Podcasts about home repairs

* Is the reform to the New Orleans court system a good thing? * College is pricey. Here's how to avoid paying more than you need to * How we can make homes/buildings more resilient in the face of storms * What to do to get your property and generator ready for hurricane season * Why blighted properties are a complicated issue for New Orleans

Gugs Mhlungu talks to Richard Van Moerkerken, founder and owner of Home Solutions SA, about essential gutter and roof maintenance as winter approaches. The conversation explores preventative steps homeowners can take ahead of the cold season, as well as the types of damage winter weather can cause if roofs and gutters are not properly maintained. Gugs Mhlungu gets you ready for the weekend each Saturday and Sunday morning on 702. She is your weekend wake-up companion, with all you need to know for your weekend. The topics Gugs covers range from lifestyle, family, health, and fitness to books, motoring, cooking, culture, and what is happening on the weekend in 702land. Thank you for listening to a podcast from 702 Weekend Breakfast with Gugs Mhlungu. Listen live on Primedia+ on Saturdays and Sundays from 06:00 and 10:00 (SA Time) to Weekend Breakfast with Gugs Mhlungu broadcast on 702 https://buff.ly/gk3y0Kj For more from the show go to https://buff.ly/u3Sf7Zy or find all the catch-up podcasts here https://buff.ly/BIXS7AL Subscribe to the 702 daily and weekly newsletters https://buff.ly/v5mfetc Follow us on social media: 702 on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TalkRadio702 702 on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@talkradio702 702 on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/talkradio702/ 702 on X: https://x.com/Radio702 702 on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@radio702See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

MORTGAGE APPROVAL ROADBLOCKS-HOW TO OVERCOME HOME REPAIR AND FINANCING CHALLENGES by Jo Garner

"Don't sit around waiting to feel motivated. You take some little actions, and that often gives you the motivation and the momentum to move forward." Our hosts, Stephanie McCullough and Kevin Gaines, sit down to work through a HerMoney.com list of ten things to do when retirement is a decade away. The meta-lesson turns out to be bigger than any single item on it! The list, from Jean Chatzky's financial information service for women, gives them a useful scaffold, but what they keep returning to is the paralysis that keeps so many people from starting at all. Planning for retirement can feel like pushing a stone uphill; getting moving makes it roll the other way. The list items themselves span the practical and the personal. Test-drive potential retirement destinations before committing. Tackle home repairs now, while you still have a paycheck. Start volunteering, not just to give back but to road-test how you'll spend your time when work no longer fills it. On the financial side: understand what Medicare actually covers (spoiler: not dental, vision, or long-term care). Build your HSA if you're eligible. Track down old 401(k)s and check the beneficiaries on every account. Create your Social Security account online and verify your earnings record for errors. And on claiming age, Kevin pushes back on the blanket advice to "always wait" because Social Security strategy depends on how it fits the rest of your specific plan. The bonus tip says it all: say it out loud. Telling people you're planning to retire creates accountability. It makes the stone easier to push!   Key Topics: ●      Trying Out Retirement Destinations (04:24) ●      Home Repairs, Renovations, and Aging in Place (07:21) ●      Volunteering: A Test Drive for Your Time (12:02) ●      Reclaiming Your Calendar… and Your Identity (13:35) ●      Healthcare Costs, Medicare Myths, and HSAs (16:52) ●      Building a Social Network Outside the Office (21:04) ●      Checking In on Pensions and Old 401(k)s (25:30) ●      Why the 10-Year Mark Is the Right Time to Find a Financial Planner (27:21) ●      Social Security: "Wait" Is Not a One-Size-Fits-All Answer (29:33) ●      Creating Your Social Security Account (and Checking Your Earnings Record) (31:02) ●      Say It Out Loud (32:22)   Resources: Retirement Readiness Quiz: https://www.aarp.org/money/retirement/readiness-quiz/ The 5 Years Before You Retire and other books by Emily Guy Birken: https://www.emilyguybirken.com/books HerMoney.com Article Discussed in this Episode: https://hermoney.com/invest/10-things-you-should-do-when-retirement-is-10-years-away/   Take Back Retirement Episodes Referenced: Making Your Own Story: Finding Meaning After 50 with Diane Gansauer Redefining Retirement: Finding Your Creative Voice Through Comedy with Lynn Harris The Challenges and Opportunities of Defining Your Identity in Retirement with Elizabeth Parsons Practicing for Retirement: Balancing Creative Pursuits and Financial Planning with Mary Jo Hoffman Simplifying Medicare: What's Important For You To Know with Susan Sloan Cultivating Creative Connections for Lifelong Wellness with Claire Waite Brown Getting the Most from Social Security: Smart Strategies for Women with Heather Schreiber Smarter Social Security: Getting What's Yours Without Panicking   If you like what you've been hearing, we invite you to subscribe on your favorite platform and leave us a review. Tell us what you love about this episode! Or better yet, tell us what you want to hear more of in the future. stephanie@sofiafinancial.com   You can find the transcript and more information about this episode at www.takebackretirement.com.   Follow Stephanie on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and LinkedIn.  Follow Kevin on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and LinkedIn.

Still working out of a cramped SUV… and wondering when it's time to upgrade?This is Part 2 of our conversation with James from CMC Home Repairs—and we get real about the behind-the-scenes decisions that can make or break your handyman business.

From actor to handyman business owner… this story hits different.In this episode of the Handyman Success Podcast, we sit down with James from CMC Home Repairs, who made a bold career shift after 20 years in acting—and built a growing handyman business from scratch.

Renovations rarely go exactly to plan, and that's normal. In this final episode of our 'What We Wish We Knew Then' series, we talk about what happens when things go wrong, from minor snags to bigger issues, and how to handle them calmly and effectively.What we cover: The most common things that go wrong (including our own disasters!)  How to create and manage a snag list Issues you can expect - from cracks and leaks to finishing details  How to communicate clearly with builders and trades  Why retention is critical - and when to use it What to do if work isn't fixed or things become difficult  When to escalate and what support is available Key takeaways Most renovation issues are normal and fixable Clear communication and documentation are your biggest tools  Retention protects you - agree it early  A successful renovation is one where problems are resolved, not avoided A practical, honest guide to navigating the final (and often most stressful) stage of any renovation.Follow the podcast on Instagram @ripitup_podcast_official, or follow us - Jenny is @workerscottage and Kate is @victorianrathmines

Hey, it's Amy Newmark with your Chicken Soup for the Soul, and it's Wow Wednesday, which is when I find awe-inspiring or surprising stories to share with you. Today I've got a couple of cool stories from Chicken Soup for the Soul: I Can't Stop Laughing. This very funny book has just gone on sale and I expect it to be a bestseller like all our humor books. When people make fun of themselves, relating their most embarrassing moments, or tell stories about their family members, they are usually sharing the stories that are told over and over again in their families, the ones that make people laugh for years to come. And the two stories I'm sharing today made ME laugh over and over again. When I tried to tell them to my husband I couldn't even get the words out through my laughter. The stories are about home repairs and the completely avoidable disasters that led to them. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Want to Start or Grow a Successful Business? Schedule a FREE 13-Point Assessment with Clay Clark Today At: www.ThrivetimeShow.com   Join Clay Clark's Thrivetime Show Business Workshop!!! Learn Branding, Marketing, SEO, Sales, Workflow Design, Accounting & More. **Request Tickets & See Testimonials At: www.ThrivetimeShow.com  **Request Tickets Via Text At (918) 851-0102   See the Thousands of Success Stories and Millionaires That Clay Clark Has Helped to Produce HERE: https://www.thrivetimeshow.com/testimonials/ Download A Millionaire's Guide to Become Sustainably Rich: A Step-by-Step Guide to Become a Successful Money-Generating and Time-Freedom Creating Business HERE: www.ThrivetimeShow.com/Millionaire   See Thousands of Case Studies Today HERE: www.thrivetimeshow.com/does-it-work/  

Gov. Josh Green explains Trump's federal disaster declaration for Hawaiʻi; a foundation seeks new students to continue preserving historic Hawaiian architecture

WSJM Morning News for 04-14-26See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Rebuilding Together Hartford's Dawn Whalen discusses the critical home repairs on a number of homes in the South End neighborhood as part of National Rebuilding Day.

The crew's back after a two-week break with stories from the Houston rodeo, golf trips, and life updates. Maxx breaks down his failed attempt to score Metallica tickets at the Sphere (400,000 people in queue), while Joe recounts the Chris Stapleton concert experience and shares the touching backstory about why Stapleton always performs with his wife. The conversation bounces from rodeo fashion and controversies to Christian's upcoming move into his new house, complete with tales of gas leaks, property taxes, and the chaos of packing up. Things take a turn when the guys dive into deeper territory—discussing Houston's spring break madness, the rodeo brawl that shut everything down, and the broader cultural questions about public behavior and safety. Joe breaks down the Iran situation (with the guys admitting they're probably out of their depth), they debate property taxes and government spending, and Maxx reveals he finally finished his first book in 15 years. Between talk of paid household help, deep sea fishing plans, and Shawley's upcoming run club event, it's a classic rambling session that covers everything from Mormon Housewives to shark cage diving.  

Rachel Nelson, Executive Director of Home Repairs for Good, joins us to talk about the repairs that can determine whether someone can continue living in the home they love. She explains what her team often discovers during their first visit, from bathrooms without grab bars to steep steps that make it difficult to enter the house. Rachel shares how mobility repairs, home stabilization work, and one on one support help older homeowners stay safe even when money is tight.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

On this episode with all five pastors from First Baptist Church of the Islands we dive into hilarious home repair failures (featuring Brooks' ongoing toilet saga), discuss the church's Go Offering that supports kids' summer camps and mission trips, and highlight the incredible life-saving work of Empower Savannah. The crew tackles a fun "would you rather" question, shares updates on upcoming youth events, and reflects on a powerful weekend focused on women's healthcare and choosing life. Plus, hear about the tangible ways the church community is making eternal impact through generosity and ministry partnerships. New episodes drop every Tuesday!

In the final week of our core values series, Co-Lead Pastor Jason Coker unpacks what it means to put "Faith in Action." Exploring the familiar parable of the sheep and the goats in Matthew 25, Jason tackles an ancient religious debate: Which is more righteous, spiritual devotion or good deeds? Through a highly relatable (and slightly exhausting) metaphor about the never-ending reality of home repair, Jason illustrates the Jewish concept of Tikkun Olam—repairing the world. He challenges the modern Christian tendency to focus on signaling the "right" religious identity rather than doing the actual work of the Gospel. Ultimately, Jesus makes it clear: God identifies with the hungry, the sick, the stranger, and the imprisoned. Join us for a grounded, practical message about stepping past performative faith and committing to the everyday acts of loving-kindness and justice that keep our shared "house" from falling apart. Learn more at oceansidesanctuary.org Chapters (00:00:00) - Black Americans in the Elevator(00:02:11) - Core Values(00:04:28) - Home Repair in Matthew 25(00:10:13) - Jesus in Matthew, The Parable(00:21:22) - Repairing the World With Good Deeds(00:26:50) - Crucified: A Mitzvot

Contractors, Lenders & Communication-Avoid Costly Mistakes on Home Repairs and Home Mortgage Decisions by Jo Garner

Support the show: http://www.newcountry963.com/hawkeyeinthemorningSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We all know that keeping up with home repairs is important. But how are we supposed to afford the work that's necessary but so expensive? Today, we're talking about what some of your options may be, so you can live comfortably in your home while not destroying your finances.If you have a question you'd like us to answer, we want to hear from you! Email us at thetradepros@doneritesvcs.com  or leave us a voicemail at 1-833-805-0167 and we may feature your question in a future episode.Need to call in a trade pro? At Done Rite Services, we can help you with your HVAC, plumbing, and electrical needs in Tucson, Arizona. Find out more at www.doneritesvcs.com.This episode was produced by Rachel Simpson Media. Learn more at www.rachelsimpson.media.

Disruptions, expected or not, rarely feel convenient. However, clarity has a way of transforming even the most frustrating moments into unexpected teachers.In today's episode, “The Unexpected Lessons About Clarity From Two Holes in My Ceiling,” host Jacquette shares a “moderately unexpected” home‑repair mishap that cracked open more than just drywall. It revealed powerful truths about how clarity actually works.She reminds us that a lack of clarity isn't a personal failing but a part of being human. Clarity evolves, and as it shifts, so should your priorities. When life gets heavy with disruptions, it offers you a chance to pause, ask better questions, and release the urge to compare your journey to others'.So, tune in today and get one step closer to the clarity you seek!For Clarity: Offer Portfolio Blueprint™ | Pricing Clarity for Entrepreneurs — Jacquette Timmonswww.jacquettetimmons.comwww.jacquettetimmons.com/digital-productswww.instagram.com/jacquettemtimmonsBuyMeACoffee.com/JacquetteSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

I am expecting to need to spend about $15k on home repairs before the end of the year and I'm trying to figure out the best way to come up with cash. Have a money question? Email us ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Subscribe to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Jill on Money LIVE⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Subscribe to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Jill on Money Newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@jillonmoney⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@jillonmoney To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A.I. on the Roof, A.I in the Loan File: The Future of Home Buying & Home Repair by Jo Garner

In this episode, Jeff and Danny talk with Greg Schmitt about how he built Huge Handyman SD into one of San Diego's go-to handyman service companies. Greg explains the importance of communication, integrity, and skill when working inside a customer's home. He also shares how he built a service model that focuses on solving problems quickly and correctly while giving homeowners peace of mind.You will hear Greg discuss the value of dependable technicians, the impact of treating customers with respect, and the importance of offering a broad skill set that covers everything from repairs to installations. Greg also dives into the realities of running a growing service business and the dedication it takes to keep quality high.Resources and MentionsHuge Handyman SDhttps://www.HugeHandymanSD.comThe Trades Podcasthttps://www.thetradespodcast.comWhat You Will LearnThe mindset behind building a dependable handyman businessHow to earn customer trust through communication and qualityWhy offering a wide range of services boosts business growthWhat it means to lead a team with purpose and high standardsHow to balance business challenges with long-term visionThe key habits that keep customers loyal and referringChapters00:00 Introduction and Background of Huge Handyman01:46 Navigating Business Challenges and Growth05:37 Key Performance Indicators and Business Management11:45 Sales Strategies and Team Dynamics17:52 Customer Engagement and Marketing Techniques23:46 Utilizing Technology for Business Efficiency28:08 Embracing Technology in Construction36:23 Strategic Growth and Team Development45:44 Networking and Future Opportunities About The Trades PodcastWebsitehttps://www.thetradespodcast.comHosted byJeff Mudd and Danny TorresThe Trades Podcast features real conversations with business owners, trades leaders, and industry innovators making an impact in the skilled trades community. Support the Trades MovementIf this episode inspires you, share it with someone in the trades or anyone thinking about starting a home-services business. Like, comment, and subscribe to help more people discover these conversations.

Home Repairs for Good just received $10,000 from Kelly Clarkson! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Lucious Lowe never saw his empire, but his son and son-in-law figured out how to give the customer what they needed. Dave Young: Welcome to the Empire Builders Podcast, teaching business owners the not-so-secret techniques that took famous businesses from mom-and-pop to major brands. Stephen Semple is a marketing consultant, story collector, and storyteller. I’m Stephen’s sidekick and business partner, Dave Young. Before we get into today’s episode, a word from our sponsor, which is… Well, it’s us, but we’re highlighting ads we’ve written and produced for our clients, so here’s one of those. [OG Law Ad] Dave Young: Welcome back to the Empire Builders Podcast. I’m Dave Young, Steve Semple’s here, and we’re going to talk about another empire. Stephen Semple: Another one. Imagine that. Dave Young: And it’s another one of these big boxes. Stephen Semple: Yes. Dave Young: So this is brick and mortar big box store. And so there’s two things. One thing I love, one thing I hate about big box stores in this category. I used to love going down to my local hardware store and just tooling around. Stephen Semple: Yeah. Dave Young: And I guess you can still do that, but there’s something about some old guy walking up and chatting with you about what you could maybe buy or not. Stephen Semple: Yeah. Dave Young: And so Lowe’s is our subject today. Stephen Semple: Yes. Dave Young: I’m interested to see how they started. And again, I love shopping at Lowe’s, I hate shopping at Lowe’s, for two different reasons, right? Stephen Semple: Yeah. Dave Young: The variety. It’s all there. Stephen Semple: Yes. Dave Young: The old guy that knows every piece of hardware in the store. Good luck finding that person. I mean, they may be there, they may not. It’s hit and miss. Stephen Semple: Yes. So the first Lowe’s, of course, started as one of those old-timey hardware stores. Dave Young: Sure. Stephen Semple: It was a 3000-foot store in 1921 in North Wilkesboro in North Carolina by Lucius Smith Lowe. That’s basically the first Lowe’s was way back in 1921. Dave Young: Lucius Smith Lowe. Okay. Stephen Semple: But the success of Lowe’s actually did not come from Lowe, but rather an in-law named Carl Buchan, who came on the scene in 1943. Dave Young: Okay. Stephen Semple: So when Lucius died in 1940, the business was inherited by his daughter, Ruth Buchan, who then… Now, I was not able to find the family story on this, because I find this interesting. It was inherited by the daughter, who then sold the company to her brother, and I always thought, “Why’d the brother not inherit the business?” Dave Young: Right? Stephen Semple: Now, I also get why she probably sold it, because as we know, one of the really big problems, especially back in the 1940s, was women couldn’t get credit, and it was very, very, very hard in the forties for a woman to actually run a business. So I also understand why she sold. Dave Young: Yeah. Yeah, and weird estate planning goes on that you don’t know why they did what they did. Right? Maybe the son had an insurance policy. Right? Stephen Semple: Who knows? Who knows? Dave Young: I don’t know, but maybe he got… Who knows? Stephen Semple: Now, at the same time, when she sold it to her brother, her husband, Carl, ended up becoming a partner in the business. Dave Young: Okay. Stephen Semple: So it was this really weird, father dies, it goes to the daughter, the daughter sells it to the brother, and the husband ends up becoming a partner. Dave Young: Who knows about the transactions inside family businesses, right? That’s a… Stephen Semple: Right? All I’m just saying is, if it sounds weird, it was. Dave Young: Yeah. Stephen Semple: That’s all I’m saying. But moving forward, what’s really incredible is today, Lowe’s is 1700 locations doing 80 billion in sales. So it is- Dave Young: That’s not nothing. Stephen Semple: That’s not nothing. That’s not nothing. But back in the early forties, hardware stores did not have building supplies. They didn’t have plywood, they didn’t have… They didn’t have building supplies. Dave Young: Yeah, yeah. You went across to the lumber yard to get that stuff. Stephen Semple: Correct. Correct. Dave Young: Yeah. Stephen Semple: And so one day Carl gets this deal on toilets, and he decides to buy a whole pile of toilets. When I say a whole pile, the whole truckload, which was 400 toilets. Dave Young: Okay. Stephen Semple: And James? James Lowe comes in the office one day and he’s like, “Toilets in the office.” And he says, “Carl, why is there toilets in the office?” He goes, “Well, I bought 400 of them and I ran out of space, so they’re sitting in here.” And he’s like, “We don’t sell toilets.” He goes, “Well, we are now, because we got 400 of them.” Dave Young: “Yeah, we sell toilets. Sell them or else.” Stephen Semple: “[inaudible 00:05:20] now!” So, “Yes we are.” And what turns out is that they sell out really quickly. And Carl looks into this a little bit more and he sees this trend. Right? Think about it. It’s 1946. What’s happening in the United States? There’s a building boom. Right? The number of homes being built has grown 10 times over the last three years, because we got the baby boom happening. We got the return of the soldiers, we got the baby boom, we got the sprouting up of the suburbs. That part is growing. So they sell out these toilets in like a week, and so he wants to open a second store. He goes, “Look, here’s what I want to do. I want to open a second store and we’re going to sell everything for building and fixing a home. Everything. We’re going to turn specialty stores into one shop.” So in other words, you don’t have to go to the plumber… you know. Look, this is another variation on the department store and the convenience store. Dave Young: Absolutely. Stephen Semple: So Lowe agrees, and they invest a hundred and sixty thousand dollars in the second store, and it’s a 10,000 square foot, so they’ve gone from 3000 square feet to a 10,000 square foot store in Spartan, North Carolina. Dave Young: And so yeah, we tripled the size. It’s all the space we’ll ever need. 10,000 feet. Stephen Semple: Right. So it’s 1949, and literally customers are coming. Yeah, that’s right. It’s 10,000 square feet. I missed that for a minute. Yeah, yeah. Hold that thought. Dave Young: “Hang on.” Stephen Semple: Hold that thought. So it’s so popular, they’re actually finding customers are coming from states away from, outside of North Carolina. So Carl wants to open a third store, and Lowe doesn’t want to. He doesn’t want to grow this thing. Dave Young: Isn’t it amazing that the whole company’s not called Carl’s instead of Lowe’s? Stephen Semple: Well, here’s what ends up happening. Lowe says, “Look, I don’t want to do this. Why don’t you just buy me out?” Carl buys out Lowe, but says, “Well, let’s keep the name.” Dave Young: Yeah. Stephen Semple: “Let’s keep the name.” Dave Young: Yeah, that’s smart. You got equity there. Stephen Semple: Yeah. So in 1952, Lowe is bought out, but they keep the name. And it expands rapidly. They quickly open 13 more stores. [inaudible 00:07:27] Dave Young: Oh, wow. See, I did not know they were this old. Stephen Semple: Yeah. So it starts growing like crazy, but then they hit a problem. After six years, profits stall. Dave Young: Oh, okay. Stephen Semple: What he notices is, he’s been focusing on opening stores, but not focusing on the buying experience. And if you went into a Lowe’s at that time, it was super disorganized. Stuff was just all over the place. Dave Young: Okay. Stephen Semple: And so it was not appealing. So he hires Bob Strickland, marketing guy. Bob points out that people come in to get what they need, but what if we were able to make them to stay and buy other things? Like instead of an oven, how about a whole kitchen? Dave Young: Sure. Stephen Semple: So he says, “Let’s be like a department store.” They looked at how Sears was laid out, right? There was these departments. Dave Young: Yeah. Stephen Semple: And basically this is the model that they created, which is really the template that all these big box home improvement stores are built on. Here’s the appliance section, here’s the flooring section. Dave Young: Yeah. Stephen Semple: But it didn’t just have flooring. It had, okay, along with the flooring, the caulking and the this and the… Dave Young: Yeah. Stephen Semple: All the things that you need with it. Dave Young: So take those toilets out of the power tool section and put them where they belong. Yeah. Stephen Semple: Yeah. So they create this template that they’re going to roll out, and before they’re ready to roll it out, Buchan passes away. Dave Young: Oh no. Stephen Semple: And so now it’s up to Strickland to open with the new idea. So Strickland takes the ideas. He opens five stores on it. They’re super successful. In two decades they got a hundred and eighty stores, 1978 they’re the largest in the region, 1979 they’re 200 stores, and they just grow and grow and grow and become what they are today. But Lowe’s basically built this idea. The two innovations Lowe’s did was built this idea of, “We should have a store that’s dedicated to home improvement,” because they saw the trend on it. And then they created this whole idea of looking at department stores and saying, “This is how a home improvement store should be organized.” Dave Young: Yeah. Stephen Semple: That template? That template, that idea that every one of these big box home improvement stores is built on, was created by Lowe’s. Dave Young: Stay tuned. We’re going to wrap up this story and tell you how to apply this lesson to your business right after this. [Using Stories to Sell Ad] Dave Young: Let’s pick up our story where we left off, and trust me, you haven’t missed a thing. Stephen Semple: … that idea that every one of these big box home improvement stores is built on, was created by Lowe’s. Dave Young: Well, and so the reason I didn’t know about them when I was younger is that they started in the east and slowly moved west. Stephen Semple: Yeah. Yes. Dave Young: And I don’t know where Home Depot started, but in the Rocky Mountain West and Western Plains, there were Home Depot stores long before there were any Lowe’s stores. Stephen Semple: Yeah. Yeah, yeah. Dave Young: So it’s just a matter of growth at that point then, right? Stephen Semple: Right. Dave Young: They figured out the formula. Stephen Semple: They figured out the formula, and then it’s just grow, grow, grow. Dave Young: I’m guessing that, yeah, Home Depot probably has a similar story. Either they copied Lowe’s or they figured it out themselves that this is the right way to do a big box home improvement store. We going to do that one sometime? Stephen Semple: Well, I don’t want to say much, because we are going to do… Oh. Dave Young: Okay. All right. I’ll hold that for another day. But- Stephen Semple: Well, what ends up often happening when I’m researching these things, there’s no way to do it without learning about both. Dave Young: Sure. Stephen Semple: So often that’s the reason why when we’re doing these, there will be two in a category, because you learn about both of them at the same time, because they have kind of a shared history, right? Dave Young: Well, and those guys absolutely copy each other. Right? Stephen Semple: They did. Dave Young: I think we go back, I don’t know what episode it was, but we talked about Cabela’s, and then we sort of told the story of them being eventually bought by Bass Pro. Stephen Semple: Right. Dave Young: And the [inaudible 00:12:08] Bass Pro, I think… Well, at least according to the people that I knew at Cabela’s, they were the first ones to build this giant experiential store. Right? Stephen Semple: Well, in Sam Walton- Dave Young: And so… But that gets copied. And Sam Walton, same thing, right? Stephen Semple: Well, Sam Walton has openly stated that he stole a lot of his ideas from Sol Price. Dave Young: Yeah. Yeah. Stephen Semple: He has come right out and said that. He’s like, “Oh yeah, I always watched what this guy did, and I’d always keeping my eye on him, because he was brilliant.” Right? Dave Young: Yeah, I mean- Stephen Semple: Who was the founder of Costco. Right? So. Dave Young: At the end of the day, these are just sharing good commerce ideas. Right? Stephen Semple: Yeah. Dave Young: Nothing new under the sun here. Stephen Semple: Yeah. Dave Young: There’s a reason that every ancient city has a bazaar, a marketplace where they all gather, right? You make it convenient for consumers by, even though you’re 10,000 little competitors, you’re all in one place. Stephen Semple: Yeah. What I really liked, again, about this story, was Lowe saw a trend going on in the United States, and the trend was, “People are building these homes, and so there’s going to be more demand for home improvement stuff. How do I make it easier?” Again, that theme of, “How do I make it easier for the consumer? Wouldn’t it be so much easier for the consumer if it was this one stop?” Dave Young: Yeah. [inaudible 00:13:29] Stephen Semple: Now, the other thing I thought that was brilliant is that when the profits stalled out, he didn’t flip to, “I need more leads, I need more customers.” He didn’t go there. He went, “Oh, if this has stalled out, there’s something I’m doing wrong inside my four walls.” Dave Young: Yeah, yeah. Stephen Semple: And he looked at the experience and he said, “Okay, I’ve already got customers. What I need to do is if I make that experience better, the customers will return more often and will spend more.” I remember going to a presentation from the folks from Barnes and Noble, and Barnes and Noble talking about how they… And Ikea’s the same. They would measure how long somebody was in the store. Ikea’s amazing at this. And what they know is, the longer you’re in the store, the more you spend. Period. So what’s their whole objective is “I’m going to keep you in the store. How do I do that? I’m going to put a restaurant in. I’m going to put in a place where you can stick your kids to play. I’m going to make it so that you’ve got to walk the maze.” The point is, the longer you’re there, the more you’re going to buy. And not only that, Ikea’s figured out, “If I display these things this way, people will stop and look at it,” so that they do move through the stores slower. Dave Young: Yeah. You- Stephen Semple: But Lowe’s really caught into- Dave Young: And there’s sort of a logical progression to it. Stephen Semple: Right. Right. Dave Young: Yeah. Stephen Semple: So Lowe’s created that idea of “Let’s do this one stop shop.” And then the next one was, “Okay. Now that we’ve made this idea more convenient, let’s now make this idea more enjoyable and also more convenient, because there’s all these ancillary things that you need when you’re doing that in the moment. Let’s put all that stuff together.” Dave Young: Well, and you bring designers in because if you’re coming in for all these kitchen products- Stephen Semple: Yeah, absolutely. Dave Young: … maybe you don’t know how to put that all together and make it look good. Stephen Semple: Yeah. Yeah. Dave Young: Right? So here’s you’re somebody that can help you lay it out. Stephen Semple: Yes. Dave Young: And then they can sell you all the materials that either you or your contractor need to make it happen. Stephen Semple: Now what we know is, David Young is going to leave this talk with an even more love-hate relationship of Lowe’s. Am I right? Dave Young: I’m not remodeling anything. No, I love walking around a Lowe’s. I find it hard to… If I need some adhesive, I need some Gorilla Glue or something, and I walk into a Lowe’s, two things are going to happen. Unless I’m in just a blazing hurry and I’ve left someone in the car with the car running- Stephen Semple: Yeah. Dave Young: … I’m going to just wander around. Stephen Semple: Yeah. Dave Young: And I’m likely to walk out with something else besides the glue. Along with the glue. Stephen Semple: Correct. Yes. Dave Young: Sometimes without the glue, because I forgot why I went in. Stephen Semple: Oh God, yeah. Dave Young: But that’s a whole different psychological thing. We just finished talking about that at my portals class this week. Stephen Semple: Oh yeah, [inaudible 00:16:25] Dave Young: Tell you about that sometimes. That was fun. Stephen Semple: It’s a thing. It’s a thing. Dave Young: We had a blast. Yeah. Wow. Lowe’s. Stephen Semple: Yeah. There you go. Dave Young: Now I’m thinking in my head, what do I need? You know, near Wizard Academy, we’re not really close to a Lowe’s. You’ve got to drive 20 minutes or so to get to a Lowe’s. Stephen Semple: Yep. Dave Young: But about 10 minutes, 15 minutes away is independently owned Ace Hardware store. Stephen Semple: Yep. Dave Young: And I love that one too. Right? Because if you’re really just looking for a tool or some little hardware bits and bobs, you’ll always find it there. Right? [inaudible 00:17:02] Stephen Semple: Yeah, well, because Ace is the place with a helpful hardware man, right? Dave Young: Yeah. And they’re helpful because they’re locally owned. So there’s always somebody in there that can, “This is not the glue you really want. You want this.” Stephen Semple: Right. Right. Dave Young: “Oh, I thought I just wanted Gorilla Glue.” But this guy knows. Stephen Semple: Right. Dave Young: So it’s two different experiences, and a lot of your choice in it is based on experience. Stephen Semple: Yeah, yep. Yes. Dave Young: I mean, shoot. When we lived in western Nebraska, they eventually got a Lowe’s, but they had a Home Depot first in Cheyenne, Wyoming. We were a hundred miles from there. Stephen Semple: Right. Dave Young: And there was a lumber yard in Sydney, and there was a hardware store in Sydney, and we would drive to Home Depot a hundred miles away. Stephen Semple: Yes. Yes. Dave Young: Because one, we could find any of it there. Stephen Semple: Yeah. Dave Young: And two, Cheyenne also had a Starbucks and a Baskin-Robbins and a… right? Stephen Semple: That’s the other thing that starts to end up happening, is you get one of these, and then the other things sprout up around that. Dave Young: Yeah. Yeah, you rarely see one off by itself somewhere. Stephen Semple: Yeah. Well, that’s the reason why you would see a movie theater, and then the restaurants go. Dave Young: Yeah, yeah. Stephen Semple: These things happen. But yeah. But you know, I was pretty impressed when I heard the history of Lowe, and also thought it was really interesting looking at this department store and bringing it across. And again, it’s that idea. Dave Young: Yeah. Stephen Semple: “Who outside of my world is doing this really well?” Dave Young: I kind of wasn’t surprised that their origin goes back as far as it did, because I think you always are going to assume that that started as a little hardware store somewhere, or a lumber yard. Stephen Semple: Yeah. Dave Young: But I was surprised that they started that growth curve as soon as they did. Stephen Semple: Yeah. Dave Young: Right? Stephen Semple: Yeah. Dave Young: So they were really the pioneers in that. So. Stephen Semple: Yep, and the key is you didn’t need more than 10,000 square feet, as you pointed out. Dave Young: Yeah. Well, you do today. Stephen Semple: Some of them are like, “Holy crap.” Yeah. Dave Young: You need 10,000 square feet in the kitchen part. Stephen Semple: No kidding. No kidding. Dave Young: All right, well, thank you for bringing that story, Stephen. I like that. Stephen Semple: All right. All right, thanks David. Dave Young: And congrats, Lowe’s, on decades and decades of money making as an empire. Stephen Semple: Yeah. Yeah. Awesome. Thanks, man. Dave Young: Thanks. Thanks for listening to the podcast. Please share us, subscribe on your favorite podcast app, and leave us a big fat juicy five star rating and review at Apple Podcasts. And if you’d like to schedule your own 90-minute empire building session, you can do it at empirebuildingprogram.com.

Send us a textThe repair was “done,” but the furnace cabinet was open and a part sat on the door. That moment kicked off a blunt breakdown of how buyers can protect themselves from empty promises, fake receipts, and cosmetic fixes that fail the first cold snap. We share real stories from the field—vents “extended” with gutter downspout, window trim rebuilt with silicone, and invoices from contractors who don't exist—and turn them into a simple, repeatable playbook for getting repairs you can trust.We start with readiness and scope: why utilities must be on, access guaranteed, and the repair list written with clear materials and standards. Then we focus on control—why you should choose the contractor, how to verify licenses on state sites, and what real documentation looks like, from itemized invoices to serial-number photos. For bigger risks like electrical, plumbing, HVAC, roofing, and sewer lines, we explain when to require permits and how to use specialist testing such as sewer scoping to avoid expensive surprises after move-in.If a seller insists on coordinating work, we explain the escrow approach: set a fair amount based on your bids, hold funds through closing, and hire your pro afterward so quality comes first. We also cover when a re-inspection is worth the fee, how to make that visit efficient, and why inspectors and appraisers are the only parties without a financial stake in the deal closing—meaning they're the ones you want telling you the hard truths. Looking for a smarter path to closing day? Press play, take notes, and use this checklist to keep your home, your money, and your sanity intact. If you find value, subscribe, share with a friend, and leave a quick review to help others buy with confidence.Support the showTo learn more about Habitation Investigation, the Three-time Winner of the Best Home Inspection Company in the Midwest Plus the Winner of Consumer Choice Award for Columbus Ohio visit Home Inspection Columbus Ohio - Habitation Investigation (homeinspectionsinohio.com) NBC4 news segments: The importance of home inspections, and what to look for | NBC4 WCMH-TV Advice from experts: Don't skip the home inspection | NBC4 WCMH-TV OSU student's mysterious symptoms end up tied to apartment's air quality | NBC4 WCMH-TV How to save money by winterizing your home | NBC4 WCMH-TV Continuing Education for Ohio Agents Scheduled classes Continuing Education for Ohio Agents Course lis...

In the second half of How To!'s wide-ranging conversation about home improvement, gender, sexuality, and much more, journalist Sam Sanders and author Mercury Stardust (aka The Trans Handy Ma'am) talk with co-host Carvell Wallace about a truly daunting idea: skipping the contractors—and doing the work yourself. This episode is available to Slate Plus members now. Non-members will be able to listen on Nov. 11, 2025. If you missed the first half of this conversation, check out How To Talk to Contractors (With Sam Sanders and Mercury Stardust). Mercury's latest book is Safe and Sound: A Renter-Friendly Guide to Home Repair. And, check out the latest episodes of The Sam Sanders Show. Do you have a problem that needs solving? Send us a note at howto@slate.com or leave us a voicemail at 646-495-4001 and we might have you on the show. Subscribe for free on Apple, Spotify or wherever you listen. The show is produced by Rosemary Belson and Sophie Summergrad. Our technical director is Merritt Jacob and our supervising producer is Joel Meyer. Get more of How To! with Slate Plus! Join for exclusive bonus episodes of How To! and ad-free listening on all your favorite Slate podcasts. Subscribe from the How To! show page on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Or, visit slate.com/howtoplus for access wherever you listen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the second half of How To!'s wide-ranging conversation about home improvement, gender, sexuality, and much more, journalist Sam Sanders and author Mercury Stardust (aka The Trans Handy Ma'am) talk with co-host Carvell Wallace about a truly daunting idea: skipping the contractors—and doing the work yourself. This episode is available to Slate Plus members now. Non-members will be able to listen on Nov. 11, 2025. If you missed the first half of this conversation, check out How To Talk to Contractors (With Sam Sanders and Mercury Stardust). Mercury's latest book is Safe and Sound: A Renter-Friendly Guide to Home Repair. And, check out the latest episodes of The Sam Sanders Show. Do you have a problem that needs solving? Send us a note at howto@slate.com or leave us a voicemail at 646-495-4001 and we might have you on the show. Subscribe for free on Apple, Spotify or wherever you listen. The show is produced by Rosemary Belson and Sophie Summergrad. Our technical director is Merritt Jacob and our supervising producer is Joel Meyer. Get more of How To! with Slate Plus! Join for exclusive bonus episodes of How To! and ad-free listening on all your favorite Slate podcasts. Subscribe from the How To! show page on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Or, visit slate.com/howtoplus for access wherever you listen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the second half of How To!'s wide-ranging conversation about home improvement, gender, sexuality, and much more, journalist Sam Sanders and author Mercury Stardust (aka The Trans Handy Ma'am) talk with co-host Carvell Wallace about a truly daunting idea: skipping the contractors—and doing the work yourself. This episode is available to Slate Plus members now. Non-members will be able to listen on Nov. 11, 2025. If you missed the first half of this conversation, check out How To Talk to Contractors (With Sam Sanders and Mercury Stardust). Mercury's latest book is Safe and Sound: A Renter-Friendly Guide to Home Repair. And, check out the latest episodes of The Sam Sanders Show. Do you have a problem that needs solving? Send us a note at howto@slate.com or leave us a voicemail at 646-495-4001 and we might have you on the show. Subscribe for free on Apple, Spotify or wherever you listen. The show is produced by Rosemary Belson and Sophie Summergrad. Our technical director is Merritt Jacob and our supervising producer is Joel Meyer. Get more of How To! with Slate Plus! Join for exclusive bonus episodes of How To! and ad-free listening on all your favorite Slate podcasts. Subscribe from the How To! show page on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Or, visit slate.com/howtoplus for access wherever you listen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Generational money lessons never go out of style. In this episode, we revisit Depression-era financial wisdom — simple, hard-earned truths that built resilient families and lasting wealth. From living below your means to marrying a saver and learning practical skills, these principles have guided generations through both prosperity and hardship. We'll share 12 timeless money lessons that can help today's younger generation navigate debt, lifestyle inflation, and financial stress. These are the same habits that kept families afloat during the Great Depression — and they're just as relevant in today's high-cost, high-leverage economy. If you want your kids to build true financial independence — not just wealth on paper — this episode is a must-watch. 0:19 - Will the Government Reopen? 2:45 - Buy-the-Dip Crowd Returns 7:14 - Veterans' Day Salute 8:16 - Email - Teaching Finance to Kids 10:43 - Be Frugal - Shoes & Cars 18:14 - Budget is not a four-letter Word 21:04 The $1,200 Mechanic 27:46 - Avoid Long Term Debt 22:51 - Marry a Saver - Pre-Marital Advice 32:04 - Buying a Home - Less is More 33:06 - Funding Hobbies & Balancing Priorities 35:09 - Investing for the Long Term 37:20 - Know What You Own 39:18 - Learn the Basics of Home Repairs & Cooking 42:51 - The Problem of Subscriptions 43:43 - Don't Try to Keep Up with the Jones 46:55 - Live Like the Millionaire Next Door

In the second half of How To!'s wide-ranging conversation about home improvement, gender, sexuality, and much more, journalist Sam Sanders and author Mercury Stardust (aka The Trans Handy Ma'am) talk with co-host Carvell Wallace about a truly daunting idea: skipping the contractors—and doing the work yourself. This episode is available to Slate Plus members now. Non-members will be able to listen on Nov. 11, 2025. If you missed the first half of this conversation, check out How To Talk to Contractors (With Sam Sanders and Mercury Stardust). Mercury's latest book is Safe and Sound: A Renter-Friendly Guide to Home Repair. And, check out the latest episodes of The Sam Sanders Show. Do you have a problem that needs solving? Send us a note at howto@slate.com or leave us a voicemail at 646-495-4001 and we might have you on the show. Subscribe for free on Apple, Spotify or wherever you listen. The show is produced by Rosemary Belson and Sophie Summergrad. Our technical director is Merritt Jacob and our supervising producer is Joel Meyer. Get more of How To! with Slate Plus! Join for exclusive bonus episodes of How To! and ad-free listening on all your favorite Slate podcasts. Subscribe from the How To! show page on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Or, visit slate.com/howtoplus for access wherever you listen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

#657: This week, Paula and Joe dig into a listener's question about ETFs that track the stock trades of U.S. politicians — including the Democratic “NANC” fund and its Republican counterpart “KRUZ.” They explore whether this strategy is smart investing or just expensive entertainment. Then, they shift gears to home ownership headaches. Another listener asks how to control ballooning maintenance costs, and Paula shares her best advice for finding trustworthy contractors, budgeting for repairs, and knowing when DIY doesn't actually save money. Finally, an anonymous caller wonders if starting a small business just for tax breaks makes sense. Paula and Joe explain the IRS rules — and why energy and purpose matter more than deductions. From “fun money” investing to financial planning that actually works, this episode is all about balancing curiosity, caution, and common sense. Key Takeaways Congressional-trade ETFs aren't a shortcut to wealth. They're speculative, lag behind real trades, and carry high costs Home maintenance is predictable — plan for it. Create a repair timeline and build relationships with investor-friendly contractors DIY isn't always cheaper. Factor in time, tools, and opportunity cost Never open a business just for taxes. If it doesn't make a profit or bring joy, it's an energy drain, not a strategy Separate fun money from freedom money. Keep speculation playful, and build wealth with focus and purpose Chapters Note: Timestamps will vary on individual listening devices based on dynamic advertising segments. The provided timestamps are approximate and may be several minutes off due to changing ad lengths. (00:00) Should You Follow Congress's Trades? (06:00) The Lag Problem and Investor Bias (10:30) The “Fun Money” Rule (11:20) The Hidden Cost of Home Repairs (15:00) Finding Investor-Friendly Contractors (18:00) Planning Ahead for Repairs (22:00) DIY vs. Opportunity Cost (26:00) Starting a Small Business for Tax Breaks (29:00) The IRS “3-of-5 Rule” (32:00) Purpose Over Deductions (34:00) Final Thoughts https://affordanything.com/voicemail Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In the second half of How To!'s wide-ranging conversation about home improvement, gender, sexuality, and much more, journalist Sam Sanders and author Mercury Stardust (aka The Trans Handy Ma'am) talk with co-host Carvell Wallace about a truly daunting idea: skipping the contractors—and doing the work yourself. This episode is available to Slate Plus members now. Non-members will be able to listen on Nov. 11, 2025. If you missed the first half of this conversation, check out How To Talk to Contractors (With Sam Sanders and Mercury Stardust). Mercury's latest book is Safe and Sound: A Renter-Friendly Guide to Home Repair. And, check out the latest episodes of The Sam Sanders Show. Do you have a problem that needs solving? Send us a note at howto@slate.com or leave us a voicemail at 646-495-4001 and we might have you on the show. Subscribe for free on Apple, Spotify or wherever you listen. The show is produced by Rosemary Belson and Sophie Summergrad. Our technical director is Merritt Jacob and our supervising producer is Joel Meyer. This episode is for Slate Plus members. Join now to unlock it—plus other exclusive How To! bonus episodes and ad-free listening across all your favorite Slate podcasts. Subscribe from the How To! show page on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Or, visit slate.com/howtoplus for access wherever you listen.

Sam Sanders is many things: journalist, podcaster, pop-culture obsessive, and a familiar voice from public radio. He's also "quite possibly the world's most hesitant homeowner." Sam wants to fix up the house he recently bought, but three things are holding him back: First, he doesn't have a clue where to start. Second, he's not very handy. And third, he's intimidated by the thought of talking with contractors (who might discover the first two things about him). In the first episode of a two-part series, Carvell Wallace brings on home improvement expert and bestselling author Mercury Stardust (aka The Trans Handy Ma'am) to guide Sam in conquering his fears. Mercury's latest book is Safe and Sound: A Renter-Friendly Guide to Home Repair. Check out the latest episodes of The Sam Sanders Show. Next week: How To Take Charge of Home Repair (with Sam Sanders and Mercury Stardust). Can't wait for part 2? Slate Plus members can listen to that episode in their feeds right now! Do you have a problem that needs solving? Send us a note at howto@slate.com or leave us a voicemail at 646-495-4001 and we might have you on the show. Subscribe for free on Apple, Spotify or wherever you listen. The show is produced by Rosemary Belson and Sophie Summergrad. Our technical director is Merritt Jacob and our supervising producer is Joel Meyer. This episode is for Slate Plus members. Join now to unlock it—plus other exclusive How To! bonus episodes and ad-free listening across all your favorite Slate podcasts. Subscribe from the How To! show page on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Or, visit slate.com/howtoplus for access wherever you listen.

Sam Sanders is many things: journalist, podcaster, pop-culture obsessive, and a familiar voice from public radio. He's also ”quite possibly the world's most hesitant homeowner.” Sam wants to fix up the house he recently bought, but three things are holding him back: First, he doesn't have a clue where to start. Second, he's not very handy. And third, he's intimidated by the thought of talking with contractors (who might discover the first two things about him). In the first episode of a two-part series, Carvell Wallace brings on home improvement expert and bestselling author Mercury Stardust (aka The Trans Handy Ma'am) to guide Sam in conquering his fears. Mercury's latest book is Safe and Sound: A Renter-Friendly Guide to Home Repair. Check out the latest episodes of The Sam Sanders Show. Next week: How To Take Charge of Home Repair (with Sam Sanders and Mercury Stardust). Can't wait for part 2? Slate Plus members can listen to that episode in their feeds right now!  Do you have a problem that needs solving? Send us a note at howto@slate.com or leave us a voicemail at 646-495-4001 and we might have you on the show. Subscribe for free on Apple, Spotify or wherever you listen. The show is produced by Rosemary Belson and Sophie Summergrad. Our technical director is Merritt Jacob and our supervising producer is Joel Meyer. Get more of How To! with Slate Plus! Join for exclusive bonus episodes of How To! and ad-free listening on all your favorite Slate podcasts. Subscribe from the How To! show page on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Or, visit slate.com/howtoplus for access wherever you listen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sam Sanders is many things: journalist, podcaster, pop-culture obsessive, and a familiar voice from public radio. He's also ”quite possibly the world's most hesitant homeowner.” Sam wants to fix up the house he recently bought, but three things are holding him back: First, he doesn't have a clue where to start. Second, he's not very handy. And third, he's intimidated by the thought of talking with contractors (who might discover the first two things about him). In the first episode of a two-part series, Carvell Wallace brings on home improvement expert and bestselling author Mercury Stardust (aka The Trans Handy Ma'am) to guide Sam in conquering his fears. Mercury's latest book is Safe and Sound: A Renter-Friendly Guide to Home Repair. Check out the latest episodes of The Sam Sanders Show. Next week: How To Take Charge of Home Repair (with Sam Sanders and Mercury Stardust). Can't wait for part 2? Slate Plus members can listen to that episode in their feeds right now!  Do you have a problem that needs solving? Send us a note at howto@slate.com or leave us a voicemail at 646-495-4001 and we might have you on the show. Subscribe for free on Apple, Spotify or wherever you listen. The show is produced by Rosemary Belson and Sophie Summergrad. Our technical director is Merritt Jacob and our supervising producer is Joel Meyer. Get more of How To! with Slate Plus! Join for exclusive bonus episodes of How To! and ad-free listening on all your favorite Slate podcasts. Subscribe from the How To! show page on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Or, visit slate.com/howtoplus for access wherever you listen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sam Sanders is many things: journalist, podcaster, pop-culture obsessive, and a familiar voice from public radio. He's also ”quite possibly the world's most hesitant homeowner.” Sam wants to fix up the house he recently bought, but three things are holding him back: First, he doesn't have a clue where to start. Second, he's not very handy. And third, he's intimidated by the thought of talking with contractors (who might discover the first two things about him). In the first episode of a two-part series, Carvell Wallace brings on home improvement expert and bestselling author Mercury Stardust (aka The Trans Handy Ma'am) to guide Sam in conquering his fears. Mercury's latest book is Safe and Sound: A Renter-Friendly Guide to Home Repair. Check out the latest episodes of The Sam Sanders Show. Next week: How To Take Charge of Home Repair (with Sam Sanders and Mercury Stardust). Can't wait for part 2? Slate Plus members can listen to that episode in their feeds right now!  Do you have a problem that needs solving? Send us a note at howto@slate.com or leave us a voicemail at 646-495-4001 and we might have you on the show. Subscribe for free on Apple, Spotify or wherever you listen. The show is produced by Rosemary Belson and Sophie Summergrad. Our technical director is Merritt Jacob and our supervising producer is Joel Meyer. Get more of How To! with Slate Plus! Join for exclusive bonus episodes of How To! and ad-free listening on all your favorite Slate podcasts. Subscribe from the How To! show page on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Or, visit slate.com/howtoplus for access wherever you listen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sam Sanders is many things: journalist, podcaster, pop-culture obsessive, and a familiar voice from public radio. He's also ”quite possibly the world's most hesitant homeowner.” Sam wants to fix up the house he recently bought, but three things are holding him back: First, he doesn't have a clue where to start. Second, he's not very handy. And third, he's intimidated by the thought of talking with contractors (who might discover the first two things about him). In the first episode of a two-part series, Carvell Wallace brings on home improvement expert and bestselling author Mercury Stardust (aka The Trans Handy Ma'am) to guide Sam in conquering his fears. Mercury's latest book is Safe and Sound: A Renter-Friendly Guide to Home Repair. Check out the latest episodes of The Sam Sanders Show. Next week: How To Take Charge of Home Repair (with Sam Sanders and Mercury Stardust). Can't wait for part 2? Slate Plus members can listen to that episode in their feeds right now!  Do you have a problem that needs solving? Send us a note at howto@slate.com or leave us a voicemail at 646-495-4001 and we might have you on the show. Subscribe for free on Apple, Spotify or wherever you listen. The show is produced by Rosemary Belson and Sophie Summergrad. Our technical director is Merritt Jacob and our supervising producer is Joel Meyer. Get more of How To! with Slate Plus! Join for exclusive bonus episodes of How To! and ad-free listening on all your favorite Slate podcasts. Subscribe from the How To! show page on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Or, visit slate.com/howtoplus for access wherever you listen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Want to sell smarter and keep more profit? Discover 5 common repairs that homeowners tackle prematurely and why they can actually cost you more than they're worth.In this video you'll learn:Why replacing windows, roofs, or HVAC systems too soon can hurt your bottom lineHow to use inspections and negotiations to your advantageWhat to fix now vs. what to leave for the buyer

Ziv Nakajima-Magen's presentation at the JRE Summit, autumn 2025.

Summary  In this episode, Elizabeth Dodson and John Bodrozic share their harrowing experience with a water damage emergency in their home. They recount the chaotic moments when they were awakened by screaming smoke detectors, leading to the discovery of water pouring from their light fixtures. The couple discusses the immediate actions they took, including shutting off the water, documenting the damage, and navigating the insurance claims process. They emphasize the importance of preparation, teamwork, and understanding the intricacies of home insurance and repair processes. Throughout the conversation, they provide valuable tips for homeowners on how to handle similar emergencies effectively.   Takeaways  Always know where your water shutoff valve is located. Document all damage with photos and videos immediately. Have a go-bag ready for emergencies. Teamwork is essential during a crisis; divide tasks effectively. Understand your insurance policy and what it covers. Water remediation is crucial to prevent further damage. Be prepared for the repair process to take time. Negotiate with contractors to ensure all needs are met. Stay organized and keep communication open with all parties involved. Invest in smart home technology to prevent future leaks.  Sound bites  "We woke up to this screaming alarm." "We had a huge water leak issue." "Teamwork makes the dream work."    Chapters   00:00 The Awakening: A Morning of Chaos 13:01 The Response: Quick Thinking and Action 24:01 The Aftermath: Navigating Insurance and Remediation 28:36 Understanding Insurance Responsibilities 31:01 Navigating Temporary Housing Solutions 34:02 The Plumbing Dilemma 37:31 Identifying Defective Piping 40:42 Investing in Smart Home Solutions 45:32 Managing the Claims Process 51:35 Contracting and Negotiation Strategies 56:57 Final Thoughts on Home Repairs

Host of ‘George to the Rescue' George Oliphant breaks down what to know about the home maintenance and repairs to tackle before the weather gets cooler. Also, Josh Gad joins to discuss his new dark comedy noir film ‘Adulthood,' which follows two siblings after they uncover a long-buried corpse in their parents' basement. Plus, Marion Cotillard stops by to talk about joining a star-studded cast for season four of ‘The Morning Show.' And, chef Shaw-Nae Dixon shares a recipe for chili mac and cheese muffins with sweet potato s'mores.

We discuss resources available for home repairs and how to avoid code violations.

Over 5,000 women in Ireland intentionally set the record for most people skinny dipping so we wanted to hear about your accidental nakedness, Bill Burr dissed Chicago so today's Thursday Threestyle is a Boston takedown, and more people are repairing than buying new so we had to know what your latest YouTube repair was. Catch up on everything you missed from today's show on The Morning Mix Podcast!Listen to The Morning Mix weekdays from 5:30am - 10:00am on 101.9fm The Mix in Chicago or with the free Mix App available in the Apple App Store and Google Play.Follow The Mix: The MixstagramGet the Free MIX App: Stream The MixSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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