Smart Homeowners
Daily tips and resources to help you improve, care for and protect your home.
I will give you something every day so you can live smarter. With my team of experts, weโll cover what matters to you: security, energy efficiency, maintenance, home improvement, finance and insurance.
๐ชดย Do you have the right pot?
Multiple factors contribute to the health of your plants, including the size of the pot. Why it matters: Re-potting your plants when they need it is part of enjoying your plants for years come. ๐กNeed help with how to care for your plants? โ For your Smart Homeowner list Best, Travis P.S. Happy 420 to those […]
๐งฏOTC Narcan: The new fire extinguisher
School districts are responding to the opioid crisis (which includes fentanyl) by stocking Narcan on school campuses. Why it matters: Narcan is an easy-to-use, fast-acting treatment that can revive someone after opioid poisoning. ๐ Quick thinking staff at a Carrollton middle school used Narcan to revive a student earlier this month. ๐ฅ Reality check: Most […]
๐คย AI Tax scams on the rise
Bloggers, researchers and marketers arenโt the only ones tapping into the power of generative AI. Why it matters: Federal Trade Commission data showed a 30% increase in losses to fraud from 2021 to 2022. ๐ฅ Reality check: The IRS, your bank, investment account, credit cards, etc. WILL NOT contact you with โurgentโ emails and texts […]
๐ย Good Day Sunshine
Less than 30 minutes of exposure to morning sunlight can make a difference in your day. Why it matters: Morning sunlight helps regulate and reset our bodyโs sleep-wake cycle. ๐ It doesnโt have to be direct sunlight. โ For your Smart Homeowner list Best, Travis
๐ฆย Use this mosquito hack to enjoy your patio
Just when the weather makes it inviting to enjoy sitting on your patio, the mosquitos are ready to feed! ๐ฑ Why it matters: We canโt eliminate mosquitos, we can be smart about how to manage them. ๐ง Michael Bosco of SafeHaven Pest Control did a walk around my property and helped me with this great hack […]
๐ฌ๏ธย This Is the Air We Breathe
CO2 (carbon dioxide) levels in my bedroom are getting too high at night. Why it matters: High levels of CO2 can lead to poor quality sleep and hurt next day performance. ๐ผ๏ธ The big picture: This is part of a bigger problem that may surprise many homeowners. ๐ฅ Reality check: Using smart technology can help you […]
โ๏ธย What you measure matters
Technology is enabling us to measure, track and receive alerts in real time for all kinds of environmental qualities in our homes. Why it matters: Knowing whatโs wrong is the first step to changing it. ๐ฌ Zoom in: Iโve been trying to get to the bottom of the moisture problems in my home. ๐ณ Which helps explain […]
๐ย Itโs me. Hi. Iโm the problem.
I started this daily email not because I am a smart homeowner but because thatโs what Iโm striving to become. Why it matters: I write about all Iโm learning and discovering for how to cultivate a healthy home. ๐ I was wrong about ______ (fill in the blank!) ๐ Iโve changed my mind about ______ (fill in […]
๐ฑย Beware the universal solvent
๐ง In science class we learned that water is the universal solvent. Why it matters: Water will destroy your house if you donโt manage it well. 2 stories from the past week: ๐ A clogged gutter was allowing water to flow under the shingles at the corner of a roof. ๐ Tree debris that had been sitting in […]
๐ซย No essential oils for ๐ถ ๐ฑ ๐ฆ
Essential oils have grown in popularity for natural health remedies, relaxation aids and DIY personal care products. Why it matters: Whatโs healthy for humans isnโt always healthy for our pets. ๐ฅ The bottom line: If your pet is acting strange and you smell essential oils on them, call your vet or the Pet Poison Helpline at […]