FYI Huntington

Online retailer comment sections and review sites have become very popular over the last half decade. More and more consumers now rely heavily on product and business reviews to inform their decisions and purchases. Some consumers may scan individual product reviews prior to purchasing a big-ticket item, while others may visit review sites to find the right restaurant.

As real estate prices continue to climb, the cost to trade up to a larger home is on the upswing across the country, especially as markets remain hampered by tight inventory levels. As a result, more and more Americans are choosing to renovate their current homes instead of relocating. In fact, some forecasts predict that 2015 renovation spending could exceed the record of $324 billion set during the peak of last decade's housing boom. While the hunt for more square footage can be challenging, homeowners shouldn't feel like a costly second story or complete addition are the only options.

Fall and winter can be tough on your home and your wallet. As temperatures drop, chances are your furnace will be working overtime. This results in two things - greater energy consumption and higher heating bills. In fact, costs associated with heating and cooling a home year-round typically comprise two-thirds of the average energy bill.

Recent incidents of vehicles being hacked have shed light on the potential vulnerability of connected cars. Hackers have been able to gain access to critical vehicle functions, even while the car or truck is on the road.