For the first time, unmarried couples form the majority of households, according to data released by the U.S. Census Bureau. In the 2010 Census, married couples represent 48 percent of all households, down from 52 percent in the last Census.

The Chicago Tribune identifies two primary causes for this shift. According to Portland State University demographer Charles Rynerson, the U.S. population is aging, and young people are choosing to marry later. As life expectancy has increased by almost 10 years to 78, more among the older population are likely to be divorced or widowed. Second, 20-somethings are prioritizing work and other choices over marriage. The median age for first marriages for men has climbed from 23 to 28 from the 1960s to 2010. For women, the age has crept up from 20 to 26.

The Census Bureau also reported that opposite-sex unmarried couples living together increased by 13 percent to a total of 7.5 million from 2009 to 2010. Utah leads in households made up of married couples with 61%, while Louisiana trails with the second-lowest percent in the nation.

There are a multitude of ways to create a new garden or improve an existing one. Better Homes and Gardens magazine features gardenscape plans and ideas that may suit your taste and outdoor space.

• Plant a No-Fuss Garden if you have limited time to maintain the beds or seriously lack a green thumb.
• Consider the Colorful Front Yard Garden to increase your home’s curb appeal.
• A Vegetable Garden is perfect for families who want to do a little urban farming.
• Window Boxes add drama and romance to any home’s exterior.
• Summer Gardens offer vibrant color and can attract certain types of wildlife, like butterflies.

Reap the fruits of your labor when summer arrives. Check out these before and after shots that will convince the reluctant gardener that any plot of land outside the home can and should be beautified.

Memorial Day weekend marks the beginning of summer and the travel season. An estimated 32.1 million travelers will head out of town, up from last year’s figure of 30.5 million, according to AAA projections. About 28 million alone will travel by car this holiday weekend.

If you’re planning to drive to your upcoming destination, travel smart with these road trip tips, provided by Couple Money.

• Check out travel sites like Road Trip America, Lonely Planet, and AAA when planning your itinerary. Consider becoming a AAA member to save on lodging and admission to recreation facilities as well as to have peace of mind should your car break down. For $89 (for up to 2 members), you get the basic AAA benefits plus free towing up to 100 miles and additional services.
• Prepare your vehicle for the trip by topping off fluids, inflating tires, and having an emergency kit ready.
• Plan your pit stops by having paper maps and GPS handy. A great road trip includes good eats, so check out RoadFood for suggested diners, drive-ins, and dives.
• Find the cheapest places to refuel. Use your smart phone to access apps like Gas Buddy and AAA TripTik Mobile to compare local gas prices. Drive at a steady speed and don’t haul heavy stuff (with the exception of children of course).

There’s a new trend among homeowners. Many are choosing to replace their long-term mortgages with short-term loans. More than one in three borrowers who refinanced opted for 15-year or 20-year mortgages at very low rates, said Frank Nothaft, chief economist for Freddie Mac in the company’s most recent quarterly survey.

Some banks are offering fixed rates for shorter-term loans at under 3 percent. Jeff Lipes, president of the Connecticut Mortgage Bankers Association and senior vice president of Family Choice Mortgage near Hartford, Conn., says that financing a home for 7 or 15 years makes sense for those who meet two criteria — they want to own their house faster, and they have the cash to support the bigger monthly payments. But save they will.

Consider a loan of $15,000 on a 15-year fixed at 5.5 percent with 13 years to go. Monthly principal and interest equal $1,225. In total, you will play $197,476. Refinanced over 7 years at 3 percent, monthly principal and interest come to $1,982, and the total note will be paid at $166,488. You save over $27,000 in interest fees.