Articles written by Steve Holder
All 40 articles written by Steve Holder
Why Birds Watch the Sun Set: Scientists May Know the Reason Birds Face West in the Evening
Category: Wild Birds
Research uncovers clues to how migrating birds accurately navigate thousands of miles each year. Observing the sun each evening may be the surprising key to their skill. more...
Recessed Lighting for Living Rooms: How to Plan Locations of Recessed Can Lights in Living Areas
Category: Home Electrical
Adding properly located recessed can lights in your living room ceiling can create a completely new ambience if you follow a few simple design guidelines. more...
Managing a Rental Home: A Guide for the First-time Landlord
Category: Buying/Selling a Home
Legal and business issues can turn the simple act of renting your investment house into a nightmare if you're not aware of the pitfalls. Here's a guide to help you. more...
Hanging a Medicine Cabinet: How to Install A Flush Mount Cabinet Like a Pro
Category: Home Renovation/Repair (general)
It's not difficult to install a flush-mounted medicine cabinet on a bathroom wall if you know what can go wrong and how to avoid it. more...
Bathroom Flooring Remodeling Ideas: A Contractor's Tips for Your Bathroom Makeover or Renovation
Category: Home Renovation/Repair (general)
In a continuing series, a remodeling contractor shares ideas and cost estimates for new vinyl or tile bath flooring, with cautions concerning tile on wood subfloors. more...
Shutting Off Your Water Valve: How to Shut Off a Water Supply in an Emergency (For Apartments Too)
Category: Home Plumbing
If you need to turn off the water for an emergency or even for a routine repair, this is what you need to know, especially for apartment dwellers. more...
Vacation in Cozumel, Mexico: Enjoy a Warm Winter Escape to a Beautiful Caribbean Island
Category: Mexican Travel
January is a perfect time to escape the snow and cold for a warm Caribbean vacation in picturesque Cozumel, Mexico where the water temperature averages 80 degrees. more...
Applying Acrylic Caulk Like A Pro: Caulking Techniques For the Perfect Job
Category: Home Renovation/Repair (general)
How to apply acrylic latex caulk quickly, cleanly, and achieve a professional looking job with minimum effort. All the professional tips, tricks, and techniques. more...
Category: Home Electrical
This "how to" article explains how easy it is to replace an existing surface mounted ceiling light with a modern, elegant recessed can light, and things to watch out for. more...
House Flipping Expenses: Be Sure You Add Up All the Costs Before You Buy That Flipper House
Category: Flipping Real Estate
If you haven't flipped houses before, you may be surprised at some of the unexpected costs that can eat away at your anticipated profit. (See the spreadsheet attached.) more...
Kalanchoe Plant Care: Hardy and Beautiful, the Kalanchoe Is a Great Indoor Flowering Plant
Category: Houseplants (general)
Kalanchoes have long-lasting blooms and don't like too much sun or too much water, making them perfect, easy-care indoor plants. more...
Setting Goals and Rewards: Motivating Employees Performing a Seemingly Thankless Job
Category: Business Management (general)
This example reveals one way a great manager can set goals and rewards for staff who are doing seemingly thankless work, and gives you principles you, too, can use. more...
Fixing a Garbage Disposal: How to Identify and Correct Common Problems
Category: Home Plumbing
When your garbage disposal quits working, it doesn't always mean you need a new one. With a little troubleshooting, you can sometimes fix it instead of replacing it. more...
Fixing a Leaky Toilet: How to Stop a Toilet from Running on Its Own
Category: Home Plumbing
Is your toilet running periodically or constantly? Read this before you call a plumber. You can repair it yourself and save when you know what to look for. more...
Business Capital Sources: Establish a Business Line of Credit Before You Need It
Category: Business Financial Planning
If you don't really need a business line of credit right now, it may not occur to you to obtain one. When you do need it, though, it's going to be tougher to get. more...
Planning for Growth: Visualizing the Next Two Growth Stages Keeps You Ahead of the Curve
Category: Business Financial Planning
Businesses grow in phases. By visualizing your company's next two stages of growth, you'll know where it's headed and how to prepare. more...
Maximizing Tax Deductions: Treat Your Receipts the Same as You Treat Cash
Category: Accounting (general)
Small business owners may be surprised to learn that losing an $80 receipt is the same as losing a $20 bill. Here's one way to save more money come tax time. more...
Making a Revenue Projection: How to Project Income When You Depend on a Few Large Accounts
Category: Business Financial Planning
Businesses catering to a few large customers can find making realistic revenue projections difficult. Here's a method to help you predict where your business is going. more...
Being an Effective Manager: How Self-Confidence Impacts Leadership Ability
Category: Business Management (general)
Understanding the true nature of self-confidence can help managers become inspirational leaders. more...
Creating a Strategic Plan: How to Achieve a Strategic State of Mind
Category: Strategic Business Planning
Strategic planning requires a different mindset from most other business planning activities. Flashing forward is one technique for entering that special state of mind. more...
Woman's Guide to Prostate Cancer: What You Should Know to Protect Your Man's Health
Category: Men’s Health (general)
Half of all men will have prostate cancer in their lifetime. As with any cancer, the key to survival is early detection. Learn the signs to watch for. more...
Raising a Child Alone: How to Raise an Emotionally Healthy Child Without a Partner
Category: Single Parent Support
Raising a child alone creates unique challenges for the single parent. These tips for single moms or dads can help you succeed in your parenting efforts. more...
Sell Your Home or Rent It?: How to Decide if You Should Keep Your House as an Investment
Category: Buying/Selling a Home
Management and cash flow are the two most important keys to success in rental property. Here's how to analyze these factors to determine if you should sell or rent. more...
Bathroom Tub & Shower Remodeling: A Contractor's Tips for Your Bathroom Makeover or Renovation
Category: Home Renovation/Repair (general)
In a continuing series, a remodeling contractor shares ideas and cost estimates for replacing a bath tub and shower and installing new shower tile. more...
Bathroom Remodeling Ideas: A Contractor's Tips for Your Bathroom Makeover or Renovation
Category: Home Renovation/Repair (general)
A remodeling contractor shares ideas and cost estimates for a new toilet, vanity, sink, mirror, light and accessories to upgrade your bath on a budget. more...
Hanging Objects on Walls: How to Fasten a Picture Frame (or Almost Anything Else) to a Wall
Category: Home Renovation/Repair (general)
A complete guide to wall fasteners considering weight, wall construction, and various fastener types. You'll never worry about hanging anything on your walls again. more...
Caulking a Bathtub: Using Silicone Caulk Like A Pro
Category: Home Renovation/Repair (general)
Caulking a bathtub is one of those jobs most people dread. With knowledge and the right techniques, however, you can do a professional job quickly and cleanly. more...
Understanding Caulk: How to Select the Right Caulk for the Job
Category: Home Renovation/Repair (general)
The first step in a professional caulking job is selecting the right caulk. This primer helps you understand the different types of caulk, and their advantages and uses. more...
Category: Home Electrical
Replacing a ceiling light fixture is not very difficult. The hardest part is holding the light with one hand while you connect the wiring. Here are some helpful tips. more...
Category: Flipping Real Estate
In flipping houses, closing a purchase faster than your competition helps you win more deals and pay less. Speedy funding is how a good mortgage broker makes you money. more...
Investing in Foreclosures: How to Avoid Losing Money Buying Foreclosed Properties
Category: Flipping Real Estate
If you're thinking of jumping on the foreclosure bandwagon, first learn how professional real estate investors approach buying and selling homes for profit. more...
Replacing a Toilet: How to Determine If You Can Do It Yourself and How to Do It
Category: Home Plumbing
In some situations, you may be advised to have a professional replace your toilet. In other cases, you should be able to do it yourself with this handy guide. more...
Replacing a Garbage Disposal: How to Do it Yourself and Save
Category: Home Plumbing
Replacing a garbage disposal is not that complicated. Here are the basic steps and a few tips to help you save money by doing it yourself. more...
Replacing a Toilet Fill Valve: How to Do it Yourself and Save
Category: Home Plumbing
You can really save a lot of money replacing a toilet fill valve yourself. This overview gives you the confidence to tackle the job. more...
Promoting Innovation: Give Your Staff an Informal Outlet to Test New Ideas
Category: Business Management (general)
If you'd like your employees to be more innovative, you have several ways to promote creative thinking. Here is one that is easy and free. more...
Managing Project Profitability: How to Keep Scope Creep from Sapping Project Profits
Category: Business Project Management
Left unmanaged, scope creep can turn a promising project into a money loser. Knowing what you're up against can help you defend against it. more...
Business Management Styles: How Savers Differ From Investors and When Each Style is Appropriate
Category: Business Management (general)
Understanding whether you're a saver or an investor can help you capitalize on your strengths and choose the right style for different stages of your business. more...
Recognizing Earnings Accurately: Using the Percent Complete Method to Smooth Revenue Fluctuations
Category: Business Financial Planning
Businesses selling customized, high-value products or services can smooth out large swings in revenue by using the percent complete method for revenue recognition. more...
Cash Flow Management: Using a Simple Cash Flow Projection to Avoid a Business Meltdown
Category: Business Financial Planning
A cash crisis can kill a business. But using a simple cash flow projection can help you see trouble far enough in advance to avert disaster. more...
Project Cost Management: Using Team Bonuses to Meet Project Budgets
Category: Business Project Management
Including a line item in the project budget for team bonuses can be a highly effective way to keep costs under control without adding anything to the budget. more...
