Klarna, Afterpay, Affirm — maybe you've noticed these platforms when shopping online. They allow you to break up large payments into smaller installments that you can pay over time, and are a popular alternative to credit cards. In this episode, we'll cover the pros and cons of these loans and how to use them responsibly.

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What's for dinner? It's a question that can lead to overspending on delivery, unhealthy meals and dread. FitMenCook founder Kevin Curry shares meal prep techniques that can alleviate stress and save money. This episode originally published January 31, 2023.

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According to AARP and the National Alliance for Caregiving, 1 in 5 Americans are acting as unpaid caregivers. The work can be meaningful but also stressful. Caregivers give advice about how to approach the job, find support and make time for self-care. This episode originally published Feb. 20, 2023.

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How financially compatible are you with your partner? Is your partner a spender while you're a saver? Are you on the same page about saving for retirement? Financial therapist Shay Harris-Pierre explains how couples can examine their spending habits, work through money conflicts and align their financial goals.

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A recent study found that one key to gut health is eating a wide variety of plants. In this episode, we talk about the research with NPR's Maria Godoy and offer tips to help you mix up your diet.

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The next time you rip a sweater, don't throw it out. Extend its life with "visible mending," a creative sewing technique that uses stitches, fabric and embellishments to artfully show off the repair. In this episode, we explain how anyone with basic sewing skills can try this method at home. This episode was originally published in May 2023.

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You have more power over your emotions than you think, says psychologist and neuroscientist Ethan Kross. In his new book, Shift: Managing Your Emotions — So They Don't Manage You, he says there are specific tools you can use to "skillfully push" your feelings around in a way that's useful, whether that's confronting them in the moment or avoiding them until you're ready to process them.

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Today's parents are more involved in their children's lives — and more stressed out — than they were two decades ago, according to an advisory from the 2024 U.S. Surgeon General. So how can they catch a break? Life Kit reporter Andee Tagle explains why parental burnout is a public health crisis and offers realistic ways to ease the pressure.

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Last month, the Food and Drug Administration announced it is banning Red No. 3, a food dye additive in processed foods like sodas, sweets and snacks. Recently, it and other dyes were linked to negative behavioral issues in children, and decades ago, high levels of Red No. 3 were linked to cancer in rats. This episode, NPR science podcast Short Wave explains what we know about Red No. 3's harmful health effects and the other dyes that may replace it.

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It's normal to feel some pain or soreness after a workout. But how much is too much, and more importantly, how do you get relief? This episode, build out your post-workout recovery routine. A sports medicine doctor, nutritionist and professional athlete break down everything you can do from the moment your last workout finishes to right before your next one begins – to feel better in your body, minimize your injury risk and get the most out of that gym session.

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