What I Learned This Month

Things I learned, searched or looked up that I want to recall or share ...
.. An open bottle of apple cider vinegar does not have to be refrigerated
.. Routinely lubricating garage door rollers improves rolling and reduces noise
.. Marbaka GPS is a good option for auto GPS at 1/2 the cost of a Garmin
.. A Kindle (10") Tablet may be an option to an iPad for 1/3 the cost 
.. A 'fast food' meal at Popeye's ain't bad (chicken, red beans, rice, biscuits)
.. Consider adding the Amazon Prime app to mobile devices for music access
.. An ATM recently became a Taco food stand in Dunedin 
.. BJ's has public access to their liquor store - no membership required
.. A single image 'may' be appropriate for HDR versus 3 merged images 
.. Miami (photo road trip) has the WORST drivers in the world (esp. Little Havana)
.. Gasoline called 'top tier' has improved fuel system detergents 
.. and 'top tier' providers include named brands by Shell, BP, Exxon, etc.
.. Amazon is NOT always the least cost source for everything
.. Tip: to remove hard water spots on glass windows use 50/50 (water and CLR)
.. An email inbox is NOT for to-do's - it's a decision point: Do-Move/File-Delete
.. I.e. means 'in essence' (you're clarifying); while E.g., means 'for example' 
.. etc. mean 'and so on' usually at the end of a sentence
.. Spreadsheet shortcut Ctrl + Alt + Plus inserts a row ... may work for Excel too
.. Seach Wikipedia (movie + episodes) results show movie episode summaries 
.. Our grandkids have newer iPhones than we do
.. Vacuuming a refrigerator's rear compartment is needed every 3 months
.. Amazon Prime offers free tons of tutorials via 'search' (for members)
.. Microsoft ToDo a simple, easy Reminder app (and Desktop and Web)
.. I have had 20 personal data breaches - so I am installing Jumbo
.. There is something called a key-lime pie shake - delicious 
.. It's great to stay in touch with friends - local and distant and digital

Get Organized - Personal Financial Files

Everyone needs to keep certain personal financial files more or less permanently. But which files should you keep, and why do you need to keep them? How long should you keep them and in what format? AAII provides a good summary as well as detail to understand what and how long financial and other important documents should be held.

Source: AAII Get Organized!

How To Find a Water Meter 'Buried' in Landscaping

To locate the cause of water pooling on the garage floor, one option considered was to check if the main water supply pipe leaks near the home. But, I cannot locate the meter/shutoff. So 1) excavate corner of the garage, 2) try a metal detector, 3) probe the area - no luck but fully aware mulch and landscaping have concealed the meter box. Last option - technology. Where is the box?.  Click here then click/open the image for the solution.

A $5.00 DIY Sandblaster (remove rust and spots)

Do you have some rusted hand tools, deck screws or outdoor metal wall art that are an eyesore ... here's your solution - a $5.00 sandblaster! By recycling a Gatorade bottle, using your existing air compressor and buying a Harbor Freight Blow Gun Kit plus sand you can make one yourself. I have not tried this, but it looks like a nice easy Saturday (every day is Saturday except Sunday) project. See $5.00 Sandblaster.

Best Tip for Hanging a Picture!

Ever struggle to hang a picture when you just can't match the hanger wire and that one nail? Well, grab a fork (or as some say "put a fork in it" and watch the video (source: Dan from Pa.) Use Your Fork!

Best Time(s) to Replace Everything

Expiration dates come on almost everything — from butter and eggs, to your lipstick and pillows. Some grocery items are not always entirely accurate, and certain household items should be recycled earlier than expected. The truth? The lifespan of the things we buy isn’t always as straightforward as you may think.
Please note that some products have their own expiration dates that differ from the average. Make sure you check the labels, especially on safety-related items like child car seats.

See Quid Corner Full Graphic

Contractor Tips

Helping a contractor friend from Massachusetts constructing cabinets and doors for a kitchen remodel. Here are great tips for anyone's how-to notebook:
.. have a plan
.. with multiple wood pieces - label, label, label all related or like pieces i.e. 1, 2, 3, etc
.. use multiple electric cords (to avoid plug-unplug-plug every time)
.. establish a tool bench (so you're not always looking for tools, pencils, whatever)
.. pre-check all electric and pneumatic tools in advance
.. always keep orbital sander flush or flat on wood surfaces
.. do not move to next step unless that stage of work is level/square/correct
.. use a tool or work belt with pockets
.. set all brads, nails or staples completely and fill with non-shrink filler
.. use a utility knife blade after filling set nails to minimize excess filler (and removal)
.. if doing electrical work - always test and/or shutoff power
.. do not place wood on ground (will absorb moisture)
.. prep wood for painting: prime and after dry sand surfaces to remove raised grain
.. use utility knife for 'specific' mark for cuts
.. use the Phillips Head tip on the electric drill drive set as your counter sink tool
.. mark a 'V' to identify where a cut should be made (not one pencil scratch)
.. buy excess material (and return if unused) to avoid travel disruptions
.. use the right tool for the job - avoid 'making do' like pliers for a hammer
.. if extra material is available - make extra piece(s)
.. use a 'push' stick when ripping on a saw
.. consider surrounding design or features when adding new structure/elements
.. use a speed square to confirm corners are perfect i.e. 90 degrees
.. try to achieve uniformity of design or layout 
.. insure uncluttered space is set before using electric tools
.. measure, measure, measure - confirm, confirm, confirm
.. consider Romex plastic cable connectors vs. metal connectors
.. only use a dimensional template AFTER you verify accuracy 2 times

Tip: Clean Outdoor BBQ Grills

Put away that wire brush and banish those caustic oven cleaners! Simply slide your dirty grill rack into your self-cleaning oven, turn it on high (approximately 500 degrees F), and leave for 45 minutes. This effortless, non-toxic process will scorch away any greasy remnants from the rack. Have time? Here are more Tips Pro's Don't Want You to Know.

Electric Energy Use Calculator

"Once you know how much energy your appliances use, you can make informed choices about how to spend your energy dollar. This tool can help you approximate energy costs for individual appliances and subsequent carbon footprint".  Duke Appliance Calculator

How's Your AC? - Avg. Temps & Cooling Degree Days

Looking for data to compare your electric usage and the impact average temperatures and cooling degree days (CDD) ... look no further. Check out Weather Data Depot. Data from weather expert AccuWeather and includes degree days, average daily temperature, cooling degree days, heating degree days, and degree day forecast 14,000 weather stations in the United States and Canada.

Snap Power Guide Lights (Lighted Receptacle)

Energy efficient and easy to install lighted receptacle. No wires or batteries. Leaves all outlets free for use. No more LED or 7w bulb night lights. See SnapPower. They also have mobile device charging unit. 

LED's are powered via electrical buttons on tabs that contact the hot and neutral screws on the receptacle without needing to remove receptacle. 

Sanitize Your Kitchen Sponge

Sponges are some of the dirtiest things in a kitchen. Even though we use them to clean our dishes, get food stains off of counters, wipe up messes, etc. they can get pretty dirty, and it's important to clean them between uses. Imagine wiping the spot where you just cut up raw chicken and then wiping a dish with the same sponge - gross! Read Sanitize Your Sponge

Homemade Household Cleaning Products

Use homemade cleaning products to tackle your everyday kitchen spills and scrub-downs, as well as the trickier stuff. It's just as easy to mix up a batch of all-purpose spray, as it is to make your own dishwasher detergent or oven cleaner. Here are the cleaner recipes you need to keep your kitchen clean:
All-Purpose Cleaner
Dishwasher Detergent
Drain Cleaner
Garbage Disposal Cleaner
Baking Soda Oven Cleaner
Microwave Oven Cleaner
Dishwasher Rinse Agent
Grease Remover
Stainless Steel Cleaner
Silver Cleaner
Copper and Brass Tarnish Remover
Fruit and Vegetable Wash
Sponge Sanitizer
Scouring Powder

Make a Door Lock with a Fork

Here is a simple option to provide that added security at home or hotel. All you need is stainless steel fork and simple tools: hammer, hacksaw and a vise (or pliers). See Fork Lock.

How to Make Invisible Bookends

Low cost (free) option to create bookends to prevent books on a shelf from falling, See https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DOUjDkcGXB4

Secure Yourself and Home

Tips from convicted burglars
Source: www.crimedoctor.com/index.html

Over 20 tips, warnings and suggested actions improve your home and personal security: visitors and past contractors or service providers ARE potential burglars; piled newspapers - even for a few days announces 'on one's home'; personal safes are a good deterrent - as long as they are bolted to the floor; a loud TV or radio is often a better deterrent that an alarm system (see www.faketv.com, a site offering an electronic device for $35.00 that simulates the flickering glow of a TV in the evening and simulates that someone is home; and the two things that burglars hate the most - loud dogs and nosy neighbors. Check out the link above for the entire article and other information.

PS: don't miss the discussion about protecting yourself without a gun by using Wasp Spray! It is inexpensive, easy to find, and more effective than mace or pepper spray. The cans typically shoot 20 to 30 feet; so if someone tries to break into your home, "spray the culprit in the eyes". That will provide you a chance to call the police; maybe get out and most importantly maybe save your life.