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JULY 2022
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The Best Drink in the World BECAUSE COKE WORKS ENDLESS WONDERS
standalone Coke vending machine sells about 100 cans of Coke per day. The question the researchers were trying to answer was if you place a Pepsi vending machine next to the Coke machine, how many Cokes would be sold per day and how many Pepsis would be sold per day.
I like Coke.
Well, that’s an understatement. I really, really like Coke.
In the very first ad we ran to hire a property manager, one of the playful conditions of the job was “Applicant must also like burritos and Coca-Cola Classic (we don’t stock Pepsi in the fridge).” Samantha created some signs that hang in the office helping everyone remember the exact order and wording of our Core Values. She created a mnemonic that reads B ecause C oke W orks E ndless W onders, with a picture of a Coke can with the RCW logo on it.
Take a guess before you read on.
Because Coke Works Endless Wonders
What they found may shock you. The number of cans of Coke you sell if there is a Pepsi machine next to the Coke vending machine is …
Without that as part of who we are, we will not stay relevant and we will not be able to deliver excellent results for you while managing your rental homes.
200-plus Cokes … and 200-plus Pepsis, too.
I am glad it is part of who we are and what we do.
Researchers classified this unexpected result to the “alternate choice” principle. With one vending machine, potential buyers are asked to make a “yes” or “no” decision. With two choices, their mind subconsciously switches to “Which one do I want?” instead of “Do I want one?” which increases purchase and consumption.
Coke runs deep at RCW.
Yours in enjoying a cold Coke on a Friday night,
When I was a kid, I didn’t even drink much of it (and, frankly, I try to keep my consumption under control now, too), but every Friday night, my four brothers and I got to have our own can of Coke while we watched a family movie together. Maybe that is the root of my fondness for the drink. I don’t drink coffee, but I proudly drink Coke. And I am creating loyal Coke drinkers in my legion of kids … the kind that refuse a Pepsi on principle if no Coke is available. I recently read about an interesting Coke (and Pepsi) research experiment. Researchers know that the average
While it is a neat story, it also has practical applications, even in property management.
P.S. The country that drinks the most Coke per year … Not the U.S. actually, but our neighbors to the south … Mexico. The average person in Mexico drinks 700 servings per year, double the consumption of the U.S. P.P.S. The “C” stands for Client First. Without you, we have no company. We serve at your pleasure. We appreciate the trust you give us. Thank you!
We have started to think about how we can implement this “alternate choice” principle into our leasing and collection processes to get better results. It is early, but we have some thoughts. The “E” in our Core Values stands for Endlessly Improving, and we take that seriously at Robert C. White & Company.
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RAINWATER HARVESTING: IS IT RIGHT FOR YOU? How to Find Out and Get Started
It’s 100 degrees F outside. The sun is pounding relentlessly on the sidewalk. Vegetation is wilting. Meanwhile, you’re huddled indoors, basking in the A/C … until it rattles to a stop. This stomach-dropping scenario happens to hundreds of people every summer. A/C units across America are overstressed right now, and when you run your unit at full blast, it’s more prone to malfunctioning. Fortunately, you don’t have to call in the pros for every little issue. Here are a few DIY ways to fix an A/C problem. 1. Replace your air filter. The experts recommend changing the filter in your A/C system every month. If you don’t do this, it can get clogged and cause your A/C to turn off! Replacing the filter could kick start a nonfunctioning A/C. 2. Double-check your thermostat. We know it sounds basic, but your A/C might have turned off because your spouse reset the temperature, the kids flipped the thermostat from “heat” to “cool,” or the device’s batteries died. Don’t rule these silly problems out without checking them! 3. Clean your condenser coils. Dust, dirt, and pet hair can clog your A/C’s condenser coils and limit the unit’s function. If you’re careful and handy, you can use compressed air or a shop vacuum to clean the copper tubing and aluminum fins composing the coils, which typically form the side walls of your outdoor A/C unit. 4. Test your circuit breaker. It’s possible that the entire circuit covering your A/C has been tripped, turning the A/C off with it. To test this, turn your thermostat off and head to your breaker box and look for any switch in the neutral position. If you find one, push it to off (right) then on (left). Wait 30 minutes, then turn your thermostat back on and set it to cool. These four steps may be the only ones you need to fix your A/C problem! If you try them with no success, then it’s time to call in the experts. Of course, you can also make that call from the get- go if you’re not comfortable DIYing your household systems. We promise they won’t judge you! It’s always better to be cautious than accidentally worsen the problem. How to Troubleshoot a Malfunctioning A/C Take These Steps Before Calling the Pros
Did you know the government has a website where you can track drought conditions in real time? It’s called Drought.gov, and when we visited, it showed 47.52% of the country was in drought. That means water shortages were affecting more than 100 million Americans — maybe including you and your family. Water scarcity is scary. We need water to live, bathe, and grow food! So, what can you do about it? One popular, eco-friendly way to get around cutoffs and shortages is by installing a rain harvesting system. Here’s how it works. Rainwater harvesting is pretty much what it sounds like. You create a system to “catch” the rainwater that runs off of your roof or another surface (think gutters and pipes), then store it in a barrel or tank to use later. This protects the local watershed because you capture the rainwater and use it before it gathers pollution during runoff, and it reduces your energy use by eliminating the burden of water transportation! Rainwater harvesting may be for you if … • You own your own home. • You want to be more self-sufficient and/or lower your water bill. • You’d like additional water for your garden or household. Rainwater harvesting may NOT be for you if … • You rent your property. In this case, you may have to run the idea of adding a rain barrel or other harvesting system past the property owner. • Rainwater harvesting is restricted in your state. Unfortunately, rainwater collection is highly regulated in some states. You’d need to have a permit or abide by certain restrictions. The best way to find out the restrictions in your state, if they apply, is to check the legislation on the official state website. If it’s feasible, get started!
You can build a rainwater harvesting system yourself with supplies from a company like RainWater Harvest Systems (RainHarvest.com) or work with a business in your area like Innovative Water Solutions in Texas. The size, cost, and installation of rainwater systems can vary depending on your home and how much water you store. To learn more about rainwater harvesting, check out the book series “Rainwater Harvesting for Drylands and Beyond” by Brad Lancaster.
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PROTECT YOUR GARDEN FROM HEAT
With Help From Your Kids
Not all gardening tasks are suitable for the entire family. Fertilizers can be dangerous, and you definitely don’t want a young child wielding sharp tools. But there’s one gardening project you and the kids can tackle together: protecting your plants from the heat. Last June, heat waves scorched the country, sending temperatures in Portland, Oregon, of all places to 110 degrees. This is uncomfortable at best, and at worst a massive heat wave can ruin an entire spring’s worth of effort in the garden. To avoid that, rope your kids into helping you with easy heat solutions like these: 1. Build shade covers — Shade helps people survive the heat, and it’s great for plants, too! You can overlay greenery with umbrellas, canopies, “garden fabric,” or even bed sheets draped over your plants. If you have spare lumber or PVC pipe, build a trellis to hold up your shade cover. YouTube has plenty of tutorials for this — just search “Garden Shade DIY.” 2. Spread organic mulch — Adding 2–4 inches of light-colored mulch around your trees, shrubs, and other plants will protect the soil from the sun and keep it damp and cool. 3. Swap out terra cotta pots — Unsealed terra cotta pots are terrible at retaining moisture. If you water a plant in terra cotta, it won’t be long before that water evaporates. To avoid this, enlist the kids to repot your plants in oversized, light-colored plastic nursery pots. (Some nurseries give these away for free!)
4. Water, water, water — Your garden will dry out twice as fast during extreme heat, so take shifts as a family checking the soil and watering when needed. Don’t rely on your sprinkler system or usual watering schedule. These tips should help protect your delicate fruit and vegetable plants. Next year, get a head start by asking your local nursery to help you choose drought and heat- tolerant species for your region and beefing up your soil with organic matter. According to Farmers’ Almanac, soil rich with 5%–9% organic matter (think compost, manure, and decomposing leaves) retains more water, saving you trips with the hose.
TAKE A BREAK
MOUTHWATERING SOUTHERN BBQ Inspired by JustAPinch.com
Summer isn’t complete without some Southern BBQ!
Ingredients
Directions
• 3 lbs boneless pork loin roast, trimmed
1. In a 4-quart slow cooker, add the roast and 1 cup of water. 2. Cover and cook the roast on high for 7 hours or until tender. 3. Once tender, shred the meat. 4. Return the shredded meat to the slow cooker. Stir in salt, pepper, brown sugar, barbecue sauce, Worcestershire, and hot pepper sauce. 5. Cover and cook on the lowest setting for an hour. 6. When finished, serve barbecue on buns with coleslaw (optional).
• 1 cup water • 1/2 tsp salt • 1 tbsp pepper
• 1/4 cup brown sugar • 18 oz barbecue sauce • 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce • 1 tbsp hot pepper sauce • 10 hamburger buns, split • Deli coleslaw (optional)
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57 DODGE AVE., STE. 107 NORTH HAVEN, CT 06473 860.613.6290
PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
INSIDE
1
The Best Drink in the World
2
DIY Tips for a Broken A/C
Get More Water — For Free!
3
Be the Superhero Your Garden Needs
Mouthwatering Southern BBQ
4
Outdoor Cooking Inspiration You Need
Level Up Your Outdoor Cooking Space
With These Handy Features!
2. The Warming Drawer: Warming drawers make even the biggest barbecues easy to use. You can pre-grill your corn and stash it inside, keep sides toasty while you pour drinks and socialize, or warm up the buns for your dogs and burgers. 3. The Outdoor Ice Machine: Install one of these, and you’ll never
have to sprint inside for ice
again. It’s a particularly
Outdoor kitchens were trendy in 2021 — and they’re still a must- have! If you plan to either build an outdoor cooking space or level up the one you have this summer, consider these game- changing features. 1. The Flat Top Grill: With a flat top, you can cook anything outside. Imagine outdoor breakfasts with pancakes and eggs! You can also cook burgers with lots of toppings without worrying about food falling into the flames.
handy feature if you have an outdoor bar and love to mix
cocktails for your guests.
Good luck and happy cooking!
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