ResidentialBusiness

Mortgage and housing industry groups cheered the U.S. Senate vote, which found only two Democrats crossing over to support Scott Turner's nomination. View the full article

Austan Goolsbee warns it is ‘dangerous’ to ignore potential supply shocks triggered by trade warView the full article

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Once mold starts taking over your bathroom, it’s not easy to get rid of. If the growth is alarming, paying to have it cleaned can cost hundreds of dollars, but it’s often worth it because getting rid of mold can be challenging (and exhausting). Your best move is to prevent mold from taking root in the first place, which usually involves reducing dampness and being vigilant with cleaning. A better approach might be to design a mold-free bathroom from the get-go. If you’re considering renovating your bathroom, you can choose materials and make design decisions that will make it a lot harder for mold to take up residence. Go groutlessMold loves grout because it’s porous and absorbs moisture—and its porous nature means mold can penetrate under its surface, which makes it even harder to clean. The more grout you have, the more potential breeding ground you have, so consider eliminating it: Wall panels. Acrylic wall panels are continuous sheets, meaning there are no grout lines to deal with. You can purchase panels that mimic the look of tile, but they come in a wide range of colors and designs, giving you a lot of design flexibility without the grout—or the potential for mold. Vinyl or laminate flooring. Kkip the grout on your floor by avoiding traditional tile and opting for vinyl planks or laminate. Similar to the wall panels, you can find vinyl flooring that resembles tile or stone so you can get the look you want. Shower pan. Instead of a tiled or stone shower floor, installing an acrylic shower pan eliminates all that grout and makes it a lot easier to clean and a lot harder for mold to take root. Go freestandingMold and mildew loves to colonize caulk, which can get so unsightly as a result that you wind up just tearing it out and re-caulking. Anything that sits flush with or attached to your walls in a damp area has to be caulked, so you can reduce the amount of caulk (and with it, the amount of mold) by choosing freestanding items, like a freestanding tub or vanity. Go metalIf you want storage in your shower for soaps, bottles, and everything else, a traditional tiled niche is an invitation to mold, especially if the pitch isn’t quite right and water ponds in there. Opting for a metal insert instead (like this stainless steel shower niche) eliminates that problem. Go resistantPainted walls and ceilings in bathrooms are prime targets for mold and mildew because moisture condenses on those surfaces. Steam rising from the shower often results in those tell-tale brown dots on the ceiling above, and over time, even walls outside the shower area can become stained with mold. Using antimicrobial primer and paint is one key to eliminating mold from your bathroom, and it’s one thing you can do even if you’re not ready to renovate. Cleaning the walls and ceiling thoroughly, sealing them with a mold-resistant primer and painting them with a mold-resistant paint can greatly reduce the chances you’ll be scrubbing mold out of your bathroom in the near future. VentilationFinally, when transforming your bathroom, don’t forget the less exciting but crucial aspect of mold resistance: ventilation. Make sure you determine the correct size of exhaust fan necessary for the space, and consider installing a model that has a humidity sensor. Also think about other ways to boost airflow in there, like adding a window (or a larger window) or a dedicated dehumidifier. View the full article

Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) stock (NASDAQ: AMD) fell 9% before the bell on Wednesday after the company fell short on sales for its data centers, despite reporting better-than-expected fourth-quarter earnings. (The stock is down 7% as of midday Wednesday.) That’s because the chipmaker’s core business is selling data center chips for graphics processing units used to power AI. It’s currently going head-to-head with Nvidia for market share of the lucrative, high-powered AI chip market. Shares in Nvidia (NVDA), meanwhile, were up 4% in midday trading Wednesday after Google’s parent company, Alphabet, announced it will spend $75 billion in expected capital expenditures in 2025, a majority of which will go into building data centers and servers in an effort to help Google increase its AI capabilities. On Tuesday, AMD reported Q4 revenue that came in at $7.66 billion, beating estimates of $7.54 billion, and an adjusted earnings per share (EPS) of $1.09. Looking ahead to the first quarter of 2025, the chipmaker forecast revenue coming in between $6.8 billion and $7.4 billion. On its earnings call with investors, CEO Lisa T. Su told investors the company sees “strong double-digit percentage revenue and EPS growth” for 2025, calling 2024 “a transformative year for AMD . . . [when we] successfully established our multibillion-dollar data center AI franchise, launched a broad set of leadership products, and gained significant server and PC market share.” Also on Wednesday, Truist Securities analyst William Stein reduced the company’s price target to $130 a share, down from $145. At the time of this writing, AMD stock was trading at $109.58, near its 52-week low. View the full article

Deal will allow lenders to exit one of toughest merger-finance transactions in recent yearsView the full article

Danish company attempts to recover from botched US expansion and restore struggling share price View the full article

PM backs development of the Jackdaw and Rosebank projects, despite some Labour MPs’ concernsView the full article

The Walt Disney Company posted first-quarter earnings Wednesday that beat on the top and bottom lines, but it also revealed the start of predicted streaming subscriber losses at its Disney+ service. The service lost 700,000 subscribers over the final three months of 2024, which is the first quarter of Disney’s fiscal year 2025. The media and entertainment giant had warned during its fiscal fourth-quarter report in November that it expected a “modest decline” in core subscribers during the first quarter of 2025. Hulu picks up the streaming slack Total paid Disney+ subscriptions currently rest at 124.6 million, compared with 125.3 million at the end of the fiscal fourth quarter. ESPN+ also saw a loss of 700,000 subscribers, currently at 24.9 million, compared with 25.6 million at the end of last quarter. Though Disney saw losses at Disney+ and ESPN+, total Hulu subscriptions rose to 53.6 million, compared with 52 million at the end of the fiscal fourth quarter. The decrease in subscribers came as a result of an increase in prices that Disney announced in August of 2024. The price rose to $9.99 with ads and $15.99 with no ads, following its announcement of continuous playlists and growing offerings. “Disney’s earnings beat underscores the success of its cost-cutting initiatives and resilient performance in parks and studios, offsetting headwinds in streaming,” Jesse Cohen, a senior analyst at Investing.com, said in an emailed statement. “However, the surprising loss of Disney+ subscribers—the first decline since its 2019 launch—raises red flags about saturation in a crowded market and the trade-offs of its pricing strategy.” Disney’s stock was down around 1.5% Wednesday in afternoon trading. Theme parks hampered by extreme weather Disney’s domestic parks and experiences business saw a decline of 5% in operating income due to hurricanes and cruise pre-opening expenses. However, it did see operating income increase 28% for international parks. Although Disney lost subscribers for Disney+ and saw a decline in domestic park attendance, net income increased nearly 23% to $2.64 billion, compared to $2.15 billion during the same quarter last year. Revenue increased 4.8% to $24.69 billion, compared to $23.55 billion from last year. “Our results this quarter demonstrate Disney’s creative and financial strength as we advanced the strategic initiatives set in motion over the past two years,” said CEO Robert Iger in a statement. The company’s success was thanks in part to box office performance from its studios, which had the three top movies in 2024: Inside Out 2, Deadpool & Wolverine, and Moana 2. Moana 2, released during Q1, grossed more than $1 billion, which was a driving factor behind the improvement in operating results. In its sports content segment, Disney saw a 13% operating income growth. The increase came as a result of college sports and one additional NFL game, as well as Disney’s exit from the Venu Sports, the planned sports-focused streaming service that Disney and other media giants discontinued earlier this year. The company also plans to launch its own direct-to-customer streaming app for ESPN this fall, company executives said on a conference call Wednesday. Disney’s streaming business may continue to face headwinds in a crowded marketplace, particularly among price-conscious viewers. “While profitability in streaming improved, the subscriber dip suggests price hikes or content gaps may be driving churn, particularly as rivals like Netflix and Amazon Prime retain momentum,” Cohen said. Disney told investors on Wednesday that it expects another decline in subscribers during the second quarter. View the full article

This post was written by Alison Green and published on Ask a Manager. Last week we talked about out-of-touch executives. Here are 12 of the most outrageous stories you shared. (Also, if you’ve never wanted to eat the rich before, warning that you might after reading these stories.) 1. The renovation The head of the org I work for has been complaining about his home renovations for months. I get it, he had to move out of his house and … (checks notes) into the *other* property he owns. This has been happening while several employees are dealing with being illegally ousted from their rentals due to landlords not legally following the lead abatement process. But yes, your kitchen renovation that you chose to do, and temporary move into your own home is also clearly traumatic too. 2. The photo I worked at a company once where every year the owners would throw a party right before Christmas. To be fair, it was nice. It was a two-hour catered lunch in outside tents, and they honored all the employees who hit milestones. However, where they were a bit out of touch was with their gifts for the milestones. Mostly it was branded stuff, but I remember one year for the person who had been with the company 20 years, the owners praised the employee and then started talking about how they, the owners, always go on vacation to beautiful locations and how they wished they could share that with everyone. At this point, my friend is convinced this lucky employee is about to get tickets for a trip or a cruise or similar. But nope! What the employee got for their 20-year anniversary with the company was a framed photo collage of the owner’s vacation, complete with the owners in shot. 3. Calling in “cold” We got a very stern lecture about the importance of coming into the office and mandatory in-person attendance from an exec who was herself calling in remotely (to the mandatory, in-person meeting) because it was “too cold.” 4. The luxury cabin In 2020 I was working at a place with a VERY unpopular leader, who decided to pass the pandemic by renting a luxurious cabin in the mountains for her family (she had college aged kids who were normally away). Every all staff meeting she would dial in with the giant stone fireplace in the background and talk about how wonderful it was to spend this precious time with her family and luxuriating in nature. You can imagine how well this went over with the rest of the staff, many of whom were separated from their family and friends, had sick loved ones, etc. Most of us did NOT have the resources to relocate to a luxury vacation rental! 5. The recommendation During his first all staff meeting, the COO said he had taken the last two years off before this job and that he highly recommended we all do it. 6. The car delivery Large local employer was failing, pretty spectacularly. My spouse was still working there and I had left about a year earlier. Many, many people in the community had purchased stock (and were watching the stock prices tumble). During the week of another round of layoffs, the relatively new CEO had her brand-new luxury vehicle delivered to the main office (which was nearly all windows). It was unloaded right out front in the fire lane while employees watched. My spouse was not certain, but felt it was utter cluelessness, rather than dickishness. 7. The Christmas card For Christmas 2008, when the Great Recession was kicking into high gear, our CEO had a Christmas card made that was a cut-out hanging mobile of the places around the world he and his family had visited in 2008, with illustrations of cities and airplanes and his family. That went over well. 8. The trivia game The CEO of our division just had an all-hands meeting, where we had to play trivia about her. Vote on where she was born, how many coffees she drank per day, and which netflix shows she binged. Twenty minutes of that, with thousands of employees. One of the most tone deaf and expensive meetings I’ve ever been too, especially since there was nothing about our business strategy or results. 9. The “opportunity” VP said in a staff meeting that another VP’s recent death was an opportunity to reorganize. 10. The tip During Covid, my country was in extended lockdown. We had an all-hands meeting intended to be a check-in on our welfare, where a senior staff member shared their tips on managing working remotely. Their tip was to keep their work items like their headset in a little bag, so whichever room in the house they were working from, they could take the bag and be sure they had everything they needed with them. We had junior staff living in shared houses, working standing up over an ironing board because they didn’t have any private space other than their own tiny room, which was too small to even fit a table. Leaving work items in other rooms of our large homes was not something that was a cause for concern for most of us. 11. The women’s talk The CEO gave a talk to our women’s professional group. So: the audience was his female employees. When asked about women that had helped shape his career, he couldn’t name any and said something along the lines of “all the women i’ve ever worked with got pregnant and stopped working.” 12. The rock star I used to work at a place where the CEO would come into an all-hands meeting with flashing lights and loud music playing (Rocky theme song maybe? I forget) and all the employees were supposed to applaud and cheer. View the full article

Proposals underline the US president’s irresponsible approach to foreign policyView the full article

As the Federal Reserve's overnight reverse repurchase agreement program nears zero, pressure could mount on the central bank to slow or stop its asset runoff as it fights inflation. View the full article

Major changes are afoot behind-the-scenes at Walmart. The retailer is cutting hundreds of jobs and shuttering its North Carolina office. Employees from certain locations are also being asked to move to its newly opened headquarters in Bentonville, Arkansas, and other central hubs. News of the shake up was first reported by Fox Business after Walmart Chief People Officer Donna Morris sent a memo detailing the cuts and other changes to employees. “We are making these changes to put key capabilities together, encouraging speed and shared understanding,” the memo, viewed by Fox read. “Through this review process, we have eliminated some roles as we streamline how we work.” According to the memo, Walmart is also opening offices in Sunnyvale, California, Bellevue, Washington, and expanding offices in Hoboken, New Jersey and New York City. The cuts aren’t the first to hit Walmart, which is both the world’s largest employer and the world’s largest retailer. In May, the company cut hundreds of jobs and asked Dallas, Atlanta, and Toronto workers to relocate to central hubs, too. At the time, it also asked that all remote employees come back to the office full time. That move came shortly after the company said it would shut down its virtual health care service, and close its 51 in-store health centers. Some experts believe that Walmart’s efforts to streamline operations, including continued cuts and relocating employees to headquarters, are about staying competitive with the world’s largest online retailer: Amazon. “I think this is the year where Walmart’s assault on Amazon gains serious momentum,” Fox Business market analyst Keith Fitz-Gerald said per Newsweek in January. “I think the stock is going to radically outperform it, and we’re going to see a renewed customer confidence in that particular brand.” Walmart is not alone in its 2025 layoffs. Salesforce, a cloud-based software company, announced this week that it would cut 1,000 roles at the company. Amazon, Meta, Microsoft, have each had their own rounds of major layoffs already this year, too. And when it comes to retailers, 2025 is likely to be another big year for store closures. According to a January report from Coresight Research, as many as 15,000 U.S. retail locations could shutter this year. Party City, Big Lots, and Macy’s are among the brands that have already announced closures this year. News of the latest cuts comes shortly after the Walmart faced blowback for rolling back its diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) program just months ago. After the brand announced it would end the initiative, 30 investors sent a letter to CEO Doug McMillian, voicing their collective disdain for the move. “Walmart has sent a clear signal to all underrepresented and marginalized groups that Walmart will not fight to protect their rights,” the letter stated. Walmart didn’t provide details on how many employees would lose their jobs, or how many it’s asking to relocate. But it did specify that employees would have a month to let Walmart know if they will move in order to keep their job with the company. View the full article

Your clothing and accessories can either clog up your closet for free or go out there, get a job, and earn its keep: I recently found an app that helps you to rent out your clothes and accessories (and borrow other people's), and maybe even help you declutter in the long run. Let me explain why I love Pickle. What does Pickle do?As I have explained, I have a low threshold when it comes to what will inspire me to download an app. Typically, I see an ad, tap on the App Store link, and install on sight. The other day, I saw an ad for one called Pickle, which is a peer-to-peer clothing and accessory rental service—like DoorDash for fashion. I attempted to download it only to discover it was already on my phone from what must have been a previous run-in with the ad that I never followed up on. Incredible! (Be advised, though, that it's only available for iOS right now.) Over the last year, I've gotten into selling my clothes via app, but it's been limiting because I own a lot of pieces I don't really want to get rid of—yet. But I can't wear them all at the same time, now, can I? So they're just sitting in my closet, waiting for their turn to shine. Pickle, it seemed, could give me a chance to put them to work. I listed a bunch of stuff, checked what others on the app were charging for a week's rental of similar items, and priced my goods competitively. Then, I waited—but not for long. I got a rental request the next day. The app functions just like resale platforms like Poshmark or Vestiaire Collective: You take a picture of your shoes, bag, dress, or whatever, fill in details about it like size and brand, and set a price. Here, though, the price is what you want to charge for a week's rental. You also indicate, via drop-down menu, whether you're willing to have someone show up at your place to pick it up, send it off with a courier, or even mail it somewhere. That last option really broadens your horizons, since Pickle mostly operates in New York City (where I live) and Los Angeles. While it's a lot easier to link up with a local and hand off your piece, the postal option expands your money-making capabilities to a much wider base of potential consumers. My "closet" and how it looks to edit a listing. Credit: Lindsey Ellefson When someone rents a piece from you, they first send a request outlining the way they'd like to receive it and how long they want to have it. From there, you can enter a chat with them to hammer out details or just accept their request. I accepted the offer sent to me and selected the day and time I would be home to hand my parcel off to a courier. This morning, the courier showed up, took it, and brought it to the borrower, with whom I had arranged for a four-day rental. I listed the piece for $30/week, Pickle took 20%, and I earned $24 despite the fact that it won't be gone for the full week. The process was seamless and remarkably easy and I got detailed notifications throughout the entire event. The app guides you every step of the way. Credit: Lindsey Ellefson Why I like this app as a route to declutteringThere are obvious benefits to using a closet-rental app. First, you can put your extra stuff to work for you and make a little money off of it. Second, you can rent clothes and accessories for special occasions at a major discount without adding to any consumerist clutter you may have going on—but that leads me to the hidden benefit I identified here. I consider Pickle similar to a "purgatory" box, which is a method for decluttering that doesn't require you to make instant decisions about what stays and what goes. Most decluttering techniques are pretty harsh. They call on you to go through a space in your home and make fast choices about what you keep, what you toss, what you donate, and what you sell. Doing that enough times builds a habit and you learn to be less sentimental; but it's still hard. Personally, I'm terrible at doing it with clothing and accessories because I can trick myself into believing I might need anything for a certain outfit in the future. It's not true, of course; I never really miss anything once I've sold it. But it's still difficult to push myself to get rid of items, so they sit there in my closet. With Pickle, I can send them out for days or weeks at a time, which mirrors the experience with the purgatory box that holds your stuff for a month so you can see what it's like not to have access to it. Conversely, Pickle can also help you declutter by providing you with a fallback plan when you do decide to get rid of something. Consider the 20/20 decluttering rule, which asks you to consider if you could replace something for under $20 and in less than 20 minutes if you got rid of it, then encourages you to do away with it if the answers are yes. Clearly, if you choose to sell or donate, say, a black purse that's just sitting in your closet, you won't get a similar one off Pickle in under 20 minutes or, probably, for under $20—but it's nice to know that if you did get rid of something you ended up needing for a particular occasion, you could rent a replacement without re-cluttering your space. View the full article

The partnership with homebuilder Onx Homes, the company's ninth joint venture, gives Loandepot more solid footing in the South. View the full article

Starting your own construction business? You’ll need a variety of construction tools to properly establish your operations. Fortunately, unlike in ancient times, obtaining these tools is no longer a difficult task when launching a construction project. Considerations When Choosing Tools for Construction As a small business owner, you have to consider several factors before you start collecting your construction tools. Let’s take a look at some of the key considerations to keep in mind. Rent or buy: Every business is different, and every business owner has a different budget to consider. That’s why, in many cases, it may make sense to rent your materials rather than make a direct purchase. The bare minimum: When you begin creating your list, you’ll quickly discover that there are numerous tools to think about. However, in the early stages of your business, do you truly require all these materials? Probably not. By starting with just the essential construction tools, you can keep your budget in check and expand your inventory as your financial situation improves. Quality of the tools: Quality is a key parameter when you buy or rent any construction tool. In some cases, investing in high-quality materials is a good idea, especially when you’re not too familiar with them. Ease of use: A fancy tool with several cool features is not useful when it’s too complicated to handle. That’s why it’s important to make sure the tool you’re considering is easy to use. Type of projects: You don’t need to undertake all types of projects when you set up your business. If you’re focused on repairs, you’re not going to need many tools for the more heavy-duty projects. List of Construction Tools to Use at Construction Sites Regardless of your specialty in building construction, you’ll require certain tools to begin your work. To assist you in selecting the appropriate ones, we’ve compiled a list of essential construction tools. Power Tools On top of your list, you must include some power tools. These construction tools are needed in most projects – both big and small. Which power tools should you focus on for your business? Let’s take a quick look. 1. Circular saw These tools use a rotary motion for cutting. These are mostly used for cutting plastic, masonry, and wood. 2. Power drill Whether it’s buffing or sanding, power drills always come in handy. You can opt for a cordless drill that comes with a charger and battery. 3. Angle grinder An angle grinder is used for grinding and polishing. It’s a handheld tool that helps remove excess material from a certain piece. 4. Brad Nailer Brad nailers are generally used to add decorative moldings to plain panels. These are popular with model makers and crafters. 5. Heat gun If you’re working on remodeling projects that involve stripping old wallpapers and upholstering, you’re most likely going to need a heat gun. 6. Miter saw For cutting materials at various angles, professionals utilize miter saws. These powerful construction tools are capable of making precise cross-cuts and are available in several sizes. Hand Tools Among other essentials, your toolbox must contain a selection of hand tools. These tools are particularly crucial for applying the finishing touches to your work. Let’s review the list for further details. 7. Chisel Chisels used for concrete bumps and surfaces are used quite frequently in building projects. These chisels tend to have a handle and a strong edge blade to cut through concrete. 8. Tile cutter Tile cutters are used to cut tiles in different shapes and sizes. 9. Surface earth rammer Earth rammers play a significant role in large construction projects. These construction tools are designed to compress or compact soil effectively. 10. Hand saw If you’re working with wood materials, you are going to need a hand saw. Also known as panel saws, these tools help cut pieces of wood into different shapes. 11. Float A float is used to smooth a wooden surface that’s applied on freshly laid mortar and concrete. 12. Putty knives In simple terms, putty knives are designed for applying and spreading materials. They come in various widths; narrow blades are generally used for filling small nail holes, while wide blades are suitable for covering larger surfaces. 13. Caulking gun Caulk is used to seal cracks and gaps. A caulking gun allows people to use caulks efficiently. Organizers & Accessories For any construction work, you are going to need more than just hand and power tools. You are also going to use a number of accessories. These tools will make your life easier in many different ways. Let’s take a quick look. 14. 5-gallon bucket A durable 5-gallon bucket is essential when you are working with water and paint. 15. Ladder To reach difficult to access corners, you’re going to need a ladder. 16. Step-stool Step stools are essential from a practical standpoint. These are useful when you need a little extra height to reach corners safely. 17. Extension cords (25′ and 100′) While these are essential, especially when electrical work is in progress, extension cords need to be handled with caution. Equipment Since your work will involve materials such as cement, it’s important to invest in suitable equipment that can come in handy. Let’s take a quick look at some of these tools. 18. Plumb bob Plumb bobs are useful for establishing vertical walls in construction projects or doorjambs while hanging a door. 19. Plumb rule A narrow board with a plumb line and bob, a plumb rule, is used mainly in carpentry projects. 20. Concrete mixer As the name suggests, a concrete mixer combines cement, water, and aggregates such as gravel or sand to create concrete. 21. Polisher Using a polisher allows you to contour to uneven flooring, resulting in a more balanced operation. 22. Measuring box A measuring box is used to measure construction materials such as dust, cement and sand. 23. Head pan The head pan helps you lift the excavated soil or concrete with ease. 24. Air compressors Air compressors provide energy for power tools such as grinders, drills and nail guns, among others. Essential Supplies 25. Circular saw blades To achieve fast, straight, cold cutting in metal, you will need circular saw blades. 26. Slab panels A variety of slab panels are utilized in construction projects. Based on your requirements, you can select from several options, including flat slabs, hardy slabs, and sunken slabs, among others. Safety Equipment For obvious reasons, the construction industry is considered one of the most hazardous segments in the country. That’s why it’s even more important to keep a stock of safety equipment including gloves and glasses. Let’s take a look at some of the essential safety equipment you are going to need for your business. 27. Safety glasses For your own safety, invest in safety glasses that can protect you from hazardous objects. 28. Earplugs Construction professionals work in extremely noisy environments that pose a serious risk to hearing. Hearing protection gear such as earplugs is therefore important to prevent any damage. 29. Kneepads Kneepads provide cushioning support when kneeling, which is quite common in construction work. Specialized Tools Alongside the essential tools and equipment required for construction work, there are specialized construction tools that assist in completing specific tasks. Let’s take a look. 30. Air hammer Air hammers are used in both construction and demolition jobs. These pneumatic tools can remove tiles, break down concrete surfaces and chisel through metal such as steel. 31. Torque wrenches An efficient tool, torque wrenches are used to apply a specific torque to a fastener such as a nut or a bolt. Where Do You Dispose of Waste Like Excess Concrete? To dispose of waste like excess concrete, you have some process options to consider. You may choose to rent a dumpster, take it to the landfill yourself, contact a junk hauling company or donate to your local community for future projects. Which Tool Is Used the Most by Construction Workers? Among all other construction tools, hammers are possibly the most commonly used ones in the construction industry. What Does an Initial Investment in Construction Tools Look Like? To get hold of the basic tools you’re going to need, you can get started with $2,000. Final Thoughts As with any other business, you should start by making a list of tools you truly need to set up things. Remember, you can always rent out tools that cost more and are not going to be used frequently. The more prepared you are, the greater your chances to succeed. YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE: How to Start a Construction Company Best Work Boots for Men Ultimate Guide to the Best Work Boots for Women Best Work Gloves for Women The Best Work Pants for Women Image: Envato Elements This article, "Construction Tools – Your List for Starting a Business" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

Starting your own construction business? You’ll need a variety of construction tools to properly establish your operations. Fortunately, unlike in ancient times, obtaining these tools is no longer a difficult task when launching a construction project. Considerations When Choosing Tools for Construction As a small business owner, you have to consider several factors before you start collecting your construction tools. Let’s take a look at some of the key considerations to keep in mind. Rent or buy: Every business is different, and every business owner has a different budget to consider. That’s why, in many cases, it may make sense to rent your materials rather than make a direct purchase. The bare minimum: When you begin creating your list, you’ll quickly discover that there are numerous tools to think about. However, in the early stages of your business, do you truly require all these materials? Probably not. By starting with just the essential construction tools, you can keep your budget in check and expand your inventory as your financial situation improves. Quality of the tools: Quality is a key parameter when you buy or rent any construction tool. In some cases, investing in high-quality materials is a good idea, especially when you’re not too familiar with them. Ease of use: A fancy tool with several cool features is not useful when it’s too complicated to handle. That’s why it’s important to make sure the tool you’re considering is easy to use. Type of projects: You don’t need to undertake all types of projects when you set up your business. If you’re focused on repairs, you’re not going to need many tools for the more heavy-duty projects. List of Construction Tools to Use at Construction Sites Regardless of your specialty in building construction, you’ll require certain tools to begin your work. To assist you in selecting the appropriate ones, we’ve compiled a list of essential construction tools. Power Tools On top of your list, you must include some power tools. These construction tools are needed in most projects – both big and small. Which power tools should you focus on for your business? Let’s take a quick look. 1. Circular saw These tools use a rotary motion for cutting. These are mostly used for cutting plastic, masonry, and wood. 2. Power drill Whether it’s buffing or sanding, power drills always come in handy. You can opt for a cordless drill that comes with a charger and battery. 3. Angle grinder An angle grinder is used for grinding and polishing. It’s a handheld tool that helps remove excess material from a certain piece. 4. Brad Nailer Brad nailers are generally used to add decorative moldings to plain panels. These are popular with model makers and crafters. 5. Heat gun If you’re working on remodeling projects that involve stripping old wallpapers and upholstering, you’re most likely going to need a heat gun. 6. Miter saw For cutting materials at various angles, professionals utilize miter saws. These powerful construction tools are capable of making precise cross-cuts and are available in several sizes. Hand Tools Among other essentials, your toolbox must contain a selection of hand tools. These tools are particularly crucial for applying the finishing touches to your work. Let’s review the list for further details. 7. Chisel Chisels used for concrete bumps and surfaces are used quite frequently in building projects. These chisels tend to have a handle and a strong edge blade to cut through concrete. 8. Tile cutter Tile cutters are used to cut tiles in different shapes and sizes. 9. Surface earth rammer Earth rammers play a significant role in large construction projects. These construction tools are designed to compress or compact soil effectively. 10. Hand saw If you’re working with wood materials, you are going to need a hand saw. Also known as panel saws, these tools help cut pieces of wood into different shapes. 11. Float A float is used to smooth a wooden surface that’s applied on freshly laid mortar and concrete. 12. Putty knives In simple terms, putty knives are designed for applying and spreading materials. They come in various widths; narrow blades are generally used for filling small nail holes, while wide blades are suitable for covering larger surfaces. 13. Caulking gun Caulk is used to seal cracks and gaps. A caulking gun allows people to use caulks efficiently. Organizers & Accessories For any construction work, you are going to need more than just hand and power tools. You are also going to use a number of accessories. These tools will make your life easier in many different ways. Let’s take a quick look. 14. 5-gallon bucket A durable 5-gallon bucket is essential when you are working with water and paint. 15. Ladder To reach difficult to access corners, you’re going to need a ladder. 16. Step-stool Step stools are essential from a practical standpoint. These are useful when you need a little extra height to reach corners safely. 17. Extension cords (25′ and 100′) While these are essential, especially when electrical work is in progress, extension cords need to be handled with caution. Equipment Since your work will involve materials such as cement, it’s important to invest in suitable equipment that can come in handy. Let’s take a quick look at some of these tools. 18. Plumb bob Plumb bobs are useful for establishing vertical walls in construction projects or doorjambs while hanging a door. 19. Plumb rule A narrow board with a plumb line and bob, a plumb rule, is used mainly in carpentry projects. 20. Concrete mixer As the name suggests, a concrete mixer combines cement, water, and aggregates such as gravel or sand to create concrete. 21. Polisher Using a polisher allows you to contour to uneven flooring, resulting in a more balanced operation. 22. Measuring box A measuring box is used to measure construction materials such as dust, cement and sand. 23. Head pan The head pan helps you lift the excavated soil or concrete with ease. 24. Air compressors Air compressors provide energy for power tools such as grinders, drills and nail guns, among others. Essential Supplies 25. Circular saw blades To achieve fast, straight, cold cutting in metal, you will need circular saw blades. 26. Slab panels A variety of slab panels are utilized in construction projects. Based on your requirements, you can select from several options, including flat slabs, hardy slabs, and sunken slabs, among others. Safety Equipment For obvious reasons, the construction industry is considered one of the most hazardous segments in the country. That’s why it’s even more important to keep a stock of safety equipment including gloves and glasses. Let’s take a look at some of the essential safety equipment you are going to need for your business. 27. Safety glasses For your own safety, invest in safety glasses that can protect you from hazardous objects. 28. Earplugs Construction professionals work in extremely noisy environments that pose a serious risk to hearing. Hearing protection gear such as earplugs is therefore important to prevent any damage. 29. Kneepads Kneepads provide cushioning support when kneeling, which is quite common in construction work. Specialized Tools Alongside the essential tools and equipment required for construction work, there are specialized construction tools that assist in completing specific tasks. Let’s take a look. 30. Air hammer Air hammers are used in both construction and demolition jobs. These pneumatic tools can remove tiles, break down concrete surfaces and chisel through metal such as steel. 31. Torque wrenches An efficient tool, torque wrenches are used to apply a specific torque to a fastener such as a nut or a bolt. Where Do You Dispose of Waste Like Excess Concrete? To dispose of waste like excess concrete, you have some process options to consider. You may choose to rent a dumpster, take it to the landfill yourself, contact a junk hauling company or donate to your local community for future projects. Which Tool Is Used the Most by Construction Workers? Among all other construction tools, hammers are possibly the most commonly used ones in the construction industry. What Does an Initial Investment in Construction Tools Look Like? To get hold of the basic tools you’re going to need, you can get started with $2,000. Final Thoughts As with any other business, you should start by making a list of tools you truly need to set up things. Remember, you can always rent out tools that cost more and are not going to be used frequently. The more prepared you are, the greater your chances to succeed. YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE: How to Start a Construction Company Best Work Boots for Men Ultimate Guide to the Best Work Boots for Women Best Work Gloves for Women The Best Work Pants for Women Image: Envato Elements This article, "Construction Tools – Your List for Starting a Business" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

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Before a wildfire ravaged their street in northwest Altadena, Louise Hamlin and Chris Wilson lived next door to each other in nearly identical houses. “I chose an old home in an old neighborhood because it has soul,” said Hamlin, a 51-year-old single mom with a teenage boy, who bought her 1,500-square-foot home 10 years ago. Today, gone are their charming English-style cottages built in 1925 with the welcoming porches and Palladian windows. Amid the rubble and ash, little is left of their historic neighborhood. In the weeks since the Eaton wildfire took their homes, Hamlin and Wilson have been stumbling through the layers of business, bureaucracy and emotional trauma of surviving a natural disaster, with their sights firmly set on rebuilding. How they’ll navigate rebuilding is a story of contrasting fortunes and unequal recovery that reveals the nation’s growing home insurance crisis. Her insurance has already paid out nearly a million dollars and she is searching for contractors. He is contemplating loans, lawsuits and moving his family out of California. “It changes the whole trajectory to your life,” said Wilson, 44, who bought his house five years ago with his wife, who is six months pregnant with their first child. ‘The Unfair Plan’ Hamlin’s home was privately covered by Mercury Insurance, but Wilson was forced onto the California Fair Access to Insurance Requirements Plan — the state’s bare-bones insurance program — when SafeCo declined to renew his policy last May. The FAIR Plan insures people who can’t get private coverage but need insurance as a condition of their mortgage. As wildfires, hurricanes and other natural disasters become more frequent due to climate change, many property owners find themselves struggling to find or afford private insurance. The issue is particularly acute in California, where some major insurance companies have stopped writing new policies altogether or are refusing to renew existing ones. State officials recently started rolling out new regulations to entice insurers to stay in California, with the hope of getting as many homeowners as possible off the FAIR Plan. FAIR, with its high premiums and basic coverage, was designed as a temporary safety net until policyholders find a more permanent option. Yet the number of FAIR Plan residential policies more than doubled from 2020 to 2024, reaching nearly 452,000 policies last year. For Wilson and Hamlin, their parallel rebuilding journeys serve as a cautionary tale. Wilson paid nearly 60% more in premiums related to the fire than Hamlin, for less than half the coverage. “That’s why a lot of people call it ‘The Unfair Plan.’” said Amy Bach, executive director of the consumer advocacy group United Policyholders. SafeCo’s parent company Liberty Mutual said in a statement that it couldn’t comment on any individual policies but acknowledged “difficult but purposeful business decisions” in California. Mercury didn’t respond to requests for comment. Janet Ruiz, spokesperson for the Insurance Information Institute, which represents many major insurance companies, said California is fortunate to have the FAIR Plan, which is required to accept everyone. Ruiz said outcomes would be even worse if homeowners had no coverage at all. Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara said California is working to make sure all claims are paid. He said in a statement that his office is working to get homeowners off the FAIR Plan and back to traditional more comprehensive insurance coverage. A FAIR Plan spokesperson declined to comment on Wilson’s case, and noted that it’s difficult to compare policies and coverage. 31,000 wildfire claims Thousands of people lost their homes in the Eaton and nearby Palisades fires, which were among the most destructive in California history. The FAIR Plan said it expanded staffing to meet the surging demand and has a funding mechanism in place to pay all covered claims. State data shows more than 31,000 wildfire-related claims had been filed as of last week, including roughly 4,400 claims under the FAIR Plan. Hamlin had standard comprehensive home insurance, with an annual policy premium of $1,264 at the time of the fire. She can receive up to $1.5 million to replace her home, other structures and personal property, including up to $303,000 for living expenses while displaced. Her policy further entitles her to coverage that could add more than $200,000 to help her rebuild. Wilson, meanwhile, pays a $2,000 premium for the FAIR Plan that sets his maximum payout at $686,000, including $100,000 for living expenses while displaced. Wilson also had to buy “wrap-around insurance” for $1,500 a year for issues the FAIR Plan doesn’t cover, such as burst pipes or falling objects. That supplemental plan doesn’t cover fire damage. Hamlin said Mercury’s support has been exceptional, immediately sending her money and helping with next steps such as finding housing and getting contractor quotes. Within days, the company wired her tens of thousands of dollars to get started while the process fell into place. “Being able to rest at night and wake up and deal with everything else is really important,” Hamlin said. Meanwhile, Wilson has struggled to even talk to a FAIR Plan representative. There was zero communication in the first two weeks, contact information was listed incorrectly, phone numbers had no voicemail and emails bounced back. “Half the time, I feel like I’m doing something wrong,” Wilson said. After The Associated Press reached out for comment, Insurance Department spokesperson Michael Soller said a representative would contact Wilson directly. ‘It’s just luck, really’ Wilson said he feels haunted by his choices. He thought he had bought property in a low-risk area, and had avoided looking for homes in another neighborhood further north after hearing that people there had been dropped by their insurers. Hamlin, too, was aware of the fire risks when she moved in. She previously lived in Pasadena and was surprised that State Farm, her then-insurance company, would not offer her coverage in Altadena. She chose Mercury because it was the cheapest option, and was considering pursuing even more robust coverage. “I could have been dropped when Chris was dropped. Any of us could be at any time. It’s just luck, really. It’s nothing I did or didn’t do,” Hamlin said, stunned by the comparison. “I had the same risk factors as everyone else.” Stephen Collier, a professor of urban planning at University of California, Berkeley, said the seemingly random nature of who gets dropped and when has much to do with insurance companies’ complicated risk models. “They’re all trying to manage their exposure,” Collier said. “If you think about wildfires, you don’t want concentrated exposure.” Wilson said SafeCo requested an inspection of his property before deciding not to renew his policy. Panicked, he tried unsuccessfully to negotiate with them, offering to clear brushes, trim trees near the roof, and other wildfire mitigation efforts. Wilson shopped around aggressively with his insurance agent but to no avail, and resigned himself to the FAIR Plan, assuming he would eventually find private insurance again. There was another catch: Wilson said he couldn’t get comprehensive replacement cost coverage on the FAIR Plan because his roof was too old. Instead, he ended up with what is known as “actual cash value” coverage, which greatly limits the payout based on the physical depreciation of what was lost. “We’re talking hundreds of thousands of dollars and that’s very, very painful,” said Bach of United Policyholders. An uninsurable future Citing rising fire risks and other problems, seven of the top 12 insurance companies either paused or restricted new business in California in 2023. State regulations give insurers more latitude to raise premiums in exchange for issuing policies in high-risk areas, including consideration of climate change in premiums and passing the costs of reinsurance to consumers. But those are only short-term solutions, said Dave Jones, California’s insurance commissioner from 2011 to 2018. He pointed to Florida, where officials have “done everything the insurers asked California to do” but yielded little success. “We’re marching steadily towards an uninsurable future in the United States because we’re not doing enough fast enough to address the underlying cause, which is climate change,” Jones said. Unless governments take on the financial burden of serious mitigation efforts, the price of California’s fire risk will remain unequal and left to the homeowners, Collier of UC Berkeley said. That could be the underinsured — like Wilson — swallowing their personal losses, or all California homeowners collectively saddled with increased premiums, or both. State Farm, California’s largest insurance company, this week urged the state to approve an emergency rate hike of 22% for homeowner policies starting in May after processing nearly 8,700 claims and paying out more than $1 billion to policyholders for the LA fires. “There’s a huge amount of risk in the system and there’s a big question of who is going to pay for this,” Collier said. Wilson expects he’ll have to take out loans to rebuild. He’s considering joining a lawsuit against Southern California Edison that alleges the utility’s equipment sparked the blaze, in hopes of receiving settlement money. But with a baby on the way, Wilson said he can’t fathom living in limbo on the FAIR Plan forever, and he’s thinking about leaving California if private insurance remains out of reach. “I don’t want to have to be prepared to maybe lose everything again,” Wilson said. “Stuck paying for an insurance that doesn’t cover anything. You don’t want to live in a risky area. You don’t have the safety net.” —Sally Ho and Trân Nguyễn, Associated Press Associated Press data journalist Aaron Kessler contributed to this report. View the full article

If you’ve ever felt like you were duped by overpaying for something that was advertised as a “great deal,” you’re in the right place. It’s easy to get caught up in frenzied online shopping holidays like Black Friday or Prime Day, especially when retailers are known for sneaking price hikes before major “sales” or deceiving shoppers with tricks to spend more than you intended to. Figuring out the best time to buy something requires constant watch over ever-fluctuating online prices and some knowledge of how prices have changed in the past. As a shopping and deal writer, that is what I do for a living, and I know how time-consuming it can be. Luckily, you don’t have to figure it all out yourself: Here are the best websites and extensions I've been using for years to check price history and track prices so that you can be sure you’re getting the best deal possible. The best Amazon price tracker: Camelcamelcamel Credit: Camelcamelcamel.com CamelCamelCamel is among the best ways to track prices on Amazon products. You can install the browser extension (on Chrome, Firefox, Microsoft Edge, Opera, and Safari) to get access to the site’s features without leaving Amazon, or you can just copy and paste an Amazon link or product name to the website’s search bar. CamelCamelCamel shows you how the price of the item has gone up or down over time, how prices have changed through Amazon directly, and the fluctuations from third-party Amazon sellers who list new and used items. If you sign up for a free account, you can set up alerts so the site can notify you by email when the price of an item drops below a certain amount, if you can get it used for a given price, or if it’s at an all-time low and now is a good time to buy. You can even see previous historic highs and lows and try to map out the best time to strike. The best price tracker for most online retailers and to compare prices: Honey Credit: Honey.com You've probably already heard of the Honey influencer scam that blew up in December of 2024. Essentially, Honey hijacked affiliate links from influencers who were sponsoring them. Also, in many instances, they deliberately chose not to give the best coupons to users who used the extension (going completely against their business model). Honey is not alone in this behavior. Many coupon aggregator companies hijack affiliate links; Honey just happens to be in the spotlight because they're the biggest one. Use your own judgment if you choose to use any of their services. The bad news for those looking for a price-tracking tool that can be used for most online retailers is that Honey is the only option. The good news is that Honey's price-tracking tool can't scam you or give you subpar coupons. The Honey browser extension compares prices from a whole bunch of retailers, not just Amazon. You can create a Droplist, which notifies you if the prices drop for an item on your list if you’re willing to wait for a deal. Here is what creating a Droplist can do for you: First, it’ll keep the items you want to keep tabs on organized and easily accessible. Second, it’ll track the prices of those products and alert you when they go on sale at any major retailer. You can see how much those prices cost leading up to the sale to see if they are, in fact, good deals or a trick from retailers to take advantage of you, and even compare them with other major retailers to see who has the best deal. You can see how to set up your droplist here. As long as you don't buy the products using a Honey link, you won't be giving money to the service. You can still use their tool to your advantage without giving them any of the affiliate revenue. Until there's a better alternative, Honey is the only option that can instantly pull up price histories and track prices for multiple retailers with a browser extension (for now). The best tool to compare prices: Capital One Shopping Credit: Amazon.com Capital One Shopping, previously known as Wikibuy, compares prices from other sellers when you shop on Amazon. The browser extension will notify you if a product you are looking at is cheaper somewhere else, and offers a summary of pricing history, estimated delivery time, and total price, including tax and shipping. If you can apply a coupon, it’ll add that as well. When the price drops for a product you’ve viewed, Capital One Shopping will notify you. When you shop, you can earn credits for your purchases at some websites, like Walmart and eBay, that Capital One Shopping has partnered with. You can trade that credit for gift cards or put it toward purchases through Capital One Shopping’s site. The extension is available for Chrome, Firefox, Edge, and Safari, and an iOS app allows you to scan barcodes and search products to do price comparisons from your phone. The best price tracker tool for gamers: CheapShark Credit: CheapShark.com While most of the others in the roundup focus on products like electronics, apparel, household goods, and appliances, CheapShark is a great option for those looking to save money on video games. CheapShark combines all of the great places to get discounts on games in one place, one easily searchable directory and database of current prices from sites including Steam, GoG, Green Man Gaming, GameStop, Amazon, and more. Of course, it’s limited to video games, but you can search a game name not just to see how much it’ll cost you to buy, but even if you can buy it at all—and which retailer has it available. If you want, you can even filter by games currently on sale at their selected stores. When you search for a specific game, CheapShark tells you what the cheapest-ever price was, when it hit that price, and gives you the choice to either go ahead and buy it from your choice of retailer or to sign up for a price notification if it drops again. Honorable mentionsSlickDeals: Great for finding deals and checking pricesSlickDeals is known for bringing you up-to-the-minute discounts, coupons, and other deals from around the web, but its web-based price tracker is also great for watching prices on just about any item on Amazon and on a ton of other popular shopping sites, like Newegg, Gamestop, Chewy, Home Depot, and others. Credit: SlickDeals The service doesn’t give you a detailed price history like some of the others in the roundup—it only shows a “deal history” under the “price intelligence” section for a few popular products. However, it will track the price of your item from when you create an alert and send you an email if the price drops below a threshold that you set. You can also return to the price tracker at any time, log in to your account, and see all of your tracked items on the same screen. Keepa: Great price-tracking tool for Amazon and eBay Credit: Amazon.com using the Keepa browser extension Keepa works very similarly to Camelcamelcamel, but instead of clicking on the extension to see the price history, it'll be automatically displayed below the image of the product. This helps if clicking on the extension or installing is one click too much for you. Keepa also lets you track specific products and sends you notifications when they go below a specific price that you set. It also works on eBay. You can download the extension for Firefox, Chrome, Opera, Edge, and Safari. View the full article

Other issues have overshadowed closing costs of late but they're still a homeownership hurdle. Part five of five in a series: Automation and expenses View the full article

Chipotle—one of the original and most influential fast-casual spots in the country—just hit a major milestone. In 2024, they opened 304 new restaurants, marking the highest number of openings in a single year in their franchise history, according to a Tuesday earnings call. For a bit of context, they opened 271 locations in 2023, and in the two years before that, they were hovering just above 200 each year. And the growth isn’t slowing down—they’re planning to open between 315 and 345 new restaurants in 2025. The fast-casual juggernaut also reported a total revenue of $11.3 billion—an increase of 14.6% from last year’s $9.9 billion. The chain’s operating margin and diluted earnings per share also increased. “Chipotle had another outstanding year,” CEO Scott Boatwright said during the call. “I want to make sure that as we continue to scale Chipotle, everything we do is in service of our guests or those who serve our guests.” While Chipotle excelled in 2024, many fast-casual competitors struggled to stay afloat, with many beloved chains shutting down or filing for bankruptcy in the past year. The majority of Wahlburgers locations shut down in January after its partnership with midwestern grocery store Hy-Vee ended. Roti, a chain that pioneered mediterranean-style fast casual, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in August. Red Lobster and Buca di Beppo—both former giants of their field—also filed for bankruptcy last year. But other competitors like Cava and Sweetgreen have experienced record highs similar to Chipotle. Overall, “comparable” restaurant sales still increased by 7.4%, a little more than half of Chipotle’s growth. And Chipotle’s expansion comes at a time of reinvention for the restaurant that transformed “fast-casual” from a concept to a cultural zeitgeist with its fully customizable Mexican-style entrees. After Chipotle dealt with an onslaught of food safety scares from 2015–2018, CEO Brian Niccols stepped in—doubling the brand’s revenue over five years. He added loyalty programs, drive-throughs, delivery options, and even robot chefs to the chain’s repertoire of enticing customer-facing features. But Niccols abruptly left the position in September to run Starbucks, leaving former COO Boatwright as his successor. Since Boatwright’s ascension, the company raised menu prices, drawing consumer outrage, after promising to increase portions. The company has also struggled with adjusting wages to inflation. Boatwight said on the earnings call that long-term goals for the company include reaching 7,000 total restaurants in North America (there are currently 3,700 worldwide) and “becoming a global iconic brand.” View the full article

Gen Z consumers use Instagram and TikTok more often to discover products than Google. That’s according to a new survey from GRIN, a creator management platform. By the numbers. Asked where they most often discover new products, 18- to 27-year-old consumers said: Instagram: 30.4% TikTok: 23.2% Google: 18.8% YouTube: 14.5% However, Google isn’t going away anytime soon. Millennials (42.45), Gen X (41.1%), and Boomers (55.9%) and still rely on Google Search first. Why we care. Younger consumers search differently. They have more widely adopted social search than classic search compared to other generations. Social platforms have become hubs of information discovery. SEO continues to be a valuable channel – but it’s also part of a wider, integrated strategy that’s all about reaching and influencing consumers, wherever they are in the buyer journey. About the data. The findings are based on a survey of more than 1,000 U.S. consumers, age 18 to 65+. The report. The Power of Infuence (registration required). View the full article

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Whether it's because of dietary restrictions, because you accidentally left them off the grocery list, or—I don't know—the price tag got too high, eggless desserts are a great thing to have in your baking arsenal. While you can try and replicate puddings, cakes, custards, and meringues with vegan ingredients, they can sometimes come up short when compared to the original. Luckily, there are many desserts that don’t call for any eggs to begin with. Never did. Here are my favorite egg-free desserts that are sure to satisfy every sweet tooth at your table. Strawberry shortcake Credit: Allie Chanthorn Reinmann I’ll never turn away a strawberry shortcake. (If “I” do, that’s a clone, save me.) Any single component can stand well enough on its own, but together, they transform into magnificence. Make a soft, oversized (naturally eggless) buttermilk biscuit for the cake, like these funfetti-style ones, or these tender oat flour biscuits. Split it, and pile on the strawberries and whipped cream. BrigadeirosChewy, chocolatey, and made with just a few ingredients, the brigadeiro is a gift from Brazil. Grab a can of sweetened condensed milk, cocoa powder, and a little butter. Stir them together in a pot for 10-15 minutes, and you’re nearly done. Roll them into bite-sized balls and press ‘em into sprinkles, chopped nuts, or coconut. A batch of these makes a lovely Valentine’s day gift for your beloved, or a nice anytime treat for yourself. Nutella-banana lava cake Credit: Allie Chanthorn Reinmann Pastries, puddings, and pies are fabulous, but sometimes there’s no substitute for cake. To make a cake that doesn’t require the lifting or binding power of eggs, try this Nutella-banana lava cake. The flavor combination of chocolate, hazelnut, and banana is a crowd-pleaser, but the banana acts as a stealth binding agent, eliminating the need for eggs. Drop in a spoonful of Nutella in the center and you’ve got a gooey “lava” that doesn’t require the specific timing of other lava cake recipes. Coconut peanut mochiMochi is made with sweet glutinous rice flour to create a chewy, slightly sticky delight that can be used in a number of ways. You may have seen it in the freezer section of your grocery store surrounding little balls of ice cream, but the center can be stuffed with a wide variety of fillings. One of my favorites is coconut peanut mochi. Make the chewy mochi dough, fill the center with a sugary, peanut powder, and press the edges shut to form a tiny ball. Roll the entire morsel in shredded coconut and enjoy. Panna cottaFor a dessert that’s not too sweet, plenty creamy, and simple yet impressive, look no further than the Italian panna cotta. There are hundreds of variations on this simple dessert of gelatin-set sweetened cream because the base flavors are flexible, and it’s easy to make. With little more than five base ingredients, panna cotta comes together in about 10 minutes. Allow it to set in the fridge for a few hours and enjoy it as-is, or top it with fresh fruit, caramel sauce, coconut shavings, or fruit compote. For a creative spin on the classic, try this cookie dough panna cotta. Chocolate peanut butter pudding pie Credit: Allie Chanthorn Reinmann I grew up eating tofu, and I love it sweet, savory, silken, or firm. Anyone who hasn’t jumped aboard the tofu train should try a chocolate peanut butter tofu pudding pie. The tofu is completely undetectable among the chocolate and peanut butter, and you're left with a fudgey, sweet indulgence. The whole dessert comes together in a blender to make a deeply chocolatey, cool, and silky smooth pudding worthy of date night. Serve in a graham cracker crust as a pie, or simply dollop the mixture into fancy pudding glasses with a swirl of whipped cream, or chocolate shavings. Fruit piesFruit pies are simple delights that require no eggs at all. (Besides a purely aesthetic, completely optional egg wash on top that you can easily forgo, or use mayo instead.) Press a flaky butter or shortening crust into a pie plate and load it up with a seasonal cooked fruit filling (no one likes watery pie). The only thing you’ll need is a fork, and a heavy hand for the whipped cream. Breton cakeThe Breton cake is the party-sized version of the single-serving, crispy, caramelized kouign amann pastry. It’s composed of tender layers of dough, butter, and sugar, and baked in a 9-inch circular cake pan. While baking, its outside sugar crust caramelizes against the metal pan, and creates a palmier-style crunch, while inside, the butter melts into the dough layers. When served fresh, each bite is fluffy, rich, tender, and encased in the most delicately crisp caramel crust. Like many pastries, the recipe will suggest browning the top with a light coat of egg wash, but it’s not necessary if you’re backing off of eggs (and again, mayo works pretty well). I promise you, a final flourish of sugar will take care of the aesthetic. No-bake desserts Credit: Allie Chanthorn Reinmann One of the primary reasons you bake a dessert is to cook raw ingredients. When no eggs are involved, baking becomes a lot easier to avoid. Fudgy, dense, eggless desserts are usually a good place to start. Try a no-bake cheesecake trifle that sets up in the fridge, or a no-bake panna colada pie (see what I did there). Chocolate trufflesThe chocolate truffle is a highly concentrated dose of fudgy chocolate. Whisk a roughly 2:1 ratio of dark chocolate pieces with hot heavy cream to create a thick chocolate ganache. That alone will send you into a chocolate delirium, but let it cool, and you can roll up spoonfuls of the stuff into balls of silky chocolate contentment. At this point, you can cram them into your mouth, or roll them in chopped nuts, coconut, cocoa powder, or powdered sugar to keep them from sticking together and add a bit of extra flavor. Kaju katliSome occasions call for a dessert that’s simple and dainty. Kaju katli, also called kaju barfi, is just the thing. Made from a cooked sugar syrup, floral aromatics, and ground cashews, this Indian dessert is satisfying and packed with flavor. You can decorate the top with a coating of edible silver leaf, or keep it simple with a sprinkle of crushed nuts. Pizza dough cinnamon rolls Credit: Allie Chanthorn Reinmann Rather than cracking into your egg supply to make an enriched dough, you can use a bag of store-bought, refrigerated pizza dough to make a cinnamon roll that’s way better than anything that comes out of a can. (Use this recipe to roll up a batch of your own.) Keep an eye on them as they finish baking so they don't overcook, and you’ll be rewarded with tender rolls packed with buttery, cinnamon flavor. Sorbet, frozen yogurt, and granitaMaking your own frozen desserts can be a lot of fun, especially if you have some children who need something to do. Making ice cream requires egg yolks or whole eggs, so make a sorbet, frozen yogurt, or granita instead. Sorbets and granitas are closely related, so it’s more a question of what texture you’re seeking. Both usually involve blending fruit with a sugar syrup. Granita is frozen and grated with a fork intermittently while freezing to make a shaved ice, while sorbet is aerated with a blender or ice cream maker for a softer, smoother texture. Frozen yogurt is just as simple, but churned with a dairy base, and the consistency of the yogurt smooths things out without the need for egg yolks. Shortbread cookiesPerfect in its simplicity, the shortbread cookie is made with three pantry staples: butter, sugar, and flour. The lack of a strong binder, like eggs, allows this biscuit to crumble and melt in your mouth. Mix up the dough with softened butter and shape into balls, squares, or press it into a tart shell. Honey apple puffs Credit: Allie Chanthorn Reinmann Store-bought frozen puff pastry makes this elegant treat easier than it looks. Simply cut out rounds of the thawed dough and top each circle with a slice of apple. I should mention that it's not just a boring ol' raw apple. The slices get sautéed in a puddle of butter first, preventing dry, leathery slices and imbuing them with rich flavor. Top the baked rounds with a drizzle of honey and a sprinkle of cinnamon before serving. Millionaire shortbread tartDid someone say shortbread tart shell? I know the perfect thing to fill it with: a soft, slightly chewy caramel. Top it off with a rich layer of dark chocolate, and you’ve got a millionaire shortbread tart. Millionaire shortbread is normally cut into bars, but there’s no law against slicing it into pie-like wedges. Eggless key lime pieIt may be 25°F outside, but you can bite into a summertime treat nonetheless. This three-ingredient key lime pie uses sweetened condensed milk as the clutch base ingredient to provide sweetness and body. For a vegan version with sweetened condensed coconut milk, try this recipe. Other recipes for chill-and-serve key lime pies use cream cheese or whipped cream to create a fluffier base. Before settling on a recipe, decide if you want something dense and silky or light and fluffy, then choose your base accordingly. Whichever you choose, make sure to let it set in the fridge before slicing. Fried dough Credit: Claire Lower There’s fancy food, and then there’s comfort food. Fried dough, in all of its global iterations, is the most comforting. Take the pressure off of yourself and pick up a bag of premade pizza dough from the fridge or freezer section, and turn it into your favorite deep-fried county fair treat. Fry the pieces and toss them in powdered sugar for a simple batch of zeppoles, or try your hand at fried Oreos. Wrap the dough around a cookie, secure the seam well, and fry. Eggless tres leches cakeTres leches is a single layer cake with an open crumb, perfect for soaking up a sweet mixture of three different milks. Evaporated milk, whole milk, and sweetened condensed milk are blended together and poured over a layer of cake. The open crumb soaks up the liquids over the course of several hours, and the whole thing is finished with a whipped topping. The cake layer is usually the component that requires eggs, but luckily there are recipes that don't. If you’d like to stick with the original dairy-based soak, mix genres and bake up the vegan cake, then soak it with the three classic milks. ConfectionsMost confections rely on the structure of melted sugar or melted chocolate, and don’t even bother with eggs. Try your hand at making honeycomb on the stovetop, or melt some chocolate and gather your inclusions to make a gorgeous chocolate bark. Stir peanuts into hot, buttery caramel and cool it in a thin sheet for a delicious peanut brittle. Snap these confections into large or small fragments, and store them in airtight containers to keep out the humidity. View the full article

This post was written by Alison Green and published on Ask a Manager. A reader asks: I work for a small company of 25 employees. We still call ourselves a start-up (with all of the cultural elements that brings), but we’ve been around almost 10 years now. The founder believes “titles don’t matter” and it’s more important to focus on the responsibilities each person has. So most people have their official title as basically the department they work for (business development, software engineering, etc), although the management team does have official titles. Do job titles matter? Am I wrong to feel that I want my growth recognized through a new title? I answer this question over at Inc. today, where I’m revisiting letters that have been buried in the archives here from years ago (and sometimes updating/expanding my answers to them). You can read it here. View the full article