Peter A. Klein's Blog, page 15

Volunteer Ideas for Martin Luther King Day of Service

January 18, 2021, the third Monday of January, has been designated as Martin Luther King Day of Service. With COVID-19 running unchecked around the world and the United States, there are many opportunities to be of service to help others and honor the memory of Dr. King. The past ten months have been devastating for millions of people across the country, People who had good lives suddenly find themselves out of work, homeless, or hungry.

For whatever you volunteer to do, remember:

National Cut Your Energy Costs Day - Suggestions to Save You Money

January 10, 2021 is National Cut Your Energy Costs Day. Anytime we can save money is a good day. The question is, how do you cut your energy costs?

The answer is, cut your usage, of course. Here are some things to consider. So, how do you cut your energy usage, which will cut your costs, not just for a day? Here are 14 things you can do to accomplish this goal. In this blog article I use HVAC to mean Heating, Ventilation & Air Conditioning and A/C to mean Air Conditioning.

Do Not Waste Your Time Making New Year’s Resolutions, Set Goals

It is the time of year that many people make New Year’s resolutions. The resolutions are things that they have been thinking about doing for some time but have not started them yet. Do not waste your time with resolutions! They are a waste of time.

Instead, set goals. If you set your goals like you have done resolutions in the past, you will not accomplish your goals. The right way is to set SMART goals.

We will be back next week

Planning Your Remodel: What Are Your “Must-Have” Features?

The Aramco Report, which runs in the San Diego Union-Tribune, noted that due to the novel corona virus pandemic, one of the “must-have” features many homebuyers want these days is a pantry. Not just a pantry, but a walk-in pantry.

My book 15 Steps to a Successful Remodel discusses that it is important to plan your remodel carefully so that you get what you want. So, what are your “must-have” features for your remodel? Let’s start by thinking about the rooms.

Thoughts on Enhancing Your Shared Office at Home

With so many people working from home these days, thanks to COVID-19, the home office has become an important area of our homes. If you are an empty nester, there is a good chance you have a space to use. If you have kids at home, it becomes more challenging. When two people are sharing the same space, more challenges are added to the puzzle.

Shared Space

Sharing a home office can lead to impatience, hurt feelings, and frustration. Can those who are sharing the space work at different times? Is there another area that may be used so that when a teleconference is underway, the other person can go to the other area and work?

Ways to Make Your Laundry Area Work for You

Whether you love or hate doing laundry, or are somewhere in between, there are things you can do to make your laundry area work for you. I am going to make the rash assumption that you are not doing your laundry on your knees at a stream.

I will make another assumption: you have a washer and dryer. The first washing machine I remember was one my mom had when I was a kid. It was the type with a hand cranked wringer over the wash tub. The newer your laundry appliances are, the more efficient they are. And your fingers are safer. More efficient means that the appliances cost less to operate for each load of clothes.

What Are You Putting Down the Drain this Holiday Season?

The winter holidays are upon us. That means lots of cooking, lots of cleanup, and maybe some guests at your home. This year I expect that all these things will be on a smaller scale than in years past.

Be forewarned that the cooking, the cleanup, and the guests may put a strain on your plumbing system. For many people, anything that goes down the drain is forgotten. And they are not too concerned about what does go down the drain. That is not good for your plumbing.

Setting a Budget for a Successful Remodel

One of the key factors to a successful remodel is setting a budget from the start. In 15 Steps to a Successful Remodel: How to Survive the Process, I spent an entire chapter on setting a budget. Since this a blog I will hit some of the high points this week.

            Why is setting a budget so important to a successful remodel? Do you have champagne tastes and a beer budget? If so, you are in for disappointment. You will probably not be able to build what you want.

Do More Than Thank a Veteran this Veterans Day

It seems that Veterans Day has switched from honoring our veterans to just another day for a sale. A few years ago, in San Diego, the annual Veterans Day parade almost did not happen due a lack of funds. Read lack of interest. The next year there was nothing. That year, not one of my fellow employees acknowledged Veterans Day or my being a veteran. (I was wearing a polo shirt with the name of one of the ships I served on in Vietnam.)

Apart from the veterans of World War II, the federal government has done a poor job of taking care of veterans. It appears veterans are expected to give their all during their service. As soon as their enlistment or commission is over, America and Congress forget about us. VA benefits are slashed, facilities are closed, and the government sides with the manufacturers of the weapons to the detriment of the veterans. For example, Vietnam veterans had to fight two wars: the one in the jungles of Southeast Asia, and the other in the courts at home over Agent Orange.