| Borrow A "Kill A Watt" Monitor From Your Library |
I own a "Kill a Watt." It can work well. Several suggestions. There is no battery back up! What this means when you unplug "Kill a Watt" from the wal,l all information on the meter is gone and erased. Not even several seconds to spare. You will have no information to see how much electrity you have used! Also if you have a power outage (common in Tampa Florida) you also lose the information stored.
Check your power usage daily to see that the power is increasing and not starting from zero or a lower number than you last looked at it. (it "likes" to default to voltage, so push the wattage button to see the power used) When "Kill a Watt" is used make sure the outlet you are checking the electric device with is Completely visible before unplugging it. AKA Do not (like I did) place it behind the desk (for my computer) were I could not view it daily ( so I could see if a power outage occurred - meter readings lower than the prior viewing of the meter). But a suggestion to the electric outlet not being accessible is to use a digital camera to photograph the settings on the "kill a watt." Take an image with each of the buttons pressed (separately).
I had just enough room to take a photo of the meter before unplugging it from the outlet to see my power usage. Also do not do as I did, by placing it on a power strip I used as an on/off switch! This time it was totally my fault when the power was turned off and the information lost! After several uses of this product you will be surprised at the electrical usage different appliances use. Generally speaking a kilowatt of electricity is "about" 10 cents. So if you use 2.5 kilowatts you have paid the power company about 25 cents. Check you electric power company for your charges - energy + fuel charges. ... View related article. |
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| RE: Organizing Computer Cords |
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My suggestion does not make a way to organize your computer cords ( as the suggestion replied are great), but my suggestion if you become worried and concerned where the cables are attached, besides labeling them is also to take digital pictures of the cables and where the cables are attached. A picture is worth a thousand words. I take digital pictures of any item (s) that I will disassemble and the reassemble. Electronics, electrical connections, radio imputs and outputs, car parts etc. It sure makes it easier for me. Do all what has been suggested and you will do fine. ... View related article. |
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| RE: Looking for Shepherd's Pie Recipe |
This is my wife Ingrid's recipe:
1 1/2 lb. lean meat (lamb or beef), cooked
1/2 oz. drippings or butter
2 medium onions, diced thinly
1/4 c. all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp. dried mustard
1 1/2 c. chicken stock
Potato Topping:
4 large potatoes, cooked and mashed
1/4 - 1/3 c. milk
1/4 c. chopped parsley (if lamb, use mint as well)
1/2 tsp. ground pepper
salt to taste
2 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
1 oz. butter
Brush casserole dish with melted butter or oil. Preheat oven to 375 to 415 degrees (hot). Trim meat; cut into cubes or grind. Melt drippings or butter in a large pan. Add onions and cook until golden. Sprinkle in flour and mustard; gradually add stock. Stir until smooth. Bring gravy to boil; reduce heat and simmer for 3 minutes. Stir together meat, parsley, mint (if lamb), pepper, salt and gravy. Remove from heat and spoon into dish.
Topping: Combine potatoes, milk, salt and pepper. Mix until smooth and creamy. Spread evenly over meat. Rough up surface with a fork. Bake 40-45 minutes. Potato toppng should be golden brown. ... View related article. |
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| Cleaning a Glass Table Top |
You can make any glass or mirror shine with the "old" home made window washing fluid. You will never go back to purchasing commercial glass cleaners again.
recipe:
2 cups sudsy ammonia
1 teaspoon dish washing liquid (any brand)
water (best if distilled water-no minerals-, but tap water will be fine)
Combine ammonia and dish washing liquid. Add enough water to make 1 gallon. Add water slowly as the sudsy ammonia wants to "suds up". This is normal. Use a clean empty liquid sprayer (like glass cleaner spray bottle). Make sure the container is rinsed clean - any chemical may cause harmful effects - like if any bleach is left harmful fumes will result. The first time you use this you will see much soap suds on the glass. Do not be alarmed. It will clean off fine. It is always best to use a squeegee to clean glass or mirrors. The squeegee wipes all of the dirt to the side or bottom of what you are cleaning. At the end of each wipe clean the squeegee off with a clean towel. When a cloth or paper towel is used the dirt is just getting "pushed around." The next time the bottle is used gently shake it around to let the water and ammonia to mix well. The two separate somewhat between uses.
(This recipe can be cut in half by reducing the ingredients by half.)
p.s. if you prefer to have a "color" to your cleaning solution a one drop of food coloring to the mixture. This does not effect the cleaning at all. My wife prefers to see the blue color instead of the clear glass cleaner. I can see the suds fine without any coloring, but whatever, it is not worth fussing over :) Also do not use this cleaner on aluminum. Aluminum will show corrosion if ammonia is left on it. ... View related article. |
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| RE: Earning Extra Money for College Classes |
One thought would to tutor to elementary, middle, or high school students. You could arrange to meet at the local library for a safe place for both you and the student. I saw an advertisement from a high school student willing to tutor at $15.00 the first hour and $10.00 for any additional time. Teachers in Tampa Florida are charging 2 x 3 times what this student was offering.
This following advice will not earn you extra money, but will save you much money on Federal taxes. The first two years of attending college the government will give you a tax credit (this is the money owed on your tax return NOT from your gross income-tax credit is worth much more).
Check form 8863 from the IRS. It had been dollar for dollar credit for the first $1,000. and then $650. on the next $1,000 spent. So if you incurred $2,000. of tuition your tax credit would be $1,650 ! The government pays for the majority of the first two years of college ( at least at a community college). After the first two years you can continue with lifetime tax credits. I believe it is worth 10% of your tuition.
Form 8863 will give you more complete information and is easy to complete. You DO NOT need to itemize your taxes to receive either of these tax credits. Best wishes on earning extra $$$ while going to school, but please do not let your classes suffer because of working to long hours. ... View related article. |
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| RE: Dilute Ultra Dish Soaps to Save Money |
I know this sounds funny, but I find it works in addition to the dilution of Ultras. I only fill the soap half way up the bottle. I do (not intentionally at least) not use as much thinking the "end of the bottle" is almost near.
I am the person at church that keeps the dish soap filled from refill containers and notice if I do not keep the soap only half full less soap is used. I don't understand why, but since I am the person refilling and throwing out the refill bottles I know less is used!
redbeard ... View related article. |
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| RE: Winter Tires for Chevy Cobalt |
I live in Tampa Florida, so my question might seem silly, but are the tires for driving in Canada? (snow,ice, slush), or other parts of the continent? (from the non snow parts of the world)?
redbeard
in tampa florida
... View related article. |
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| RE: Reattaching a Pot Lid Handle |
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If you choose to use a bolt and nut to reattach the handle to the pot use only STAINLESS STEEL bolts. It should be 18/8 grade, which is carried in hardware stores. The 18/8 grade will not rust. Using a magnet it Must Not be attracted to the magnet (the 18/8 grade will not be attracted to the magnet and will not rust). If the magnet is attracted to the stainless steel it will rust. There are many alloys of stainless steel and you must use one that is non-magnetic. ... View related article. |
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| Save Money, Buy Men's Deodorant/ use ANTIBACTERIAL DEODORANT Unscented |
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Suggestion: Our bodies do not make the odor from sweat. It is caused by bacteria living on the sweat. The "CURE" to keep us from smelling bad is to use an Antibacterial deodorant. (I use Mitchum unscented - currently a liquid version, the solid I have been unable to locate recently.) For 15 years I was a welder and my wife approved my use of an antibacterial deodorant over any anti-perspirant (like that would stop a welder from sweating!) or deodorant. To kill the odor kill the bacteria. ... View related article. |
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| RE: Purchasing a Casket Online |
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You can save thousands of dollars purchasing Caskets online. View them at Costco site and you will also see the prices. In Florida the funeral homes must LEGALLY accept the casket :) saving big $$$. A fellow parishioner of my church purchased the casket about 2 years ago and it was delivered as promised with no problems. Much money was saved. ... View related article. |
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