Thursday, October 16, 2008
Energy-Saving Lightbulbs
Some energy-saving lightbulbs emit enough harmful ultraviolet radiation to cause sunburn if placed too close to the body. These fluorescent lightbulbs, which are coil-shaped and unencapsulated, are promoted as energy-savers since they use about two-thirds less energy and last ten times longer than traditional incandescent bulbs. But Britain’s Health Protection Agency (HPA) issued a warning to people who use the bulbs close to their bodies, such as in reading lamps or in their occupations, such as jewelry makers, and those who have medical conditions that make them sensitive to UV light.
If skin is in very close proximity to the bulbs, it gets the same exposure as if it were exposed to bright sun. The HPA advises people not to use the bulbs any closer than twelve inches from the body for any longer than one hour a day. Those who use lightbulbs close to the body for longer periods should switch to an encapsulated form which is shaped more like a traditional bulb.
The agency doesn’t say that the lightbulbs could cause skin cancer, but they do believe they could cause sunburn.
Still, they advise people not remove most bulbs from their homes.
“This is precautionary advice,” said HPA’s Chief Executive Justin McCracken.
“We are advising people to avoid using the open lightbulbs for prolonged close work until the problem is sorted out and to use encapsulated bulbs instead. In other situations where people are not likely to be very close to the bulbs for any length of time, all types of compact fluorescent lightbulbs are safe to use." The safety of the new lightbulbs has been questioned before. They contain a small amount of mercury and some scientists fear it could cause brain and kidney damage if the bulb is accidently broken and mercury vapor is inhaled. Even unbroken bulbs could eventually contaminate soil and ground water if improperly disposed.
Editor's Note:
Hidden Dangers Make Your Home a Health Risk.
Monday, October 13, 2008
Money savings tips for online shoppers
For those who have never used voucher codes before, the way they work is that when you checkout at a store that accepts promotional codes, you simply have to enter a 6-9 digit code that will automatically save you anywhere from 5-60% off your purchase. So if you are a shopper who has already found a great deal on an item, with your discount vouchers you can easily save more!
Just think of the opportunities when you start shopping online with promotional codes. Typically, since you end up paying 20% of an items cost in shipping, if you purchase an item with discount vouchers that save you at least that much, you are essentially getting your shipping free or even paid to purchase an item online! If you use voucher codes, you can eliminate the only drawback to shopping online and save even more money.
After all, what ends a shopping trip better than walking out of a store and knowing you just saved a bundle. Well, you don’t even have to walk into a store to save a bundle with voucher codes, all you have to do is enter a few digits into your checkout screen and watch your savings add up. Plus, if you know where to check online, there are thousands of promotional codes waiting for you to use.
About the Author: More tips about Bargain Online Shopping and how to use online Discount Vouchers.
Friday, October 3, 2008
Got Shoes? Keep Your Favorite Pair Longer With These Shoe Care Tips
It was not uncommon for an aristocratic woman in ancient Greece to have more than 20 pairs of shoes and a servant to care for them. This is no different than the stereotypical, shoe-obsessed Carrie Bradshaw character with over $40,000 worth of shoes but no place to live. British women spend over 1,000 pounds per year on shoes and 10% of British admit women to having at least 100 pairs of shoes. Even the obsessed realize that shoes are important to our health and survival. They know that poorly maintained or shoes that don't fit well can cause pain, blisters and other serious conditions.
There are many reasons to ignore the pressure to consider shoes a disposable product including:
* Saving money.
* Making a very expensive pair last longer.
* Preserving a favorite pair that is no longer made.
* Reusing a pair for a younger child.
* The opportunity to donate your shoes when you no longer wear them.
* Keeping shoes out of landfills.The basics of maintaining the condition of shoes depends on the materials used to construct them. Follow the guidelines below to keep your favorite pair of shoes in good condition.
1. Leather is a very common, durable, and aesthetically pleasing material used in all kinds of shoes. If not taken care of properly, leather is known to dry out, crack, and fall apart. It is recommended that leather shoes be periodically polished to maintain a healthy level of moisture. Polishing also provides a protective layer that repels water and dirt, keeping your leather shoes impeccably clean and presentable. Shoe polishing products are very easy to find, but if they are not within arms reach, petroleum jelly or castor oil are great buffers with castor oil providing more effective waterproofing.
2. Suede and nubuck are very similar to leather in look and texture but they are incredibly delicate and easily damaged by water. To prevent suede and nubuck from becoming damaged waterproof them. When these shoes get dirty a soft bristled brush can be used to lightly lift away dirt. There are other products made to clean these materials such as a suede bar which is a product made of rubber used to rub out dirt marks like an eraser. But common household items like masking tape can be used in a similar fashion and are remarkably effective. Sometimes these materials get so dirty that the only way to clean them is to scrape away the top layer of the material. Consider using a shoe repair shop for this type of maintenance.
3. Shoes made of textile or canvas are not as hard to keep clean. These include your common sport shoes, tennis shoes, or casual walking shoes. These shoes are normally machine or hand washable which makes life very easy. Keeping your shoes clean in general will leave them in wearable condition making you less likely to throw them out. The only drawback to a textile or canvas shoe is that its durability is nowhere near leather. These shoes are produced with the intent of being a disposable product and they do not repair well. Taking care of them by interchanging them with other pairs of shoes will lower the wear and tear compared to a situation where they are used on a daily basis. There are other generic methods of keeping your shoes in good shape. Using a shoe horn will allow you to avoid breaking down the collar of your shoe, which is the area that wraps around your foot above your heel.
lso, a more expensive pair might make it worth the effort of finding a good repair shop.
Even those not obsessed with shoes can benefit by keeping them well maintained. You can reduce the environmental impact by keeping shoes out of a landfill as long as possible, you will save money and you will be happy to know that your favorite pair of shoes that are no longer made can be worn for years. Your shoes are vitally important in your everyday life, so there is no shame in taking a little extra care of them. (c) 2008, Odd Shoe Finder. Reprints welcomed so long as the article and by-line are not changed and all links are made live.
Kent Basson is the founder of OddShoeFinder.com an online website that helps people find mismatched or single shoes. The site was created after Kent's sister suffered a foot injury that resulted in her having to buy two different sized shoes. After searching the web, he discovered the problem is far more common resulting in millions of unused, mismatched pairs of shoes that can now be given away, sold or purchased at http://www.oddshoefinder.com/
The Humble Potato May be the Solution to the Global Food Crisis
The rise in food prices has affected the entire world, especially third world countries like Egypt and Haiti, where the high cost of food has already lead to violence. A variety of factors have been blamed for the global food crisis, including the rise in fuel and energy prices and increased demand in countries with suddenly booming economies, like India and China, as well as climate changes wreaking havoc on crops. A lot of farmers have changed their crops from food to fuel, speculating on the interest in alternative fuels. The solution, then would be a crop that is not being used as an alternative fuel, like the potato. To focus attention on this, the United Nations named 2008 the International Year of the Potato, calling the vegetable a "hidden treasure."
Potatoes are native to Peru, and can be grown at almost any elevation or climate: from the barren, frigid slopes of the Andes Mountains to the tropical regions of Asia. They require very little water, mature in as little as 50 days, and can yield between two and four times more food per hectare than wheat or rice.
The humble tuber is less expensive than wheat or rice and provides excellent nutrition in the hungry world. Despite the bad rap potatoes get in the Western World for being carb-heavy, but they have a lot of nutrition, including being just 110 calories. Potatoes have nearly half of the Daily Value of vitamin C and are one of the best sources of potassium and fiber.
Potatoes also have more protein than corn and nearly twice the calcium when boiled. Interest in alternative fuel sources has led many of the world's farmers to speculate on their crops, using their fields for biofuel crops like corn and wheat, rather than food crops, which has been part of the food crisis.
The potato is now being investigated to help with food security.
In Peru, the government has instituted a program encouraging bakers to use potato flour, rather than wheat flour in an effort to bypass the high cost of wheat.
Potato bread is being used to feed everyone from school children to prisoners and the military in the hope the trend will catch on to the masses. Although potatoes originated in Peru, Peruvians eat significantly fewerless potatoes than European countries. The developing world is where most new potato crops are being planted, and as consumption rises, poor farmers have a chance to earn more money. Potatoes do not have a lot of speculative interest in the global economy because they are difficult to transport without getting blight. But thanks to experiments in German engineering, virus-free potatoes are on the way, making transport and selling of potatoes on the global food market a real possibility and a potential solution to the problems the food crisis has brought about.
About the Author
The WeEarth Network is an environmental social network enabling us to explore our connectedness with each other and with our changing world. Find more information about socially and environmentally responsible living at WeEarth.com. Source: ArticleTrader.com
Thursday, October 2, 2008
Five Ways to Cut Energy Usage Around the House
Submitted by dane
It takes unimaginable amounts of energy to power the United States, and the needs is constantly growing. As global warming and fuel crises gain more and more public attention, people everywhere are now looking for ways to live a greener lifestyle. But this doesn't mean rebuilding your home to run on solar energy, or overhauling your current lifestyle. There are plenty of small, simple things you can do every day to help reduce your household's energy consumption (and even waste). Here are five effective changes you can make right now.
1.Turn Off the Lights
We've all heard this a million times, whether in the midst of an energy crisis or not. But that doesn't make it any less true. By turning off the lights when you leave a room, or simply using one light instead of several, you can save big bucks on your electric bill over time. Plus, you'll cut back on a lot of wasted energy by using it more sparingly. Also, installing lower wattage bulbs not only reduce energy use, they also typically last longer, meaning you'll save money on your shopping bills, too.
2.Check Your Insulation
Poor insulation can cost you big time in wasted energy. Year round, insulation works to keep your house cool or warm, depending on the season. If you have poor quality insulation, or if it's old and losing effectiveness, you could be wasting not only an incredible amount of energy, but you could also be significantly overspending on your electricity bills. Just like it doesn't make sense to leave the air conditioner on with the windows open, heating or cooling a house with poor insulation is both wasteful and ineffective (and frankly, kind of silly).
3.Fix LeaksDrip, drip, drip.
Leaky faucets are huge water wasters, particularly because people often think of a leak as a small problem how much water can really be wasted by a tiny drip? Well, you'd be surprised. Just plug the sink or tub for a day and see how quickly that drip, drip, drip fills it up. If you spot a leak, fix it as quickly as possible (you may even be able to do it yourself, if you catch it early enough). Not only is it the responsible thing to do for the environment, it's the responsible thing to do for your budget, too.
4.Consolidate Wash Loads
Washing machines and dishwashers use an incredible amount of water, so next time you're going to do a load of laundry or dishes, make sure you have enough things that need cleaning to fill the load and maximize your water and power usage. If there are only a few dirty plates or clothes, either wait until you have more to do, or simply wash what you need by hand.
5.Reduce, Re-Use, Recycle
Being conscientious about your household's waste is the first step toward a greater environmental awareness. There are lots of ways to cut back on waste: eat leftovers; use old rags for cleaning instead of paper towels; recycle bottles, cans and paper products the list goes on and on. And always donate unwanted items instead of throwing them away you'll not only be helping the environment, you'll also be helping someone in need.
How to Save Real Money When Running the Family Car
Actual Running Expenses - save on day-to-day running costs
a) Go easy on the throttle and the brake pedals. If you anticipate the traffic and road conditions a little more, you can save fuel and brake pad wear. Don't be in such a hurry, go easy on the car controls.
b) Keep the tires at the correct pressure. If they look to be wearing unevenly, get them checked. Get a wheel alignment done at least once a year.
c) Shop around for the best fuel deal. Use coupons or dockets always.
d) When it's time for new tires, shop around. Don't be afraid to ask "What is your best price?"
Compare prices and brands. Get to know the most suitable tire for your type of driving needs.
Play off one retailer against another. The same goes for brake pads. Don't just accept any quote.
Minimizing Service Costs - keep these to a minimum
a) Learn to do your own oil change and greasing. This is not a very arduous job. I actually enjoy the time under the car. Changing the oil, oil filter and greasing only needs to take less than 1/2 an hour altogether, but can save you a substantial amount of money. Just be sure doing this does not void your warranty. You can also easily change the air filter saving you even more money.
b) Get to know the normal noises your car makes. If at any time these change, see if you can work where the noise is coming from. That way when you go to your mechanic you won't have to say "Just fix it", you will be able to offer some ideas as to the cause of the problem.
c) Keep an eye out for loss of any fluids. This is often a cause of large maintenance costs. Check regularly to ensure the radiator water level, engine oil level, brake fluid level, automatic gearbox oil level, power steering oil and/or clutch fluid levels are all close to, or at, the "full" mark.
d) Look at the garage floor. Has oil been dropped on it recently? Was it from the back or the front of the car? Don't let oil leaks go checked. Get them looked at right away.
e) If you choose to do your oil changes, shop around for the best price on good oil and filters.
f) If your car requires some specialized servicing or repair, shop around.
Get competing quotes. Play off one repairer with another to get the best price.
Minimizing the Value Slide - get the most for your car when you sell
a) Keep the car clean inside and out.
b) Keep the car polished at least once a year. Twice a year is better. Use a good brand of polish
c) Use floor mats always. Keep them clean. Keep the carpets vacuumed regularly.
d) Keep a log book of all monies spent on the car and at what mileage/kilometers they were done. Keep the receipts. This will help you get the best price when you sell if prospective buyers can see you looked after the car well.
e) Use a good quality vinyl or leather protector on your dash, seats and door trims to save them from cracking and discoloration, as they get older
.f) Look for rust spots. These can occur around the windscreen, under the doors, in the door sills and other parts of the body. If you notice any, treat them immediately with a good brand rust killer. If you feel unqualified, get a specialist to fix it right away.
g) If you see stone chips, treat them right away. These can turn into rust spots if not cared for. You could either use a auto paint spray can of the same color or touch it up with a small paint brush and touch up paint.
h) The value of your car will be enhanced at sale time if you keep it as close to original condition as possible. Try to look after the car and keep it looking like it would have been when it was new.
These are just some ways you can minimize your car ownership costs and maximize the amount you receive when you go to sell the car.
Source: Free Articles
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
Hamburger meat
The baggies that I use to store my small portions of meat are snack baggies.
You can get sandwich baggies and snack baggies, the snack baggies are probably about half the size of the sandwich baggy.
If a recipe demands a pound of hamburger, I'll use my baggy which might be half a pound, and I'll add more vegetable to take some of the place of what was supposed to be all meat.
Saving pennies on baggies is great, but don't reuse those meat baggies even after washing; toss in the trash.