light bulb (Photo credit: allerleirau)
My father isn’t the most forward-thinking guy, and the last time I visited him I discovered he hadn’t changed any of his utility arrangements in decades. I was able to help him out and save him a healthy chunk of money by showing him how easy it is to compare power prices these days. Finding a better rate on electricity is a breeze with online resources. Continue reading
Retirement (Photo credit: 401(K) 2013)
You’ve put in decades of hard work for your family, and now it’s time to enjoy your retirement. People who end their working life would sometimes be anxious and won’t know how to go about the new lifestyle–worrying about what to do next and where to go.
Here are some things that you can look forward to after you stop working; ideas on how you can live your retirement years to the fullest. Continue reading
Smart phones are some of the greatest inventions in phone technology. Though they may be packed with so many innovative features, they still need boosts at times in order to stay fresh. This is where the accessories come in–the right accessories will make your calls and other activities go smoothly, and will make you maximize the use of your phone. Here are some of the best ones that you should consider getting:
1. Screen protector – This is one of the cheapest accessories you’ll find out there, and it’s also one of the most important. By having a clear film on the surface of your screen, you will be able to protect it from scratches. There’s the clear film screen protector, which is the most basic type, or you could also step up and get the one with the Privacy feature, which will keep nosy watchers from look at your phone as you type.
2. Drop-proof casing – You may already have silicon or hard cases, but these may not be enough. If you’re the type of person who’s always dropping stuff, or if you have kids who sometimes borrow your phone for games, investing in this case will be a good idea. These do not only have a hard-shell–it also has a rubber outline that has a shockproof mechanism, and will not give dents in case the phone falls.
3. Dock / audio connectors – This is excellent for those who also use their smartphones for music. Most models out there are built for mounting Apple products (because the have the iPod and the iPod Touch), but if you’re using a different model, look for accessories that will allow you to connect it with a cable instead of putting the phone on the dock itself.
4. Extra chargers – If your smartphone is always active, and if you always use apps, make calls, play games, and surf the net, you’ll have to charge it at least once a day. These devices consume a lot of energy, so having a back-up will be helpful, especially for those who are using their phones for work and can’t afford to have empty batteries.
5. Stylus – This is another affordable and very useful accessory for touch-screen smartphones. If you’re using a phone that has drawing/note feature, this will make your text or artwork better. There are so many different brands out there, and chances are they won’t be affiliated with the phone brand, so make sure that you try them out first before you make your purchase.
6. Earphones / Headphones – Because most smartphones have excellent sound, having a good pair of earphones will maximize its use. If you love music and will store songs in your phone, it’s best if you invest in good brands.
Whatever brand you’re using, these accessories will surely help amp up your smart phone. You did some work researching, reading reviews, and figuring out which smart phone to get–now do the same with choosing the add-ons that suits your lifestyle. Choose wisely!
For most households, the kitchen is one of the busiest areas at home. If you want to go green, this is one of the areas where you should start. Here are some simple and effective tips on how you could make your cooking and dining space greener and more energy-efficient.
1. Energy Saving Light Bulbs – these are easy to find and easy to install. They can be found at your local supermarket, hardware or department stores.
2. Buying new appliances? Look for the Energy Star logo – Appliances such as the refrigerator, the stove, and the dishwasher are some of the biggest energy hogs in the kitchen (and maybe even the entire house), so if you’re planning on getting a new one, consider getting a model with an Energy Star logo on it. These are the best, more energy-efficient ones available in the market today.
3. You should only do full loads when using the dishwasher – In line with the previous tip, you should know how to use your dishwasher wisely. When doing the dishes, make sure that the washer is full–this way, you will only have to run it once, and they would therefore only require less energy and water.
4. Buy local and organic products – When shopping for food, opt for local produce or go organic. This way, you will be able to support the local food communities and avoid the harmful additives in products sold in most stores. Also shop by season. This will not only help you save some money but avoid buying imported produce (support our farmers market). Also, don’t forget to always bring your own reusable shopping bag!
5. Use proper pots and pans – When cooking on the stove, make sure that your container is the right size. If you use a small pan on a big surface, you will generate more heat and therefore waste energy.
6. Use an aerator – This is a tried and tested item that will slow down the flow of the water in the faucet. By installing an aerator, you will be able to control the water that comes out, which will save you up to 2.5 gallons of water every day.
7. Use your food scraps for organic gardening – Composting your food scraps will improve your garden’s soil and make you stay away from those harmful chemical pesticides and fertilizers. Not all food scraps can make it to the compost bin, however, so make sure that you do your research on things that you should and shouldn’t use (eg. veggies and fruit waste are allowed, but fish waste and oils are not).
There are a number of free composting courses on offer in New Zealand. Check your regional newspaper or council website for more information.
8. Save an re-use any plastic containers from you take-away nights.
9. Use plastic food containers for storing left-over food or lunches, instead of using plastic wraps or plastic lunch bags.
10. Turn-off any electrical appliances that are not in use. For example your microwave oven. Turn-off your kitchen lights when you leave (the kitchen).
You don’t need to do any major remodeling to have a green kitchen. Applying these basic and easy adjustments will already lower your energy consumption and save you lots of money.
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The internet is one of the most important tools in any type of buying process–from clothes to cars, from electronics to trips, the world wide has become a necessary tool for shopping. These days, one of the easiest ways to buying a property is checking out websites. By simply going online, buyers will get just about any type of information they need. This article will serve as a guide on using the internet in finding a home, so if you’re looking for a new place. Continue reading
Stainless steel appliances are some of the most sought-after items in kitchens today. Sleek and stylish, these are considered as some of the most attractive accents to modern designs. If you’re not yet sure if you should start using stainless steel appliances in your kitchen, read on. This article will provide you with reasons why it’s time to hop on the bandwagon. Continue reading
When talking about nutrition and staying fit, most of the attention is given to food and exercise, and drinks would usually be overlooked. Beverages, however, deserve the same attention–it is very easy to consume unnecessary calories through bad drink choices, so everyone must be aware of the role of beverages in their diets. Aside from water, what other types of beverages would help you lead a healthier lifestyle? Here’s a list of healthy drinks and their advantages. Continue reading
As computer technology develops, children are becoming more inclined to using gadgets. One of the most commonly-used ones today are smartphones. If you have kids and want some stuff to keep them entertained, here are ten age-appropriate smartphone apps that will keep them company–perfect for while you’re on a roadtrip, in a waiting room somewhere, or simply while hanging out at home. Continue reading
Auckland is finally out of the woods now that the legionnaires outbreak which caused the death to two people has been declared over.
Auckland Regional Public Health Service said there were 17 confirmed cases of Legionella pneumophila (Lp1) between February and July, however confirmed cases has returned to its normal background rate, with only two cases confirmed over the past 78 days.
The source of the outbreak was never identified. Authorities are considering the possibility of multiple sources taking into account the geographical spread of cases.
As a precaution, building owners were advised to shock dose their cooling systems and conduct a test for the presence of Legionella after three to seven days.
From Twitter…
News: Auckland‘s legionnaires disease outbreak over http://t.co/ISylvgxB
— SBHealth (scarletBLACK Health) (@SBHealth) Wed Jul 11 2012
Legislative changes maybe pushed by an inter-agency working party which formed to deal with the outbreak, which includes the public health and building industry groups. Such changes would include making it mandatory for building owners to log their cooling towers on a register and require owners to test for the presence of Legionella every month , Auckland Council building control manager Ian McCormick said.
The locations of all known cooling towers has now been added to the APRHS’s database
Medical Officer of Health, Dr Simon Baker, said the outbreak increased awareness of risks and the need for improved surveillance of vulnerable water systems.
Another earthquake left the residents of North Island terrified.
This was confirmed by GeoNet in their report stating the quake was a magnitude 5.7. The epicenter was 10 kilometers sourth of Turangi. It struck at 12.50pm Saturday.
From Twitter…
Strong quake rattles central North Island – National – NZ Herald News http://t.co/CrIePzhh
— ThinkingGreen69 (Smart Green Solution) (@ThinkingGreen69) Sun Jul 8 2012
Strong quake rattles central North Island: http://t.co/19od1wSP #newzealand
— nzwon (WON KIM) (@nzwon) Sun Jul 8 2012
The quake which was felt all across the North Island was 90 kilometers deep.
Related Stories:It came four days after a magnitude 7 earthquake centred offshore from Taranaki rattled residents from the Bay of Plenty to Canterbury, but caused little damage.
