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Nothing lasts forever. That said, many items are less obvious than the spoiled milk in your fridge — there's no expiration date or other obvious signs they have outlived their use. So how long should you let your stuff linger before replacing it? We talked to the experts and nailed down a "best by" date for, well, just about everything: AIR FILTERS Replace after: Six months Why: Filters become clogged with dirt and other particles, reducing the energy efficiency of your heating and cooling systems, says Rozanne Weissman, a spokeswoman for the Alliance to Save Energy. COMPUTERS Replace after: Four years Why: Unless you're using your computer for very basic functions (i.e., word processing), technology will have likely advanced enough that you need a significant upgrade, says David Carnoy, executive editor of CNET, a technology review web site.
When to Replace Common Household Items : Yahoo! Finance
This article is split into two main sections, the first is written for people who are currently smokers and wish to minimize the odor associated with the habit. The second is written for people who do not smoke and are trying to remove cigarette smells from home, furnishings, and objects. While researching this topic, I asked a relative for some practical advice to rid my house of cigarette smoke.
How to Get Rid of Cigarette Smell
If you don't have a handyman in your family and don't have a clue where to begin when it comes to assembling a proper home-repair tool kit, there's good news: For $200, you can buy 90% of all the tools you'll ever need to repair and maintain your home. ( Bing: Find more great ideas for Father's Day gifts ) Good tools purchased early in life can be a smart investment, says David Tenenbaum, author of " The Complete Idiot's Guide to Home Repair and Maintenance ." "You can spend a little money on a tool or two with each job," he says. "That way, you gather the tools you'll need slowly and less painfully." Of course, the sooner you purchase the basics, the longer you'll use them, hence the more cost-effective they become.
The 15 tools every homeowner should own
The other day I was poking around in Quicken when I decided to tally up the amount of money we’ve spent in various categories taking reference from our credit report .We now have ten full years worth of data in Quicken, so it really gives a sense for the extent to which small things can add up. One thing (of many) that stood out to me is that we’ve spent an average of $141/month on utilities (gas, water, electric) during that period (it was much lower early on, and considerably higher more recently). That doesn’t sound like a huge amount, but consider this… Over a ten year period that works out to roughly $17k — that’s a pretty nice chunk of change.
12 Simple Ways to Save Money on Utilities (and the Planet)
Cleaning that funky, cloudy glassware
Anybody that has hard water can attest that cloudy glassware can be a major pain. I've always used the standard advice to soak them in warm vinegar, and it works, but not for very long and it always comes back worse. Check out my funky glass: Yep, that's pretty heinous.
Non-toxic Home Care
Make sure to keep all home-made formulas well-labeled, and out of the reach of children. All-Purpose Cleaner: Mix 1/2 cup vinegar and 1/4 cup baking soda (or 2 teaspoons borax) into 1/2 gallon (2 liters) water. Store and keep. Use for removal of water deposit stains on shower stall panels, bathroom chrome fixtures, windows, bathroom mirrors, etc.
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