Jack Hawkins articles

While I was away, my HOA cut my grass too short, now it's turning yellow and brown. Can I ask them for a new lawn?

HOA cut your grass too short and now your lawn is yellow or brown? Learn how to revive a scalped lawn, encourage green growth again, and prevent long-term damage with these simple lawn-care tips.
April 9, 2026 Jack Hawkins

I let my lawn grow a little after last summer's drought. But my HOA says it needs to be cut short, or else they'll fine me. Can they really do that?

Can your HOA fine you for letting your lawn grow a little after a drought? Here’s what homeowners need to know about HOA lawn rules, fines, selective enforcement, drought-friendly landscaping, and when to fight back.
April 9, 2026 Jack Hawkins

My kids were playing outside when their ball broke a neighbor's window. I offered to pay for the damage, but he's reporting me to our HOA. What now?

My kids broke a neighbor’s window and now he’s reporting us to the HOA—what happens next? Here’s how homeowners should handle accidental damage, HOA complaints, and neighbor disputes without making things worse.
April 9, 2026 Jack Hawkins
Internal Image Worst Bosses

My job reduced my salary despite no decrease in my performance. Is that legal?

Can your employer cut your salary even if your performance has not dropped? This clear, engaging guide explains when a pay reduction may be legal, when it may cross the line, and what workers should do next.
April 8, 2026 Jack Hawkins
Upset young waiter sitting with headache while looking away at coffee shop

I've started working at a coffee shop. My boss wants to implement a policy where she gets the tips, then divides them up between us. Can she do that?

Started working at a coffee shop and wondering whether your boss can collect tips and divide them up? Here’s what U.S. law generally says about tip pooling, managers, owners, and the red flags employees should watch for.
April 8, 2026 Jack Hawkins

We bought a home in cash, sight unseen, for a bargain. We get here, and it needs more work than we thought. Did we just waste all our money?

They bought a bargain home in cash without seeing it first, only to find costly repairs waiting inside. Here’s how to tell whether it’s a financial disaster or a fixer-upper that can still pay off.
April 7, 2026 Jack Hawkins

We just moved into a new home and the old owner left her landline phone behind. We're getting calls for her bills in collections. What can we do?

Bought a home with an old landline and still getting debt collection calls for the previous owner? Here is how to stop the calls, protect your privacy, and reclaim your peace.
April 7, 2026 Jack Hawkins
1982 Pennies - Tn

My grandmother saved pennies all her life. She passed recently and I inherited $5,000 in pennies, but they're not legal tender. What do I do now?

Inherited $5,000 in old pennies that are no longer legal tender? Learn how to sort, value, appraise, and sell them without making costly mistakes.
April 3, 2026 Jack Hawkins

I installed wind chimes on my deck, but the HOA says they've had complaints about noise from my neighbors. Should I take them down?

HOA says your wind chimes are causing noise complaints? Learn whether you should take them down, check the rules, and handle the dispute without making deck drama worse.
April 3, 2026 Jack Hawkins