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This alcohol brand brings the sunshine with an aperitif unlike anything that's come before

With organic agave and a Meyer lemon citrus profile Le Moné is the drink for summer

This alcohol brand brings the sunshine with an aperitif unlike anything that's come before

When life gave them lemons, this brand made an aperitif. But not just any – Le Moné created an approachable, refreshing citrus profile that doesn't overpower, it compliments. Low in sugars, calories and alcohol by volume, this liquor doesn't compromise. It delivers sophisticated flavor profiles, a better buzz, and leaves you in shape for a great morning without the fog or headache. Here's what they're mixing up:

A family owned vineyard in picturesque Finger Lakes, New York was where the Le Moné journey started. The team cultivated a relationship with the farmers for several years and eventually they tasted the perfect, acid-forward wine with a sharp lemon-lime profile. The dry finish balanced the organic agave and the flavors lended themselves to the Meyer lemon profile that they were after.

Mixed with California brandy, a touch of Persian lime and Italian bergamot, California Meyer lemon remained the star of the show as Le Moné crafted their perfect aperitif. The 100% organic agave brought a sweetness and balance forward while not adding too much sugar.

But Le Moné didn't stop at Meyer lemon, the company has five different flavors including:

The Classic, Meyer Lemon:

For a lighter, livelier aperitif, this flavor variation is the original that started it all. Simple and brilliant, it's the aperitif for those who are dealt lemons and love them anyway. It's that something that goes with anything and is the perfect addition to an at home bar. If you were thinking that Meyer Lemon and agave would go perfectly with tequila... well, you were right. Mix this with tequila, soda water and serve with a lime wedge for your new go to summer drink.

Meyer Lemon, Orange & Lime:

A citrus lover's dream trifecta! The orange and lime create an absolutely beautiful marriage with the Meyer Lemon base. This variant is bright and summery, without being too tart or sour. And we take it back... this is everything you need to make a dream margarita... err at least it's a good thing we don't have to pick favorites. Just add tequila and get the complex, balanced, bar-quality margarita that will have all your friends asking "what's your secret?".

Meyer Lemon, Raspberry & Lavender:

Sophisticated botanicals and bright berries create this refreshing, aromatic aperitif. Ideal for bottomless brunches or those looking to add a little taste of the South of France to their summer agenda, the lavender and berries come together and deliver a getaway in a bottle. Mix with dry gin and prosecco for the perfect poolside drink.

Meyer Lemon & Cucumber:

Nothing says "relax" quite like refreshing cucumber. It is the perfect thirst quencher for long, hot summer days, and just one sip is enough to make you go "sppaaa" – er "ahhh". Serve with just a splash of soda – it needs nothing else!

Meyer Lemon & Blackberry:

Perfect for a picnic that starts early but goes late, the essence of fresh juicy berries brings out the simple pleasure in life. Jammy blackberry and subtle cherry notes are vibrantly highlighted against the Meyer Lemon Canvas. Drink this straight over ice, or with muddled mint and vodka.

Each variation of the Le Moné aperitif delivers simple excellence. What's more is that each of their bottles is made with 100% recycled Italian glass and their labels are made from post-consumer recycled cotton. Enjoy Le Moné responsibly, all summer long!

Upworthy has earned revenue through a partnership and/or may earn a portion of sales revenue from purchases made through links on our site.

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All In
Craveable snacks. Quality organic ingredients. Positive community impact.
Pop Culture

All In: 5 Ways This Week

From the silly to the sentimental, there are so many ways people like to go “all in” on something. Here are our five favorite examples we found this week across the internet.

5 ways people are going "All In" this week
5 ways people are going "All In" this week
5 ways people are going "All In" this week
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When you hear the words “all in,” what do you think? You might picture a Dancing with the Stars trend gone viral or maybe bridesmaids who fully supportive of the bride's favorite movie (and recreates an iconic scene). Whatever you picture, the idea is the same: Someone who does something with 100 percent total commitment. Going “all in” means giving your all—going completely over the top, no second guessing, no holding back. Just full-throttle enthusiasm, with some flair and creativity thrown in. And when people go “all in,” something truly special usually happens as a result.


The internet abounds with examples of people giving it their all—whatever it is. In this roundup, we’ve found the very best examples of people going “all in”—moments where passion, creativity, and commitment take center stage. Some are sentimental, some are silly, but all of them are a reminder that giving 100 percent is truly the only way to leave a mark on this world. Get ready: These folks didn’t just show up, they went all in.

1. An Iconic "snow-coaster"

One thing about going all in - it can be crazy and childish at times. That’s something that makes going all in special, connecting with that side of you that takes things less seriously in order to have some fun. Shira Goldstone and her husband took to that mindset when it started snowing in their backyard. Shira’s husband picked up planks of wood (and whatever other tools are required) and within the same night, in the falling snow, built a “snow-coaster” for the two of them to play on.

2. A Truck That's Feeding It's Community

You already know our friends at All In—they’ve got some seriously tasty snacks that are not only healthy and affordable (scroll to the bottom of this article to see how you can snag a free bar), they help fund food banks, gardens, community fridges, meal programs, and other amazing things

For Giving Tuesday, All In teamed up with Fresh Truck, a weekly mobile market that brings fresh and affordable produce to neighborhoods in the Boston area. Fresh truck hosts weekly markets, pop-up events, and an online storefront, all to help strengthen communities who need it the most. They’re going all in on local nutrition and food access, and we’re here for it.


3. All In on Madam Morrible

I’m always all in on a good TikTok trend. This week, I’m going to share with you a classic that has come out of the Wicked franchise and the incredible actress Michelle Yeoh.

Michelle, who plays Madame Morrible in the Wicked movies, is an outstanding actress. She’s known for iconic films like Everything, Everywhere, All At Once, as well as Crazy Rich Asians and Star Trek. But her legacy might be this one quote, which she’s said in interviews countless times, and now people can’t stop making videos with the phrase “Madame Morrible, M.M…flip it around, W.W. Wicked Witch!”

You might have to take a look at how people are going all in yourself, the sound has taken off with already 14.3K videos, and the variations are unstoppable...defying all odds and maybe even...defying gravity?

4. Spotify Wrapped: All in on "Coconut Mall"

TikTok · Ale

www.tiktok.com

There’s nothing better than finding a song that hits just right and gets you feeling productive. For some people, it’s lofi beats. For others, it’s orchestra music. For TikTok user @aleinmotion, it was the “coconut mall” song from the Mario Kart racing soundtrack. Ale never realized how much she listened to the song until it became #1 on her Spotify Wrapped. Sometimes you’ll be surprised by what you love most, and I’m thinking this is one of those moments for Ale.

5. A Family Prank Everyone Enjoys

This girl said her boyfriend had an ugly hat, so her family decided to go all in on supporting him instead. This is when love and humor come together, a perfect prank that actually made the boyfriends day…and taught his girlfriend that nothing is really that serious! They even got the daughter her very own hat as well, and she looked happy to wear it!

As someone who grew up with a dad who always wore floppy hats to protect him from the sun, I understand the embarrassment. Maybe it’s time I go all in and show my support with a matching hat and white long sleeve sun shirt!

Snag your free (!!) snack bar here while this deal lasts. Simply sign up with your phone number, pick up your favorite flavor of an All In bar at Sprouts, and then text a picture of your receipt through Aisle. They’ll Venmo or PayPal you back for the cost of one bar. Enjoy!

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Art

Art prodigy sold $7 million worth of paintings before she was even 14-years-old

You can see her talent in her very first painting.

Autumn de Forest, art, kids, artists, painting, Pope
Autumn de Forest

Autumn de Forest stands before a sign with her name on it

When Autumn de Forest was five years old, she picked up a paintbrush for the first time. It wasn't long before she was ready to show the world what she could do.

After a year of practice, the then-six-year-old asked her father if he could get her a booth at a local art-in-the-park program. "People would come up to the booth, and they would talk to my father, and they'd say, 'This is great!'" she said. "Apparently they thought it was Take Your Daughter to Work Day."

Almost everyone thought the artwork was her father's. When they found out that tiny Autumn was the artist, people couldn't believe their eyes.

art, kids, art genius, kid genius Autumn created this piece when she was just 5 years old.Autumn de Forest

Soon, Autumn rose to national fame

When Autumn was eight, she was featured on the Discovery Health Channel. There was a slew of media attention in the years that followed. There was Disney. There was The Today Show. There was Wendy Williams. She was called a child genius, a prodigy, and an expert painter.

- YouTube www.youtube.com

Suddenly, Autumn de Forest was everywhere.

But not everyone was so accepting of the young artist and her work. Some people in the art world had...questions. Sure, she was good for a kid. But was her art actually good? Others wondered if the whole thing might be an elaborate hoax.

Autumn ignored her critics and kept painting.

By age 14, she developed a startlingly organized daily routine that went far beyond a 9 to 5

Somehow, as the focus on her age began to wear off, Autumn's work ethic and art only grow stronger. She said that most days, she'd wake up in her parents' Las Vegas home at 7:30 a.m. After breakfast, she'd break out her supplies for a one- or two-hour painting session. From there, she dove into her school work. Most brick-and-mortar schools can't accommodate her travel schedule, so she did the majority of her schooling online.

Before dinner, it was back into the studio.

"That session can last much longer, that can be three or four hours when I really get into it," she said. "Then I probably have dinner and go to bed."

kids, painting, artistic genius, paintings, kid artists Autumn de Forest paints Autumn de Forest

The results speak for themselves

Her work has been displayed in galleries and exhibitions all over the world.

kids, painting, artistic genius, paintings, kid artists An Autumn de Forest paintingAutumn de Forest

Autumn held a public demonstration before a showing at The Butler Institute of American Art.

assets.rebelmouse.io

In 2015, Autumn received the International Giuseppe Sciacca Award in Painting and Art.

The award took her to the Vatican for a private showing of her artwork with Pope Francis.

Autumn de Forest, the Pope, Pope Francis, painting, art Autumn de Forest stands with the Pope who looks at one of her paintings Autumn de Forest

At 16, she also worked with the President's Committee on the Arts and the Humanities, headed up by former First Lady Michelle Obama.

As part of the program, de Forest traveled to underprivileged schools around the country and led painting workshops. Oh, and if you're looking for some hard numbers to attach to Autumn's talent, she's got those, too.

Her paintings raked in over $7 million at auctions by the time she was a teenager—fetching as much as $25,000 each—much of which has gone directly to charities and disaster relief funds.

Now 24, Autumn continues to be represented by Park West Gallery, the world's largest art dealer, and is keeping busy with her craft and philanthropy.

- YouTube youtu.be

The transition from child prodigy to respected artist has certainly kept her busy. In 2017, the Monthaven Arts and Cultural Center in Hendersonville, Tennessee hosted a major solo exhibition for de Forest titled "Her White Room: The Art of Autumn de Forest."

That same year, de Forest was listed as one of Teen Vogue's "21 Under 21." In her profile she was praised for her talent as well as her commitment to art education.

"In dis­advantaged schools, they consider the arts an extracur­ricular activity," she told Teen Vogue. "It's devastating, as there could be child prodigies in these schools, but they don't know that they have this God-­given gift because they're not given the opportunity because there's nearly no art programs in schools."

In 2018, de Forest was featured in the music video for the song "Youth" by best-selling recording artists Shawn Mendes and Khalid. The video highlights exceptional young people working to change the world, including de Forest, Emma González, and Elias and Zion Phoenix.

The video has over 88 million views on YouTube.

And of course, de Forest continues to share her absolutely incredible artwork on Instagram and in shows and exhibitions around the globe.

The Autumn de Forest Foundation helps her keep track of the kids she's met throughout the years and to continue to help them with their art careers

A portion of the foundation's money goes to a 529 account set up for the students while 10% goes to them directly.

"A lot of these kids that I work with, they're not very old, they're in second grade, third grade, fourth grade. Maybe in 10 years, they may only have four or five thousand dollars but that could be the difference between them going to college or not," Autumn told Teen Vogue.

Autumn's incredible rise in the art world is an astonishing feat for someone so young, but that accomplishment is easily matched by her generosity and commitment to helping develop tomorrow's prodigies as well.

De Forest's latest solo exhibition debuted in late August of this year, and ran through mi September at the Park West Soho Gallery. She now resides in Los Angeles according to her profile on the networking site, dot.cards.

For more information, visit her website.

This article originally appeared nine years ago. It has been updated.

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Friendship

Man jokes he'll do anything for his friends except reply to their texts, launching debate

A modern dilemma, for sure.

texting, smart phone, messaging, text etiquette, modern communication
Photo credit: Canva

Modern communication can be a lot.

We probably all agree that the "there are two kinds of people in this world" trope is overdone, but sometimes it just fits. And according to the responses to a man's video about texting, there does seem to be two kinds—those who respond immediately to friends' texts and those who will do anything for their friends except respond to their texts in a timely manner.

"I just need my friends to know I would do absolutely anything for them, except reply to their messages," says @bkharthun. "You need a ride? I'm there. You need me to pick you up from the airport, great, I'm coming. You need advice in person? I'll give you that advice. But if you text me, give me five to six business days. I might not be getting back to you in a while."

@bkharthun

I can’t help it okay I responded in my head already #myfriends #messages #reply

"I see the message, I read it," he continued. "I respond mentally, I prepare a conversation that we had, but I'm not gonna respond. There's just something about it, but I just can't respond. I just can't do it. So just know that I"ll do anything for you, but I'm probably not going to reply to your text for a while."

Apparently, he hit a nerve because the video has been viewed over 21 million times with over 3 million likes and thousands of comments, most of which are people feeling seen. A sampling:

"It hurts how much I relate to this."

"I either respond freakishly quick or not at all 😭"

"We’re the generation that figured out 24/7 communication was a mistake 😂"

text, phone, communication, reply, messages Text Me GIF by OKCrealtor Giphy

"Heavy on the 'I respond mentally' 😭"

"I'm not replying but just know that it haunts me constantly."

"I’ll reply in 7-10 business weeks."

"No honestly you could call me for the first time in 3 months crying having an emergency at 3am and I’m there but texting you back everyday??? I’m sorry it’s not happening."

"This 100% is my worst quality and I can’t stop😭😭"

"I’m a reliable friend. But not a responsive friend. Lol"

Many people shared screenshots of how many unread message notifications they have on their message icons, with some in the hundreds and some even in the thousands.

text, email, notifications, communication, messages GIF by mrjonjon Giphy

However, not everyone was as enthusiastic about it. Some people shared that they didn't understand why people wouldn't just respond, and some went so far as to drop friends over it.

"I don’t comprehend how people operate this way."

"I never understood this I always reply."

"Yeah i just stop texting people like this."

"This shouldn’t be normalized. Communicate with the people you care about. Instant replies aren’t expected but ignoring completely is rude."

"We can’t be friends. I’m SICK of everyone being like this."

"Insane. Just reply? What are we talking about here? 😂"

text, phone, communication, reply, messages Hold On No GIF by Originals Giphy

It's an interesting debate, isn't it? We've never in the history of humankind had the kind of instant access to one another that we have now, and the social expectations of texting are perhaps not designed for all of us.

"We are not meant to be responding to everyone we’ve ever met all hours of the day forever," wrote one person. "It’s truly an insane concept. We are all living vastly over complicated and over worked lives. It’s too much."

Another pointed out that if we all respond immediately to every text, we'd have no time for anything else:

"It's because we know they're gonna respond back the second we do, and the cycle starts again. Like who do they think I am with all this free time, I've got doomscrolling and procrastinating about the laundry to worry about over here."

Is this really just a "two kinds of people" situation? It appears it may be. Is there a right way to be? Like most everything, there are shades of nuance and context that mean it depends.

text, phone, communication, reply, messages Threw it on the ground GIF Giphy

"We need to get over our reaction that everyone needs to respond immediately," Erica Dhawan, author of Digital Body Language: How to Build Trust and Connection, No Matter the Distance, told NPR. After all, the person you're messaging might be dealing "with a screaming toddler, on the toilet, [or] on a Zoom call." People have to sort of triage their responses, she says, so "don't feel ghosted if someone doesn't respond immediately to you."

Being honest about your texting habits with friends might be a good way to fend off any bad feelings. Something like: "Hey, just so you know, if I don't text you back right away (or at all), don't take it personally—I often respond in my head and think I've done it in real life," can go a long way. That might not satisfy everyone, but at least it lets your friends know that you're not trying to be rude. We're all trying to manage digital overload, so balancing consideration and grace on all sides seems like the best approach.

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Frugal people share 15 "fancy" home hacks that feel bougie while still saving them money

"It feels fancy and Greek-goddess-y, while also using less hot water!"

frugal, frugal living, frugal home, frugal house, frugal money saving tips
Photo credit: Canva

Frugal people share money saving home tips.

Being frugal can sometimes feel anything but luxurious. Saving money usually means cutting back or giving up on the "finer" things.

But frugal people have found ways to still cut back on household spending while making their homes feel like five-star hotels. And bonus: their frugal "little luxuries" can have even bigger payoffs than saving money—they have big mental health benefits.

“Little luxuries can trigger the release of feel-good neurotransmitters, improving overall mood,” Robert Cuyler, PhD, Chief Clinical Officer at Freespira, explained to VeryWell Mind. "Physically, little luxuries that promote relaxation and well-being can lead to lower blood pressure, improved sleep quality, reduced muscle tension, and a strengthened immune system due to decreased stress levels."

- YouTube www.youtube.com

To save money around the house while still feeling fancy, these are 15 frugal home hacks.

"My grandfather in law has motion sensor lights in every room in his home. He got me some for my apartment back in the day, and man oh man. I felt like a KING every time I walked in and the lights just popped on. My energy bill was also noticeably smaller. Still not sure why they changed to walled sized bills... Also, as an eco conscious human, I was glad to be saving energy. Finally, I found it to be more hygienic and less stressful when not having to worry about touching lights when cooking or whatever. Still swear by automated illumination to this day." - KVNTRY

"Wait til you hear about pressure-based light switches. I put one in the door jamb of my pantry so when you open the door, the light immediately kicks on. Close it again, and it shuts off. It’s glorious." - Stone_The_Rock

"Cloth napkins. We haven’t bought paper napkins in years, and the cloth ones are so much nicer anyway." - SmileFirstThenSpeak

"Carrying everything on trays. I might be overdosing on Downton Abbey, but having trays of various sizes readily available is nicer and easier." - Heel_Worker982

@hellobrownlow

welcome to Frugal Living Essentials! we're talking about all the little things that add up to being super frugal in your day to day life. #frugalliving #frugalmom #singleincomefamily #livebelowyourmeans #frugal

"Changing my toilet seats out to the easy to slide off versions so you clean everything more thoroughly without fighting crevices is a game changer." - mycofirsttime

"An led bulb that I programmed to do sunrise/sunset wakeup and sleep routines. Silicone trays to put skincare products on." - Okiedonutdokie

"Auto sensor soap and water dispenser for the kitchen so I don't have to clean the faucets when I might have gotten raw meat juices on them." - SilentRaindrops

"I bought a big pack of white washcloths for general use and I keep a stack neatly folded in half on the bathroom counter. Feels hotel-core and 'prepared' for little effort." - infieldmitt

"Having indoor plants - especially the ones that have low light needs and are easy to propagate. My pothos plant is the gift that keeps on giving since its cuttings have allowed me to have greenery in every room of my place. I’ve gotten all my plants frugally - cuttings from friends, inherited plants from moving neighbors, rescued plants from work, and occasional purchases from places like Aldi or Trader Joe’s. I’m lucky to have a southeast facing room and all of my plants thrive in there. I feel so freaking fancy sitting among my plants, reading a book with my dog by my side." - onlythegoodstuff44

"Bathroom fan switch with choice of how many minutes you want it to run. No more worrying about it running when we're asleep or outside the house." - fishfishbirdbirdcat

- YouTube www.youtube.com

"I put a pretty vintage pitcher in my shower that I fill up with hot water to use while I have the water turned off. It feels fancy and Greek-goddess-y, while also using less hot water!" - laurasaurus5

"My door catchers and door stops. For the room doors that are almost always open, I installed magnetic door catchers on the baseboard. This holds the doors in place, creating clean lines in the rooms and predictably large openings. I also had two 5 lbs kettle bells which I spray painted chrome and use as door stops at my front and back doors. They are easy to place, look good, and securely hold heavy exterior doors open. I love them." - AvivaStrom

"We got a robot vacuum mop. For the price of one month of having a cleaner come in to do my floors, I can have someone other than me vacuum and mop daily! Yay for Mr. Clean! Such a cheerful helper! It feels a little like having staff. 🧐" - mystery_biscotti

"Purchased a French door from Lowes and replaced my sliding glass door. It made the room 'pop'. They have doors in every price range via their catalog from a modest expense to very expensive. I absolutely hate sliding glass doors." - texasusa

"Get one of those shower curtain rods that's curved outward. Total game changer." - CurnanBarbarian

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Cool chart reveals what the price tag code on your Costco purchases really means

Save more money on items labeled with these prices.

costco, costco prices, costco price tag, costco price tag meaning, costco pricing code
Images via Reddit/SuperDuper1530, VeganTripe

Costco prices meaning decoded.

Shopping at Costco is all about getting the most bang for your buck. Buying in bulk is one frugal strategy to cut down on expenses for groceries and more. Plus, a Costco membership comes with tons of benefits besides deals on food and gas. And if you've ever shopped at the retailer, you might have noticed that Costco price tags have a number of symbols and codes on them.

Curious shoppers are right to investigate—because the price tags hold a lot of information about products besides just pricing. Costco devotees on Reddit decoded what Costco price tags truly mean—and when the price reflects a major deal.

@rossen.reports

Costco price tag SECRETS — find the hidden deals!

Price endings meaning

When shopping at Costco, the last two digits of the price spill a lot of information.

.99

Items that end in .99 at Costco are full-priced. This doesn't necessarily mean you're not getting a good deal on the item—but it doesn't indicate a further discount.

.97

If you see items priced ending in .97, this indicates the item is on clearance.

".97 is the indicator for a corporate markdown. Sometimes these are warehouse specific, or can affect multiple warehouses or even all warehouses in one region, but just because an item is marked down at one warehouse, does not necessarily mean it will be marked down at another warehouse," the moderator commented. ".97 pricing can also vary by warehouse - example: you may see one warehouse that has a $299.99 item marked down to $249.97, while another warehouse may have it marked down to $199.97. Asterisk PLUS the .97 pricing may mean that they’re trying to make room for a new model or that warehouse is trying to get rid of that product."

.00 and .88

If you see items priced ending in .00, this indicates it has been marked down by the store manager.

"Price ending in .00 (sometimes but rarely .88 depending on the warehouse) usually means that specific warehouse really wants that item gone and .00 is often the lowest possible price. But sometimes .00 is used for discounted display models or unopened returns)," the moderator added. ".88 is also used for pricing on certain Asian goods usually around Lunar New Year since the number eight is considered a lucky number in certain cultures. .00 tend to more rare finds and deeper discounts. You may see a price tag with an asterisk that has NOT and may NOT be marked down. They’re not mutually exclusive. And you may sometimes see .97 or .00 pricing WITHOUT the asterisk (until inventory is lower)."

.X9

Items that end in .X9, like .49 or .79 for example, indicate a promotion by the manufacturer. This usually indicates that the product is having a trial run in your Costco.

costco, costco prices, costco prices meaning, costco price endings, costco symbols Costco price tag decoder.Image via Reddit/Olshansk

What symbols mean

There are three important symbols that have specific meanings on Costco price tags:

Asterisk

The asterisk indicates a few key things about the item you're about to purchase.

"Asterisk (also sometimes called 'Death Star' or 'Star of Death' signifies that the item is pending deletion and that specific item number will usually not be restocked in the near future at that specific warehouse, other warehouses may vary," they wrote. Depending on the item, a product with an asterisk MAY still come back at a later date."

They also explain that "this is commonly seen on seasonal items or food items that rotate on varying schedules. Items may also come back in a different iteration (different packaging, size change, or quantity), or for electronics - an updated model number. But if it’s a packaging, quantity, size change, or updated model number - it will usually get a new SKU / item number. So technically the original item number is pending deletion. An asterisk alone does NOT indicate a discount."

- YouTube www.youtube.com

Date on the Bottom

If you notice a date on the bottom of a price tag at Costco, it indicates the last time a price was changed.

Green Tag

The green tag on items in Costco typically indicate the item is organic. However, many people noted it may not be a consistent thing within Costco' in different regions.

"I work in the Midwest region and I haven’t seen them being used (from merch pics or email communications). I think at one point we highlighted by hand (my location) but it looked tacky and stopped doing so," one commented. Another added, "The majority of the organic items in my warehouses do not have green price tags, and there are no consistent reasons where it appears to be used."

But another shared, "In Texas I see the green tag pretty consistently for organic."

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Homeowners get perfect revenge on the HOA that used a 1989 rule to fine them $25,000

All they were trying to do was be eco-friendly.

hoa meeting, metal roof, regulations, meeting, fixing a roof, florida
via Canva/Photos

A man building a metal roof and an HOA meeting.

Currently, around one in five Americans live in a residential area with a Homeowner’s Association (HOA), and it's not a popular choice. A YouGov poll found that 14% of Americans prefer living in a neighborhood with an HOA, while 61% do not.

A big reason Americans don't like HOAs is that they don’t enjoy being regulated over the choices they make for their homes. They want noise and garbage regulations, but most people don’t want the HOA interfering with their landscaping, fences, or home renovations—a great example of HOAs being a burden on homeowners comes from a story out of Florida.

This Florida HOA was way out of bounds

A Redditor whose parents live in an HOA-controlled community hit hard by two hurricanes posted their amazing revenge against an overzealous HOA in a viral Reddit post. The homeowners had roof damage and wanted to repair it by installing a metal roof. “My folks looked through roofing options and determined that a metal roof would be a great option to reduce damage/maintenance on their home. Plus, it would serve as a more energy-efficient option with passive solar collection and fewer thermal losses in the summer/winter,” the poster wrote.

metal roof, roof repair, drill, new roof, home construction, sandals A man installing a metal roof.via Canva/Photos

The couple even tried to do things by the book, but after sending in their plans, they didn't hear back from the HOA. After two months of waiting for a response, they went ahead and installed their metal roof. The HOA then fined them $25,000 for installing a roof in violation of HOA rules and demanded that they tear it down and build a new one. The HOA cited a rule prohibiting metal roofs in the neighborhood from 1989, when metal roofs weren't as advanced as they are today. The father, a former Navy officer and contract negotiator, wasn’t going to back down.

Why did the HOA need that money so badly?

The poster believed that the HOA was trying to squeeze money out of the family because it had run out of cash after an expensive “Welcome to...” sign on the property was damaged in a hurricane.

A few weeks later, there was a meeting at the HOA where the parents could plead their case. “So my mom (because she’s more social/has a better temper than dad) comes up to speak, and lets the HOA know that they can’t do this. HOA smirks and says that they sure can, they have a 40-year-old statute saying that they can,” the poster wrote. “You do. But I have state law on my side, which supersedes your statute,” the mom said, showing the ace she had up her sleeve.

hurricane, palm tree hurricane, chevy truck, rain, bad weather A Chevy driving through the rain.via Canva/Photos

In their research, the couple learned that the state of Florida has a law that supersedes HOAs and prohibits HOAs from preventing eco-friendly improvements on anyone’s property. A metal roof is an eco-friendly improvement. Admitting defeat, the HOA asked, “Is that all?” and the mom had more to say.

“I see in the bylaws that we can vote to impeach board members at any HOA meeting and to elect their replacements. I move to impeach all of you. I nominate my husband, and...” she then rattled off a list of names, and HOA was stunned. The parents had asked their friends in the neighborhood to attend the meeting, and they voted to impeach the board. The parents, along with friends they nominated, took their seats as the new heads of the HOA, and metal roofs are now allowed in the neighborhood.

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