Welcome to the last day of Home School’d! Thats right! Todays the final episode of season 1! We’ve had such an amazing time learning with you, and today we’re recapping some of our favorite episodes, PLUS we’ll see how much information we actually retained. This year we covered everything from emergency preparedness to maximilism (yes, that is a thing!) and watched our show name take on a whole new meaning as we shifted our recording set-up from in-studio to quarantined at home. We’re so excited to chat about some of our most memorable moments and celebrate our awesome school year.

Home School'd Podcast

Season 1 Final Exam

Today’s guest instructor, Friday Apaliski worked for six years at San Francisco’s Department of the Environment. In her time there she witnessed first-hand just how complicated and nuanced being environmentally conscious and sustainable can be. For anyone looking to green their home this amounts to a firehose of overwhelming information that leads to confusion and inaction. Not many have the countless hours required to research the products and programs best suited for their goals. They want an expert to talk them through options, in plain English, and assure them that their choices are in fact beneficial. Friday’s company, The Sustainability Concierge does just that! She is passionate about the environment and an unrelenting optimist, who jumps at every opportunity to make the sustainable choice both obvious and easy. By the end of this class you’ll have Friday’s take on emergency preparedness and creating a less toxic home. The cleaning products Friday recommends: meliorameansbetter.com HOMEWORK: Watch "The Story of Plastic" and "Mossville". FIND FRIDAY: WEBSITE INSTAGRAM FACEBOOK

Your Guide to a Greener Home: Part 2

Today’s guest instructor, Friday Apaliski worked for six years at San Francisco’s Department of the Environment. In her time there she witnessed first-hand just how complicated and nuanced being environmentally conscious and sustainable can be. For anyone looking to green their home this amounts to a firehose of overwhelming information that leads to confusion and inaction. Not many have the countless hours required to research the products and programs best suited for their goals. They want an expert to talk them through options, in plain English, and assure them that their choices are in fact beneficial. Friday’s company, The Sustainability Concierge does just that! She is passionate about the environment and an unrelenting optimist, who jumps at every opportunity to make the sustainable choice both obvious and easy. By the end of this class you’ll have Friday’s top tips for becoming more energy efficient and a breakdown of light bulbs (because there are so many!) FIND FRIDAY: WEBSITE INSTAGRAM FACEBOOK

Your Guide to a Greener Home: Part 1

For many homeowners, refinancing their mortgage can be a difficult decision. There are costs to consider, applications to complete, and the process requires time and energy that’s hard to come by these days. On top of that, we are in uncertain times- which has people wondering if it’s a good time to get involved with anything real estate related at all! Today’s instructor, Matthew Garland is the Division Manager at United Northern Mortgage Bankers Limited. He is passionate about real estate financing, and uses his multiple platforms and speaking engagements to educate and empower homeowners. By the end of this class you’ll have a better understanding of refinancing, a break-down of the costs involved and an inside look at the current real estate market. FIND MATTHEW! INSTAGRAM YOUTUBE WEBSITE

A Beginners Guide to Refinancing Your Mortgage

Today we’re going to talk about how homeowners can improve water efficiency and reduce costs. Our instructor, Paula Henson has worked in landscape design, water conservation and environmental education since 1998. She loves teaching and writing about water, soil, gardening, education and urban design.  She has contributed to Pacific Horticulture magazine, the Green Gardens Group, the Urban Water Group and The Designer magazine- just to name a few- and currently she is running the environmental education program at L.A. City Kids School. We are so honored to learn from her today. By the end of this class you’ll know what rain water harvesting is and if it’s an option for you, have action steps for conserving water with more efficient irrigation, and some basic tips for water friendly landscape design. 

Home Water Conservation

Today’s instructor, Arta Nubani of Junglecasita is a self proclaimed crazy plant lady who started an Instagram account to document her plant growth and obsession. She’s created a space where plant lovers can feel inspired, learn more about plants, and get tips for incorporating them into their home decor- and today she’s spilling it all. By the end of this class you’ll have some basic tips for plant care, answers to your most common plant woes and some next level ideas for plant styling. FIND ARTA: INSTAGRAM- @junglecasita YOUTUBE- Jungle Casita  WEBSITE- junglecasita.com HOME SCHOOL’D COMMUNITY: https://www.facebook.com/homeschooldpodcast HOME SCHOOL’D INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/homeschooldpodcast/ HOME SCHOOL’D BLOG + SHOWNOTES: https://homeschooldpodcast.com AARON MASSEY’S SITE: https://www.mrfixitdiy.com TRACY PENDERGAST’S SITE: https://hey-tracy.com 

Keep Your Indoor Plants Alive and Healthy

Put on an addition or move to a new house? It’s a question that crosses the minds of many homeowners who’d like to make a change to their current living situation. Adding on or expanding a home can sometimes be just as stressful as moving. There are contractors to hire, important decisions to make and in many cases, a lot of money to spend.  On top of that, many families find themselves living in the construction zone- which isn’t always ideal. But sometimes finding what you’re looking for in a new home or changing locations just isn’t possible.  So if you're dreaming of a home addition, this episode is for you. Today’s guest instructor David Hopkins is currently the VP of construction for Welker Properties in Dallas and also runs the popular DIY YouTube channel, Tough Guys TV. We are thrilled to talk about things to consider before starting a construction project, with someone who is equally supportive of DIY and contracted work. By the end of this class you’ll have the pros and cons of adding on vs buying a new home, a checklist for starting the process and tips for taking on some of your own construction work. Class is in session. FIND DAVID: Instagram: @toughguystv YouTube: Tough Guys TV HOME SCHOOL’D COMMUNITY: https://www.facebook.com/homeschooldpodcast HOME SCHOOL’D INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/homeschooldpodcast/ HOME SCHOOL’D BLOG + SHOWNOTES: https://homeschooldpodcast.com AARON MASSEY’S SITE: https://www.mrfixitdiy.com TRACY PENDERGAST’S SITE: https://hey-tracy.com  

Home Additions: What You Need to Know

Home ownership is part of the American Dream and to some that means having the biggest house on the block. While the size of one’s home is truly a matter of preference, today we’re going to explore the benefits of living small.  With larger homes comes the responsibility of maintenance and upkeep which takes up time and money, especially if you have a busy life-plus there’s  pressure to fill the space with more stuff- so perhaps on the home front…bigger isn’t always better. Today’s guest Laura Fenton is the author of The Little Book of Living Small and the former lifestyle director at Parents magazine, where she oversaw all the home content for the publication.  A writer with more than fifteen years of experience, her work has appeared in major publications including Better Homes & Gardens, Country Living, Good Housekeeping, and on leading home websites including Remodelista, HGTV.com, ElleDecor.com, Curbed, and Refinery29.  Through her writing she has explored the topic of living small for more than a decade. She lives small with her husband, a photographer, and their son in Queens, New York. Her book The Little Book of Living Small is A comprehensive guide to small-space secrets and real-life solutions for living in 1,200 square feet or less- but today we’ll also cover if it’s possible to “live small” in our existing spaces. By the end of this class you’ll have actionable tips for down-sizing, motivation for making changes in your everyday life, and advice for maximizing your square footage. FIND LAURA: Instagram: @Laura.alice.fenton Book: The Little Book of Living Small  HOME SCHOOL’D COMMUNITY: https://www.facebook.com/homeschooldpodcast HOME SCHOOL’D INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/homeschooldpodcast/ HOME SCHOOL’D BLOG + SHOWNOTES: https://homeschooldpodcast.com AARON MASSEY’S SITE: https://www.mrfixitdiy.com TRACY PENDERGAST’S SITE: https://hey-tracy.com  

A Guide To Living Small

On this episode we're sharing a bonus clip of our interview with Stephanie and Jeremy Puglisi of The RV Atlas. We're discussing the ins and outs of buying or renting your first RV.

Bonus Class: Tips for Buying or Renting an RV

New parents Stephanie and Jeremy Puglisi worried their days of traveling were over―with full-time jobs and infant twins, taking time off to go exploring hardly seemed possible. But they missed the way that travel brought them closer together and knew it would help them grow as a family.  So, they bought a pop-up camper and embarked on the adventure of a lifetime. The campground was their vacation destination, and Stephanie and Jeremy became experts at creating lasting family memories without breaking the bank.  Whether you’re new to camping or a seasoned pro, today’s guests Stephanie and Jeremy are going to teach you the different ways that camping can lead to a happier, healthier family.  From trip planning tips, to navigating RV dealerships and even exploring in this new time of social distancing―these campers are going to cover it all.  Their book See You at the Campground is packed with personal anecdotes, packing lists, site recommendations, and recipes that will foster a love of the outdoors, and today we’re going to get the low down on all of it. By the end of this class you’ll understand the benefits of camping, have a guide to growing closer as a family and tips for packing and set-up―whether it’s in a cabin, tent, or RV.  Class is in session! What are some different types of campgrounds? Private Camp Grounds- Amenities, hotel type experience, more expensive, perhaps a little farther from the “destination”. Public Camp Grounds- More rustic, less amenities, beautiful surroundings/premiere location. Do your research this year to see what facilities are open- call campgrounds directly. Can you share some of your trip planning tips? How much time do you have? How long do you want to travel? Pick a destination first and then pick the best camping opportunities to support that. Read a ton of reviews! Some campgrounds might be more suited for a party weekend, and others for families. What are some of your packing tips? Get a checklist! You can find some great ones here: thervatlas.com Pack tubs and even color code according to person/category that you can easily swap in and out. Stock the RV for the season and then just replace items as needed. What are the benefits of camping for kids? They can be “free. You don’t have to try to control the environment the way you would in a hotel. Parents can enjoy time together once the kids are asleep and not get held “hostage” in the hotel room. Homework: Rent a cabin as a first experience! Buy See You at the Campground! Find Stephanie & Jeremy: Podcast: The RV Atlas Website: TheRVAtlas.com Book: See You at the Campground HOME SCHOOL’D COMMUNITY: https://www.facebook.com/homeschooldpodcast HOME SCHOOL’D INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/homeschooldpodcast/ HOME SCHOOL’D BLOG + SHOWNOTES: https://homeschooldpodcast.com AARON MASSEY’S SITE: https://www.mrfixitdiy.com TRACY PENDERGAST’S SITE: https://hey-tracy.com 

See You at the Campground!

Homesteading. It’s a term that’s associated with the expansion of the United States in the 1800’s but a new generation of self-reliant entrepreneurs has adopted the term and lifestyle and turned it into an attractive option for a broad number of people who are willing to work hard towards providing for themselves and their families.  With the current pandemic, it’s become increasingly apparent how reliant our society has become on outside food, resources, and essential items that we need and want everyday. It’s exposed weaknesses in our food and other supply chains that are ultimately felt on an individual level.  Today’s instructor, Anne Briggs of Anne of All Trades, has been working for years towards building a lifestyle of self-sufficiency and has a big head start on the rest of us. She started her own homestead in Seattle years ago and has recently moved to the Nashville area where she’s starting from scratch with a new homesteading project.  From gardening to raising livestock, woodworking to blacksmithing, Anne has learned on the fly with a fearless do-it-yourself attitude that has made her not only a successful homesteader, but also a social media sensation who shares her can-do attitude with her large following.  By the end of this class you’ll have an idea of what it takes to create your own homestead, how you can identify things around your yard that you could add to your diet, and how you can start with some small changes to create a more self-sufficient lifestyle.  Class is in session.  Gardening isn’t as hard as you think! Anne mentioned: Raised beds, hugelkultur and planting simple beds with wood chips as examples of easy gardening. Check out the tutorials on her site. Check out this app to identify plants: Picture This Can you afford to homestead? Anne makes sure every investment pays for itself. Some things she does to offset costs is participating in a heard-share, selling eggs and using social media for extra income. Have a tiny space? You can do so much with a balcony or window sill. Grow plants on your kitchen counter! Get involved in your local CSA’s, visit farmers markets and join your local homesteading and gardening groups on Facebook. HOMEWORK: Go outside and plant something edible! FIND ANNE: WEBSITE INSTAGRAM FACEBOOK

Modern Homesteading

QUESTIONS: What is Damascus steel?   What do you need to get started in blacksmithing? Whats the name of Craig’s program for the military? ANSWERS: It’s a type of steel recognizable by the watery or wavy light and dark pattern of the metal. Craig referred to it as a “metal lasagna” because of the layering of metal. An anvil, hammer, steel, tongs and a heat source (a coal forge or a propane forge). Craig recommends gas for beginners.  Forging for Fighters. Here’s the info: HERE! HOMEWORK: Plant some flowers that support the bees! “Get inspired and make things”- make something, anything! FIND CRAIG! @thebarefootforge TheBarefootForge.com The Maker’s Happy Hour Podcast Youtube

Study Hall: The Barefoot Forge

Today we’re checking off a bunch of boxes with an instructor whose skillsets are as varied and diverse as his passions! From dukw boats and blacksmithing to beekeeping, we’re touching on it all.  That’s right, today’s instructor, Craig Cowan, is a former Duck boat tour guide and is the owner of The Barefoot Forge, a Premiere blacksmithing school in Pittsburgh, PA. Using a variety of blacksmithing techniques, Craig teaches people how to create unique hand forged metal keepsakes including how to make their own beautiful damascus steel wedding rings. Each piece is handmade and unique to its creator for a truly one of a kind item.  In addition to blacksmithing, Craig is also an accomplished beekeeper with years of experience catching, and developing hives to create locally produced honey in Pittsburgh.  By the end of this class, you’ll have an idea of what’s involved to create your own unique damascus ring, how to set up your own forge at home, and why you might want to pick up beekeeping (or not) as your next hobby!  What is Damascus steel?   It’s a type of steel recognizable by the watery or wavy light and dark pattern of the metal. Here’s some info on making your own ring at Barefoot Forge: Click here! What do you need to get started in blacksmithing? An anvil, hammer, steel, tongs and a heat source (a coal forge or a propane forge). Craig recommends gas for beginners. Spend 7 days bringing up the anvil to everyone you talk to and you’ll get some for free. Forging for Fighters Info: HERE! HOMEWORK: Plant some flowers that support the bees! “Get inspired and make things”- make something, anything! FIND CRAIG! @thebarefootforge TheBarefootForge.com The Maker’s Happy Hour Podcast  

From Blacksmithing to Beekeeping: Finding Your Next Hobby

QUESTIONS: What was one of Monica’s home hacks? How does Monica balance projects and motherhood? What was one of Monica’s money saving tips? What was one of Monica’s techniques for getting out of creative slumps? ANSWERS: Wrap your paint brush in a wet paper towel and put it in the fridge for up to 3 days instead of having to continue to clean it. Her and her husband plan their projects, and when possible she involves her son. Work with what you have! Try to save in one place in order to splurge in another. Busy work! Monica finds smaller projects that will keep her hands/mind busy and that usually sparks ideas. HOMEWORK: Just go for it! Just try! It’s ok to mess up and it’s ok to fail. FIND MONICA:  INSTAGRAM BLOG SHOP

Study Hall: Finding Balance & Inspiration in a Creative Lifestyle

We’re often told that if we do what we love, we’ll never have to work a day in our life. In theory, pursuing your passion as a career should be easy and effortless- but today we’re going to talk about the reality of turning your love of DIY into a business. Today’s instructor, Monica Chavez is a mom, USMC Veteran, Doll Maker, life long DIYer, and the creative behind House of Esperanza! Following her on Instagram feels like a daily invitation into her home, but today we’re going to dig a little deeper and ask her to share the method behind her workflow and family/diy balance. By the end of this class you’ll have ideas for overcoming creative rut, a handful of Monica’s favorite home hacks and a look into the life of a creative entrepreneur. How do you plan and prioritize projects? What’s an effective workflow for you? In between big projects, plan smaller projects that will fill your productivity tank. Take budget into consideration, and also think about which projects will bring you the most joy. How do you weave motherhood into your daily strategy? Monica creates balance by utilizing part-time childcare, and also involving her son in projects. How do you tackle creative slump? Busy work! Monica finds smaller projects that will keep her hands/mind busy and that usually sparks ideas. What has been your favorite project and how did it come together? The library! It took 2 years to create. Watch the library highlight on Monica’s instagram. You are the queen of helpful home hacks! Wrap your paint brush in a wet paper towel and put it in the fridge for up to 3 days instead of having to continue to clean it. Make your own vinegar/citrus cleaner! Put the peels into jars of vinegar and let them sit for 1-2 weeks. The citrus adds to the cleaning power of the vinegar and also takes away the harsh vinegar smell. To get rid of fruit flies, pour apple cider vinegar in a jar with a little dish soap + water and you’ll kill the little suckers. Do you have any money saving tips for home improvements? Work with what you have! Try to save in one place in order to splurge in another. For parents struggling to find time for work, family and home improvement- how would you encourage them to get started and push forward? Involve your kids- it will teach them a lot. Talk to your partner about how you can make your goals happen. Create times that are just for family and others where you can focus on things as a team. Prioritize what you need and what will work for you. HOMEWORK: Just go for it! Just try! It’s ok to mess up and it’s ok to fail. FIND MONICA: INSTAGRAM BLOG SHOP We’d like to thank our friends at Ornamental Mouldings and Millwork for sponsoring this episode. If you’re looking for decorative mouldings, stair risers, beams or beyond- check them out at www.ornamental.com!  HOME SCHOOL’D COMMUNITY: https://www.facebook.com/homeschooldpodcast HOME SCHOOL’D INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/homeschooldpodcast/ HOME SCHOOL’D BLOG + SHOWNOTES: https://homeschooldpodcast.com AARON MASSEY’S SITE: https://www.mrfixitdiy.com TRACY PENDERGAST’S SITE: https://hey-tracy.com 

Living A Creative Life

At Home Schooled, we know that becoming a homeowner changes your life in a big way- and we're here to help! Our show was created to educate and empower today’s homeowner, so you can tackle every aspect of your home with confidence. Whether you're a DIYer or prefer to let someone else tackle the work, we’ll give you the knowledge you need to turn your house into the home of your dreams...even if it means going through a few nightmares to get there. Every week hosts Aaron Massey and Tracy Pendergast will introduce you to a guest instructor, who will walk your through an aspect of home ownership. Consider this “Adulting 101". If you’re ready to tackle some home-work, you’re in the right place. Press play to join the class!

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Home School'd Podcast

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