These 4 Websites and Apps Make Finding a Roommate Stress-Free

Annamarie Higley
Jul 13, 2018

Selecting a college roommate was a piece of cake, but in the real world, finding someone to live with gets a lot trickier. Outside of a university setting, locating a legitimate, sane, and actually cool roommate is daunting, whether you’re brand-new to a city or have been there for ages. As if moving isn’t stressful enough to begin with! Luckily, these four apps and websites put thousands of future froomies at your fingertips so you can find a stress-free living sitch for your first (or tenth!) apartment post-graduation, and regardless of your budget.

7 Affordable Ways To Make Your Home More Energy Efficient

When I moved into my home in the spring, the windows hadn’t been replaced in over 40 years! With a hot summer and rainy winter approaching, I was worried I’d be dealing with more than just a draft — so I swapped them out for double-pane, energy-efficient ones. Living in sunny California, solar panels were also a no-brainer. But making your home more energy efficient doesn’t have to mean major investments. Here are a few simple, budget-friendly ways to cut down on energy use without spending a fortune. Bonus: You'll save money on your energy bill too!


Here are low-cost ways to make your home more energy efficient.


Photo by cottonbro studio

1. Seal Drafty Doors and Windows

Use weatherstripping, caulk, or even a good old-fashioned draft stopper to prevent warm or cool air from escaping. It’s one of the quickest, cheapest ways to improve energy efficiency

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2. Hang Thermal Curtains

Affordable and easy to install, thermal or blackout curtains help keep heat in during winter and block out the sun in summer, easing the load on your HVAC and reducing your heating and cooling costs. Plus, they add cozy style to a room!

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3. Swap in LED Bulbs

LEDs use a fraction of the energy of traditional bulbs and last way longer. They’re a small investment that pays off quickly— especially if you swap them out room by room.

Photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash

4. Use Smart Power Strips

Even when turned off, devices like TVs and computers draw power. Smart power strips cut that “phantom energy” without you needing to remember to unplug anything.

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5. Install Low-Flow Showerheads and Faucet Aerators

Low-flow showerheads and faucet aerators are inexpensive, easy to install, and reduce water and energy use (since you’re heating less water).

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6. Clean (or Replace) Air Filters Regularly

Dirty filters make your heating and cooling systems work harder, using more energy. Replace filters every 3-6 months for peak efficiency.

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7. Wash Clothes in Cold Water

Most detergents are designed to work just as well in cold water, and heating water accounts for a big chunk of your washer’s energy use. Bonus: it’s gentler on your clothes, too so they'll look like new longer!

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Um, Emily Henry Just Shared Her Dream 'Happy Place' Cast

Emily Henry not only new pops books year after year, but she also has a knack for frequently announcing exciting book adaptations, too! From launching Funny Story(already love it) to news of the Beach Read movie (crossing our fingers for a Ayo Edibiri and Paul Mescal announcement any day now), EmHen's had a busy year — and it just got even busier.

After Henry announced the news herself on her email newsletter, "Emily's Grocery List,"Deadline confirmed that Netflix is in the process of adapting Happy Place. We've got the scoop on everything you should know about the newest Emily Henry adaption!

Here's everything we know about Emily Henry's Happy Place show, coming to Netflix soon.

Who's in the Happy Place cast?

Seacia Pavao/Netflix

While we don't have a confirmed cast yet, we're not-so-patiently waiting patiently to see who's attached to this adaption. And there's one star Emily Henry would love to see in the movie.

"For Harriet in Happy Place, I think Eve Hewson would be wonderful," the author told People. "And usually, when I am thinking of casting, I'm not actually thinking of someone who looks like that person. I'm just thinking of someone who has that same vibe. But she actually does look more or less how Harriet is in my head."

Where can I watch Happy Place?

Devyn Glista/St. Blanc Studios

We don't have an official Happy Place release date yet, but the series will be available to stream on Netflix.

What is Happy Place about?

Amazon

The Happy Place plot follows a couple, Harriet and Wyn, as they navigate their broken relationship. The stories winds over the course of many years: as friends, lovers, fiancées, and now...whatever they are. Every summer, they go to the beach house with their closest friends, but this year they set out for one last hurrah before the beach house is sold.

Their whole friend group thinks they're still together, so they pretend to be together just for a short while just to enjoy one last summer all together. Only...it's harder than you think to pretend you're not in love with someone when you are, in fact, still in love.

Is Happy Place being adapted for the screen?

Emily Henry/Instagram

Emily Henry officially confirmed that Happy Place is being adapted for Netflix. The author wrote in her email newsletter, "Happy Place is going to be a series on Netflix! I’ve been dying to tell you about it forever, and there’s actually A LOT more to share very soon, but since this little bit of news leaked today, I wanted to be the one to FORMALLY tell you."

She goes on to say she's thrilled about the series and even more excited that they've allowed her to be closely involved in the project, so that it can live up to her, and the readers', dream and vision for the book! She said that she wants to make it a series that the fans will love and be happy with. We couldn't be more excited to hear that!

Is Happy Place by Emily Henry going to be a series?

Emily Henry/Instagram

Happy Place will be made into a TV series with Netflix! This is great news, because it works better for the plot for the project to cover multiple episodes. The book has quite a long storyline that develops over many years and many summers in the lives of the main characters, so with flashbacks, it will require more time to delve into their stories.

This makes me so excited as a fan, because I believe this allows them the time to do the story justice, and really develop the relationship and chemistry between the two main characters, Harriet and Wyn, as well as the supporting characters also in the book.

Who's producing Netflix's Happy Place show?

Kevin Winter/Getty Images

The series will be produced by Netflix and Jennifer Lopez’s Nuyorican production company. This announcement follows multiple deals between Lopez and Netflix, including their latest release of Atlas, which garnered over 72 million views! Plus, JLo is a certifiable rom-com queen, so we know EmHen will be in the best of hands with her!

Who's the showrunner for the Happy Place show?

Rich Fury/Getty Images

We can't escape the world of Bridgerton because one of the show's Co-Executive Producers — Leila Cohan — is attached to the Happy Place TV show! She'll be the showrunner and co-writer for the series which means fans of Emily Henry's fun rom-com are in for a treat (via Deadline).

Are there other Emily Henry book adaptations being made?

Amazon

Beach Read, a beloved Henry best-seller, is being made into a movie! Fans continue to speculate that Paul Mescal and Ayo Edibiri will star in it, especially after Henry said they would be amazing for the roles. Even Paul told Awards Watch he wants to do a romcom with Ayo...so, it's basically meant to be!

People We Meet On Vacationis also getting the movie treatment. The cast will be led by Tom Blyth and Emily Baer, and incredible author, screenplay writer, and rom-com lover Yulin Kuang is set to adapt the script, so that's bound to be a fabulous match!

Finally, we're getting a movie for Book Lovers. According to Us! Weekly, some fans think this is the movie for Ayo and Paul, but we're not convinced. Definitely keeping our eye out for who is cast, though!

We're so excited for the many Emily Henry projects in the works, and pending for the future. Emily Henry said at the end of her newsletter, "I cannot WAIT to tell you more, about this project and others, right here on my grocery list just as soon I’m given the green light. For now, though, I’m back to working on [REDACTED]. Happy reading, my friends."

Yikes, I'm scared and excited all at once, because she has taken over my life. Stay tuned her for further updates on her upcoming projects!

Who do you want to see in the Happy Place series? Follow us on Facebook for more pop culture news, and read This Excerpt Of Emily Henry's Great Big Beautiful Life before the book launches on April 22, 2025.

Brit + Co may at times use affiliate links to promote products sold by others, but always offers genuine editorial recommendations.

This post has been updated.

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8 Ways I’m Changing My Grocery Budget Just in Time for Tax Season

There have been many years when I really had to scrimp to pay my taxes, but I’ve found that casseroles, frozen veggies, and meatless meals are a great way to help make ends meet. Admittedly, you should be frugal about your grocery expenditures at any point during the year. But during tax season, it can be especially crucial to pinch pennies (at least until you get that tax refund, that is!).

Not long ago, I was that person who went to the grocery story list-free and haphazardly selected items for my cart as I passed by. Then I realized that as tax season was approaching I should consider a more frugal approach to feeding myself. Intrigued by the idea, but skeptical about my ability to execute on it, I dove in and decided to pare down my grocery bill. Originally, I was worried that scrimping on price would mean lowering my standards for quality, but it turns out that with a little careful planning, you can make some really delicious meals on a dime. Scroll on to see what I discovered.

Photo by Katya Wolf

Use a Grocery List

The number one tenet of saving on your grocery bill is to make a list and stick to it. This goes hand in hand with meal planning and makes everything from budgeting to cooking a more streamlined process. Although it seems like a lot of upfront effort, think about it like this: Even if it took you one hour a week to plan — which, according to Investopedia, could help you save about $640 or more a year on food waste and other costs — that would save you about $12 an hour. For those who make $12-$15 an hour, the savings are like taking a paid week off of work!

Photo by Pixabay

Buy In Bulk On Sale Items

So many things freeze beautifully. When items that you use regularly are on sale, from bread to butter to meat, snap them up in bulk. Although the savings seems minimal, when you add it up over a year’s worth of purchases, the amount of money you keep in your pocket will be significant. Plus, if you buy in bulk, you’re always guaranteed to have your favorite ingredients on hand.

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Stockpile In The Freezer Section

If you’re doing things right and stockpiling, then you’re going to make good use of your freezer. Although we want to eat our favorite fruits and vegetables year-round, buying things in season is significantly cheaper, which means that when these items are affordable and available you’re going to want to stock up. Even if you’re buying pre-frozen fruits and vegetables, you’re saving money, and the research shows that you’re not losing any nutrients by doing so.

Photo by Thomas Le on Unsplash

Shop In Season

While you can most likely find your favorite items at your grocery store year-round, prices (and not to mention taste) will fluctuate greatly based on the season. In particular, if you’re buying tomatoes, berries, grapes, peaches, or asparagus out of season, you could really be hurting your grocery budget. Instead, opt for their frozen counterparts or wait until they are *naturally* back in the store.

Photo by Megan Bucknall on Unsplash

Enjoy More Casseroles

Casseroles do not belong in the 1950s. In fact, they are every bit as valuable today as they were 70 years ago. Why? Because they’re a healthy and delicious way to stretch out pricier ingredients and feed more mouths. You could feed each person one chicken breast or you could use two in an entire casserole which will feed you both for dinner and leave you with leftovers for lunch the next day. If you’re not sure where to begin, find tons of Brit + Co casserole recipe inspiration.

Photo by Andy Holmes on Unsplash

Use Herbs and Spices

Scenting your meals with a handful of herbs and spices is a good way to add a lot of flavor with little extra cost. Bonus points if you grow your own herbs. Also, you should definitely be buying spices in the international section of the store. I recently noticed that an ounce of cloves costs $3.79 in the spice aisle but 99 cents in the international section.

Photo by Nature Zen on Unsplash

Go Meatless Most Days

Meatless Mondays are all fine and dandy, but if you really want to save a few extra dollars, you need to make more than one day of the week meat-free. Not to mention, it’s better for your overall health to eat less meat. Studies show that people who eat less meat have a lower risk of dying from cancer, heart disease, and other chronic illnesses. So you’ll be doing something good for your wallet, and your well-being to boot.

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Get Cash Back On Groceries

Credit cards, like Credit One Visa and American Express offer cash back on groceries — a simple win for saving cash when grocery bills are higher than ever.

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11 Stunning​​ Anthropologie Swimsuits To Add To Your Packing List ASAP

Vacation season is swiftly approaching, which means it’s finally time to dust off your favorite swimsuits! If your current lineup is craving a refresh, though, let it be known that the perfect place to shop for cute, colorful, and comfy swim styles is none other than Anthropologie! We scrolled through their entire swim collection and found 11 stunning swimsuits you can easily rock with confidence on a tropical getaway or pool day this year.

Shop our 11 favorite Anthropologie swimsuits for spring and summer 2025 below!

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Capittana Stephanie Vichy Fruits Bikini Top

This fruity bikini top covered in an ever-trendy gingham pattern was made to be seen at the beach or poolside.

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LSPACE Kyslee Cutout One-Piece Swimsuit

With two cheeky cutouts in the front and back, this style takes your typical black one-piece and jazzes it up perfectly – all while still retaining its modesty! You could easily style this as a bodysuit with some white linen pants, too!

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Seafolly Beach Bound Ring Front Bandeau One-Piece Swimsuit

This swimmie is so Audrey Hepburn-coded, thanks to the minimal black and white color palette and contrasting trim details. It can be worn with or without the straps since they're detachable.

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Andie x Sunshine Tienda One-Piece Swimsuit

Hello, color! We adore this striped one-piece because it makes a statement all on its own and really embraces the lively energy of good old summertime.

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Citrine Swim Luna One-Piece Swimsuit

If you're headed to the beach this year, this design dotted with little palm trees is quite literally the perfect fit – not only for the beachy vibes, but on your body, too! The chic straight neckline is super flattering, while the backside boasts a playful crossed tie to secure its fit.

Anthropologie

Damson Madder Jezebel Bikini Top

Gingham is still super huge, even in the swimsuit world. This simple bandeau bikini top and ruched bottoms supply such a great amount of coverage, while still highlighting flirty details like the keyholes on the sides.

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Hutch Rosanna One-Piece Swimsuit

The side ruching brought up by an easily-accessible drawstring makes this one-piece suit extremely flattering. It hugs your curves in all the best ways, plus you can secure the top half with a similar drawstring – and a keyhole for extra style points!

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Agua Bendita Mariel One-Piece Swmsuit

This feminine swimsuit design will certainly turn heads this summer, plus it photographs beautifully, so you can ensure you walk away from vacay with some stunning Instagram pics!

Anthropologie

Beach Riot Joyce Cutout One-Piece Swimsuit

The bold color-blocking on this one-piece swimmie feels retro to a tee, though the pastel palette gives it a subtle modern spin for repeated wear this spring and summer!

Anthropologie

Seafolly Slide Bikini Top

This frilly number will inspire the utmost confidence no matter where you wear it. Plus, the top ties conveniently in the back for the perfect fit every time.

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Malai Bandeau Halter Bikini Top

Covered in seashell motifs, this bikini is right on-theme for any beach trip. The halter fit and o-ring design are both timeless and fresh, plus we adore that the bottoms in this set are high-waisted and hug the bod in!

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8 Easy Swaps To Make Right Now For A Cheaper Grocery Bill

Grocery shopping nowadays has practically become an extreme budgeting sport. Between inflation, added tariffs, and supply chain issues, many households have begun visiting multiple stores each week to score the best deals and rethinking their usual grocery lists altogether.

However, there is some good news: with a few smart food swaps, you can still eat well without blowing your budget. Here are the simple changes you can make to save at the store without sacrificing taste or nutrition.

Scroll to see the simple swaps you can make to lower your grocery bill amid inflation and tariffs!

1. Chicken

Walmart

Chicken remains one of the more affordable meat options, yet prices have still crept up steadily over the past few years. For instance, in 2019, shoppers paid an average of $1.47 per pound of fresh whole chicken. By the tail end of 2024, this increased to $2.06 per pound.

If chicken breast has been your go-to, you can try swapping it with thighs or drumsticks. These cuts are both more affordable and often more flavorful than white meat.

Or, for even bigger savings, consider buying a whole chicken. It's usually cheaper per pound and offers multiple meals' worth of meat once butchered. Save the carcass to make chicken stock, too!

2. Milk

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If you're a family that goes through multiple gallons of milk per week, you've probably felt the strain of rising dairy prices. Five years ago, one gallon of whole milk cost an average of $2.91; meanwhile, at the end of last year, the average price rose to $4.10.

This surge means it's worth looking into alternatives. Shelf-stable dairy and non-dairy milks, such as oat, almond, or soy, can often be found in bulk at lower prices. Not to mention, they tend to last longer, helping you cut down on food waste.

3. Eggs

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Eggs used to be a cheaper protein staple, but today, they're pricier than ever. The easiest way to decrease your spending on eggs each week is by trying egg substitutes, such as Egg Replacer.

Or, if you are baking, consider swapping eggs out for applesauce, mashed banana, or flaxseed mixed with water in your recipes, all of which can replicate the binding properties of eggs.

4. Coffee

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Those of us who are fueled by caffeine are also feeling the pain. Making coffee at home instead of visiting Starbucks or Dunkin Donuts used to be a foolproof way to lower spending. Now, even brewing a cup of Joe at home is getting quite expensive, particularly if you rely on single-serve pods.

To save, start buying ground coffee in bulk or switching to whole beans. You can also mix your coffee with creamer to stretch your supply or replace it with instant coffee, which may be more affordable over time.

5. Bread

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Whether you prefer white or wheat, the prices of both kinds of bread have increased. In order to cut back, you can begin baking your own loaves at home. It's actually a lot easier than it sounds and much cheaper in the long run.

Otherwise, if baking's not your thing, you can buy bread in bulk and freeze the extras to avoid any mid-week grocery store runs or waste. Using rice, potatoes, or tortillas in place of traditional bread is another way to lower the price of your meals.

6. Garlic

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Garlic is a kitchen staple, and many people agree that you can never have enough. Unfortunately, though, a lot of the garlic we buy in the United States is imported from China, meaning prices may soon go up due to tariffs.

For a cost-effective swap, you can try using garlic-infused olive oil, which adds the same flavor and lasts longer, or substitute leeks, onions, or shelf-stable garlic powder.

7. Avocados

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Not only are avocados expensive, but they're rarely sold ripe and ready-to-eat in supermarkets. So, if you buy them in advance and accidentally miss their ripeness window, you may wind up wasting a pretty pricey piece of produce.

Mashed chickpeas, seasoned edamame, or even hummus can serve as a creamy, versatile substitute in sandwiches and bowls. They're typically cheaper, have a similar texture, and are still nutritious.

8. Sugar

Walmart

Last but not least, it's time to think outside the box if you have a sweet tooth due to the climbing costs of sugar, particularly bulk and imported varieties. You can turn to natural sweeteners like mashed bananas, applesauce, or even maple syrup, which work well in baking, sauces, and drinks.

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