Rick's Daily Tips

Beginner’s guide to flipping abandoned properties: tools, tips, and first steps

Posted on February 6, 2026

Flipping abandoned properties can offer a unique opportunity for investors and renovators looking to enter the real estate market. This process involves purchasing neglected properties, renovating them, and selling them for profit.

For beginners, the endeavor can be as exciting as it is daunting. It requires a solid understanding of the real estate market, a keen eye for potential, and an array of skills from negotiation to renovation.

In this article, we’ll explore some essential tools, tips, and the first steps needed to successfully flip abandoned properties.

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How to make your sluggish Windows PC run like new again

Posted on February 5, 2026

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I frequently receive questions about speeding up computers that have become sluggish over time or fixing problems that prevent Windows from working as it should.

There are a number of different responses that I usually have for those questions, and the one I give depends on the actual issues they are experiencing with their machines.

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A simple family system for storing seasonal stuff

Posted on February 5, 2026

Seasonal stuff seems to accumulate more quickly than families anticipate. Coats and sports gear, decorations and school gear come and go through the year, while the places where these items are supposed to go seldom adjust accordingly.

Gradually closets and garage collect the overflow until daily life feels too crowded. The problem is not disposal but creating a system that works through the changing seasons and the rush of life.

In this post, I discuss how families can manage seasonal things without continual clean outs or prescriptive rules. You’ll learn to decide what must stay at home, how rotation supports storage, and how to include everyone so the system actually functions. The aim is less clutter, more free time, and a home that flows year after year.

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Q&A: How do I prevent a folder from freezing up while I’m trying to open it?

Posted on February 3, 2026

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Question from Paula: My computer is a Dell desktop running Windows 11 (which was recently upgraded from Windows 10) and I’m having an irritating problem with it.

I have a folder that I’ve been using for months and after I updated to Windows 11 it started getting stuck when I try to open it. It just freezes up for a while.

If I wait long enough the folder will eventually open and I can use it like I always have, but it seems to take longer and longer every day. It took well over a minute to open a little while ago.

How can I stop this folder from freezing up on me? All the other folders on my computer open just fine. [Read more…]