The refrigerator is by far one of the largest power consumers in your new home, often second only to the HVAC system with either the AC or furnace running at full blast. If you monitor the power from a smart outlet, you can watch the fridge cycle as it spins up to add more cold and spins down to sit at rest. You can...

Moving is a complicated process and every circumstance is different. One of the biggest challenges for anyone moving is time coordination, ensuring both that your current home is emptied before your final deadline and that the next place is available by the time the moving trucks arrive. However, it doesn't always...

Welcome back to the second half of this two-part article about saving up for your first home. There are many different techniques people use, but the most important thing to remember is to actually save money and make your plans. Last time we talked about managing your own expectations, setting your price range,...

The first time you take a really clear look at the housing market and calculate how much you'll need to pay upfront to buy even your first home, the cost can be daunting. Down payments, processing fees and the continually rising cost of homes can look like an impossibly steep hill to climb, one with goal posts that...

Many new home buyers shake their heads at the thought of professional cleaners deep cleaning hardwood floors. They don't realize just how much dirt and gunk can get into the nooks, crannies and crevices of wood floors or understand what dirt and gunk can do to the finish of a wood floor. Nor do they think of cleaning...

Do you have dreams of moving this year? Do you want to move but have panic attacks at the thought of what the moving process will involve? We know moving is not at the top of everyone's list of their favorite things to do. Not only will you have to physically move all of your things into a new place, you will also...

Imagine a bright Southern California morning with a gentle breeze blowing through trees along your street and birds chirping in the warm sunshine. You look out over your large yard – maybe there's a swimming pool there, just for you – and see gorgeous hills beckoning as you plan your day. That's not a daydream; it...

If you've ever at the start of a new year vowed to lose weight, save money or live life to the fullest, you're not alone: these are regularly among the most common new year's resolutions that people make--and break. In fact, less than 10 percent of people actually succeed at their resolutions (and more than a quarter...

It's the morning after Christmas with the family happily enjoying their gifts in the den... and oodles of leftover shimmery, shiny wrapping paper. You thought filigreed wrapping paper from a posh boutique for your mother-in-law was an extempore, noble gift, but now you have a whole roll left! So, what to do? We know...

The holidays are a wonderful time for the family to get together and enjoy each other's company. But if you don't make some plans for the smallest members of the family, their shenanigans at the kid's table could get out of hand. Here are eight ways to keep restless kids happy during all your big and festive family...

Southern California is a great place to live no matter the time of year. Yet, you might find yourself, at times, a little envious of your friends who can wear great winter fashions without getting too hot (although not envious enough to trade your flip-flops and the sun for snow and icy roads). Fortunately, there are...

It’s interesting to think there are “seasons” when it comes to the housing market, but that’s exactly what you’re going to be dealing with when you either start selling or buying a home. It’s not as clear as the fashion seasons, so to speak, but there are definitely considerations to take into account when...