Irish Examiner Advice

Advice

<p>Re-turn gives some dates to avoid while also revealing the best days to return your cans and bottles after Christmas. Picture: Andres Poveda</p>

advice

Life Hack: When to return cans and bottles at Christmas — and which day to avoid

Re-turn, the operator of Ireland’s Deposit Return Scheme, has shared some insider tips to see you through Christmas

KRB 05-12-2024 XX Irene Feighan: AADI Therapy dogs

advice

'They become like your other child': What it's like to foster a therapy dog

Fire gas flame close-up blurred background, cooking coffee in a cezve on fire

advice

Life Hack: What to do — and what not to do — if you smell gas in your home

Frozen Turkey Waiting in Refrigerator Freezer

advice

Life Hack: Can I freeze cheese? Seven foods you can pop in the freezer before Christmas

Couple, bedroom and argument with anxiety, stress and drama at home or apartment. Frustrated, woman and man with dispute, angry

advice

Sex File: I keep fantasising about my husband's friend

Insect feeding on paper - silverfish

advice

Life Hack: What are silverfish? What to do if they are in your home

When love fizzles out

Sex File: Is everyone else having better sex?

A couple in their 40s who have only just met will be having passionate sex daily. A couple in their 40s who have been together for decades? Not so much.

Mon, 25 Nov, 2024

Overhead view of sleeping tired couple

Sex File: What can we do in a sexless marriage after menopause?

"Although there is often an underlying explanation, such as illness or erectile dysfunction, sometimes people just lose interest in an activity that requires energy and enthusiasm at a point in life when they might feel a little lacking in both."

Mon, 18 Nov, 2024

Blackout concept, energy crisis. Home fuse box

Life Hack: What is a trip switch and how can I fix it when the power cuts out?

Don't be left in the dark when it comes to trip switches. Here's a brief guide

Wed, 13 Nov, 2024

Unhappy couple lying in bed

Sex File: He uses sex to resolve our rows

"Figuring out the unspoken subtext for arguments is important because when you focus on the wrong problem, you end up with the wrong solution."

Mon, 11 Nov, 2024

Beautiful smiling woman with clean skin holds ripe avocado near the face. She made a natural avocado mask. Cosmetology skin care

Life Hack: Five unusual skin and beauty treatments you can make in the kitchen

Champagne hair rinse, anyone?

Wed, 06 Nov, 2024

Upset, bedroom and woman in argument with her husband for divorce, marriage problem or breakup. Sad, depression and female perso

Sex File: My partner has put on weight and our sex life is suffering

If your partner feels ashamed of his body, it's going to be hard for him to be emotionally and physically intimate with you

Mon, 04 Nov, 2024

Mature couple walking on the beach at sunset or sunrise.

Long-term relationships: Navigating the ups and downs of lasting love

Long-term relationships can be wonderful. But being with the same person for decades is not always easy. We get expert advice about the questions you need to ask to keep communications open

Fri, 01 Nov, 2024

Couple have a consultation with financial advisor

Consumer Corner: How to give money to your children without facing a huge tax bill

Despite the restrictions, there are ways and means that parents can help out if their child is saving to buy a house

Thu, 31 Oct, 2024

Dehumidifier working while drying laundry at home

Life Hack: What is a dehumidifier and how can I use one to cut down on bills?

As we enter the colder months, here ae some ways a dehumidifier could help you to save money

Wed, 30 Oct, 2024

Love conflict

Sex File: Should I settle for a man who does not want to experiment in bed?

"It isn't fair to compare a new sexual relationship to one that had years to mature. A sexual relationship with someone you have only just met is unlikely to make you feel the same way as you did in a marriage that lasted more than a decade."

Mon, 28 Oct, 2024

Halloween Pumpkin Cappuccino coffee art

Life Hack: Five things you can do with your Halloween pumpkin to avoid wasting food

Food waste is one of the scariest things at Halloween. Here's what to do with your pumpkins in the kitchen, from lattes to leftovers

Wed, 23 Oct, 2024

Fashionable white sneakers

Life Hack: What to do about that annoying squeak in your shoe

Banish squeaks with these tips and tricks

Wed, 16 Oct, 2024

Mid age couple enjoy conversation sitting on sofa in living room

Sex File: Should I tell him about my fling?

"The internet throws up options like 'soon-to-be partner again' or 'partner in reconciliation' but they are a bit of a mouthful and, since this letter is about your renewed sexual relationship, 'sex-husband' is a bit more fun."

Mon, 14 Oct, 2024

Brown skirt and gray sweater. Fashionable concept

Life Hack: How to clean suede clothes and shoes and prevent stains

Suede is a popular fabric this season. Here's how to keep it looking fresh

Wed, 09 Oct, 2024

Upset woman thinking about relationship problems and lover indifference

Sex File: Everything about my husband turns me off

"Lots of women feel overwhelmed by the double burden of parenting and domestic responsibility, and if a husband doesn't pull his weight or appreciate how much his wife does, resentment is inevitable."

Mon, 07 Oct, 2024

Woman putting soft white mattress on bed indoors, closeup

Life Hack: The unexpected warning signs that show it’s time to replace your mattress

Don't sleep on these warning signs

Wed, 02 Oct, 2024

Upset woman thinking about relationship problems and lover indifference

Sex File: His post-partum body-shaming has put me off sex

"Explain to him that his criticism has damaged your experience of sexual intimacy. I don't think any man would like to know that his wife feels she is simply a "convenient presence" in the bed."

Mon, 30 Sep, 2024

Volunteer with donation box with clothes

Life Hack: How to store your clothes correctly in autumn and winter

Don't set yourself up for a surprise next year

Wed, 25 Sep, 2024

Upset woman sitting on bed with partner sleeping in background

Sex File: We're too young for a sex drought, should we break up?

We're in our 30s but our (once great) sex life has fallen off a cliff

Mon, 23 Sep, 2024

How to combat common critters and prevent autumn pests

Homemade hacks for keeping pests at bay this autumn

These easy expert tips will help keep common critters out of your home

Mon, 23 Sep, 2024

Woman recycling plastic bottles in a machine

Life Hack: Storage solutions for plastic bottles and cans before they are recycled

A professional organiser shares her tips

Wed, 18 Sep, 2024

Couple at restaurant.

Sex File: I'm a widower and the women I date want to move faster than I do

Is everyone wanting immediacy in their relationships or is the problem with me?

Mon, 16 Sep, 2024

Aerosol can

Life Hack: 14 things you can do with hairspray, from cleaning hacks to beauty shortcuts

That bottle of hairspray can do more than hold your hair in place

Wed, 04 Sep, 2024

Woman thinking with man in the background

Sex File: Our sex drives never seem to be in sync, how do we close our libido gap?

How do we get mutual passion back at the same time?

Mon, 02 Sep, 2024

Jeweller hand polishing and cleaning jewelry diamond ring with micro fiber fabric

Life Hack: Four common things that can damage valuable jewellery like engagement rings

Certain products and activities can actually pose a risk to your jewellery

Wed, 28 Aug, 2024

Man in bed with mature woman thinking

Sex File: I feel no attraction to the grumpy old man my husband has become

I'm in my fifties and feel I could still be enjoying a decent sex life

Mon, 26 Aug, 2024

Grey-haired man and a blonde woman lying on the bed and looking romantic

Sex File: Am I letting my wife down in bed?

I would be happy having sex once every week or two, whereas she would like to have it at least twice a week

Mon, 19 Aug, 2024

young woman is measuring her breast

Life Hack: How to measure yourself to find your correct bra size

Are you wearing the correct bra size?

Wed, 14 Aug, 2024

Man and woman lying in white linen bed

Sex File: How do I tell him I want more excitement in bed?

Excitement and pleasure are probably things that he really wants to provide for you; however, he is not a mindreader

Mon, 12 Aug, 2024

Woman Holding British Pound

Life Hack: How to get the best deal when exchanging currency — and the fees you can avoid

Whether you're spending cash or paying by card, here's what you need to know about commission and currency exchange

Wed, 07 Aug, 2024

Happy mature woman in casual clothes using cellphone for online shopping from home.

Sex File: My husband of 20 years is happy for me to take a lover

Is that a bad idea?

Mon, 05 Aug, 2024

Audience with hands in the air at a music festival

Life Hack: Festival hacks you need to know, from packing tips to sleeping through the noise

Here's what you need to know before going to a festival

Thu, 01 Aug, 2024

Eye protection glasses on tanning bed

Life Hack: An expert on why you should always opt for fake tan and SPF over sunbeds

Nothing looks more beautiful in your 50s and 60s than the use of sunscreen in your 20s

Wed, 24 Jul, 2024

I think I’ve been ghosted – what should I do?

I think I’ve been ghosted – what should I do?

Being ghosted by someone you’re seeing can leave you with a lot of hurt and confusion.

Mon, 22 Jul, 2024

White skin care product

Life Hack: How to remove SPF stains from clothes

It's important to wear sunscreen every day — but knowing how to remove any stains it leaves on clothes is crucial too

Wed, 17 Jul, 2024

Couple in bedroom

Sex File: I can't get over her office flirtation

It is almost impossible to feel desire for someone you don't trust

Mon, 15 Jul, 2024

Man washing soapy car tire and wheel with brush

Life Hack: How to clean alloy wheels and the products to avoid using

Alloy wheels often elevate the look of a car but as they are in constant contact with the road, they can get grubby and be tricky to clean. Here’s what you need to know to tackle those tricky areas.

Wed, 10 Jul, 2024

Sleeping with a snorer

Sex File: Will separate beds mean the end of our lovemaking?

Sleeping together keeps you connected and obviously increases the opportunities for spontaneous sex

Mon, 08 Jul, 2024

Clean to bathroom

Life Hack: How to clean a shower head and remove hard water deposits

If you live in an area with hard water, you need to know this

Sun, 07 Jul, 2024

Young couple celebrating Valentine's Day indoors

Consumer Corner: Six ideas for 'date night’ on a budget this summer

Budget-friendly dates offer all the fun without the cost

Wed, 03 Jul, 2024

Upset girlfriend thinking about relationship problems with lover

Sex File: I'm too sad to talk, but find lovemaking helps

"Bereavement affects everyone differently, but it is not uncommon for people who are grieving to seek physical intimacy as a way to feel connected, comforted and less alone."

Mon, 01 Jul, 2024

Woman sunbathing on the beach in hot summer day and checking weather forecast on mobile phone.

Life Hack: What to do when your phone starts overheating and how to prevent it

If your phone is straining under higher temperatures, here's what you need to know

Wed, 26 Jun, 2024

Upset couple sitting on opposite ends of bed after a fight

Sex File: I get a headache when I orgasm

"Sex headaches are not common, but are well documented and well researched. Men are nearly twice as likely to have them as women and they can occur at any age."

Mon, 24 Jun, 2024

Sandals

Life Hack: How to clean darkening footbeds in sandals like Birkenstocks

Get those sandals sparking for summer

Wed, 19 Jun, 2024

emotional young woman taking leave of her boyfriend

Sex File: I'm married and have a crush on my neighbour

"When someone starts camping in your head, it often means that you are camping in their head too. It always begins very innocently..."

Mon, 17 Jun, 2024

Couple sleeping and hugging happy in white bed

Sex File: We’re too young for our sex life to be over

My girlfriend and I are in our early 30s and our sex life has dwindled massively. We’ve only been together for two years, living together for one.

Mon, 03 Jun, 2024