Blog
Locking in a natural gas rate before winter
Gas choice works like electric choice in Ohio. What I compared in September, the fixed rate we chose and the fine print I nearly missed.
Throwing extra at the mortgage: seven months to go
We refinanced to a 15-year in 2012. Why we chose to finish it early, what we gave up and the countdown on the fridge.
Three home and auto bundle quotes in one week
An independent agent shopped our house, Greg's truck and my SUV. What changed between the quotes and how we chose without just picking the cheapest.
Making a split-level easier on our knees
Half-flights everywhere and two bad knees between us. Handrails, better lighting and what we moved to the middle level.
Moving Josh into his last college apartment
One more U-Haul trip to Cincinnati, a $46 Kroger run for his pantry, and the quiet drive home up I-75 with an empty truck bed.
What to do with too much zucchini when it's just us
Even two raised beds make more than two people can eat. Freezing, sharing and the zucchini bread I gave the whole street.
Our August AC bill and the thermostat argument
A $214 electric bill, a husband who likes 74 degrees and a wife who likes 77. The compromise, and what each degree was worth.
Reading our Social Security statements together
Greg at 62, 67 or 70, and my own record with a 24-year school career. What the statements showed and the questions they raised.
Our 14-year-old water heater finally quit
A puddle in the laundry room on a Wednesday morning. The quotes, the install the next day and what $1,650 bought us.
Our homeowners insurance went up 22 percent
The renewal came in at $1,812, up from $1,486, with no claims in 15 years. Why it happened in Ohio this year and what I asked our agent.