If you're new here, this blog will give you the tools to become financially independent in 5 years. Here is how I did it and here is how I currently do it. The method is robust and replicable (no need to win the lottery, start a blogging business, or win at real estate), but not easy; much in the same way that a diet results in weight loss but is hard to follow persistently unless you set your mind to it. The key is to save 75%+ of your net income and invest it in income producing assets (bonds and dividend stocks). There is a "21 day" step-by-step plan for how to get to 75% in the left side bar. I try not to be too trite, so if I cover a topic, you will probably not see it again for a very long time, thus you may want to read the older posts here and here. Also, check out my answers to frequently asked questions and while you're at it, don't forget to subscribe to the blog via google or RSS.

… the burner simply stops heating, but since the thermostat is still in the on position, the fan that drives the (no-longer) heated air stays on. As a result, the furnace will pipe cold outside air directly into the house. One should think the furnace would be smarter than that.

Thus when I woke up this morning it was 40F inside. Nothing remarkable although it did feel colder than usual. I currently wear PJs and sleep under 6 layers of blankets some of which are folded double, so it is hard to notice until you get out of bed.

The fix is to first realize that you have run out in the middle of the night before the heater turns into an cooling unit. Second, to override the thermostat. This is easy if you understand how it works. Rather than messing with the coil, I just pointed an electric heater at it for 30 seconds.

After switching propane tanks I had it up and running again in 10 minutes. But it is a good thing to know in case you don’t have a backup tank.