Pets bring a lot of things into our lives: love, companionship, exercise, fun and more good stuff. However, along with all that good stuff, there are some challenges along the way, especially if you have a new puppy. One of these challenges is keeping the house from being damaged or at least from being messed up. It’s natural for a puppy to chew, dig, potty where they feel comfortable and play with the most interesting things like shoes, clothes, wires and trash. Shredding is loads of fun, and … [Read more...] about Love Your Pets, Save Your House
Columnists
Celebrating, Raising Awareness about Mental Health
Mental Health Awareness Month has been observed in the United States since 1949. Each year, millions of Americans face the reality of living with a mental illness. During May, let us join the national movement to raise awareness about mental health. Let’s help to fight stigma, provide support, learn to take time for ourselves, seek professional help when needed and check in on family, friends and neighbors. The global pandemic has forced us to cope with situations we never imagined, and … [Read more...] about Celebrating, Raising Awareness about Mental Health
Taking Care of Mom
It’s May, such a beautiful month filled with sunshine, butterflies and Mother’s Day. Picture this: You are a child, you walk through the door after school and your olfactory senses come alive with the smell of home-baked pie. You immediately relax and know that mom has baked something wonderful! Not only has she baked your favorite chocolate pie, but she made extra pie crust treats with cinnamon and sugar sprinkled on top. Life is good! We all know moms do so much. They care for us as babies, … [Read more...] about Taking Care of Mom
Unprecedented Home Prices Require a Careful Strategy
If you’ve tried looking for a home or selling your current one recently, then you know the housing market continues to be as hot as ever, with some of the highest prices we’ve seen. According to the Multiple Listing Service provided by the Prescott Area Association of REALTORS (PAAR), during the first quarter of 2022, the average sales price of homes in the area rose nearly 23% year-over-year, to $546,866. Homes in Prescott Valley experienced the largest increase in average price, reporting a … [Read more...] about Unprecedented Home Prices Require a Careful Strategy
Creating a Winning Financial Plan, Part I
Many people wonder why they do not win from a financial aspect in life. The number one reason is they lack a winning financial plan. The saying goes, “If you fail to plan, you plan to fail.” The following will help you begin to develop a winning plan. When you have a plan, you have a goal. With a goal, you will begin to develop methods to arrive at your goal. I always like to develop several ways to achieve my goals. How about you? Wealth Management So you say that a financial plan is … [Read more...] about Creating a Winning Financial Plan, Part I
Were the Remodel Projects Taken on During the Pandemic Worth the Money?
According to a recently published report by the National Association of Realtors and the National Association of the Remodeling Industry, homeowners remodel for a variety of reasons and some projects produce a better cost recovery than others. The report focused on the following items: The typical cost of 19 remodeling and replacement projects, as estimated by members of the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI). How much appeal each project is likely to have for … [Read more...] about Were the Remodel Projects Taken on During the Pandemic Worth the Money?
Celebrating May Events with Food
We are gearing up to celebrate the gorgeous month of May! While the sun is warming, the birds are chirping, the flowers are blooming and the garden is growing, May is such an awakening month. For families with school-aged children, May brings closure to the end of the school year and a quick summer break will bring new adventures of travel, swimming, camping and backyard parties. Major holidays that are in May are: May 1 - May Day - A celebration of spring in many countries. May 5 … [Read more...] about Celebrating May Events with Food
Fire Sprinkler Systems: Silent Life Safety Protectors
If you’re sitting in an office, a restaurant or a commercial building right now, look up. Most likely, you’ll see several tiny little sprinkler heads spread out across the ceiling. Most commercial spaces are required by code to have a sprinkler system. Some historic buildings, of which our area has many, are grandfathered in and don’t require these systems to be in place. Residential homes of more than 5,000 square feet are required to have a sprinkler system installed when built. So, what is … [Read more...] about Fire Sprinkler Systems: Silent Life Safety Protectors
Arizona Ranks Highest for New Cases of Syphilis
It is springtime everyone! Yes, the birds and bees are humming and buzzing around us. Here in Yavapai County, the waves of yellow and green pollen are floating gracefully through the air. Pollen is tree sperm, which is why it is so sticky and effective with pollination. Love, or lust, with mammals is also in the air. This month, I want to highlight the state of Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) in Arizona. Arizona is No. 1 in the nation for new cases of syphilis, the multi-system … [Read more...] about Arizona Ranks Highest for New Cases of Syphilis
Business Assistance Center Serves as Model for Remote Workspace
Working from home is ideal for some, but many others met with barriers and obstacles, including challenges reconnecting with community. During the height of the recession that began in 2008, the idea for a center devoted to developing small and home-based business entrepreneurs began as just that: an idea. I recall the struggle that small businesses were having making ends meet because of high overhead costs and lack of resources to run every day processes. The Yavapai County Workforce … [Read more...] about Business Assistance Center Serves as Model for Remote Workspace