Many don't know, but Wisconsin Focus on Energy (FOE) has free product bundles that you can use to conserve energy and lower your monthly utility bill.

For example, this energy saving shower pack comes with two 60W equivalent A19 LEDs, one high-efficiency showerhead, one dusk-to-dawn LED night light, one 15-foot pipe insulation wrap, and one hot water temperature card.

(graphic from Focus on Energy)

FOE also offers a fee comfort pack and a free bath pack. One pack per household per year is allowed, so you can order a new pack each year. 

Stay tuned. We'll have many more home energy savings tips to share in the weeks and months ahead. 

The Wisconsin Focus on Energy (FOE) has a free and easy to use online tool that you can use to identify energy savings opportunities within your home. I recently completed the online assessment myself and learned that our family can save over $500 annually by completing a few relatively simple insulation and air sealing projects.  

FOE provides a list of recommended contractors who are qualified to do the work, as well as information on incentive programs that offer substantial rebates. 

Rising costs are a concern for must of us. By taking this online assessment, we can take positive steps right now to lower our monthly budget, conserve energy, and reduce our carbon footprint. I encourage you to check it out. 

One way you can save money in the near year is to choose thrifting and buying secondhand over buying new. Dane County is home to dozens of thrift stores with an amazing variety of clothing and household goods, and with many high-quality and unique finds. But the truth is there are a whole host of reasons to buy secondhand. Here are a few more of them: 

1) Environmental sustainability: Buying secondhand reduces waste that would otherwise end up in the landfill. 

2) Local support: Thrifting supports locally-owned businesses and non-profits, which contribute to the overall health of our community. 

3) A sense of adventure: You never know what you might find when you go thrifting. Each time you thrift, it's like going on your own mini treasure

We found these questions interesting to ponder, and thought you might find value in exploring a few of them, too. Do any of these questions help you clarify how you might make positive changes in your own life? 

10 questions for 2025

#1) What new hobbies or interests would you like to explore in the new year? 

#2) When do you find yourself feeling most content and at peace? 

#3) Where have you found inspiration and meaning in the last year? 

#4) Who are the people in your life that you are interested in knowing better? 

#5) Who are the people who inspire you? What is it about them that you find inspiring? 

#6) What can you do to better live within your means and contribute to your financial peace? 

#7) How might you invest in

Written by Sarah Linn, Development & Marketing Special Projects Coordinator at DCHS

Animal shelters play a crucial role in our community. When you think of Dane County Humane Society (DCHS), you probably think of dog and cat adoptions first. And rightly so. In 2023, DCHS found new homes for 1,241 dogs and 1,728 cats. But that’s just one of the ways DCHS serves the animals at the shelter and in our community. Additionally, DCHS provides care for thousands of native wild animals who are injured, sick, or orphaned, rehabilitating them with the goal of releasing them back to their habitats. DCHS also provides humane education programs for learners of all ages, teaching community members about everything from animal care to empathy. Their Pets for

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Dane County (BBBS) is all about helping kids and teens reach their full potential through meaningful, one-on-one mentoring. For over 50 years, BBBS has been connecting young people with mentors who are there to offer support, guidance, and a listening ear. These relationships are personal and flexible, tailored to fit the needs of each kid. The result? A boost in confidence, better grades, and a brighter outlook on life. The bonds formed between Bigs and Littles often last a lifetime, making a real difference for everyone involved.

What makes BBBS work so well is the incredible volunteers who step up to be Bigs. These mentors come from all walks of life, but they all share the same passion for making a positive impact.

We have exciting news to share! After nine great years at RE/MAX Preferred, Mad City Dream Homes is joining the team at Realty Executives Cooper Spransy.

What most attracts us to Realty Executives is the atmosphere of collaboration and sharing. We're looking forward to learning and growing alongside some amazing agents and amazing teams, and we hope to be positive contributors to the culture at Realty Executives, too. 

We'd like to thank Dan, Tim, Raegen, Pam and the entire RE/MAX team for their leadership and support over the years, and we wish all of our friends at RE/MAX the best! 

(Thanks to Laura Kocum from ABC of Wisconsin for this contribution to our blog.)

This spring, an apprentice named Melody graduated from a sheet metal apprenticeship. For Melody, this is a second career. She started as a chef, but after years of long hours, lagging wages, and instability during the pandemic, she decided it was time for a change. After researching her options, she chose a sheet metal apprenticeship.  “Everyone needs heat and air. These needs aren’t going anywhere. I can do anything with the skilled trades,” she exclaimed.

Melody wishes she had known about apprenticeships sooner and had begun her program right out of high school. She sees that her apprenticeship has created a career path that will pay well, provide stability, and give

Higher education has come under a lot of scrutiny in recent years, due to the investment required for a four-year degree. Fortunately there are lower cost ways to break into a good-paying profession, a profession that doesn't require $100,000 or more up front. 

One of them is a career in real estate. For only a few hundred dollars and a few weeks of training, you can obtain your license and launch your real estate career. Of course this comes with a caveat. Your real education begins after you obtain your license, when you learn how to grow a healthy and sustainable business that's built for the long run. 

Another low cost option is an apprenticeship in the trades, healthcare, information technology, or another field. With an apprenticeship, you

Many folks are still waiting for prices to fall before they get serious about buying real estate. And for good reason. In real estate, we're used to boom and bust cycles, and it's been 15 years since our last big price correction. 

But our new reality is that there are a whole host of reasons to believe that Madison area real estate prices will be rising for a long, long time. Chief among them is climate change, and climate migration to the Dane County area. 

Climate migration is the number one reason why we continue to bet on Madison area real estate, and why we continue to advocate for smart and sustainable housing in the Dane County area. In the meantime we're getting involved with climate change solutions, too. We hope you'll join us.