Posts Tagged ‘repairs’
1. Print in Draft Quality as much as possible
In your printer options you can choose to print in “draft quality”. Unless you’re printing up that award winning photo, you’ll want to leave your printer on draft quality most of the time.
2. When printing black and white, use the black and white setting!
Similar to the above tip, when printing something that is only black and white (such as text-only) you will want to go into your printer settings and change the quality to “black and white”. This makes sure that your printer is only using the black ink cartridge.
3. Some Fonts that can save you ink
There is a great font called “Ecofont”. This font has small little holes in each character that allows you to save 20% of your ink, without loosing readability. Other fonts that help you save ink are Garamond, Courier and Brush Script, just try not to use bold.
4. Only print what you need
We’ve all experienced it, you print something off a web page, and the whole web page prints out! There is a great service called “Print What You Like”, which allows you to print only certain parts of a web page. As an alternative, and maybe for the more tech savvy, you can also highlight the text you want, paste it into a program like Microsoft Word or Notepad, and print from there.
5. Cartridges will go bad if left unused
Print at least one item a week. Cartridges will die if not used regularly. Recently I left my printer in storage for awhile and couldn’t figure out why the prints came out the way they did. Turns out, lack of use made the ink go bad.
6. Refill your own Cartridges
You can buy Ink Cartridge refill kits for about half the price of an Ink Cartridge. This tip is really only for the hardcore DIY’er. You need to follow the instructions that come with your kit VERY carefully. Here is a great link to get you started.
7. Buy Re Manufactured Cartridges
A lot of companies will do the work of having to refill your cartridge for you. They will take a name brand cartridge and refill it on a professional level, so if you’re a little hesitant about the DIY aspect, and don’t spending a little extra money, this is a good alternative to the tip above.
8. Check your Printer’s Drum
When your printer is not producing the results you expect, sometimes you can get away with replacing the drum in your printer. This costs a lot less than having to refill an entire cartridge.
9. Buy Ink Cartridges online
You can find much better deals online. Just make sure you’re buying the right kind of cartridge for your printer. You can even find some trusth worthy generic cartridges out there, just make sure you read the reviews. Also, if you buy in bulk, you may save money with free shipping.
10. Properly shut down your Printer
You wouldn’t just slam the power button on your computer to shut it off, the same goes for your printer. If you power it down the wrong way, your heads could be in the wrong position, and this can cause the ink to dry out faster.
Tags: DIY, repairs, technology
Posted in Featured, Tech | 3 Comments »
The debate on whether or not it is a good idea to buy used shoes has been around for quite awhile. Here is some insight into helping you shop smart when it comes to buying used shoes.
General Tips on buying Used Shoes
How do I pick the right pair of used shoes?
Where should I buy used shoes?
What are the different kinds of wear, and how do I fix them?
How do I clean used shoes?
Leather Shoes vs Sneakers – What is the difference when buying used?
Tips on buying rain boots and snow boots.
Tips on buying Used Shoes for your children.
What do the experts say about buying used shoes for my children?
How do I know what used shoes to buy for my children?
How often does my child’s shoe size change?
Hand Me Downs for Children.
How do I pick the right pair of used shoes?
If you have a name brand of shoes that you know fits well, stick to that brand. Different brands of shoes fit people differently, and the safest way to know that you won’t have to return that pair of used shoes you bought is to buy a brand you trust.
Where should I buy used shoes?
The best place to buy used shoes is in person at a thrift store or garage sales. You will get to try them on before you buy them, usually there is a better return policy, and you can see the wear and tear the shoes may have gone through up close. You will find a better variety buying online at ebay or craigslist, but you’ll want to make sure you know exactly what size of shoe you’re looking for. This is wher knowing what brands fit you will really comes in handy. Also, pay close attention to any photos the seller may have, this is the best way to see any wear and tear before you buy.
What are the different kinds of wear, and how do I fix them?
The most obvious type of wear on sneakers is where the sole glues to the shoe. This is the weakest part of the shoe and usually goes first. I find the best way to fix this is buy applying a small amount of hot glue on the inside of this area, then letting it dry. This technique works the best on suede and canvas, but should not be used on leather.
On leather shoes especially, width is a very big concern. If there is typical wear on the buckling, this means that the wearer’s feet were too wide. The same can be said for someone wearing shoes that are too wide, irregular wear on the buckling is a sure sign of this. Make sure you take a lot of consideration into foot width, if you buy too wide, or too small, you will wear out your shoes much quicker.
How do I clean used shoes?
Invest in some disinfectant spray. A big bottle, and a couple of sprays can go a long way into lasting you throughout your used-shoe buying career. For an even cheaper alternative use rubbing alcohol. Here is a great article on this topic: How to Clean and Disinfect Used Shoes.
Leather Shoes vs Sneakers – What is the difference when buying used?
Choosing the right kind of footwear is very important. Sneakers tend to have more give and can be a better choice, whereas leather shoes with tight laces can be a lot stiffer, making it harder to find a good fit.
Tips on buying rain boots/snow boots.
These are great shoes to buy used, as they rarely get worn all the time, and they’re usually outgrown after the season. Obviously make sure the fit is exactly to your needs, or if you’re buying online, make sure you know the proper measurements. Another useful online buying tip is to use the geography of the seller to your advantage. If the person is selling snow boots, but lives in southern California, chances are these boots are a lot less used than the seller’s in Minnesota.
What do the experts say about buying used shoes for my children?
This is a highly debated topic. The argument seems to be split right down the middle. Some podiastrists say that buying used shoes for your child can harm their foot development due to the wear on the shoes. While this is true, other podiatrists argue the point that children outgrow their shoe sizes so fast that there is hardly any time to wear them out.
If you are going to buy used shoes for your child, make sure they are “first generation” of use. You don’t want to buy shoes that have been handed down 3-4 times, as this will have plenty of wear and could end up harming your child’s feet.
How do I know what used shoes to buy for my children?
Make sure you check the tops of shoes you’re buying for your children, as these will receive the most wear. Be very choosy about the types of shoes you buy for your children, you want to make sure that they have as little wear as possible, this will help prevent any problems your child’s feet could have with very worn shoes.
It is not necessary to buy shoes for your baby before they are walking, this is even potentially harmful to them.If you need to keep their feet warm use either booties or socks.
How often does my child’s shoe size change?
Children go through three or four size changes in the first two years. they outgrow shoes before they outwear them.
Hand Me Downs for Children.
Keep a box full of hand me down shoes that will allow your younger children to grow into. This is a good way to know exactly how much wear these shoes have gotten, as opposed to having to trust someone else.
Remember, buying used shoes really isn’t that different than buying the brand new ones (keep in mind how many people try on shoes that are sold as “new” at department stores). In the end, the most important thing to remember is that a better fitting new shoe is much better than a used ill-fitting shoe.
Please take all of these tips at your own discretion as everyone’s feet are different, and may react to many different types of shoes. Use common sense when buying used and hopefully some of these tips will help you along the way.
Tags: buy used, kids, repairs
Posted in Featured, Shopping | No Comments »
We know it’s a dirty job, but nobody else is going to do it! Clean out that old filter and change the bags regularly to save you from buying a new vacuum.
How do I know when it’s time to change the bag?
One of the most important things you can do to keep your vacuum running smoothly, is to make sure that you replace your bags regularly. If you let too much junk build up in your bags, this means that your vacuum has to work much harder and eventually your motor can burn out. Start by opening your vacuum and checking if your bag has a “fill line”, if it does, then great, this is the ideal time to change out your bag and put a new one in.
If your bag does not have a fill line on it, then you can simply squeeze the bag, letting you know how full it is. Another tell-tale sign that your vacuum needs changing is that if your vacuum has a harder time picking up dust and debris (we recommend not using this method, as it is not the most reliable way). One last note on this topic, make sure you buy the right bags for your vacuum, and that when you do replace them they are securely fastened in the vacuum.
How do I clean my vacuum if it’s bagless?
Instead of bags, bagless vacuums use “dirt cups” or canisters to hold all of the dust and debris. In order to keep your bagless vacuum working in good order it is a very good idea to empty your dirt cup after every use. Make sure you empty your dirt cups outside in the trash can, as they can be pretty messy. If your manual says it’s okay, you can even give your dirt cups a rinse, just make sure you let them dry out in the sun for a day or two afterward.
How often should I clean my filter?
Clean your filters every 2 weeks and make sure you totally replace them about every 6-12 months (we recommend buying them from amazon.com). To clean your filter, start by getting your filter out, and tap it clean into your trash can, just be sure you don’t do it so hard as to get dust and debris everywhere.
Next you can get a soft bristled brush or a wide-tooth comb and begin cleaning off some of the bigger/clumpier dust particles, just make sure this is done either outside or over a trash can as well. Finally, please check your manual about cleaning your filter. There are links at the bottom of this article with most of the major manufactures manuals. .
How do I clean the rollers and bristles?
The spinning brush underneath your vacuum is one of the most important items to keep clean on your vacuum. Turn your vacuum upside down and if there is a removable flap there, you can remove it to expose to roller. Once done, you should be able to remove the roller from the vacuum and clean any loose hairs, fur or dust from this with a brush or even your fingers. Make sure you even clean the sides of the roller where it connect into the vacuum, if you feel it needs it you may even lubricate these with some WD-40.
All of this is crucial to keeping your vacuum cleaner running strong for as long as possible. Just like your car, the best way to keep your vacuum from dying on you is to practice good preventative maintenance. Consult your owners manual if you have any problems with your vacuum. Here are some links to some major manufacture’s websites, where some manuals will be.
Major Manufacture’s manuals:
Hoover Manuals
Kenmore Manuals
Eureka Manuals
Dirt Devil Manuals
Dyson Online Information
Bissell Manuals
Tags: DIY, home appliances, repairs
Posted in Featured, Homecare | No Comments »
Tips on saving you money for that next trip to the mechanic, plus a website that gives you unbiased quotes on your repairs!
Lets face it, sometimes you can be over-quoted on repairs when you visit a mechanic. I just had this happen to me recently, what was supposed to cost only $300 in the beginning, ended up costing roughly $1,200 in the end. This may not be the case with every mechanic, but if you ever find yourself in a situation similar to this one, the best thing you can do is go in prepared.
The most obvious tip to saving money on car repairs for is preventative maintenance, but at what point do you change your oil? Is it better to put premium gas in my car than regular gas, who has the best deals on preventative maintenance?
How often should I change my oil?
A lot of people seem to be sort of confused on how many miles you should drive before getting your oil changed, and there are even some tactics companies will use to scare you into getting your oil changed when it’s not needed.
In the early 70′s there was a Jiffy Lube campaign stating that you needed your oil changed every 3,000 miles, this is a little excessive, but a good starting point to know when it’s time to get that oil changed. The average American drives about 12,000 miles a year, so at about $25 an oil change, $100 a year is a small price to pay for something much worse happening later on.
Is premium Gas better for my car than regular gas?
If you put premium gas into a car that recommends regular gas, the only difference you’ll notice is that you have less money afterward. According to the American Petroleum Institute, premium has higher energy content, which can give better gas mileage, but the difference is so minute, it’s hard to notice any advantage to doing this.
The mid grade fuel just has a higher hesitance to combustion, which means that on some super or turbo charged car, mid grade fuel can arguably give a slight advantage to reducing engine damage. What it all really comes down to, though, is making sure that you put whatever fuel is recommended for your specific car. If it says to put premium in there, you have to use premium, if not, then stick to regular grade gas.
Where can I find the best deals on preventative maintenance?
When it comes down to getting your oil changed, car checked up and any other over preventative auto maintenance I would trust some of the bigger names. Midas has a great function on their website where they allow you to search for coupons you can clip out on their site by entering your zip code. Jiffy Lube has an instant $5 off coupon when you bring your car to get serviced by them.
If you’re a real DIY’er you can always perform any of these maintenance procedures yourself, but please DO NOT attempt any DIY work on your car unless you feel you can really handle it. Overall, though most big name places are usually having great deals and have good service for keeping your car all tuned up.
Last but not least, here is a great website I found that actually allows you to enter the make/model of you car, some of the problems, and it will give you a completely unbiased quote based on your information. The site is called
Repair Pal and does a great job of equipping you with some good information about how much it will REALLY cost to get your car fixed.
Also check out:
Car Talk
DIY Oil Change Deals
Premium Gas vs Regular Gas
Tags: auto care, DIY, repairs
Posted in Featured, Travel | 3 Comments »
