
Apr 21 - By Marisa Belger, msnbc.com - Only on msnbc.com
As I work toward living a greener life, I’ve discovered that I not only possess a talent for organizing my family’s recycling — blue bin, black bin, silver bin, glass, plastic, paper — but I’ve also uncovered a flair for excuses. I’ve become highly adept at creating reasons why I can’t make a wiser green choice. Sometimes it’s convenience. Sometimes it’s time. Often it’s money.

Dec 23 - By Marisa Belger, msnbc.com - Only on msnbc.com
Winter has just made its official, blustery entrance into the Northeast — accompanied by its usual entourage of frosty annoyances: slush, black ice and a wind-chill factor in the single digits — and my mind is already wandering. As I delicately traverse the slippery patch of ice that has taken up residence on my front stoop, peel on my long underwear and scrape inches of crusty snow off of my windshield, one thought refuses to vacate my mind: I’ve got to get away.

Nov 26 - By Harriet Baskas, msnbc.com - Only on msnbc.com
The economy may be tanking, but right now a tank of gas costs way less than it did last year at this time. As I prep for my Thanksgiving trek, I’m thankful for that. Travel-wise, this year, I’m also grateful for:

Nov 12 - By Edward Deitch, msnbc.com - Only on msnbc.com
When it comes to wine values, it’s not just about price, although price these days is certainly a key consideration. After all, what good is a $10 wine if it’s flat and uninteresting? Why drink a $20 bottle if it’s just OK? The same question can be asked about wine at any price. As I have often said, life is just too short for bad wine.

Mar 4 - By Rob Lovitt, msnbc.com - Only on msnbc.com
Ah, last-minute travel. To hear the online travel sites describe it, it’s all about theater weekends in New York, romantic getaways in Napa and beach time in the Bahamas.