Extending the Life of your Phone Battery
Jul 16, 2009 Tips and Tricks
1. The simplest and most effective way to preserve battery life is to just turn your cell phone off. If you’re going to bed, or you’re at work and do not plan on answering your phone, power it down.
2. Use your ringer or the vibrate function, but do not use both at the same time. The vibrate function alone can use a lot of battery power. Using both can put a tremendous drain on your battery.
3. Don’t bother with the wallpapers. Yes, they are cool to look at, but they also use a lot of power. I suggest finding a nice picture to use instead.
4. Turn your Bluetooth off when not in use. Or better yet, switch to a regular corded headset, as they use less power.
5. Charge your phone less often. Charging when you don’t need to (like, say, when the battery is at half power) can reduce the battery’s capacity. The average cell phone charge lasts about three days, so it really is not necessary to charge more often than every other day.
6. Avoid playing games, watching video or scrolling through pictures on your cell phone, as they tend to use a lot of power. This is especially important if you know you’ll have to wait awhile to charge your phone.
7. Turn down the brightness of your screen. The LCD screen will suck a tremendous amount of power from your battery, just like the screen on a laptop. Go to your phone’s settings menu to find the screen controls and adjust the brightness.
8. Check and clean your battery contacts. If your battery’s connection to the phone becomes corroded, which can lead to poor battery performance. You can use a cotton swab and some rubbing alcohol to wipe both the contacts and the battery compartment of your cell phone. After you’ve cleared away any dust, lint or debris you’ve found, the energy transfer should be back to normal.
Other Uses of Vinegar
Jul 9, 2009 Tips and Tricks
1. Streakless windows:
Simply wash with a mixture of equal parts of white distilled vinegar and warm water. Dry with a soft cloth. This solution will make your windows gleam and will not leave the usual film or streaks on the glass.
2. Clean the microwave:
Boil a solution of 1/4 cup of white distilled vinegar and 1 cup of water in the microwave. Will loosen splattered on food and deodorize.
3. Clean the refrigerator:
Wash with a solution of equal parts water and white distilled vinegar.
4. Clean and disinfect wood cutting boards:
Wipe with full strength white distilled vinegar.
5. Bathtub film:
Bathtub film can be removed by wiping with white distilled vinegar and then with soda. Rinse clean with water.
6. Toilet bowl cleaner:
Stubborn stains can be removed from the toilet by spraying them with white distilled vinegar and brushing vigorously. The bowl may be deodorized by adding 3 cups of white distilled vinegar. Allow it to remain for a half hour, then flush.
7. Kill weeds:
Spray white distilled vinegar full strength on tops of weeds. Reapply on any new growth until plants have starved.
8. Keep Flowers Longer
Keep flowers fresh longer. Add 2 tablespoons sugar and 2 tablespoons white vinegar in a 1-quart vase of water. Trim stems and change water every five days.
9. Cleaner for Gold Jewelry (Winner of June 2007 Vinegar Online Use Contest)
Use one cup apple cider vinegar. Submerge solid gold jewelry item in vinegar for 15 minutes. Remove and dry with cloth.
10. Freshen baby clothes:
The addition of 1 cup of white distilled vinegar to each load of baby clothes during the rinse cycle will naturally break down uric acid and soapy residue leaving the clothes soft and fresh.
11. Clothes washing magic:
Clothes will rinse better if 1 cup of white distilled vinegar is added to the last rinse water. The acid in vinegar is too mild to harm fabrics, but strong enough to dissolve the alkalies in soaps and detergents.
12. Keeping colors fast:
To hold colors in fabrics, which tend to run, soak them for a few minutes in white distilled vinegar before washing.
13. Fruit and vegetable wash:
Add 2 tablespoons white distilled vinegar to 1 pint water and use to wash fresh fruits and vegetables, then rinse thoroughly. Research has shown that vinegar helps kill bacteria on fruits and vegetables.
14. Get rid of cooking smells:
Let simmer a small pot of vinegar and water solution.
See more uses of vinegar at The Vinegar Institute.
Other Uses of Baking Soda
Jul 9, 2009 Tips and Tricks
Snagged this from House+Made and thought I would post it here.
1. Use as a on-toxic, natural scouring powder (use like Soft Scrub or Comet, but you don’t need gloves!)
2. Create a ‘foam gun’ by mixing vinegar and baking soda in a soda bottle (DO NOT put the lid on!); aim it at a friend for full effect.
3. To make your own baking powder, stir and sift together 2 parts of Cream of Tartar to 1 part baking soda and 1 part cornstarch.
4. Makes a last-resort fire extinguisher, great for grease fires (to which you should NEVER add water), also.
5. Add 1/4 cup when re-washing a load of stinky laundry that sat in the washer too long.
6. Soda absorbs kitty-litter stinkiness. Cover the bottom of the litter box with a layer of baking soda then add kitty litter on top.
7. Wash out thermoses, sippy cups, and other closed containers with soda and water to get rid of stale odors.
8. Clean your coffee maker by running it through its cycle with a solution of 1 part baking soda to 4 parts water.
9. Polish your silver with a bit of soda on a damp rag.
10. Rub a solution of baking soda and water on your windshield to keep it from fogging up.
11. To remove strong smells from your hands wash with baking soda and water, then rinse.
12. Add 2 Tbsp. of baking soda to baby’s bath water to help relieve diaper rash irritations.
13. Make a paste of baking soda and a little water and apply directly to insect bites, rashes and poison ivy to relieve discomfort.
14. Make a smooth, white playdough: mix together 1 1/4 cups water, 2 cups soda, 1 cup cornstarch. Sprinkle on carpets or upholstery and vacuum up to remove pet smell and other disagreeable odors.
15. Relieve canker sore pain by using it as mouthwash.
16. Keep cut flowers fresh longer by adding a teaspoon to the water in the vase.
17. Put an open container of baking soda in the fridge to absorb the odors.
18. Sprinkle it in your slippers, boots, and shoes to alleviate shoe smells.
19. Put it under sinks and along basement windows to repel crawling insects.
20. Sprinkle around the garden to prevent rabbits from eating your veggies and to sweeten your tomatoes.
21. Add a cup to the toilet, leave it for an hour, and then flush. It will clean the toilet and absorb the odor.
22. Use a paste of baking soda mixed with water as an anti-acne face scrub.
23. Scrub fruits and vegetables with baking soda and water to remove pesticide residues and wax.
24. Mix 1 tsp. baking soda with your usual shampoo to remove styling product build-up and to relieve oily scalp.
25. Make ‘invisible ink’ by mixing equal parts baking soda and water; paint on paper then hold up to a lightbulb to read the message (the heat will brown the baking soda)
26. To open up a partially clogged drain, pour 1/2 c baking soda in, then add 1 cup of vinegar; let bubble for several minutes, then run hot water down the drain.
27. Combine equal parts baking soda and borax to make your own dishwasher detergent.
28. Sprinkle a bit of baking soda in the bottom of your trashcan to alleviate stinky trash odors.
29. Scour crayon and pencil marks off of your wall without damaging paint with a bit of baking soda on a damp cloth.
30. Freshen up your toothbrushes by soaking in a solution of equal parts baking soda and water.
31. Sweeten your breath by using a solution of baking soda and water as a mouthwash.
32. Brush your teeth with baking soda to whiten and remove stains naturally.
33. Make a solution of 1 Tbsp. baking soda, 1/2 tsp. liquid soap, and 1 gallon of water; spray on plants to keep powdery mildew at bay.
34. Add 1/2 cup baking soda to your washing for whiter whites and brighter colors.
35. Pretreat clothes with a paste made from 4 Tbsp. baking soda and 1/4 cup warm water to remove stains (even perspiration!).
36. Sprinkle on steps and sidewalks as a wintertime de-icer.
37. Keep weeds from growing out of cracks in your concrete walk- or driveway by sprinkling generous amounts of baking soda into the cracks.
38. Rid your pet of earmites by washing out their ears with a cotton ball dipped in a solution of 1 tsp baking soda in 1 cup warm water.
Tips on how to instill the spirit of giving to kids
Jul 9, 2009 Tips and Tricks
1. Lead by example. Serve as a role model by volunteering at your child’s school or engaging them in frequent conversation about community service. Explain the benefits of community service to your child and help them understand social responsibility and diversity in their communities.
2. Involve your child in selecting a project or cause in which to participate. There are a variety of resources to help you and your child become involved in your community. Check with your child’s school for any community service activities.
3. Consider a developmentally appropriate cause based on your child’s interest and skill level. There are a variety of ways your child can donate his or her time. For instance, several Arts & Crafts charities give your child an opportunity to paint, create cuddly dolls and bags for sick children.
4. Prepare you child for the experience by asking questions, providing options and listening to their needs and wants.
5. Praise their efforts and talk about your volunteer experience once it is complete. It’s helpful to ask your child what he or she learned from the experience. Ask your child if he or she had fun helping. Communication is key.
6. Start small. Recycling at home is a great way to incorporate community service into your daily or weekly routine. Show your child which items to recycle and teach them about how it helps the community.
Enhancing Your Child Self Esteem
Jul 9, 2009 Tips and Tricks
Here are some very useful tips!
Interactions
1. It’s important to talk positively with children about identity and physical characteristics. Use positive words and offer praise to help children feel a sense of accomplishment. The more you encourage children, the more they gain confidence to do things on their own.
2. Make sure to give children individual attention during activities and routines. Take time to listen to what each child has to say and ask questions. The child should feel like his or her thoughts are important.
3. It’s helpful to call children by name and include their perspective in conversations. Make sure that every child knows that what he or she has to say is worthy of being heard.
4. React to teasing or rejecting among children by intervening to discuss similarities and differences.
5. You should speak with children at their eye level often throughout the day. Speaking at eye level increases communication effectiveness through eye contact.
10 Ways to love our kids and spouse
May 20, 2009 Tips and Tricks
Got this from,Mai.
1) listen without interrupting. (Proverbs 18)
2) speak without accusing. (James1:19)
3) give without sparing. (Proverbs 21: 26)
4) pray without ceasing. (Colossians 1:9)
5) answer without arguing. (Proverbs 17:1)
6) share without pretending. (Ephesians 4:15)
7) enjoy without complaint. (Philippi ans 2:14)
trust without wavering. (Corinthians 13:7)
9) forgive without punishing. (Colossians 3:13)
10) promise without forgetting. (Proverbs 13:12)
This ones are really nice, right?
Quick Happines Fix
Apr 19, 2009 Tips and Tricks
First, make a decision to be happy, only then when happy things happen:
- Grab A Bite even if you’ve just had a bad morning, a bite of chocolate can do wonders.
- Get Moving movement releases natural endorphins, which are natural anti depressants.
- Smile some studies actually say that smiling purposefully puts people in a good mood.
- Laugh Out Loud laughing also releases endorphins – the happy hormones.
- Be with happy people happiness can be contagious!
Have a happy days ahead everyone!
Getting out of Debt
Apr 19, 2009 Business Talk, Tips and Tricks
Just thought you might be interested with this!
::Face up to what you owe Financial solvency with fearless honesty. So, sit down and tally every last centavo.
::Set up an emergency fund Having back-up savings will help keep you from going father into the red.
::Repay aggressively A good online debt calculator lets you run “what if” scenarios with different repayment amount and deadlines. Choose a plan that’s more demanding that you’d like.
::Track your money Keep a spending diary for at least two weeks you’ll why and how your cash is leaking away.
::Inspire yourself Visualize your post-debt life, when you will be able to use your money for some interesting and more important things.
::Go on cash-only diet Is a known law of financial physics: plastic attracts debt. So, cut up all your credit cards (except one, for emergencies), and when you buy, spend actual money.
::Pay bills more often Many successful individuals make debt payments two or even four times a month. This pares down principal faster and reduces interest too.
::Adopt a “no excuses” strategy You may not want to take on a weekend job or sell your grandmothers jewelry – but maybe you should. Do whatever it takes to succeed. You thank yourself when your debt load shrinks.
