It doesn’t take a massive remodel, or a big budget, to make your house feel a little more like home to you. Inside or out, small improvements can make a significant difference - and whether you’re handy or not, you can...

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Congratulations! After weeks of research, comparing makes and models, and taking test drives you finally bought that brand-new car you wanted. But before you take that well-deserved road trip, check one more item off...

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This is an image of our "granddog", Arrow, who we were watching for a while. He missed my son and his fiancé and was always looking for them. A friend pulled into our Ocean Shores driveway, stressing Arrow, so he...

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Let’s spare a moment for something most of us use every day yet probably take for granted: our service lines. We rely on them for access to water, electricity, gas, Internet connection, and more, but only think about...

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Carrying a minimum amount of auto insurance is required by state laws, so you can’t legally drive without it. Yet while the minimum amount may keep your premiums lower, it can also put you at great risk if you have an...

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Every year, unintentional carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning (not linked to fires) sends 20,000 people to the emergency room and causes more than 4,000 hospitalizations. And, you might consider them the fortunate ones. CO...

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If you’ve ever been stuck on the side of the highway with an RV issue, you know what a life saver roadside assistance can be. Whether you need a battery charged, a tire changed, or a tow you’re often back on the road in...

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The collector car market evolves with each generation. While the Silent Generation started collecting cars, it was Baby Boomers who really got it rolling. They fell in love with the Chevrolet Bel Air, the Ford Mustang,...

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Group riding is a favorite activity among many motorcycle riders. Whether you’re part of a riding club, a social event, a charity ride, or out for a leisurely cruise with friends, group riding can be a rewarding way to...

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There’s perhaps no organizing task more daunting than the garage-at least that’s always been the case with mine! The garage becomes the dumping ground for the stuff that has no other place in the house, or we don’t use...

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Summer is here, which means it’s time to think about family vacations! (If you haven’t been thinking about them all year, that is.) The family part of family vacations, however, can make things a little complicated....

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Prime boating season is upon us, especially in Ocean Shores! You might notice more people on the water than ever, because sales of recreational boats have been growing at a steady clip for seven consecutive years now,...

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Diana and I originally participated in the first Earth Day in 1970 (which was connected to the passage of the Clean Air Act that year), by planting tree seedlings as part of an Aberdeen School district event. Since...

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Spring is a time for new beginnings, and cleaning and organization around the house are very popular this time of year. If you’re ready to tackle the monumental spring cleaning chore, read on for some helpful...

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Back in the early days of home security “systems,” around the end of World War I, it was common for homeowners to hire “door shakers”-night watchmen who would literally walk around and check doors to make sure they were...

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The recent cold weather in Ocean Shores, around western Washington and across the country reminded all of us that drafty windows and doors, dirty air filters, inadequate insulation and leaky faucets are common in most...

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It's the time of year when the temperatures are definitely falling, the trees have lost their leaves and we still remember the Holidays. But, as we were reminded again over the weekend, it's also time for strong...

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You’re not just imagining it-a lot of people are traveling with their pets these days. According to a TripAdvisor survey of more than 1,000 travelers, 53% of those responding said they take their pets on vacation,...

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Owning a home is usually a great experience but if your home is like mine, it can also be an occasional hassle . Unexpected issues usually pop up and whether its a minor breakdown or a major catastrophe, it’s almost...

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Online data breaches are an unfortunate fact of life now-as the New York Times put it, you might as well assume that your personal information has been taken, because cyberattacks happen all the time. That’s why we...

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Did you know that hundreds of thousands of people in the United States, like me, commute to work by bicycle, according to the U.S. Census Bureau? That’s a lot of cars off the road each day, gasoline saved and a ton of...

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If you own a boat (or better yet, as the joke goes, you know someone with a boat), you’ve probably thought about spending some evenings on the water - especially in the summertime. It’s a great thought, of course. But,...

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Summer’s almost here! The sun will come out of hiding more regularly and people will too. As crowds swell at the beach, in parks, and even on roadways, it all makes for some challenging driving conditions. More people...

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As a homeowner, one of the most important aspects of your home isn’t something you use daily. And it isn’t something flashy you show off to friends. It’s your homeowners insurance policy, and it protects you in more...

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My "granddog", pictured above, is acting like he is sorry he went through the living room's window screen when trying to greet someone who stopped by to visit. You, and I, probably don’t think our dogs would ever bite...

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According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, every year hundreds of people in the U.S. die from carbon-monoxide (CO) poisoning-and the invisible, odorless gas sickens thousands more. The numbers seem...

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Whether it's a ring from a loved one, a bracelet handed down through generations or even a watch or necklace marking a special occasion; every reason you treasure a piece of fine jewelry is a reason it should be insured....

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Everyone's heard all the talk about driverless cars - but unfortunately, we’re still years away from living in a world where you just tell your car where to go, kick back and relax with a book (or, more likely, your...

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From building materials to furnishings, many of the things in your home likely aren’t as flame-resistant as those from yesteryear. A fire in a modern home is a “perfect storm,” according to safety consulting and...

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It’s easy to lower your insurance costs - especially if you have a great driving record, or don’t mind having higher deductibles. Who doesn’t want to pay less for car insurance? Billions of dollars are spent on ad...

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One of the most certain things in life is uncertainty. Your dog could bite the neighbor’s child. Your teen driver could hit a bicyclist. A guest could fall down your stairs. A rainy morning commute on a slick road or...

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That oh-so-covetable experience of relaxing in your outdoor hot tub or taking a dip in your very own pool? Millions of American households enjoy it, both when the weather’s nice and when it starts to cool down. With the...

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As a busy homeowner, it's easy to fall into the trap of pushing off tasks that maintain the long-term value of your home in favor of more pressing problems. That’s OK, to a point, as certain house-cleaning projects...

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Home improvement: It’s a never-ending process for me, and maybe for you. For those of us who aren’t necessarily handy, it's often a hassle too. But there are plenty of simple maintenance tasks and other improvements you...

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Flag Day is the commemoration of the adoption of the United States flag. On June 14th 1777, the first United States flag was made official with its 13 stars and stripes for the original Colonies. This flag would last...

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May is Bike Everywhere month and Friday is Bike to Work Day in Washington. Whether you're a veteran cyclist, returning after a break from the bike or a brand new rider, Bike Everywhere Month is the best time of the year...

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Apartment living can have many advantages: low maintenance, close to work and entertainment, and ease of changing residence. But, if you’re a dog owner, apartment living can present some difficulties. You probably won’...

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In today’s economy, everyone is pinching pennies. So why worry about umbrella coverage? Shouldn’t a home and auto policy leave you adequately covered?Unfortunately, we live in a world of lawsuits. Large damages can be...

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Talking to Your Young Driver About Safe DrivingWhen teens begin to drive, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the National Safety Council, the sobering statistics start to pile up:...

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You’ve heard all the talk about driverless cars. Yet we’re still years away from living in a world where you can just tell your car where to go and then kick back and relax with a book or your phone.Even still,...

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Did you know that January is National Hobby Month? Our staff enjoys hobbies like cooking, photography, bike riding, gardening and crafting. We find ourselves investing in these hobbies often, not even realizing just...

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No matter how safe you are behind the wheel, you’ve probably done things like: Shift into drive while the car is still rolling backward. Ride the brakes on steep hills. Roll into the gas station on empty. Guilty? If so,...

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It seems like a no-brainer to leave the lights on outside your home to deter burglars while you’re away (or even while you’re asleep). While this doesn't occur frequently in our area, does that really work? Or is it...

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Technology has made home alarms of all kinds — from security to smoke, radon to radiation — more accessible than ever. Many of them can be configured to work together, and some even alert you to trouble through your...

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It’s that time of year when the Northwest experiences repeated wind storms, and occasionally they’re very strong and cause damage. With this weekend’s high wind watches and warnings, we’ve been receiving a number of...

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It seems everyone these days has a smartphone. a smart TV, a tablet, or an ebook reader. Maybe you have all of the above – and more.When you add it all up, you may find you have thousands of dollars tied up in...

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Have you ever noticed that, with roadway anger, it’s always the other guy’s fault? And, it very well could be. The thing is, you can’t control how other people drive. But, you can control how you respond to situations...

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When the sun is out and the weather’s warm, people flock to the water — whether it’s the beach, a lake, a river or a backyard pool. But, wherever there’s water, there’s also danger. According to the U.S. Centers for...

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The family summer vacation is a time-honored tradition, and it often includes a trip to one of our beautiful Washington State beaches, parks, city attractions or events. While the weather is sunny, the water cool and...

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Spring has arrived in the Northwest, which means it’s time to clean the cobwebs out of the corners, organize the closets and so forth. While you’re at it, don’t forget to revisit the important documents and other items...

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A fire is a fire, and a fire extinguisher is a fire extinguisher, right? Well, not quite. There are actually different types of fires and different types of extinguishers that respond best to each one. So, which is...

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It’s just rain — how much impact can it really have on your driving?The answer (even in Washington): A LOT. You’re likely to experience lower visibility, reduced traction and increased difficulty in handling your car...

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What’s the most important number for you this tax season? The amount of your refund? The amount you owe? The number of hours spent poring over all the other numbers? All of those are pretty important, but none of them...

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Freezing temperatures, gusts of wind, patches of ice, thick grey fog – winter can be a horrible time to be on the road in the Pacific Northwest. Between our mountain passes covered with snow and the valleys filled with...

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About 2 million times every year, animals and cars collide on U.S. roadways — often causing serious and even fatal injuries to drivers and passengers, along with about $1 billion in damage, according to the U.S....

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It's not unusual, when you set out on that holiday trip, to look back at the house a little nervously. Sure, you remembered to lock the doors, but just how secure are things? What might happen while you're away?One way...

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Insurance Claims for Fallen Trees - It’s the time of year when the temperatures cool down, the wind picks up and trees and branches fall down and it happens every year in the fall and winter months around the Northwest,...

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It's become almost as much a part of Thanksgiving as turkey and football: Black Friday, the morning-after (or in some cases evening-after) shopping spree. It's the biggest shopping day of the year, an event in its own...

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It's back-to-school time, and, if you have school-age children, your household is likely bustling with activity and filling up with books and backpacks. There are other households and school districts in your community,...

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