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Have you ever tried to saw through a steak with a dull knife? Or cut a piece of fabric with scissors that aren’t as sharp as they used to be? While these are minor annoyances, replacing worn cutlery or cutting tools can be a major expense. But you can reduce wear-and-tear on your sharp tools to make sure they last.
Following are some tips for keeping tools in shape. [Read more…]
Wear and tear are a given when it comes to home ownership, and it’s anybody’s guess as to what will need to be fixed next. Whether you’re a brand-new homeowner or have been in your house for years, it’s never too late to make sure you’re equipped with the best tools for doing everyday repairs or bigger tasks.
The following essential tools will come in handy in a variety of different circumstances and play a part in maintaining your place. Having these at the ready will save you some frustration so you won’t have to go next door when the pipes under the sink are leaking or a cabinet comes off its hinges.
1. A screwdriver set: Adjustments to door latches, cabinet doors, appliances or anything else will need to be made, and at these moments, you’ll find yourself reaching for a Phillips or flathead screwdriver. Whenever something’s on the brink of falling apart, you’ll be glad that you have set of screwdrivers at hand to accomplish the task.
2. Tape measure: Before you haul a piece of furniture into a room, before you rearrange the furniture that’s there or before you saw into a piece of wood, you’ll need to take a measurement first. A tape measure will give you the answers you need and save you some time and trouble.
3. Hammer and nails: Inevitably, something will need to be tapped back into place around the house, or else a stray nail may need to be pulled out and replaced. If you need to hang a picture or secure something together, a hammer is what you’ll need.
4. Utility knife: If you have a pocket knife, you’ll undoubtedly find that it can only do so much, and for many projects, you’ll need something a little sturdier. A utility knife can be used both indoors and outdoors for many different tasks. One with replaceable blades is the best choice.
5. Pliers: Even if you think you won’t need this, a situation will occur when you’ll need to pull, bend or hold something in place. You can invest in a set of them that includes needle-nose, wire cutters or square top ones for any and all projects.
6. Wrench: When a fastener on a pipe under the sink needs to be tightened or you need to fix your bike, an adjustable wrench is the device you’ll need. You can also use this for basic work on small machinery or even on your car engine.
7. Power drill and bits: Putting up shelves and cupboards are great storage solutions, and you’ll need a power drill to get them up securely. You’ll probably run into other tasks, such as drilling deck screws, and a power drill will save you from picking up some blisters.
8. Putty knife/scraper: Nobody’s perfect, and when doing some home improvements you may accidentally put a hole in the wall you didn’t mean to, or when removing an old switch plate, part of the wall comes with it. A putty knife will help you patch that up and can also be used for scraping peeling paint.
9. Hand saw: Whether it’s for cutting down small limbs outside or sawing through stray carpeting or flooring, you’ll need a safe and effective way to do it. The ergonomic designs with rust-proof blades in the stores these days are not your grandfather’s hand saw.
10. Flashlight: This is something you might not think of as an essential toolbox item, but if your electricity goes out or you’ve got repairs to make in the basement, a good source of light will be essential.
In addition to all these items, some runner-up tools to have in your arsenal would be a caulking gun, an extension cord, a broom and dust pan, an Allen key, a sturdy step stool or ladder and some duct tape. Maintaining your home requires some effort, and being prepared will go a long way toward staying on top of the tasks that crop up from time to time. Having these 10 tools at the ready will prepare you for whenever something needs to be repaired, improved or assembled, and with this gear, you’ll be the envy of the neighborhood.
International travel can be one of the most fulfilling and exciting things of your life, but it can also be one of the most frustrating if you don’t have your paperwork in order. Whether you’re hopping across the globe on a week-long honeymoon or you’re spending a longer block of time studying overseas, you need to keep the following documents with you.
Passport
The obvious one, right? Make sure your passport is in your carry-on luggage (or on your person) and not in your checked luggage or you could find yourself in a lurch at the airport.
Visas
Different countries have different visa requirements based on the purpose of your visit, so do your homework and get your visas taken care of.
Immunization and medical records
Bring copies of your immunization records to prove that you aren’t a medical risk to your destination location. If you’re planning on staying for any length of time, your medical records are also good to have in case anything happens that lands you in front of a doctor.
Driver’s license
An American driver’s license might not entitle you to drive in your destination country, but it will be a valid form of identification. If you want to do some driving while you’re globetrotting, consider getting an International Driving Permit (IDP). Valid in over 150 nations, it contains your name, photo and other identifying information in ten languages, so it can serve as ID almost anywhere. For it to be valid, it needs to be accompanied by your regular driver’s license.
Proof of insurance
If you’re vacationing for a short time, you need some basic international insurance coverage to protect you and your family in case of an accident. If you’re studying abroad, you can purchase special international student insurance to cover any unexpected medical emergencies for a worry-free trip.
Flight, hotel and car rental information
Remember that luggage can get lost, so keep all the information about reservations and layovers you need to keep from getting stranded in an airport somewhere.
Medical prescriptions
You’ll need prescriptions to show that the drugs you’re taking into a country are for legitimate medical purposes and are legitimately yours, but you’ll also want to have the prescriptions on hand if something goes awry and you need to replenish your supply.
Make copies
To be on the safe side, make copies of all the most important documents — your passport, visas, proof of insurance and driver’s license — and pack them in your checked luggage. If some of your documents are lost or stolen while you’re traveling, having these copies can expedite the creation of new documents without ruining your vacation.
Except for the copies, none of these documents really have a place in your checked luggage while you’re traveling. Once you reach your destination and start vacationing (or studying) in earnest, you’ll really only need to keep your driver’s license, passport, visa and proof of insurance on your person.
From a schedule flexibility perspective, college is a great time to travel. Built-in school breaks, amenable class schedules and a large body of like-minded peers all conspire to make traveling a logical and appealing pursuit.
But the problem hamstringing many college students is the cost of those travels. Traveling costs money, and even when traveling in groups, the expenses that pile up are enough to prohibit many students from traveling. Even some that could afford those travels shy away from the open road because their finances are limited as it is.
In the United States, 59 national parks are scattered across the country, ranging from the very large—Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve in Alaska—to the very small: Thaddeus Kosciuszko National Memorial in Pennsylvania. In 2011, over 278 million people visited the parks—but how can you decide which ones to visit yourself?
Before you head off on your national park adventure, though, you should consider how to keep your family safe and healthy while exploring the wilderness. Carry a first-aid kit with you at all times in case a family member takes a fall or has a nasty encounter with some stinging nettles. Also, make sure to tell someone at home where you’ll be, and carry a cell phone with GPS to help you maintain your bearings on deserted trails. And consider purchasing a travel medical insurance policy before your trip begins; doing so will ensure coverage no matter where you are to help you avoid overwhelming medical bills later.