Getting more value from your phone

Minnesota techies suggest ways to get more value from your smartphone

The value users receive from their phones can depend on how much that person understands what's possible with that device.

Cannabis in Minnesota

What exactly is hemp-derived THC? And how is it different from marijuana?

Your guide to demystifying all things cannabis in Minnesota.

Critical incident plans

How small businesses can plan for mass crimes and other emergencies

More people need to be trained on warning signs for violence in the workplace, police and consultants say.

Starting a food truck

Getting a food truck rolling in Minnesota takes more than a recipe and some wheels

Would-be operators face rising costs, fragmented regulations and hard work.

Back to school

Back-to-school time is expensive — Minnesota parents offer tips for survival

These mothers, who happen also to be professional organizers, know all the secrets.

Buying farmland

'That's still the dream': Buying up Minnesota farmland

With land prices hitting record levels, the ability to buy up Minnesota farmland is increasingly difficult for most beginning farmers. But some still try (and succeed).

Become a franchisee

Want to become a franchisee of a national brand? Here are the steps for Minnesotans

Experts tell first-time franchisees to start with a self assessment of skill sets and passions.

Looking for office space

How to look for office space — and maybe get a little free rent

No price breaks on lease rates, but free rent could be part of the deal.

Health coverage denials

How to fight back if your health plan denies coverage

Consumers have formal and informal options that often require a healthy dose of patience — whether waiting on hold or wading through lengthy health plan documents.

Natural disasters

Minnesota now seeing derechos, haboobs — and higher insurance bills

Make an emergency plan and keep your insurance updated, because Minnesota is seeing natural disasters more often since the turn of the century.

Navigating new world of tipping

Minnesota restaurant pros offer tips for navigating the new world of tipping

Plus, more establishments are adopting service and other charges, so we asked insiders for advice.

Making funeral plans

'The sooner, the better': Here's what to look for in a funeral plan in Minnesota

Death expenses can easily top $10,000. Making plans ahead of time can ease the moment for survivors.

Lunch for under $10

Can you still find lunch in the Minneapolis skyway for $10? Yes, but it's not easy

Some workers returning to downtown offices do double-takes when at their old lunch spots.

Buying land

What one reporter learned buying a slice of rural Minnesota as a getaway

Land deals aren't quite the same as buying a house. The down payments are bigger, for one thing.

Home office expenses

In the new hybrid world, should employers be reimbursing home-office expenses?

The answer is, it depends — on where you live, on what your industry does generally and your own company needs.

Navigating parental leave

How to navigate parental leave, no matter your situation

First step: Know what questions you need to answer and how to plan.

Know your car lights

Red lights inside a car can't be ignored. Some Minnesota repair experts sort them out.

There are red lights that mean you should stop driving immediately and some that are a bit less dangerous.

Deciphering your electric bill

How to decipher your electric bill in Minnesota

Utility bills can be confusing. Here's a breakdown of what all the lines on a typical bill mean and what your bill funds.

Investing in a startup

Have you thought of investing in a startup? Here's what you need to know

Angel investors provide capital to entrepreneurs in the early — and sometimes pre-revenue — stages of their new business.

Applying for financial aid

Here are the first steps for seeking financial aid for college in Minnesota

The federal aid application, and Minnesota Dream Act one that matches it, represent the front door to paying for college.

Surprise medical costs

Minnesotans still get surprise medical bills even after Congress tried to stop them

The federal No Surprises Act provides more protection for consumers, but consumers need to be on guard.

Finding board members

Here's how some Twin Cities med-tech CEOs find people for their board of directors

The search for a board member requires founders and top executives to exhibit some humility.

Buying a cabin Up North

Want to buy a cabin Up North this year? You'll need these strategies and some luck

The real estate market in Minnesota's lake country is even tighter than in the Twin Cities these days.

SBA loans

With SBA loans rising in Minnesota, borrowers take a first step with banks

The Small Business Association can help entrepreneurs with a wide variety of funding, often through a local bank.

Buying a car

Professional Minnesota car shoppers offer tips for buying at worst possible time

With prices high and inventory low, people who need to buy cars now are in a bad spot.

Saving on wedding costs

Here are ways Minnesota couples can save on weddings in the craziest YOLO year ever

Manage the big ticket items or opt for a micro wedding.

Starting a business with retirement funds

How to roll over retirement savings to buy a business

A ROBS rollover is a little-known mechanism for starting a business. It is complex and can be risky, but for some it's the right option.

Negotiating a mortgage

How to negotiate a mortgage in Minnesota when rates are rising quickly

Mortgage rates are at their highest level in more than a decade — and moving quickly.

Running an Airbnb

Clear marketing and white sheets: How Minnesota's top Airbnb hosts make things run

Minnesota's highest-rated Airbnb hosts offer their top tips for running a short-term rental.

Starting a business

Thinking of starting a business in Minnesota? Here's what you should know

The nuances go on and on, so we talked with a few entrepreneurs in the Twin Cities about their journey.

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