Posts tagged tips

22 Alternative Uses for Petroleum Jelly.

By: Chrisjob Oct 01, 2007

According to Wikipedia:

"The raw material for petroleum jelly was discovered in 1859 in Titusville, Pennsylvania where it was stuck to some of the first oil rigs in the U.S. The workers disliked the paraffin like material because it caused the rigs to seize up, but they used it on cuts and burns because it hastened healing. Robert Chesebrough, a young chemist whose previous work of distilling fuel from the oil of sperm whales had been rendered… Continue Reading

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21 Environmentally Friendly Home Improvement Ideas.

By: Chrisjob Sep 07, 2007

"Your Construction Connection" tool site Toolbarn.com has assembled a list of suggestions of (moderately) simple DIY tips to make your house a little more environmentally friendly. Some of them are pretty obvious, and a couple are repeats, but there's a few gems worth pursuing.

 

 

  • Install solar panels
  • Use compact flourescent bulbs
  • Roof improvements
  • Use motion detector lighting
  • Don't waste water
  • Use a low-flow shower head
  • Compost
  • Aluminum storm… Continue Reading
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How to Organize Your Manuals, Warranties, and Instructions.

By: Chrisjob Sep 04, 2007

Though stereotypes abound, I (a man) love to read the paperwork and manuals that come with a new purchase. I'll sit down and read the whole thing before I even mess with my new gear, somewhat for safety and know-how, but mostly to prolong the excitement.

    And I keep all the manuals. There's boxes in my basement, and it takes way too long to sort through all the nonsense just to reference a quick setting. So, though they're not… Continue Reading

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Craft Secrets Revealed!

By: Chrisjob Aug 23, 2007

Crafty Chica Kathy Cano-Murillo has assembled some insider tips, shortcuts, and secrets for craft projects.

  • Use a crayon to pick up small items (like jewels or crystals) for gluing. (See photo)
  • Use a heat gun to give Velveteen paint a suede-like texture.
  • Use an empty squeeze bottle to blow away excess glitter.
  • Drain a glod glue gun in an old mug.
  • Cure resin pieces on wax paper.
  • Clean 'crafted' hands with baby wipes.
Go to Crafty Chica for all the good… Continue Reading
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Top 20 Ways to Save Money at the Grocery Store

By: Diy maven Aug 13, 2007

20. List it. Instead of listing everything you THINK you need, first plan your meals for the week and then buy the ingredients you’ll ACTUALLY need to make them. By doing so, experts say you just might save up to 41% on your grocery bill.

19. Eat first. This tried and true hint bears repeating, as going to the grocery story hungry is the primary reason we buy on impulse.

18. Skip the processed food. Not only are they not good for you, they… Continue Reading

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Seven No-Cost Tips to Keep Your Home Safer.

By: Chrisjob Aug 06, 2007

The cost of a home-security system can be intimidating, or even preventative. Even everyday folks deserve a safe home, so take a peek at this article from the Smarthomesecurity blog.

 A brief summary: 

1. Trim your garden.

2. Lock up your tools.

3. Make it look like you're home often, even if you're not.

4. Replace outdoor lights.

5. Don't advertise big purchases.

6. Better hide your emergency house keys.

7. Lock your door! 

[Image from… Continue Reading

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Clean Your Closet and Make Space for More 'Good'.

By: Chrisjob Jul 24, 2007

Blogger Edith Yeung offers sound advice for cleaning not only your storage closet, but your mental/emotional 'closet' as well.

Edith suggests:

Throw it away when: 

  1. You don’t feel good about it.

  2. You don’t like it.

  3. You don’t feel comfortable wearing it.

  4. You don’t remember you had it.

  5. You have not worn it even once in the past 12 months.

  6. It doesn’t fit you anymore. 

  7. The only reason you keep because it… Continue Reading

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20 New Tips For Garage Sale Success

By: Chrisjob Jun 12, 2007

First, read this post from my good friend, BadBadIvy.

 

 

Then, check out A Yard Sale Checklist from finance blog GetRichSlowly.com. Last season, they suggested ten tips for yard sale prowess, such as:

    A group sale is better then selling alone. More stuff draws more traffic.

    Do not bad-mouth your items

    Be willing to bargain, but be less flexible at the start.

This year, author J.D.,… Continue Reading

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How (and why) to Freeze Your Paint Brushes

By: Diy maven Apr 09, 2007

Like it or not, most painting projects require more than one coat of paint. Whether it takes place over one or more days, we’re still faced with cleaning our brushes between coats. To make this task less taxing, turn to your freezer.

As anybody who has cleaned latex paint from a paintbrush knows, the majority of the paint comes out in the first five or ten seconds. It’s the next ten to fifteen minutes that are devoted to getting the… Continue Reading

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