Like many savvy homeowners these days, our friend Brett in Sacramento has started to get more proactive about some of his monthly expenses so that he can save some extra money for the more important things in life, like vacations and dinners out with the family. Brett asks: “I’m not…
I remember when bottled water first started showing up everywhere in the ’90s. I think the reason I have such strong memories of when it became a “thing” is because of my dad’s reaction, which was somewhere between disbelief and revulsion. He must have repeated a particular story from when…
Tim in Vacaville, CA is looking for ways to save on heating and cooling costs. Tim asks: “I’ve been trying for a few months now to save money on heating and cooling costs. Actually, I’ve been working hard to cut costs all throughout my budget and one area that seemed…
When I was a kid, I used to hate shopping for clothes. There wasn’t a day growing up where I wouldn’t have preferred to be playing outside or, when I got a few years older, to be tinkering with the cars and engines in my dad’s garage over pretty much…
Every year, I field all kinds of questions from homeowners who want to know how they can save money on their heating and cooling bills. I can’t blame them. Because of my line of work, I love HVAC systems more than the average bear, but I’d still rather spend my…
With our area’s famous Mediterranean climate, we get hot and dry summers, but winters that are somewhat wet and chilly. Now, there are all kinds of debate around here about which season is the best. While I generally hate taking sides in such heated (get it?) arguments, I have to…
Over the past five years or so, I’ve really enjoyed the renaissance that has been going on in Midtown Sacramento. I love seeing all the new bike lanes, the farmers markets, the local restaurants, and, yes, even the nightlife. All these things have come together to revitalize the area in…
Do you have any friends that meditate? I know I sure do. They’re easy to spot, mostly because they seem to be so calm in most situations. That kind of peace and relaxation really does seem nice. Recently, my aunt, an avid meditator, called me up to share a little…
Bill in Rancho Cordova, CA has been dealing with some HVAC troubles, like dust coming from his vents and uneven heating in his house. He suspects his ductwork is old and possibly to blame. Bill asks: “I’ve been reading your blog for a while and I’ve started to realize that…
Over the many years that I’ve lived here in California, I’ve had my fair share of friends who decided, for some crazy reason, to move out of the state. I mean, I guess I understand moving to the Bay Area or Southern California (sort of), but out of state?! These…
