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| | ðĢ️ Who Said It? You can be everything. You can be the infinite amount of things that people are.
Click here to see the answer.
Check out our July 2025 Weekender "Who Said It" questions here.
✅ Today's Checklist: Thania shares how to avoid issues with your handyman The sleep podcast to listen to Pet of the week: Meet Gilbert
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| | | | | | | How To Hire a Handyman and Not Get Screwed Over |
| Between managing property for my family's house and renovating my own moldy condo, I've dealt with handymen consistently over the last few years.
And here's the universal truth: everyone's got a handyman horror story.
Mine? I hired a guy to build custom shelving and drawers in my entry closet. He did the sloppiest job possible, then said his "worker" would come finish it. That guy never showed. I only found out someone else was supposed to be finishing the work when I texted the original handyman to ask where the hell he was. Silence.
I'd paid in full (rookie mistake btw…his payment platform didn't allow split payments, and I went along with it). After two months of being ignored, I filed a chargeback. Suddenly, he responded.
No apology, just an offer to "only" charge me $800 for the awful job he did. When I told him to submit that to the credit card company, he said I should cancel the dispute and "work it out directly." Sir, we are past the negotiation phase.
So, yeah…after that, I created my own handyman hiring protocol. If you're doing any sort of home improvement project, I highly recommend you don't trust good vibes and a nice smile: trust a contract.
Here's how I do it now, and what I always include:
1. Start with a Creative Brief
Yes, even for small jobs. Get everything in writing. Detail what the project includes (and what it doesn't), and include pictures for reference. For example, a job overview might include replacing the front door, painting exterior trim, installing towel bars in both bathrooms, and swapping out the kitchen faucet. You can link visual references to Pinterest or mockups. The clearer you are, the less room there is for "interpretation".
2. Define the Deliverables
List each item that needs to be completed, with materials specified. If you're supplying them, say so in writing. If your handyman is purchasing anything, ask for an itemized receipt and approve the budget before they buy. You want no surprises here.
3. Lock In the Timeline
Put in writing when the job starts, what the working hours will be (e.g., 9am to 4pm), and the date by which the project must be finished. Delays that aren't communicated at least 48 hours in advance should result in a reduced final payment. A clause that reduces pay by $50 per day after a two-day grace period is reasonable. It sends the message that you're organized and that their other gigs don't take precedence over finishing yours.
4. Payment Schedule Matters
Never pay 100% upfront. Your agreement should say that 50% is due to begin work, and the remaining 50% is only paid after all deliverables are completed to satisfaction. Use a payment method that gives you some recourse if things go south (credit cards or bank transfers are always better than Venmo or Zelle).
5. Quality Control & Rework Clause
Include a statement that says all work must meet the standard outlined in your brief. If something isn't done properly, the contractor is responsible for redoing it within five business days, no extra charge. If they refuse, you're not obligated to pay the remaining balance. This clause protects you from being stuck with subpar results.
6. Materials Policy
Make it clear who's buying what. If you're providing materials, have them ready before the job starts. If the handyman is sourcing items, agree on a budget cap in advance and request receipts. No surprise markups unless approved in writing.
7. Digital & Legal Protections
Change your keypad codes once the job is done, especially if they've had access. Don't give out passwords to home security apps or shared cloud systems. And save every message, invoice, and receipt. If something goes sideways, you'll want that digital paper trail for small claims court or a dispute.
Download the template here.
Handyman jobs don't need to be painful, but they do need to be clear, contract-based, and professional. Trust is nice. Contracts are better. Protect yourself and treat every job, big or small, like a business transaction.
It's not rude. And any good crafted handyman will agree with you. |
| | Thania (TA Content Manager) |
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| | | | Your Week Doesn't Have to Start With a Spiral |
| You know the drill: It's Sunday night. You meant to relax.
Instead, your brain is running loops: What did I forget? What's due? Did I RSVP? Is Monday already winning?
Here's the shift: Do a brain dump. Get it all out, no filtering. Pick 1–3 real priorities for Monday. Not "catch up." Not "everything." Do one thing your future self will thank you for. Lay out clothes. Pre-load the coffee. Use a system that holds it all so you don't have to.
That's where monday.com comes in. It gives your week structure without making you feel boxed in. You can:
We even made a free setup guide so you can launch your workspace in under 10 minutes.
You don't need to be more disciplined. You need tools that work the way your mind actually works. And maybe—just maybe—your Sunday nights can feel like yours again. |
| | | | ð Read: Slow Productivity: The Lost Art of Accomplishment Without Burnout by Cal Newport
What if doing less made you more effective? Newport makes a compelling case for redefining productivity to prioritize depth, focus, and sanity. A much-needed shift for anyone battling burnout culture.
ðš Watch: Love Island USA (Season 7) (Peacock)
It's flirty, fiery, and full of plot twists. Season 7 is the one everyone is talking about (the one fueling all the memes, mamacita ð). If you haven't jumped on the Love Island train yet, it's never too late.
ð§ Listen: Huberman Lab: How to Sleep & Exercise
Neuroscientist Andrew Huberman dives into the science of peak performance, specifically how sleep and workouts interact. Whether you're a biohacker or just tired of being tired, this one delivers. Expect insights on REM cycles, caffeine, cannabis, melatonin, naps, and unconventional hacks to actually sleep better. |
| | | | If Your POS Has Ever Frozen Mid-Sale, This One's For You |
| You've got a line out the door. Or a client ready to pay. Or a table trying to split the check three ways.
And your system picks that exact moment to glitch. Sound familiar?
If you've ever wanted to chuck your card reader across the room or manually track inventory just to be sure, it's probably time for a better setup.
Here's what's actually worth checking out:
ð For retail shops juggling inventory and customer flow:
Lightspeed gives you one clean dashboard to track stock, manage online and in-person sales, and build customer loyalty without juggling 10 tabs. If you've ever done a stock check with a clipboard and a deep sigh, this one's for you.
ð―️ For restaurants where timing is everything:
CAKE POS handles online orders, table turns, and check splits without melting down mid-shift. Built for busy kitchens and servers who've had enough of clunky tablets and paper tickets.
ð️ For pop-ups, side hustles, or service-based shops:
GoDaddy POS is fast to set up, simple to train on, and grows right alongside your business. Yes, that GoDaddy. You probably know them for domains, but their POS system? Surprisingly great. Especially if you're already running your site through them.
Before choosing a POS, consider this:
Will it keep up when things get busy?
Does it work with the systems you're already using?
Will it actually make your day easier—or just sound good in the sales pitch?
Because payments should feel seamless. Not like another thing you have to manage. |
| | | | | | | | Gilbert is an anxious boy with a new leash on life. This delightfully quirky rescue is 6 years old and finds comfort in the simple things, like this curtain that keeps him company while mom is away.
When he's not hiding in his favorite bathroom, Gilbert enjoys long walks on the beach, snuggling with mom, and baby carrots. He hopes you have a great day!
ðĄ PS: Accidents happen—pet insurance helps make sure surprise vet bills don't derail your day (or your budget).
ðū Got a cute fur baby? Submit them to be our pet of the week in an upcoming issue. |
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