I don’t know about you, but this year started off with a bang! Between work, wild weather, sickness, and the kids’ activities and school, we hit the ground running. It’s this kind of whirlwind pace that can make even the basics—dishes, trash, laundry—feel overwhelming.
So, this month’s newsletter is on the shorter side, because I’m guessing many of you are in the same boat and will appreciate a quick read. (Too short? Dive into past Newsletters).
Thankfully, we’ve built systems that work for us—full of love and grace—so we don’t sweat the small stuff too much when we’re overloaded. For example, once a week, we sit as a family to review the upcoming schedule. We adjust our rotating chore assignments and mindset to accommodate the chaos. Sometimes, it feels like the kids are playing CATAN with their negotiations. (Bonus: they’re learning chore skills, negotiation skills, and how to flex empathy muscles.)
The same is true for our home maintenance schedule. We can quickly assess the month’s tasks and decide what can safely be rescheduled if needed. Anticipating that things won’t always go as planned, we’ve built in quarterly catch-up time for any skipped chores.
Grit, tenacity, and consistency don’t just happen. You have to plan for them and make space in your life. You also have to plan for failure and make space for grace. When you pair grit, tenacity, and consistency with skills and intentional planning, you’ll be well on your way to becoming the calm, cool, and collected homeowner you aspire to be.
Curious about the roadblocks that might be getting in your way? Take our new short quiz to find out!
– Rita
February Tasks
For every month, you will see three category of tasks – reoccurring, maintain, and prep. Prep is for those who are way behind in home maintenance chores. I would suggest starting there if that sounds like you and then adding on what you can from reoccurring and then maintain.
Reoccurring Tasks
- Water softener: Check salt levels and top up if needed.
- HVAC filter: Replace it if it’s time, then mark your calendar and order new filters for next time.
- Roof and gutters: Take a look outside. Everything in working order? Any trouble spots? Ice dams?
Maintain
- Water heater: Flush it and check the anode rod.
- Attic inspection: If the weather permits, check soffits, look for pests, mold, mildew, or damaged insulation, and assess structural elements.
- Smoke & carbon monoxide detectors: Test them.
- Drains: Clean them with a mix of vinegar, baking soda, and maybe some salt.
- Valves: Turn all water and gas valves to keep them easy to operate. Check for leaks.
Prep
Haven’t been keeping up with home maintenance? Start small with these one-and-done tasks to make future upkeep easier:
- Organize your home-related paperwork.
- Make a floor plan if you don’t already have one.
- Create a home maintenance budget.
- Assess and fix obstacles that make chores harder than they need to be (e.g., clear access to water heaters, HVAC units, or crawlspaces). Nobody wants to do two big jobs at once!
Need extra help? Join us for an orientation. Check the events calendar or reply to this email, and we’ll set up a time.
Keys
Are you moving into a new home and ready to kick things off on the right foot? Here’s where to begin:
- Work with your household to create a shared vision for your home. Align on goals, timelines, and budgets.
- Create a home maintenance budget if you haven’t already.
- Get rid of common hiccups to home maintenance carefully assessing those things that make chores bigger than they need to be. (See our Free Key starter course for more tips on this!)
Need extra help? Join us for an orientation. Check the events calendar or reply to this email, and we’ll set up a time.
The Skill Needed this Month
How to walk around safely in your attic.
More about how to walk around safely in your attic.
This guy has a whole series about how to repair things in your attic. It has a lot of examples of what you should be looking for in a healthy attic.