On The Move
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LAST FRONTIER
WHAT TO EXPECT MOVING A PET TO ALASKA
By Bailey Berg
Moving to Alaska can be an exciting adventure, but when you have a pet, it requires additional planning and preparation to ensure their comfort and safety. Whether you have a dog, cat or another type of animal, follow these steps to make the move as smooth as possible for your furry friend.
THE BASICS
Regardless of the pet’s species, all animals must have a current Certificate of Veterinary Inspection or Health Certificate to enter Alaska. To get one, you’ll need to visit your veterinarian prior to arriving in Alaska, but no more than 30 days before. Veterinarians typically know how to fill out the forms and have some on hand, but if they don’t, they can download an electronic health certificate from Global Vet Link, New Planet Technologies or VetSentry or print out a paper copy of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection form, known as APHIS Form 7001.
After they’ve filled out the form, the issuing veterinarian must submit a copy by mail (5251 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue Anchorage, AK 99507) or email (akcvi@alaska.gov) a scanned copy in PDF format.
If you’re planning on bringing a dog, cat or ferret into Alaska, the State’s Division of Environmental Health also requires that they be up to date on their rabies vaccines.
However, those that cannot be vaccinated for rabies due to a medical condition must have an Exemption From Rabies Vaccination Form signed by the examining veterinarian, signed by the owner and approved by the State of Alaska prior to entry.
DRIVING
Though the road is long, driving your pet to Alaska is fairly straightforward, even with crossing through Canada.
The big prerequisite for entering Canada with a pet is ensuring they are up-to-date with vaccinations, especially rabies. Be sure to carry the vaccination certificate as proof of vaccination, not just a rabies tag, which may not be accepted at border crossings.
On either side of the border, you’ll also want to book petfriendly accommodations along your route. Websites like BringFido and Airbnb can help find suitable places to stay, though you should verify the pet policies of each stay, including any restrictions on size, breed and the number of pets allowed.
As far as packing is concerned, it’s a good idea to bring enough pet food for the entire trip and carry portable water bowls.You may also consider bringing some comfort items, such as a pet bed, blankets, toys or anything else to make them feel at home on the road. And don’t forget any necessary medications and a small first-aid kit for emergencies.
During travel, plan for regular stops every two to three hours to allow your pet to stretch, relieve themselves and get some exercise. Veterinarians typically recommend securing your pet with a pet seatbelt, travel crate or barrier, which helps present distractions and ensures your pet’s safety in case of sudden stops. Similarly, for your pet’s safety, you should never leave your pet alone in the car, especially in extreme weather conditions, as temperatures can quickly become dangerous.
FLYING
Before booking your flight, research the pet policies of various airlines. Each airline has specific guidelines regarding the types of pets allowed, pet carrier requirements, fees associated with pet travel, weatherrelated travel restrictions and health documents needed.
Alaska Airlines, in particular, is known for its pet-friendly policies, though its policies differ for small pets that can fly in a cabin and those who need to fly in cargo. Acceptable in-cabin pets include small dogs, cats, domesticated rabbits and household birds. It’s important to note that it costs an additional $100 to fly your pet in the cabin, and their carrier counts as your carry-on item, though it’ll need to be stored under your seat. That carrier must be 17 by 11
by 7.5 inches or smaller, so if your pet cannot fit comfortably in one of that size, they’ll need to travel in the baggage compartment, which has slightly different rules and fees. In baggage, allowed pets include dogs, cats, ferrets, guinea pigs, hamsters, household birds, non-poisonous reptiles, pot-bellied pigs, rabbits and tropical fish, and each will be charged $150 (or $100 for active duty U.S. Military or their dependents on travel orders). The pet and carrier combined may weigh up to 150 pounds. Brachycephalic or “short-nosed” dogs, like English bulldogs and pugs, are not accepted for travel in the baggage compartment on Alaska Airlines flights.
Whenever possible, but especially when your pet is flying in cargo, book a direct flight to minimize stress and reduce the risk of something going wrong during a layover. Similarly, in summer, it’s important to choose early morning or late evening flights when it’s not too hot, and in winter, it’s best to book midday flights when it’s warmer.
Once your flight is booked, you’ll need to visit a veterinarian to ensure your pet is fit to fly. Most airlines require that the pet has a health certificate completed within 10 days of travel.
While at the veterinarian’s office, you may also want to discuss options for sedatives or anxiety medications, especially if you think your pet will be nervous flying. The vet might also suggest microchipping your pet, just in case it gets lost in transit.
From there, you’ll need to make sure you have a carrier that is comfortable, well-ventilated and complies with airline regulations. Generally, airlines require that the carrier be large enough for the pet to stand, turn around and lie down, withroom to spare, and have a sturdy, leak-proof bottom.
SHIPPING
Your first step for shipping your furry or feathered companion is to research and choose a reliable pet shipping service. Look for reputable companies with positive reviews and experience in transporting pets to Alaska. Also compare different services based on their offerings, such as door-to-door service, pet travel crates and veterinary support and ensure the company is licensed and follows USDA regulations for pet transport.
Because most shipping services are done by plane, you’ll need to prepare your pet like you would for a flight.
With some forethought and planning, both you and your pet can make it safely to your new home, ready for the adventure that Alaska brings.
SHOPPING FOR A CAR? THERE’S GOOD NEWS AND BAD NEWS
Lisa Gerstner, Kiplinger’s Personal Finance, Kiplinger’s Money Power
LATELY, CAR BUYERS ARE SEEING SOME RELIEF AS CAR PRICES STABILIZE, FOLLOWING SIGNIFICANT INCREASES IN 2021 AND 2022.
Data from Kelley Blue Book (KBB) shows that in October 2023, average new-car transaction prices were down 3.5% from the start of the year. New cars sold for an average $47,936, less than 1% higher than in September 2023.
“New-vehicle prices in October were mostly unchanged from September,” said Rebecca Rydzewski, research manager at Cox Automotive, which owns KBB. “The only big mover last month was Tesla, which continues to shift pricing at a surprising pace. In fact, the price shifts at Tesla in 2023 showcase just how dynamic pricing can be with a direct-to-consumer sales model.”
The average price of a used car was $26,533 in early November 2023, down 3% from a year earlier, according to Cox Automotive.
Although prices are no longer rising rapidly, car shoppers are still suffering sticker shock. And interest rate increases have made financing a car more costly.
What’s more, the average annual cost of owning and operating a new vehicle has reached $12,182 in 2023, a sizable increase from $10,728 in 2022, according to AAA. Among the likely culprits are an accelerated yearly depreciation rate — the difference between the car’s value upon purchase and its
value when sold — the effects of previous increases in newvehicle prices and a focus by automakers on producing more oversized, luxurious and expensive cars. Rising premiums for auto insurance and elevated fuel prices add to the pain.
If you’re in the market for a vehicle, KBB recommends expanding your search beyond your geographic area — you may find lower prices or a better selection of vehicles in other regions. If you’re getting a loan, check with various banks and credit unions, in addition to considering any financing offers at the dealership, to clinch the best interest rate. If you’re trading in your current vehicle, shop around for the best offer on it.
Inventory is tightest in the lowest price segments. “Call dealerships early and often to see what’s coming off the trucks for those harder-to-find vehicles. Leave a refundable deposit if you want first dibs,” KBB suggests. You may have to call or visit several dealerships before you score the vehicle you want.
Lisa Gerstner is editor at Kiplinger Personal Finance magazine. For more on this and similar money topics, visit Kiplinger.com.
Madeleine Burry, Health.com, Premium Health News Service
THINGS NUTRITIONISTS EAT AT THE AIRPORT
AIRPORT TERMINALS ARE LIKE A GIANT IMPULSE AISLE, FULL OF TEMPTATIONS YOU MAY USUALLY RESIST. THAT CAN LEAD TO REGRETS LATER IN THE DAY: OPTING FOR UNHEALTHY SNACKS CAN RESULT IN GASTROINTESTINAL UPSET OR FEELING HANGRY, POINTS OUT GINGER HULTIN, RDN, OWNER OF CHAMPAGNE NUTRITION.
Fortunately, there are plenty of good-for-you eats available at airports these days. We spoke to nutrition experts to find out which foods they eat before a flight.
1. SNACKS FROM HOME
“Even if I can’t pack a whole meal, I like to at least bring some snacks to tide me over. These often include snap peas (fresh and crunchy), mandarins (easy to peel and hydrating), raw nuts (good protein and healthy fats) or homemade trail mix with whole-grain popcorn, raw almonds and no-sugar-added dried fruit,” says Autumn Ehsaei, RDN.
2. FRUIT AND VEGETABLES
Even at a small terminal, you’re likely to spot a mound of apples or a basket of bananas beside a cash register somewhere. “I always try to seek out fresh fruits or vegetables at the airport because it gives me a little boost of fiber, water content and helps me feel energized, not weighed down, before I board,” says Ehsaei.
3. YOGURT
“If I don’t have time for breakfast before the airport or if it is just too early I will grab a plain Greek yogurt from [an airport market] and have it with a banana. Ideally the yogurt will be full-fat for satiety and metabolism, but if nonfat is my only option, I will grab a small bag of raw nuts or a nut butter packet for some healthy fat,” says Sydney Greene, RD, at Greene Health.
4. SMOOTHIES
If you’re both hungry and thirsty, opt for a smoothie, suggests Claire Martin, RD, co-founder of Being Healthfull. It’ll satisfy both needs without too many calories, and they’re usually easy enough to find at airports.
5. NUTS AND SEEDS
Readily available in preportioned bags, nuts and seeds provide protein, healthy fat and fiber, making them a great option for airport eating — with a few caveats.
“Just be aware, if you are watching your sodium intake, to try unsalted,” says Amanda Markie, RDN, an outpatient dietitian at the University of Maryland Baltimore Washington Medical Center.
6. SALAD
On the more meal-like side of the spectrum, salads are a strong contender for the healthiest airport option. Stop somewhere you can craft your own salad, if available. That can help you avoid the unexpected calories of prepackaged or restaurant salads drenched in creamy dressing or loaded with crunchy noodles, says Susan Weiner, RDN, owner of Susan Weiner Nutrition.
7. WATER
Yes, we know — water isn’t a food. But every nutritionist we spoke to recommended guzzling it, since flying is dehydrating. “Start your day with a bunch of water, buy a water bottle (or bring a reusable one) once through security to fill up at fountains, and try to stick with water while on the plane,” says Ehsaei.
Health delivers relevant information in clear, jargon-free language that puts health into context in peoples’ lives. Online at www.health.com.
HOW TO BE A SUCCESSFUL LANDLORD
Daniel Bortz, Kiplinger’s Personal Finance, Kiplinger’s Money Power
BEING A GOOD LANDLORD IS ONE OF THE KEY INGREDIENTS TO GENERATING A POSITIVE CASH FLOW FROM AN INVESTMENT PROPERTY. BUT BECOMING A LANDLORD INVOLVES NAVIGATING UNFAMILIAR TASKS, SUCH AS VETTING TENANTS, CREATING LEASE AGREEMENTS AND MAKING HOME REPAIRS — AND A POORLY MANAGED PROPERTY CAN MAKE A RENTAL A POOR INVESTMENT.
Here are tips for first-time landlords:
CHECK YOUR COMMUNITY’S RULES FOR RENTALS. If your property is part of a homeowners or condo association, the association likely has rules governing rentals. Some ban homeowners from renting properties altogether, while others limit the percentage of units that can be rented out. There could also be restrictions for lease terms as well as tenant registration requirements, deposits and move-in fees.
REVIEW YOUR LOCAL LANDLORD-TENANT LAWS. State law often governs certain aspects of the landlordtenant relationship, from how much a landlord can charge for rent and security deposits to a landlord’s access to the property and the eviction process. Your city or county may have additional landlord-tenant laws, says Corina Eufinger, a real estate investor in Wisconsin.
It’s also important to get familiar with Fair Housing laws regarding federally protected classes and additional protected classes in your state, says Alexandra Alvarado, with the American Apartment Owners Association.
VET TENANTS THOROUGHLY.“Screening tenants is your best line of defense against any number of financial catastrophes, whether it be rent that doesn’t get paid or a renter damaging your property,” Eufinger says. Pull an applicant’s credit score, criminal history and eviction history. You can do this using a tenant screening service such as MyRental, RentPrep, RentSpree or SmartMove. Fees for these services typically run between $25 and $40 per applicant and many landlords charge prospective tenants an application fee to cover the cost.
CRAFT AN IRON-CLAD LEASE AGREEMENT. There are free state-specific residential lease templates available on websites such as Avail, eForms and Legal Templates, but a real estate lawyer can help you create a lease agreement that protects your interests and limits your liability.
GET LANDLORD PROPERTY INSURANCE. Most home insurance policies won’t cover damage or theft for rental properties, says Pat Howard, with Policygenius, an insurance marketplace. Switching to a landlord property insurance policy can help you cover losses in certain events.
HAVE GOOD HELP ON SPEED DIAL. Unless you plan on being your own repairman, you’ll want to have a roster of reliable tradespeople you can call on to address surprise home issues.
SET THE RIGHT RENT PRICE. To determine how much a typical renter in your area is able and willing to pay for your type of property, look at local market data using a website
such as Rentometer, RentCafe, RentRange or Zumper. If there’s a lot of competition in your area, pricing your rent slightly below market value can make your listing stand out.
MAXIMIZE THE TAX BREAKS. Rental property owners are typically eligible for a variety of tax write-offs. The IRS website’s Real Estate Tax Center provides answers to frequently asked questions about tax deductions for rental units.
Daniel Bortz is a contributing writer at Kiplinger Personal Finance magazine. For more on this and similar money topics, visit Kiplinger.com.
Get the best mortgage rate
The average interest rate for a 30-year, fixedrate mortgage is now above 7%. If you’re planning on buying a home and looking for a loan, that’s a tough pill to swallow, given that the average rate was less than 3% just a few years ago.
Mortgage rates are influenced by several factors, including inflation and, to some extent, short-term interest rates set by the Federal Reserve, which were recently increased to a 22-year high. Although you can’t control what’s happening in the economy, you have ways to lower your costs.
Check advertised rates from a variety of lenders, keeping in mind that the rates can change as often as daily. Explore all of your options, including local banks and credit unions as well as online banks, says Jill Gonzalez, an analyst for the personal finance website WalletHub. If you qualify as a veteran, be sure to consider a VA loan.
Lenders “must be competitive but still generate profit, so disparity between mortgage rates is normal,” Gonzalez says. Compare rates from local and national banks at www.bankrate.com/mortgages/mortgagerates.
Although monthly payments will be higher, a 15-year mortgage will have a lower interest rate than a 30-year mortgage, so you’ll pay less in interest overall. In early October 2023, the average rate on a 15-year mortgage was 6.78%, compared with 7.49% for a 30-year, fixedrate loan, according to Freddie Mac.
You may also be able to lower costs by buying mortgage points — basically, a fee you pay to lower the interest on your mortgage, says Eileen Tu, vice president of product development for Rocket Mortgage.
A mortgage point represents 1% of the mortgage loan and is added to the total amount you are borrowing. Each point you agree to pay can lower your overall interest by approximately 0.25 percentage point.
Your credit score, which is based on information from your credit reports, will affect whether you qualify for a
Gail Perry, Kiplinger’s Personal Finance, Kiplinger’s Money Power
Becomea
loan and the rates you are offered. “The higher your credit score, the easier it’ll be to negotiate loan terms or a lower interest rate,” Gonzalez says.
For that reason, you should review your credit reports before applying for a mortgage to make sure everything is current and correct.
Your credit score can be improved in as little as 30 days by paying down credit card balances to no more than 30% of your available credit. Requesting an increase of the credit limit on existing cards and paying off your credit card balances on or before the due date could also boost your score.
Once you settle on a lending institution and a mortgage rate, ask to lock it in for a specified period. Lenders typically allow you to lock in a rate from 30 to 60 days. That should provide you with peace of mind while you’re finalizing your purchase.
Gail Perry is a contributing writer at Kiplinger Personal Finance magazine. For more on this and similar money topics, visit Kiplinger.com.
TIPS FOR RETIREES WHEN DOWNSIZING
Laura Vecsey, Kiplinger’s Personal Finance, Kiplinger’s Money Power
DOWNSIZING IN RETIREMENT? HERE ARE TIPS FOR SELLING YOUR HOME.
KNOW WHAT YOUR HOME IS WORTH. Homeowners can get a basic understanding of what their home is worth by tooling around on Zillow, Realtor.com and other online sites that have estimator tools. But it’s also wise to consult with at least two or three local real estate agents.
NEGOTIATE THE COMMISSION RATE. Real estate commissions have always been negotiable, but sellers rarely had much opportunity to haggle with an agent. That’s changing. In October 2023, the realtors’ association and several brokerages were hit with a $1.8 billion judgment in a class-action antitrust suit that said commissions were artificially high. Then, in March 2024, the association reached a nationwide, $418 million settlement of claims that the industry conspired to keep commissions high. The settlement, which is pending approval, promises to change the way real estate commissions are paid. Realtors agreed, for example, to stop requiring sellers to pay buyers agents’ commissions. The changes were expected to go into effect in July 2024.
UNDERSTAND THE HOUSING MARKET.
Demand for properties is high. Mortgage rates are down from their October 2023 peak. But low inventory and higher prices are putting Baby Boomers on a collision course with their desire to move to something smaller, cheaper or easier to manage. In February, Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell said he believes the U.S. housing market is undersupplied and will remain so for years. That should concern downsizers who are hoping to trade what they have for something better, only to find market conditions discouraging.
“With the current situation of the real estate market, the downsized property may be significantly more expensive in not only price, but also in taxes, HOA fees, interest rate, etc.,” says Andrew Petersen, an agent in Pompano Beach, Fla.
DECLUTTER, DONATE, THROW AWAY. Stop asking your kids if they want Aunt Emma’s old China. (They don’t.) Specialists can help manage all aspects of decluttering and downsizing, starting with the National Association of Senior & Specialty Move Managers (www.nasmm.org ).
STAGE YOUR HOME. Sellers need to maximize all the assets of their homes and minimize any feature that will cause buyers to balk. In a time when most sellers have amassed equity in their homes, spending a little to wow buyers is a smart investment in your quest to successfully downsize.
“Staging helps the purchaser visually see the potential of the home and leads to an emotional buy,” says Manhattan interior designer Ronnie Rosenberg. “It also usually brings in a higher price and a quicker sale.”
KNOW YOUR HOME’S COST BASIS.
Homeowners sitting on a lot of equity may feel like they’ve hit the lottery. But records and invoices for all the repairs and upgrades tell a different story about what your home cost. For tax purposes, a home improvement is any expense that materially adds to the value of your home, significantly prolongs its useful life or adapts it to new uses. Documenting these items can reduce your capital gains exposure and, for buyers, demonstrate the investment you’ve made in the home, helping to justify the list price.
Laura Vecsey is a contributing writer at Kiplinger’s Retirement Report. For more on this and similar money topics, visit Kiplinger.com.
HOME UPGRADES FOR $1,000 OR LESS
Emma Patch, Kiplinger’s Personal Finance, Kiplinger’s Money Power
You don’t need an expensive renovation to upgrade your home, and move-in is a great time to set up small improvements with a small cost, making your new space even more enjoyable.
Here are several upgrades that cost less than $1,000.
Enhance your home cinema experience. If you want the best possible viewing experience, investing in a highquality TV has its perks.
Consider TCL’s latest 6-Series Roku TV. For a price of about $1,000, you can get a 65-inch model (the TCL 65R655). The 4K Ultra HD picture quality provides 2160p
resolution, and mini-LED technology and QLED Wide Color ensure superior brightness and color. The Roku interface is easy to navigate and offers applications video-on-demand and live-streaming services, such as Netflix, Hulu and Disney+.
Another compelling option is the $950 Samsung 65-inch Class Q60C QLED 4K Smart Tizen TV, which carries many of the same features, including high-quality resolution, color and brightness, as well as video-streaming applications.
Fortify your security. Installing multiple security cameras that monitor your front door, back and side doors, yard, and garage can help you keep an eye out for
trespassers (and may also be handy for monitoring your kids). Try the Ring Floodlight Cam Wired Pro with Bird’s Eye View and 3D Motion Detection ($250 each on Amazon), which comes with a floodlight, motion detection and a speaker so you can hear and speak to anyone on camera. It’s also compatible with Amazon’s Alexa voice assistant, so you can tap into the feed from any of the cameras with an Alexa device, such as an Echo Show, a Fire TV or a Fire Tablet.
Hire a professional organizer. If you’re compelled to declutter and organize but would rather not do it all yourself, consider outsourcing the project. The “Find a Pro” feature on the National Association of Productivity & Organizing Professionals’ website (www.napo.net ) lets you search for organizers by type of service, distance from your location, or both.
Many pros charge by the hour, while others charge by the package or project. According to HomeAdvisor, a site that connects homeowners with local service professionals, expect to spend $80 to $140 per hour, on average, for a professional’s services. Also check for any initial consultation fees, extra costs for needed materials and supplies, and disposal fees.
Create a hydroponic indoor garden. Not everyone lives somewhere with a long growing season, lots of yard space or the right climate for the produce they consume most. A hydroponic indoor garden can serve as a convenient, reliable source of fresh produce and herbs year-round. These gardens require relatively little maintenance; a high-quality hydroponic garden setup includes its own irrigation system and automated lighting for the plants.
At $899, the Gardyn Home 3.0 (www.mygardyn.com ) provides an indoor hydroponic garden setup with 30 starter plants of your choosing, a growth assistant that relies on artificial intelligence to look after your garden 24/7 via cameras and sensors, and automated lighting and watering.
For a smaller garden tailored to lettuce lovers, try the Farmstand Nook by Lettuce Grow (www.lettucegrow.com ) to raise herbs, greens and edible flowers all year long. At $699, the Nook supports up to 20 plants and fits well in tight spaces.
Emma Patch is a senior writer at Kiplinger Personal Finance magazine. For more on this and similar money topics, visit Kiplinger.com.
SELLING FAMILY HEIRLOOMS?
Start with an appraisal
Emma Patch, Kiplinger’s Personal Finance, Kiplinger’s Money Power
Whether you’re interested in keeping, selling or donating family jewelry, the first step is to get an appraisal.
Hire an accredited appraiser who will research and analyze the market, says Lynn Magnusson, an appraiser accredited by the American Society of Appraisers, the Appraisers Association of America and the International Society of Appraisers. An accredited researcher will assess comparable sales at auctions, jewelry stores and jewelry dealers. Bringing in a third party to vouch for the item’s value in the form of an official appraisal will increase the likelihood you’ll receive a fair price when you sell.
If you’re primarily looking to insure objects you plan to keep, you’ll want to get the replacement value, which an appraiser can provide by researching the cost of replacing your item with a new one, or a version that’s as close to the item as possible.
If you want to donate jewelry to charity and deduct the donation on your tax return, ask the appraiser to provide the item’s fair market value, which is “the price that property would sell for on the open market between a willing buyer and a willing seller, with both having reasonable knowledge of the relevant facts,” according to the IRS.
You should fact-check an appraisal by reviewing the report and verifying that your appraiser noted any characteristics that could affect the jewelry’s value. If you see any errors, let your appraiser know and ask for a correction. Make sure the appraiser takes the jewelry’s maker into account because that’s the most important characteristic used to determine its value.
“Similar to artwork, it’s always about the artist,” Magnusson says. For example, buyers will pay a premium for a gold bracelet from Tiffany & Co. as opposed to a gold bracelet from Macy’s.
The next quality to consider is scarcity. Appraisers will assess the piece’s provenance, or origin, to determine how rare it may be. If the piece is from the collection of a historical figure or celebrity, such as Catherine the Great or Elizabeth Taylor, it could carry significant value.
Inherent qualities of an object, such as the quality of the metal and stones, will also affect its value. For example, an appraiser will assess the “four Cs” of a diamond: carat weight, color grade, clarity grade and cut grade.
Finally, a piece of jewelry should never be worth less than the sum of its parts. A buyer can always scrap the gold or silver and sell it to a refinery or remove the diamonds and sell them to a diamond dealer. You can search for the spot price of precious metals at a website such as www.kitco.com.
However, keep in mind that the precious metal in jewelry is typically mixed with other elements for color and/or strength, Magnusson says. For example, 14k gold jewelry is made up of 58.3% pure gold and 41.7% alloy. Shop around at jewelry stores and dealers to get the best price.
Emma Patch is a senior writer at Kiplinger Personal Finance magazine. For more on this and similar money topics, visit Kiplinger.com.
Moving is complicated, whether you’re starting to pack up or have arrived with everything in boxes, sometimes you need a quick and simple meal. It’s hard not to love boxed macaroni and cheese — it’s fast, cheap and a crowd-pleaser with the whole family. Everyone has their favorite, whether you hold true to the blue box, dig white cheddar or embrace the kid in you and reach for a fun shape.
On its own, it makes a fine lunch, dinner or even a hearty snack, but reach into your pantry for an extra ingredient or two to add to the mix and you can upgrade your mac and cheese game entirely.
HOW TO UPGRADE BOXED MAC AND CHEESE
Take boxed mac and cheese to the next level with super easy-to-prepare upgrades. Below are some of the easiest, most delicious methods.
BUFFALO CHICKEN: Toss shredded cooked chicken — rotisserie works great! — with buffalo sauce then stir it into the prepared mac. Blue cheese is encouraged, but optional.
TUNA AND PEAS: Add frozen peas at the end of the pasta cook time, then stir some drained canned tuna into the mac and cheese after you’ve made the sauce.
PIZZA: While the cheese sauce comes together, stir in some shredded low-moisture mozzarella. Top the finished mac with pepperoni, some grated Parm and red pepper flakes.
HERBY BREAD CRUMBS: Toast panko or regular bread crumbs in butter or olive oil and stir in some chopped fresh herbs and salt. Sprinkle over prepared pasta.
BACON: Need we say more? Crumble some crispy bacon on top for a next-level mac experience.
ROASTED BROCCOLI: Hands down, the best solution for leftover roasted broccoli.
CACIO E PEPE: Add lots of Pecorino Romano cheese and freshly ground black pepper for cacio e pepe vibes.
KIMCHI: Whether you have cabbage kimchi or Brussels sprouts kimchi, you’ll love the spicy, crunchy addition.
CHILI CRISP: Just a spoonful adds a delightful crunch with a kick.
Sheela Prakash is the senior contributing food editor for TheKitchn.com, a nationally known blog for people who love food and home cooking. Submit any comments or questions to editorial@thekitchn.com.
