Never sign a lease without asking for this discount

Plus, 9 affordable skin care brands you should know ASAP No Images? Click here       I first bought renters insurance in 2016, some 17 years into life as a tenant. I felt finally so responsible, so well-prepared for disaster – until my apartment molded over after Hurricane Irma and I was informed such things weren't covered by my policy.  Turns out my insurer generally only covers mold damage in certain conditions, none of which applied to my particular combination of old building, long power outage and hot, moist air. I could have been covered by an additional mold policy I didn't know was an option, and therefore never asked to include. The whole mess was a pricey, annoying lesson in failing to ask the right questions when making a purchase. Thankfully, I'd saved my wine from the ravages of the storm by storing it in the dishwasher. And for everyone else, we've got a primer on what renters insurance does and does not do, plus great guidance on how to negotiate a discount on rent. Read on for expert advice about keepings kids safe online, beauty brands done dirt cheap, and more.  Xx, Janie   Take back your life   You pay rent 12 times a year, and it's likely your biggest expense of all. Why not try whittling that amount down if you can? Negotiating rent is a bit of an art, but it's an incredibly effective way to save money. I've offered to sign a lease lower than the advertised price four times, and three times it worked – I nabbed monthly discounts of $50, $75, and $200.  Head into your next apartment search or lease renewal armed with our 9 tips for shaving money off your rent.     Deal with it Fancy skincare has become outrageously expensive, which is a bummer when there's always a new serum, oil or moisturizer we're all dying to try. Although a good splurge feels therapeutic sometimes, not wasting money is even better. Kudos to these 9 affordable beauty brands that feature top ingredients but don't break the bank.  Get to know them ASAP. Pro Tip: Autocorrect never gave me trouble until the day I texted my parents about a delicious duck sandwich -- and my iPhone "corrected" the word duck with an "i." (My parents just laughed, thank heavens.) If you're done retyping the words you want over and over or explaining silly gaffes, get the New York Times' guide to adjusting autocorrect.   Want more practical magic? How one top cyber expert keeps her own kids safe online [HuffPost] What to do before the next market crash [Lifehacker] 5 issues that arise when you earn more than your spouse [PureWow]    .     No moon dust. No B.S. Just a completely essential daily guide to achieving the good life. Subscribe here. Like what you see? Share it. Can't get enough? You'll also love: HuffPost Must Reads. ©2018 HuffPost | 770 Broadway, New York, NY 10003 You are receiving this email because you signed up for updates from HuffPost Feedback | Privacy Policy | Unsubscribe    . - - Preferences  |  Unsubscribe