Center Post Dispatch

(BPT) - When a heat wave arrives, homeowners depend on their air conditioning system to keep their home comfortable despite soaring outdoor temperatures. While many people expect their AC to work harder during these periods, they may be surprised to learn just how much additional demand extreme heat can place on a cooling system. From longer run times to increased energy use, heat waves can impact how an air conditioner operates.

(BPT) - When homeowners think about indoor comfort, temperature is usually the first consideration. Thermostats are adjusted, or vents are opened or closed. But if you have ever walked into a room that displayed the right temperature but still seemed sticky and stuffy, or a bedroom that just won't cool down, you've experienced the bigger picture of comfort. Indoor comfort is not just about temperature; it is also about humidity, airflow and how evenly a home is cooled or heated.

The “hot” and “trendy” cities that consistently generate the most noise often carry enormous premiums built on amenities that residents might only use a small fraction of the time. For rental housing investors, those premiums compress returns before the first tenant even moves in. The smarter play is finding cities where people genuinely want to put down roots and where the housing market hasn’t fully caught up to that reality yet.

Posted Thursday, June 11, 2026 9:30 am Most people think of their home as the place where their money is spent on rent or mortgage payments, maintenance and repairs, insurance, property taxes, etc. Fewer think of it as an income generator. But for a growing number of Americans, their home has become an important source of additional cash flow. You don’t need to buy a rental property, hire a property manager, or become a full-time landlord to generate income from real estate.

Posted Friday, June 5, 2026 9:30 am There was a time when vacation meant sand between your toes, saltwater on your lips and a margarita by the pool. But travel in 2026 is changing. Many tourists are seeking longer, immersive activities that engage all the senses and provide a stronger understanding of place. And since few know their natural environment better than farmers, it’s sensible that agritourism—taking trips to farms or ranches—is trending in 2026.

Every month, tens of millions of Americans make their biggest payment of the month and get nothing to show for it on their credit report. With a few small exceptions, rent payments are not reported to credit bureaus and are therefore nothing more than a transaction that disappears. Reporting on-time rent payments to the three major credit bureaus is one of the fastest ways to build or improve a credit score, and it turns something renters are already doing into a valuable financial asset.

Deciding to rent out a property is an exciting step. Whether you are inheriting property, turning a former home into a source of income, or getting started in real estate investing, becoming a landlord is more straightforward than you might think, even for first-timers who have never managed a property before. You don’t need a property manager to do it well.

Posted Tuesday, April 21, 2026 9:00 am Ask most people outside of a finance department how much they think finance teams use artificial intelligence, and they'll likely underestimate it. That's one of the findings revealed inside the 2026 AI in Finance Report, where about a third of respondents say their team uses AI more than outsiders realize. It makes sense when you consider how AI actually shows up in finance work today. It's not always visible.

When it comes to spring cleaning, even rental properties can benefit from a little polish and shine. But for small rental business owners, a seasonal refresh means more than just sweeping out the dust; it’s a strategic opportunity to protect property value, strengthen tenant relationships, and set the tone for a profitable year ahead. With peak moving season typically kicking off in May, now is the time to get ahead of the curve.

The phrase “gut health” is coming up a lot lately online and in the wellness world. Digestive health has gone from being a niche topic to a critical element to feeling good overall: from energy levels and mood to comfort and balance. At the same time, fiber has stepped out of the background. It’s no longer just something nutrition experts talk about; it’s something people actively say they try to eat more of. The catch?