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10 Things Professional Organizers Say to Toss at the Start of Summer

After such a long winter and rainy spring here in the Northeast, I am ready to enjoy every minute of summer. In fact, I’m tempted to throw away every sweater, coat and boot just to clear out those cold-weather memories, even though I know I’ll need them again in just a few short months. Still, summer is a good time for my husband and me to clear out some clutter in the house and yard so that we’re ready to host friends and family for barbecues, or even just hang out on our patio on a warm night. I asked two professional organizers —Shantae Duckworth, founder of Seattle-based Shantaeize Your Space, and Wendy Trunz, partner and head organizer at Jane’s Addiction Organization in Port Washington, New York—for some decluttering advice as we head into the long, lazy days of summer. Keep reading to see the 10 things they suggested for the discard or donate pile. Get  Reader’s Digest ’s  Read Up newsletter for more organizing tips, cleaning, humor, travel, tech and fun facts all...

You Should Avoid This Type of Food on a Cruise—Here’s Why

For many people who decide to book a cruise for their vacation, the food is a major consideration. Sure, you’re traveling to a potentially new and likely beautiful place and you have tons of fun activities at your fingertips, but the food! There’s so much of it, and it’s all included! Unfortunately, so much food and so many people in relatively tight quarters means an increased risk for foodborne illnesses that could confine you to your cabin for an entire cruise . Can you imagine not seeing the shows or the waterslide or the ports or the dessert buffet for your whole trip? If the answer is no, there’s one specific type of food you may want to avoid. Read on to find out what it is and why it could be a problem. Get  Reader’s Digest ’s  Read Up newsletter for more travel, humor, tech, cleaning and fun facts all week long. Which type of food should you avoid on a cruise? In order to limit your chances of getting sick, you may want to avoid raw seafood like oysters and sus...

Here’s Why Aldi’s Shelves Are Stacked with Boxes

Listen, it’s totally OK to love Aldi while also acknowledging the store’s quirks. Like those hyper-fast cashiers at checkout , the exceptionally large UPC codes on their inventory and, of course, the delightful (but fully random) Aisle of Shame . And, seriously, why are Aldi’s shelves stacked with boxes? It’s cool, though, because Aldi is the place to be when you want cheap groceries and, let’s face it, “fun stuff.” I mean, we all have our quirks, right? It’s charming in a way. But still, what is up with all of those boxes? Costco and BJ’s warehouses also often keep items in boxes—and they’re even larger than Aldi’s—yet no one blinks an eye. Well, there is a perfectly logical explanation for them, and we’re about to reveal all. Get  Reader’s Digest ’s  Read Up newsletter for more Aldi news, humor, travel, tech, cleaning and fun facts all week long. Why are Aldi’s shelves stacked with boxes? Literally every “oddity” about Aldi involves saving you money. And those stacked-...

EXCLUSIVE! Actor Josh Gad Reveals His Secret to Keeping Everyone Happy on a Road Trip

Josh Gad is a Tony-nominated actor who’s delighted audiences of all ages for the past 20 years—from his hilariously irreverent role in The Book of Mormon to his memorable performance as Olaf, everyone’s favorite snowman, in Disney’s Frozen . But in an alternative universe, he’d earn his keep by literally switching gears. “I am Clark Griswold,” he says, referencing the Chevy Chase character in the iconic National Lampoon’s Vacation franchise. “I love family vacations. So I would love to make a living by introducing new sites and new experiences, new types of cuisine and new types of culture.” And this summer, Gad is embarking on a vacation of his own, taking his family—actress wife Ida Darvish and daughters Ava, 14, and Isabella, 11—around the world. First stop? Driving around the scenic Mediterranean island of Malta. Then later, they’ll be hitting the road for a tour of Canada. Of course, getting there is half the fun … and tends to be a total challenge. To keep the kids entertai...

I Tested the Sans Air Purifier, and It Helped My Allergies

Every summer, like clockwork, my seasonal allergies flare up. The sinus pressure, the pounding headaches—it’s miserable. My go-to fix? Daily allergy meds. But relying on pills 24/7 isn’t exactly ideal. This year, a co-worker mentioned that her air purifier had made a big difference in her allergy symptoms. I was skeptical, but also desperate. My allergies were hitting harder than ever. So, I decided to take a chance on the Sans Air Purifier . It promises to eliminate dust, alleviate allergies and run quietly—all while covering up to 1,560 square feet (basically, my entire first floor). Here’s what happened when I put it to the test. On Sale I Tried It Sans Air Purifier An ultra-quiet, easy-to-use air purifier with a HEPA 13 filter 469.99 21% OFF $ 369.99 at Sans $ 489 at Amazon What is the Sans Air Purifier? The Sans Air Purifier is a plug-in device designed to clean the air in your home within mere minutes. It uses a medical-grade HEPA 13 filter and acti...