Our TeamJulie Sprankles

Julie Sprankles

About Me

Julie is an entertainment and lifestyle writer living in the coastal mecca of Charleston, SC. In her spare time, she enjoys watching campy SyFy creature features, DIY-ing any inanimate object within reach, and consuming lots o' tacos.


Latest Stories

The Things No One Tells You About Selling Your House
Buying a home is a momentous time in one’s life and, accordingly, congratulatory pats on the back abound — as does unsolicited advice. Everyone has insight about everything from how to pick the perfect house for you to saving money on home repairs. However, there’s not nearly as much fanfare when it comes time to sell your house.
Oct 3, 2023
Do You Know Difference Between a Hard Loft and a Soft Loft?
In our search for the ideal abode, our realtor asked a seemingly simple yet perplexing question: "Are you interested in a hard loft or a soft loft?"
Nov 16, 2022
10 IKEA Finds (Under $30) Every Homebuyer Needs
Between a down payment, closing costs and that hefty movers fee, there's not a lot of dough left over for all the first-home extras.
Mar 18, 2022
The Old-School Mattress Mistake You Might Be Making
Modern mattresses are a different breed, and in this case, Grandma doesn't know best.
Mar 10, 2021
8 Sneaky Ways to Fit in a Workout Every Day
If I had a dollar for every time I justified skipping a workout because I couldn’t find the time, well, I’d probably have enough money to cover my woefully neglected gym membership for a year. But the reality is it can seem impossible to devote a decent chunk of the day to exercise. Still, that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t. Happily, there are about a million sneaky ways to fit in a workout—even when time is scarce.
Jul 17, 2020
How Bad is it to Clean Bare-Handed?
You know you should wear gloves to clean, but knowing and doing are two very different things.
Mar 10, 2020
Why You Should Cut a Corner Off Your Sponge
A little hack that lets you quite literally squeeze your sponge for all it's worth.
Oct 5, 2019
Chill: Easy Ways to Decompress from a Stressful Day
When you’ve been hustling a million miles an hour all day long, the idea of collapsing on the couch and unwinding is like the Holy Grail. Decompressing from the daily grind is easier said than done, though—in order to unwind, your brain might need a nudge. Here are a few simple strategies to boost your mood and help put a stressful day behind you. Literally.
May 3, 2019
Is it OK to Wash Cleaning Supplies and Clothes Together? We Have the Answer
You know how it goes — it’s been a minute since you did a load of laundry, so you roam the house scooping up soiled clothes. When you happen upon the moist dish rags in the sink and the cleaning cloths you recently used to wipe down the counters, you toss those in, too. Hey, we’ve all done it. But is it even OK to wash your cleaning supplies and clothes together? The question, of course, isn’t whether you can. It’s whether you should.
May 3, 2019
Neat Freaks Might Just Be Superior Humans, According to Science
Do you have cleaning wipes at the ready at all times? Does sweeping make you feel Zen? Have you been taking flak from your friends for years for being a quote-unquote neat freak? Well then do we have some good news for you. People who like to clean are supposedly happier, according to research recently conducted by The Clorox Company (who, of course, it deserves to be noted might have a vested interest).
May 3, 2019
7 Things You Can Do With the Space Under a Kid’s Bed
If you ask a feng shui expert about the space under a bed, they’re going to tell you to keep it clear — that putting anything in that space will block energy from circulating around your body when you sleep. So, basically, they’re going to tell you the exact opposite of what I’m about to suggest. But as a mother of two little ones, I find the space under kids’ beds to be prime real estate.
May 3, 2019
The Mega List of Things to Do Together in Bed (That Have Nothing to Do With Sex or TV)
Let’s preface this by stating clearly that there is absolutely nothing wrong with sex or TV. They’re both fantastic when enjoyed with a loving partner (or by yourself). But whether your relationship is brand new or you’ve been together so long you’re inadvertently starting to dress the same, building intimacy as a couple is important. And real intimacy, well, that can sometimes take more than just a little Netflix and chill.
May 3, 2019
8 Sneaky Ways your Bedroom is Sabotaging your Sex Life
It’s the end of the day, and you crawl beneath the sheets next to your significant other with a *certain* expectation (cue bedroom eyes). Then, something happens — and, spoiler alert, it’s not sex. You get distracted. Or your partner does. Long story short? The only things going down in that bedroom are libidos. If your bedroom is more fizzle than sizzle lately, it might be time to re-examine the source.
May 3, 2019
The Skincare Secret That’s Been Hiding in Your Linen Closet
Waking up with linen lines imprinted on your face is no fun, but it’s hard to resist the urge to snuggle into a soft, cozy pillow at night. Especially since you’re, you know, asleep. But sleep-you doesn’t necessarily know what’s best, which is why she needs awake-you to be the voice of reason. And for both your sakes, it’s time to pull out those satin pillowcases you stuffed inside the closet long ago.
May 3, 2019
This Common Mistake Might Be Costing You Money & Ruining Your Clothes
Oh yes, there is a wrong and a right way to wash laundry, and you're probably doing it wrong. No more lazy laundering, y'all.
May 3, 2019
How Bad Is It To Sleep With Makeup On?
More nights than I care to admit, I work into the wee hours of the morning, slinging words so I can pay for important things like Netflix and magnetic eyelashes. When I finally drag my tired body toward the bedroom, I have just enough energy left to brush my teeth before crashing. But as I fall asleep to the symphonic range of my husband’s snoring, I often wonder just how bad it is for me to skip washing my face. Is the good skincare fairy going to come down and bop me on the head?
May 3, 2019
3 Things You’re Forgetting to Pay Attention to When You’re Shopping for a Home (And 3 to Ignore)
If you’re in the market for a house, first of all, congrats! Buying a home is one of the most rewarding—albeit at times exasperating—things you’ll do in your life. By the time you’re ready to buy, you likely have a sufficient grasp on the basic necessities: a solid foundation, a roof that doesn’t leak, wiring that won’t cause your new home to spontaneously combust, and so on. But what about the other stuff you should be mindful of?
Jan 20, 2019
How To Give Your New Home Good Energy
Why bring that negative energy into your new home?
Sep 18, 2018
10 Bad Habits that are Costing You Money
Have you ever wondered where your money disappears to each month? You work hard; you know you make it—yet it seems as though you never have any, or at least not as much as you think you should after you pay your bills (and Uncle Sam takes his portion). It’s like it goes into some giant universal dryer that only spits out part of what you put in—obviously stashing the rest of it away in that secret place where the matches to all of your socks are sent.
May 29, 2018
We’re All Using Clorox Wipes Wrong, Apparently
A microbiologist pointed out there's a 4-minute rule printed right on the package.
May 20, 2018
Why You Should Always Steal the Shower Cap From the Hotel
Who among us hasn’t snatched a tiny hotel toiletry (or 10) in our time? Let she without blame cast the first miniature moisturizer bottle. For the record, though, why would they leave them out if they didn’t want you to take them? We say keep growing your collection. And while you’re at it, make you don’t forget the most underrated of items: the humble hotel shower cap. You may be wondering, “But, why? Like, why?
Apr 9, 2018
9 Simple Sponge Hacks Everyone Should Know
For such an unassuming object, kitchen sponges are kind of rock stars. In addition to being responsible for getting our dishes and utensils clean, these thirsty squares can be repurposed in ways we haven’t even thought of yet. But, rest assured, the ways we do know of prove pretty darn ingenious.
Mar 11, 2018
So… Is it OK to Pee in the Shower?
We’ve all been there. Just after the ceremonial un-robing that occurs prior to hopping in the shower and closely following the forthcoming cascade of water from the shower head — your bladder beckons. But it seems like a lot of work to get out of the shower, grab a towel, dry off, and make your way back to the commode. So you ask yourself the age-old question, “To pee or not to pee?” Yep, we’re going there. Don’t worry; we’re all friends here.
Feb 8, 2018
What Exactly is a Coverlet? And How is it Different from Other Bedding?
When it comes time to choose bedding for your home, you’ll find plenty of options. From solids to prints, synthetics to natural materials, designer brands to bed-in-a-bag sets — but before you make any of those decisions, you must first figure out which type of bedding you want. And this is where we delve into one of life’s little mysteries: the difference between coverlets and other kinds of bedding.
Feb 5, 2018
Here’s How Much Money the Property Brothers are Actually Worth
If you’ve ever considered going into business with family, look no further for role models than Jonathan and Drew Scott. Having found fame as hosts of the hit HGTV reality series Property Brothers, the pair really brings home the bacon. And by bacon, we mean money. And by money, we mean a combined net worth in the millions. Property Brothers Drew Scott and Jonathan Scott have flipped their way to a combined net worth of $20 million according to CelebrityNetWorth.com.
Feb 3, 2018
Is it OK to Clean your Laptop with Cleaning Wipes?
Considering computers aren't exactly chump change, they're not an investment you want to ruin.
Jan 19, 2018
Is it OK to Store Dirty Laundry in the Washing Machine? We Have the Answer
Adult life is full of difficult decisions. Like which vocation to choose as your profession. Or where to settle down. Or this classic conundrum: what you do when the pile of dirty clothes currently taking up residence in the corner of your room isn’t big enough to wash yet? For many of us, that means tossing the pile into the washing machine to lay in wait until enough clothes accrue to run a cycle — hamper be damned. I mean, it’s a perfectly logical step, right?
Jan 15, 2018
Our Decision to Sell Our House, Hit the Road and Live in an RV
If you had told me a year ago that, today, I’d be smack dab in the middle of selling my home, I would never have believed you. If you’d told me I was selling my home to uproot my family, buy an RV, and roam the country for an indefinite amount of time, I may very well have asked you if you’d recently suffered a hard knock to the head. And yet, here I am.
Sep 18, 2017
How To Find a First Home That’ll Actually Make Money When You Sell
For most of us, buying a first home is a pretty big deal. We’re all indoctrinated from a young age with the more romantic aspects of becoming homeowners, making it hard to imagine when we purchase that first abode that we’ll ever live anywhere else. But think of it this way: Wouldn’t it be nice to know that when it does come time to sell your beloved first home, you’ll be walking away with a nice chunk of change to put toward your next dream house?
Sep 12, 2017
The Most Popular Home in America: Why the Ranch Style is So Pervasive
If you’re thinking of buying a home, you’ve likely given a lot of thought to what style suits you best. Are you drawn to the sleek lines of modern architecture? Or are you a sucker for Craftsman style? If your answer happens to be the modern American ranch, well, you’re certainly not alone—according to a 2016 Trulia study, it’s the most popular pick in 34 states in the U.S.
Jul 20, 2017
In-Reach Real Estate: Affordable Cities Outdoorsy People Will Love
You can read a million lists about buying a home—and I could prattle on for days about the process myself—but the best advice anyone can probably offer is this: buy a home in a city that you love even more than the house itself. Never does this ring more true than when it comes to outdoorsy people.
Jul 20, 2017
What is Considered an “Older” Home?
I distinctly remember during our home-buying journey when our real estate agent asked if we wanted new construction, something close to it, or if we’d be open to an “older” home. When we said yes, we knew that—in our budget—we would likely be looking at a few houses built in the early-to-mid 1900s. However, if we’d had a much larger budget, we could very well have wound up walking through (and legitimately considering) houses built in the early 1800s.
Jul 10, 2017
Take it From Me: What First-Time Buyers Should Know About Fixer Uppers
When you’re a first-time home buyer growing dizzier by the minute walking through dreamy homes outside of your budget, it’s only natural to consider adding a home that needs a little “TLC” to your short list. Know this, though: fixer uppers come with some special considerations, especially for first-time homebuyers. Two years ago when my husband and I decided to take the plunge and buy our first home, we settled on a fixer upper.
Jul 5, 2017
Can Solar Power Pay Off? One Homeowner Crunches Real Numbers
Aside from the obvious benefit of helping the planet, solar power can be pretty enticing to homeowners who are tired of paying an arm and a leg for their electric bill every month. Given that outfitting a home with solar panels comes with considerable costs upfront, though, is doing so practical from a financial standpoint? Can solar power in fact pay off?
Jul 5, 2017
The Best Ways to Store The Dishes You (Almost) Never Use
‘Tis the season to be merry—and host dinner parties, of course. It’s time to break out a couple of bottles (or boxes, no judgment here) of wine, about a metric ton of food and, well, the dishes to help you serve said culinary delights. Since most of us don’t host large dinner parties every day, this means some of the extra dinnerware used during the holidays isn’t in regular rotation.
Nov 24, 2016
“Can This Go in the Dishwasher?” Your Guide to Post-Thanksgiving Dinner Cleanup
As hard-working as that holiest of appliances is, it can't do it all. Or, rather, it shouldn't.
Nov 23, 2016