For your consideration: The Easy Way To Install A Standby Generator.

You can buy a device that will power 7 kilowatt or more worth of electronic stuff in your house automatically running off natural gas or liquid propane. This device is called a standby generator. Look it up.

Anyway, you can buy one of these things and spend the same amount of money on the generator that you do for someone like me to install it for you or:

I know. I know. You’re thinking, “What the hell are you talking about now MoneyKing?”

What I’m talking about is either a) you getting some skills, or b) you using the skills you have to save some money.

In the grand scheme of things, a standby generator really isn’t that much more money than a regular gasoline generator. The problem is the installation—like most things.

There are two parts to installing a standby generator that make the whole project easier to swallow: 1) the gas, and 2) the electric.

The electricity is probably a little more complicated than the gas installation, so I recommend tackling this part first by finding a couple of 30 amp breakers on your master panel and then hooking up your generator panel to them. From here, you have to remove the wires from the master panel that power the stuff you want the generator to power over to the generator panel. MAKE SURE YOU MATCH UP YOUR AMPS. From here, you’re really done with the electrical work—besides mounting a box on your house and running the connection from the generator to the generator panel.

After your electricity is set up, then you gotta run a gas line. You can run a ½ inch line to the generator, but we recommend running ¾ inch with a reducer about 2 feet away from the generator itself. You want as much volume as possible going to the generator. With a few basic hookups and Ts and maybe a union or two, you’ve got your gas running to the generator.

At this point, you follow the directions on how to get the thing started and you’re done! It’ll take you about 6 hours to install the whole thing.

It EZ!

Good luck out there.

Keywords: power, electricity, gas, generator, emergency, skills, installation

For your consideration: Why Don't You Have A Home Cistern?

It seems that our penchant for saving and making money is completely ceaseless, doesn't it?

Well, here's the next greatest idea:

No. These things aren't new. No. They're not all that difficult to figure out. No. They don't cost more than like 50 bucks to catch runoff water from your gutters or from the sky.

But, YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS.

Many people seem to like paying the city, or (for the love of all that is holy) that damn Aqua America water cartel to water plants and flowers in their yard.

Are you going to drink your cistern water? No. Are you going to let your dog drink cistern water? Maybe. Are we talking about running cistern water in your home? No.

What we're talking about, and what we're asking is: WHY don't you collect some of the Earth's water for your own use. It's readily available!

Good luck out there.

Keywords: water, cistern, collect, save, utility, plants, flowers

For your consideration: You Want A Hot Tub On The Cheap? Here’s How To Git-R-Done Money Kings style.

Are you sure you really want a hot tub? Ask an owner how much they use theirs before really settling on your decision. Plenty of owners report not using their tubs as much as they’d like. You might find that a change in mind is due after a few anecdotal comments from your peers.

The reason to be careful with a hot tub decision has nothing to do with utility expenses or fear of drowning/electrocution. The reason to be careful is solely encompassed in the idea that there’s little you can do to become a hot tub owner without parting with at least $1500.

First things first:

1. Look at the electrical panel in your house. It’s has be rated at 100 Amps or higher in order for your little bubbly dreams to begin. Otherwise, you’re out of luck. You’ll see at the top or the bottom of your breaker panel one sole breaker on it’s own (sometimes you’ll see two coupled together). That’s what they call the “main.” Embedded in the main will be a number. Whatever number you see there represents the whole Amp service for your house. It’s common to see 100, 125, 150, 200 and 60. Again, if you see a number lower than 60, then you need to have to skill (and in some cities) the license to increase the service to your home—or you need to call an electrician (your $1500 just turned into $2500 at this point.

For your consideration: Your Bathroom Vent Light Is Costing You More Money Than It Should.

Nothing sexy about this post, but here's a quick money saving tip for homes with those convenient little bathroom vent lights that suck out humid air: Only use them when you're also using the shower!

Why?

Well, if you live in a cold climate and are paying money to heat your house. You're probably paying a pretty big bill these days just to keep your home at 68 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. Winter heating bills are a pain!

If you're running a hot shower with your bathroom door closed, then your hot water is adding heat to your bathroom space. It's also adding a lot of humidity. You don't want water anywhere in your bathroom except in the tub/shower, the sink and the toilet. Turn that vent light on to get that water away from your paint, woodwork and bathroom appliances!

If you've grown into the habit, however, of turning on your fan light whenever you enter your bathroom, then what you're also doing is sucking warm air out of that space during the cold months. Not good!

This makes your furnace, boiler and/or radiator work harder to compensate. This costs you more in heating expenses. THIS is something to think about . . .

Are you (or anyone in your family) guilty of this little sin?

The next time you enter your bathroom

and THINK.

Readers have been asking us about this topic for a long time, so we’ve finally decided to address it in a Residence Riches edition of TheMoneyKings.com.

For your consideration: Save Money By Signing Short-Term Listing Agreements With A Broker.

First we’ll to explain the difference between a broker, Realtor and real estate agent (a.k.a., real estate salesperson), because a lot of people don’t understand this and the knowledge is essential if you’re thinking of selling a home:

Broker = a company that’s got its name on a sign that hires real estate agents OR an individual that has passed a state broker’s exam that works for a company that has its name on a sign that hires real estate agents. (Another way to look at this is to consider the company as a BROKERAGE and a person as either a Realtor, real estate agent/real estate salesperson or BROKER.

Clear as mud? Of course, that’s what the game of real estate is all about . . .

Next . . .

Realtor = a person that has either passed a state licensure exam to be a real estate salesperson or broker AND has also paid the National Association of Realtors to use their brand name of “REALTOR”.

Finally . . .

Real estate agent/real estate salesperson = either a broker or salesperson can be a real estate agent. The salesperson is the lowest level licensed individual that can work for a brokerage to earn commission off the sale of a house.

For your consideration: Save Big Money With These Easy Tips When Looking For Home Insurance.

You might not want to pay for it, but most countries require it: Homeowners Insurance.

Here's a bunch of tips before getting a policy set up for your home or investment property:

1. Get a home security system. No, The Money Kings don't recommend those systems that are sold door to door with all kinds of police integration or anything. We don't want you to complicate your life more, and to have ANOTHER monthly payment to handle. You can purchase a do-it-yourself kit online and be on your way. Your insurer will reward you for this small step.
2. Get quotes from multiple vendors. Pit the companies against each other and make them pay for your business.
3. Keep your credit score in good standing. That's right! Keep your credit score in good standing. It will help your rates.
4. Review your policy each year. Watch for sneak rate adjustments. It's not like the company is going to send you a message saying, "Hey! We just increased your rate by 30%! Do you like that?"
5. Tell your insurer you live near a fire hydrant (If this is true! Nice try scammers!). It might get your insurer to drop his rate.
6. Raise your deductible. This will keep your monthly payments lower. You'll pay more on the back end for a claim, but we're betting that you won't need to make one anyway.