Notepad Corner

Bikes can be a big investment, so you want to make sure that your pride and joy is kept safe and secure. Bike storage is a major concern for any bike owner. You do not really want the inconvenience of having to wind your way around your bike every time you walk through the entrance to your home, but how else can you keep it safe and out of the elements? The good news is that you do have options, when it comes to storing your bike. Some of them can actually be cool ways of adding a fun decorative feature to your home. Bike racks for the wall If you are looking for a fun and funky interior décor idea, and a place to store your bike, then why not combine the two. Bike racks are permanent wall fixtures where you can hang one or two bikes. This means that you bike is out from under your feet, it's safe and it creates a talking point when your friends come over for dinner. Bike hooks to make your machine stand out This is probably not an ideal solution if you have a very...

If you don’t plan to use your vehicle for a while and plan to keep it parked on your property or at a storage facility, there are many things you can do to protect your vehicle. Irreparable damages can still happen to vehicles when they are in storage, and you can minimize your chances by taking the proper precautions beforehand. Car Keeping your car covered while it’s not in use is one of the best ways to protect the exterior. Your car should also be thoroughly cleaned in advance to remove any bird droppings or water stains that could damage the paint. Filling the gas tank will prevent moisture from forming inside and may save you from having to undergo costly repairs. It’s also a good idea to start your car and let the engine run for a few minutes every couple of weeks in order to prolong the battery’s life. Image credit: Josh Tremper - https://flic.kr/p/ciVpjj Motorcycle Just like with a car, you’ll want to cover your motorcycle to protect the seats and other ...

Each year, over one-fourth of Americans report being dissatisfied with their repairs from a mechanic, with costs being the biggest source of satisfaction, followed by improper repairs. In fact, unnecessary car repair is consistently ranked among of highest causes of consumer complaints in the United States, and repair costs have been estimated to be in the tens of billions- even as high as $40 billion. These expenses pile up on top of all the other costs of owning a car. Owning a car can cost an average of $9,122 for sedans (which comes out to 60.8 cents per mile over the vehicle’s lifespan) to $9,795 for a minivan (65.3 cents per mile) to $11,599 for an SUV (77.3 cents per mile). Maintenance costs increase the cost of owning a car even more; upkeep cost Americans an average of 4.97 cents per mile in 2013, equivalent to about $750 per year. Interestingly, these hundreds of dollars of repairs stem from the same few areas of your car. Your engine, for example, is the most importan...

Elegant is timeless. It does not know a specific era, and it doesn't just grow out on people. It is for this very reason that many would like to incorporate this quality in the clothes and accessories they wear; even in the house they call home. How does one make his home not only look, but feel elegant as well? There are many ways to make your house an epitome of elegance and one of them is by creating a contemporary look to it. If you have the taste and are not bothered by doing a good deal of quest for inspirations, then you might not even have to hire a professional designer. Talk about savings! Perhaps you'd be able to buy that pendant lighting piece that you have been eyeing for quite a while now. To help you in achieving that elegant contemporary vibe in your house, we've gathered some tips: 1. Minimize the use of flamboyant fixtures and accessories. Elegance doesn't take advantage in quantity -- it demands attention without having to be loud. Such ...

For the first-time buyer, the range of things to consider when looking at washing machines can seem mind boggling. Fortunately for you, we've put together this extensive guide which should help put all the technical, practical and lesser-known things right into perspective. While choosing between washing machines will never be as simple as baking a cake or going out on the town, by informing yourself with the facts before you buy, you'll at least be in a position to get the best deal for you. So, with no further ado, let's start with the most important points you need to consider. First of all, you'll need to decide upon the right concept for you: to settle this quickly, look no further than the fact that top-loading washing machines are fantastic space-savers and cheaper as well. 

The pantry typically positioned in the kitchen is a closet or a small store room in which food, kitchen utensils and similar items were kept. To save time and money, most of us usually buy canned goods, condiments, milk and other food supply for our family in bulk which is good for a week or a month’s supply. Before doing the grocery shopping, it is advised to check on the supplies left in the pantry and list down what is needed to be bought to keep on the budget. 

It is essential to put order in your refrigerator to maintain not only the freshness of the food and other items you store in it but to keep your family’s health safe too.    When cooking for a family meal, it is a must to have the freshest ingredients as it contributes to the making of a fine and healthy dish. Thus proper storage should be observed to avoid food to spoil and to get rid of bad smells and contamination. Here are suggestions on how to keep food fresh in your refrigerator. Always wash eggs before storing it in its designed area. Salmonella is a bacteria we can get from raw unwashed eggs. Butter and other fats should be kept in covered containers or in their original containers once opened. 

Recently there has been a movement towards green living. People have started to become more environmentally conscious along with realizing the savings to be had from an energy efficient home. However, making the necessary renovations and remodels can become costly and too expensive for some. Here are some ways to make your house more energy efficient and green without doing any remodeling.  Water Savings  There are multiple opportunities for energy savings in regards to water efficiency. The average house uses gallons upon gallons of water each year and this can certainly be improved. One very simple step you can take first is to install aerators onto all the faucets in the house. These aerators are rather inexpensive and can be easily found at almost any home supply store. Aerators work by splicing the water stream into many tiny streams rather than one big stream. The water flow is actually reduced while water pressure is maintained. This makes aerators not only...

If you're like most families, a significant percentage of your budget is probably spent in the kitchen. The kitchen is a major source of energy use, with all of its fancy appliances and gadgets. It's also where your food is stored and prepared, which can add up over time. By keeping the following tips in mind, you can save money not only on energy costs but also on your actual food bills. Save Money on Energy Your refrigerator and freezer run 24 hours a day, using a great deal of energy! You can cut down on this energy use by making sure that you only open the door when necessary and avoid putting warm food in your fridge or freezer. This requires your appliances to work harder in order to keep everything cool.  You can maximise energy use by defrosting your unit regularly and leaving your fridge three quarters full. This helps keep the right level of air circulation around food to optimise efficiency. Rather than stuffing your fridge with water bottles or home filter sy...

I learned all my cleaning techniques from my mom.   She taught us, my three other sisters and I how to do house chores and inculcated to us that we should always keep our home clean and tidy. She is very meticulous when it comes to cleanliness, that’s why we call her the cleaning expert and her influence made me an OC too Here are several tips to keep your home clean and tidy. Put mats by the front and back doors to prevent dirt from being tracked in   Disinfect the telephone daily by swabbing it with cotton dip in alcohol   Sanitize doorknobs with an anti-germicidal spray or disinfectant sprays like Lysol.   Always straighten the shower curtain and keep the bathroom floor and all surfaces dry to prevent molds.   Immediately clean the stove after cooking.   Set a small box for remote controls in the living room.   Place magazines and newspapers on a magazine rack to avoid clutter.   Launder curtains at least tw...

Cleaning and organizing the home can be a daunting task when you have a busy life and a family to take care of. Yet when you can't readily find objects in your home, it can cost you money to needlessly replace them. Taking the time to get organized will save you time and money in the long run, which is why an annual spring cleaning can be so beneficial. The following are a few ways to organize your home to make life easier, and save a few dollars in the process! Sort Mail One of the biggest sources of clutter is the mail that comes in every single day. Create a centralized area to hold your incoming mail, where it can be easily sorted each day. Use a filing system to store important documents, and recycle the rest. You can not only reduce clutter but save money by switching to online bank statements and bills, as many utility companies will give you a discount for online payments. This will also ensure that you pay all bills on time, helping you avoid late fees. Create a ...

More students are graduating in debt than ever before. The rising cost of college tuition has driven students to take out student loans in order to receive a college education. The debt that accumulates from these student loans will follow a student for years, and can create problems when a student applies for a loan. Image via Wikipedia

Providing your child with an adequate place to study can help him complete his school work in an efficient manner. When your child has everything he needs to get his work done, he will feel more organized and be able to finish it in less time, giving your child more time to have fun. 1. Get Everything Together Assemble all of the tools your child needs to complete his homework assignments. In most cases, you will need paper, pencils, a ruler, scissors and a pack of crayons. If your child runs into other items he needs, keep those in the same place for the future. 2. Choose A Well Lit Spot A place close to a window is best, but directly under a light can work as well. Being able to see clearly is important for completing homework assignments. This also reduces the strain on his eyes, which can help prevent damage to his eyes. 3. See What Your Kid Thinks You want your child to be comfortable while he does his homework. Therefore, his input on the matter is important. Let him pi...