If you’re fortunate enough to skate through a severe weather event like a hurricane, tornado or ice storm without damage to your home or property, you may find that having a gassed-up generator isn’t enough to get your household back to normal. When bad weather strikes, you’re likely to lose your internet, too.

Finally, there is truth to the saying that a rising tide lifts all boats. As the seventh-fastest growing metropolitan area in the U.S. and the fastest-growing county in Alabama, Baldwin County continues to rise along the state’s Gulf Coast.

Watching all the new tech gadgets roll into the news feed on a near-daily basis can be dizzying. How can there possibly be 8k video when we’re just getting used to 4k TV resolution? Like the pop philosopher Ferris Bueller once said, “Life moves pretty fast.” Hopefully your internet does, too.

Home values have risen in recent years across America and in our own backyard in the Southeastern U.S. Some homeowners are cashing in on the trend, selling their homes while the market is high. Others are enjoying the cushion of added equity in their homes, using it to secure home-improvement loans.

“New year, new you.” We’ve all heard the saying. And we’ve all started a new year with determination and good intentions. But while an average 44 percent of adults in the U.S. make a resolution to take their health and fitness seriously each January, less than half are still committed six months later.

As our connected culture continues to broaden, there are smart versions of just about everything for the home. That means an endless array of connected home and entertainment gift ideas for all the family and friends in your life.

Read on for our roundup of the best home gifts for 2021.