Jeff Somers is a freelancer who has been writing about writing, books, personal finance, and home maintenance since 2012.
Jeff has published nine novels and more than 70 short stories; his story Ringing the Changes was selected for inclusion in The Best American Mystery Stories 2006. In 2018, Jeff published the book Writing Without Rules: How to Write & Sell a Novel Without Guidelines, Experts, or (Occasionally) Pants. He holds a bachelor’s degree in English and previously worked in medical publishing as a production editor.
When not writing, Jeff spends his free time fixing up his old house. He has tackled a wide range of DIY projects, including remodeling a bathroom entirely on his own in two weeks, and building a roof deck that hasn't fallen down yet. You can find him on Bluesky.
MORE BY Jeff
Eleven Unusual Things You Can Find in Vending Machines
If you think vending machines are just candy bars and sodas, you’re not living in the 21st century.
Six Financial Resolutions You Should Make (Besides the Obvious Ones)
These less-obvious financial goals are often overlooked.
What to Do If You’re Being 'Managed Out' of Your Job
If your boss is actively trying to convince you to leave, here’s how to defend yourself until you find a new job.
15 of the Best Species of Live Christmas Trees (and Which to Choose)
When decorating your home for the holidays, not all "real" trees are created equal.
Seven Tricks to Help You Stop Losing Your Phone (and Wallet, and Keys)
If you are forever losing your stuff, you know the chaos that ensues.
13 of the Quirkiest Advent Calendars You Can Buy
Advent calendars have come a long way. Whatever your interests, there’s an advent calendar out there made for you. Here are some of the most interesting ones we could find.
How to Choose the Best Christmas Tree for Your Home
If you’re gearing up to transform your home into a Christmassy wonderland, here’s how to make sure you get the perfect tree.
Seven Seemingly Smart Financial Decisions That Can Actually Backfire
Sometimes a financial decision seems like an obvious win and turns out to be something you may never financially recover from.
Eight Hidden Costs That Could Sink Your Retirement
Planning for retirement is about a lot more than just beefing up a retirement account.
Eight Emergency Kits You Need (and What to Put in Them)
When it comes to emergency kits, you need more than one—you need kits in different locations and built for different seasons.
Six Steps to Guest-Proof Your House for the Holidays
The holidays often mean houseguests—which can be disruptive and even damaging to your house without a few precautions.
Seven Signs the Tree in Your Yard Is About to Fall
If you see any of these signs of tree distress, it’s time to call a tree removal service before it winds up in your attic.
Six Restaurant Techniques to Make Your Home Kitchen More Efficient
Shouting “corner!” when you’re making microwave popcorn isn’t helpful, but there are some protocols and tricks from commercial kitchens you can—and should—adopt at home.
Six Businesses You Can Start With Zero Upfront Costs
If you’ve always wanted to be your own boss, you can get there without any sort of start-up capital with one of these businesses.
Five Mind Games MLMs Use to Scam People
Multi-level marketing schemes will use these tricks and strategies to fool people into thinking they’re legit.
How Square Footage in Real Estate Listings Can Mislead You
The square footage in a home’s listing can be deceiving—and lead you to pay too much for a house.
Get a 'CLUE' Report If Your Home and Car Insurance Rates Seem Too High
If your home or auto insurance premiums too high, get a copy of your CLUE Report to find out why—and maybe get them lowered.
Six Unexpected Household Uses for Dry-Erase Markers
The temporary tool we’ve all been sleeping on.
Outsource Your Holiday To-Do List and Relax This Year
If the holidays are stressful for you, you can outsource a surprising number of tasks.
Eight Signs a House Will Be High-Maintenance
Some houses have obvious red flags that they will be nearly impossible keep properly maintained.