We knew our new Florida house would need major repairs, but we didn’t expect an old plumbing surprise waiting for us — though, given our history, maybe we should have. This week we’re sharing how the issue surfaced, why fixing it cost thousands, and what we’re doing to resolve it. With so many people suddenly working from home, we’re also sharing practical tips for staying productive in a home office (even a temporary setup), drawn from what’s worked and what hasn’t for us over the last decade. Plus, the app we’ve been loving and a binge-worthy show we still can’t stop talking about.
You can also find this episode on your favorite podcast app, including Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, TuneIn Radio, Stitcher, and Spotify.
What’s New
- Our plumbing “curse” followed us to Florida: the house was not connected to the county sewer system despite the listing claiming it was. After digging several exploratory holes to locate an old, unknown septic tank — which turned out to be under a porch — we discovered it’s inoperable (large holes, won’t hold water) and must be abandoned. Welcome to homeownership.
- If you want to hear other installments of our ongoing “water curse,” here are past episodes where we discussed similar issues:
- Episode #59: The Renovation Rollercoaster That Brought Sherry to Tears — When we were told our beach house didn’t have a water line and adding one could cost $10,000 or more.
- Episode #81: …And Then Our Pipes Froze — Yep, the Duplex Waterfall of 2018.
- Episode #97: What We Learned (And Saved) From Our Shopping Ban — When a duplex water meter was leaking even with the house gutted and water shut off.
- Episode #110: And Then The Bathroom Started Flooding — Removing baseboard revealed a longstanding leak in the beach house bathroom.
- Episode #138: Was Ikea Not “Good Enough” For Our Home’s Kitchen? — A buried water meter and a broken main line led to cascading headaches.
- If you missed our chat about the Travel John portable urinal, listen to last week’s episode for that conversation.
Listener Question: Working From Home
- With many people suddenly transitioning to working from home and asking for tips, we outlined four simple strategies to boost productivity and structure — and a reminder that having kids at home changes the equation entirely.
- Create a dedicated workspace. Designate a spot as your “permanent” work zone for this period, even if it’s a corner of a room or the side of the dining table. The goal is to avoid using a multifunction surface that requires daily dismantling. A small, consistent zone helps you separate work time from home life and supports focus. Bonus if it can be closed off for quiet, though that isn’t always possible.
- Make the space comfortable. You probably can’t duplicate your full office setup at home, but prioritize comfort so you can stay seated and focused. A good upholstered desk chair makes a big difference — borrow one from another room or invest in an affordable option. Keep small essentials within reach (chapstick, notebook, pens, highlighters, and a full water bottle) so you don’t get up and get sidetracked.
- Set specific work times. Flexibility is both an advantage and a challenge. We’re most productive when we avoid multitasking and block out time to be fully in work mode, then fully unplugged. Experiment with different parts of the day to find when you personally focus best and try to protect that time, especially if you can carve out distraction-free windows.
- Communicate with your partner. If you’re both working from home, start the day by sharing plans and needs. Let each other know when quiet time is required for calls or focused work and negotiate compromises. You may not get everything you want every day, but clear communication reduces frustration and increases productivity.
- We also reminisced about Sherry working on the floor with her laptop on a low TV stand early in our journey — not an ergonomic setup, but part of how far we’ve come.
- Clearly, we’ve come a long way in our home office setup and in how we present video tours.
We’re Digging
- That printer pictured is the HP Envy 5055 All-In-One, currently in high demand for families printing worksheets and work documents. If you’re shopping, availability varies by retailer.
- We use HP Instant Ink and have been pleased with the convenience. For frequent home printing, a low-cost monthly plan can be more economical than buying cartridges individually.
- The HP Smart app has been especially useful — it lets you print from your phone and scan documents using your phone’s camera. Scanning from a phone has become one of our go-to tricks for digitizing paperwork quickly.
If the video above doesn’t load, you can watch it on YouTube.
- We also watched Tiger King and found it one of the most memorable documentary series in recent memory. It’s a strange, twisty story with serious animal welfare implications and some truly unbelievable characters; it’s not kid-friendly.
If you’re trying to find something we’ve recommended in past episodes, we keep a master list of our “We’re Digging” picks and a Book Club page with all the books we’ve suggested.
Finally, thanks to Grove Collaborative for sponsoring this episode. They offer new member cleaning bundles and starter sets for home essentials.
Thanks for listening, everyone!
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