|
More Hot Tips from April May
To reduce
static electricity on your television screen and computer
screens, wipe them with one of those little fabric softener sheets that
go in the dryer. After all, the sheets are also designed to help
eliminate static cling.
What will termites
do if you play rock music to them?
Answer: They double the pace at
which they chew through wood.
But there’s a better way than that to
tell termites from flying ants. First, ants have pinched waists, but
termites have abdomens that are joined to their bodies without stems.
A
second distinguishing characteristic is that flying ants have two sets
of wings of different sizes. Termites’ wings are all about the same
size.
A third way to tell ants from termites is that ants’ antennae have
an "elbow" in the middle, while the termites have almost straight
antennae.
And yet another way to be sure which is which: since only the
king and queen termites have wings, look around to see if there are any
worker termites in the same area. Workers are light-colored, and they
don’t look anything like ants.
Going out of town for
more than a few days? See to these chores before you leave
home: adjust the settings on your climate control system; turn the water
heater to its lowest setting; unplug the TV, VCR, computer, stereo, and
microwave. If your refrigerator has an energy-saver switch, use that
before you go. And remember to turn off water to the washing machine.
A broken hose could cause a flood that could make you sorry to come
home!
Here's a biggie: credit
card interest can cost you hundreds — maybe thousands. You can
spend more on fun and toys if you pay off your entire bill each month
and skip those nasty interest charges. If the balance is just too big,
pay as much as you can and transfer your balance to a card with a lower
annual percentage rate (APR). But be watchful — some bait and
switch cards start you at a low rate and boost it in just a few
months. Paying an annual fee to use your card? The annual fees on a
pocket full of for-pay cards can cost you $100 or more a year. Last but
not least, pay on time! Interest and late payment charges are money out
of your pocket with nothing to show for it!
Good tips for great grilling!
- Preheat the for 10 to 15 minutes with the lid down and the burners set on high.
- Scrape hot grates clean with a grill brush.
- For most cooking, set burners to high or medium-high for proper searing.
- Close the lid of the grill to concentrate heat.
- Use highest heat to sear those good thick steaks and burgers, then turn down the heat to finish cooking.
- Don't just guess when the food is done. Stick a quick-read thermometer into the sides of steaks and chops or into the thickest section of burgers and chicken parts.
- Call family and friends to the table, and then — YUM! Time to eat!
At last! A way to
sidestep the problem of mailing to people on the move: If you are
addressing a package or letter to the old address, use the new address
as the return. If they've already moved, they'll get it by return
mail, and the delay of remailing is more than cut in half!
Is there a bottle of
ancient aspirin in your medicine cabinet? If it smells like vinegar
or crumbles easily — time to toss it out.
A safety tip out of
the Health Gazette Newsletter. If you're out in the open during a
thunderstorm and your hair begins standing on end or your skin starts
tingling, you could be in danger of being struck by lightening within a
second or two.Strikes usually seek metal objects and go for the tallest
object on the horizon (think "lightning rod"), so drop any metal objects
such as umbrellas, golf clubs, etc., and lower your profile — stoop
down, staying on the balls of your feet, and lower your head.
Dentists warn that
starchy snacks can be as bad for your teeth as candy. The remains of
sticky caramels stay on your teeth for less than two minutes — but
crackers can last up to five minutes!
If your car bounces
three or more times when you cross a dip in the road or when you
stop suddenly, your shock absorbers may need attention. Another sign --
when the car leans or sways when you change lanes quickly or take a
tight curve. Worn shocks or struts can affect steering and even cause
the car to brake less efficiently.
Stressbusters:
- a spare car key in your wallet,
- an extra house key in an accessible
spot,
- a spare car key ditto,
- roll of stamps.
- Make lists of things you must do.
- And keep up your appointment calendar.
Read Marcus Aurelius . . . remember that "our life is what our thoughts
make it" (Yes. It is available here!)
Halogen lamps are such
hotties that they can cause fires. For that reason, all halogen
floor lamps must now be shielded by a wire or glass guard over the bulb,
says the Consumer Product Safety Commission. If you already own a
halogen lamp with an unshielded bulb, you can get information about
receiving a free guard to fit it by calling
800-985-2220.
To be
covered by the Fair Credit Billing Act, contested credit card bills
must be reported in writing within 60 days of the postmark on your
statement. Keep copies of what you send. While your claim is being
investigated, you don’t have to pay the disputed portion of the bill —
but you do need to pay the rest of the charges. During the wait,
however, the charge is not a delinquent debt.
Don't eat the bulbs!
They look a lot like onions, but most flowering bulbs are toxic --
some violently so. So keep daffodils, jonquils, narcissus, tulips, and
other bulbs out of the reach of children, and never store them in or
near the kitchen!
Disposable diapers or
cloth diapers? Consumers Union notes that disposables cost
parents between $1,500 and $2,100 a year, so buying (and laundering)
cloth diapers is less expensive. But disposables do a better job of
keeping babies dry, and they are less likely to spread germs. And each
type has about the same impact on the environment. So take your
pick.
OK, that's
really all, folks! Unless you want to read the EXCEEDINGLY OLD
Tips.
A.M.
| 
BookStore