universal at christmas
I live in Florida and visit Disney World and Universal often.

Terri Peters

I spent $150 at Cuts steakhouse. If it had locations up north, I'd eat there for every anniversary.

Tech Insider : Business, Style, Travel
Blue-cheese encrusted steak next to dish of mashed potatoes, pimento mac and cheese, and asparagus at Cuts
The highlight of my meal at Cuts was the steak.

Paige DiFiore

I've traveled to 17 countries and have learned that a checked bag is always worth it. Here's why.

Tech Insider : Travel, Travel, Business
Silhouette of a woman with a carry-on bag surrounded by seats looking out onto a runway at an airport
Checking a bag makes my travel experience more enjoyable.

IgorTsarev/Getty Images/iStockphoto

I loved living in a big, famous city for 10 years, but I'm much happier now that I moved to a seaside town outside of it

Tech Insider : Business
View of colorful buildings and docked boats in Bangor
These days, I'm happy living in my seaside town.

Ivan maguire/Shutterstock

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