Frank's Tips Corner

Because times are tough economically, many homeowners have decided not to modernize their house because don't have the finances to accomplish this. If you're in that same situation, you can take solace from the fact that that you can make your home look like new with a few enhancements without spending all of your savings.

Make Your Budget Go Further

Start with the basics when considering a home rehab project. Assess from ceiling to floors first. This is the first step in your home rehab project. If you have a 'popcorn' ceiling, consider either repainting it a crisp, white color or hiring someone to scrape it and re-plaster it with a smooth pattern. Don't forget to apply a thick primer before your paint coat! Next, look at the walls and consider a neutral color that will compliment with light and earthy tones and will go with any designs and decorations. Patch holes and dents in the walls to give the home a finished look. Next, move on to the floor covering: are the floors and baseboards in fair condition? If yes, re-paint the baseboards a nice white color to make everything look brand-new again. If you plan to rip out and re-cover the floors, consider porcelain tiles, because they are affordable per square foot and stay looking new much longer than carpet does. If you will be putting carpet in, choose a thick pile that is somewhere between brown and beige so that stains will not be as visible and the carpet will be resistant to crushing for a long time.

Kitchens and Bathrooms are Key

Renovating your kitchen and bathrooms are the wisest fixes you can put into your home. If the cabinetry is in good structural shape, consider either refinishing the existing cabinets or buying new doors. If you will be refacing them, get a good hammer drill and remove the hardware from the cabinet doors to loosen them. If needed, you can purchase new cabinet facing from your local do-it-yourself store. To save even more, use the cabinets you have and refinish them. Again, take out the doors from the cabinets and then brush on a paint remover to the existing finish and scrape it off with a special scraper made from hard plastic just for this purpose. Once all trace of the old finish has been removed, sand the cabinets the beginning time with a detail sander using medium-grit sandpaper. A final sanding should be done with a fine-grit sandpaper after that. Remove all of the wood dust and then apply a wood conditioner to the cabinets. To conclude, stain or paint the wood and finish it with several clear coats to protect the new finish from water splashes.

Upgrading Your Furniture

Improving your decorative items is a simple, but dramatic way to make your surroundings looking sharp. You can find great deals at garage sales, thrift stores and on the Internet which will save money. For even increased savings, create furniture by yourself. You can make a beautiful headboard, for example, with nothing more than two oversized wooden spindles, a wood lathe (you can rent this from someone), and a large rectangle of plywood. Cover the wood centerpiece with some batting, fabric, and modern upholstery nails for a new headboard that is sure to impress!

Perhaps you're fixing up a new home or wanting to re-do the one you live in. Either way, these unique ideas for getting the place you live to look its best will help your home look brand-new without spending a ton of dough in the process.

Even though many of us are struggling with tighter finances, summer is here and the kids are ready for some boredom-busting activities. However, it doesn't have to cost an arm and a leg in order to keep them busy and having fun. The most wonderful memoirs are often created from simplicity, great company, and some imagination. Here are some fun suggestions for summer enjoyment while creating memories that will last a lifetime.

Visit your local community services department or swim club. They not only have water games to keep your family cool on those miserably hot summer days, but they often have a place to play tennis or racquetball along with other entertaining activities for the kids. This is another great way to get the kids moving around and will challenge and improve their motor skills. A tennis racket can be purchased for almost nothing at a yard sale and can bring hours of fun! If you want something new, try a sports supplier or discount Web site who will likely have great deals

Buy a stand-up pool for your yard. For about $100, you can purchase a standing pool that will surely be a hit with the kids until summer ends! It can be a great way to get friends gathered in one place while keeping them busy for hours and cooling off. Summer is the very best time to buy something seasonal like this, so compare prices online and in the stores for sales on these great items! The best part is that you don't need a huge yard in order to put one together.

Have a themed party. This is a fun thing to do for people of all ages. Visit your local dollar store or discount party store and buy some themed decorations that go with the warm weather and laid-back feel. A luau is a popular choice. Themed paper cups and plates along with some luau-themed body gear like a grass skirt or lei are lots of fun for the kids. Decoration ideas for your table and backyard are limitless at the discount party stores, use your imagination and make it feel like you've gone to a real deserted tropical island and where no one has a care in the world!

Go camping. You can find some great camping equipment at second-hand stores. Lots of families go camping only a few times and then decide they won't need their tents, stove, and other camping gear anymore. This is a great way to get camping supplies for less. If you prefer new discount camping gear, check out Web sites with overstock items on special for the best deals. You can purchase camping permits at your state parks, lakes, or beaches for great rates. You can even do the camping in your own backyard! But don't forget the s'mores!

Get a tee time at a local golf course. Golfing is one of the best ways for children to exercise their hand to eye movement. It's easy to find golf equipment; you can lease it at a local golf course, purchase it online, or buy second-hand. Miniature golf is particularly fun for the little ones because the course is filled with fun-themed holes and the putters are just their size! The cost is usually not too expensive as well.

Even with the restrictions of a tight budget, you can still make this summer the best one yet! Try these tips out and create some more of your own. With a little imagination, you can have a wonderfully relaxing summer and good times that will make lasting memories!

For many of us, our car is a very important part of our lives. Having a vehicle means freedom, convenience, and are a way to get around at will. You have worked hard to save every spare dollar so you had enough for a down payment. Each month you have to keep covering the costs of insurance and your car payment. However, when your car needs car care, the expense can hurt your budget. That's why these tricks for getting low-cost car engine parts and automotive repair tools can make an important difference in your budget at the end of the month.

Save Money on Maintenance and Automobile Repair Tools

If you have a standard maintenance repair; maybe a light to replace or a brake pad or oil change, why not try to do it yourself? There are many "how-to" online tutorials and printed books that can show you step-by-step. The advantage to getting it done yourself is that you only have to pay for the parts; no labor costs are involved. The auto repair shops can really mark up the parts, plus, you'll be paying them for labor at upwards of about $70 an hour. If you aren't comfortable with doing any of these tasks yourself, ask your friends and family if they can help you out or if they know someone who can help at a low rate. Family members are usually happy to help and don't expect much in return; student training facilities can cut the costs in half for you.

Car Care Costs: Auto Parts and Services for Less

Some other minor repairs necessitate special tools or expertise, but still can be done by you. Take, for example, replacing spark plugs, determining an error code on your dash, or getting that wobble in your rotors taken care of. Local car engine parts stores often times offer less-expensive diagnostic and resurfacing services than at the specialized repair shops. Diagnosing engine codes can be especially frustrating. In some states, you can drive to your parts supplier and they can run the diagnostic test for you to determine the problem. Nevertheless, some localities don't allow this, but the code-reading tool is inexpensive to purchase (approximately $200). If you went to the dealer every time, you'd spend about $100 each time you need to diagnose a problem. But you can have this tool in your arsenal of engine repair tools for about what it would cost to visit the dealer twice!

Auto Parts For Less: You Don't Have to Visit the Dealer

Rotor resurfacing can be especially challenging because they have to be of a certain thickness in order to be resurfaced. A minimal amount of rotor metal must be present to remain at a reliable depth. The good news is that many shops will measure them for you and tell you right there if they can be resurfaced. Additionally, they have the machine right there to get the job done. Just as simple, you can buy spark plugs at the car care and supply store and the minimum gap is stated clearly on the package. A gapper tool for your spark plugs costs only $50 or less if you don't already have one. With only a standard lifting jack, you can rotate your own tires.

Like many other people, you can save hundreds of dollars each year by doing your own minor repairs on your car. You can extend your car's life and get more out of your hard-earned dollars, and use the left over cash to enjoy more time having fun with family and friends!

A great way to ensure you get aerobic training is to go out and have a good time while you do it. While using a treadmill or pushing the pedals of an exercise bike can work in a pinch, or for times when weather doesn't encourage one to hop on a mountain bike and head up the hills, exercising inside just isn't the same as getting fit while enjoying the outdoors. Aerobics exercise is necessary for a long and healthy life, but also provides us a little bit of fun every once in a while.

Luckily, regardless of what country you live in, there are numerous options for aerobic workout to choose from. For the athletic type, there are ways to gather friends together for a fun round of their favorite sport. Some people like to get out and shoot some hoops, while others prefer to head to the soccer field to practice their skills.

No matter what aerobic workout activity you choose, you can burn calories. Golf burns about 300 calories an hour, and it is a sport enjoyed by many. With the right golf clubs, golf gloves and a good pair of golf shoes, the sport is a breeze. That is, unless your shots just won't go where you aim. Not only can you get a fair amount of exercise by swinging your golf clubs on a regular basis; the game also can fight the effects of stress, because it makes you spend time outdoors, walking and spending time with others.

Standard sets of golf equipment have 12 pieces, but many golfers decide to carry an additional iron and wood in their golf bag. A basic set of golf clubs is made of a driver (also called the 1-wood), woods 3 and 5, irons 3 thru 9, a pitching wedge, and a putter.

As the summer and fall sun fades into cold winter days, aerobic workout only gets more fun. You can burn 350 calories per hour while skiing, and the sport creates some of your most pleasurable memories in the snow. A quality ski helmet is a requirement for everyone using ski equipment, regardless of how many years they have spent on the slopes. With the advent of the snowboard, the hills have become even livelier. While this makes for a fun day, different types of downhill activity happening simultaneously bring inherent risk with it; that is why wearing a ski helmet is the best thing anyone can do. One tough accident will spoil a whole day of excitement!

When buying downhill skis, getting the right size is very important. Taller skiers have an easier time maneuvering on a long downhill ski, while a younger skier would have a difficult time on a lengthier ski. Longer downhill skis are necessary for skiing on fresh powder. They keep you balanced and make it easier to grip snow in turns.

Beginner skiers or are more cautious should use lightweight, shorter downhill skis. These make turns easier, as these downhill skis carve more easily at slow speeds.

With the economy in a downturn for the time being, many families are thinking about do-it-yourself projects to keep up or update their homes. If you haven't a clue how to work with electrical tools, there's no time like the present to learn! Doing home restoration or home remodeling projects can test your skills and endurance, but can also be an enjoyable experience if you come in prepared and know where to look for assistance should you need it.

Many homes can reap the benefits that electrical tools can offer. Generally, power tools are pieces of equipment that are powered by an electric motor, a compressed air motor, or a gasoline engine. Some power tools can be large and stationary, like a table saw, or they can be small, like a powered screwdriver. Either way you get them, power tools make any task easier and they help you finish jobs in less time. Even simple tasks such as hanging window valances in the bedroom will be more easily accomplished with the aid of a power drill or an electric screwdriver. Tasks like hanging shelving units can take much longer if you have to screw them in by handImagine the time it takes to screw in all the necessary bracings for shelving units by hand. Let's be thankful that a huge diversity of power tools is available.

Take hanging window valances for example. Because the curtain rod must be hung on a the strong studs of your home, the task of hanging the window valances rod is helped along through the use of an electric stud finder and an electric drill. This is an example of how cordless power tools assist with any household task. Once the electric stud finder has found studs through the finished wall, locations where screws will be drilled into the wall can be found. The electric drill comes next. While many people like the ease of a cordless drill, an ordinary electric drill can be obtained for a cheaper price and works well in the instance of hanging curtains. One job, two effective power tools to make it go quicker and easier.

It is a fact that painting jobs around the house can be do-it-yourself tasks that are made easier with electrical tools such as a paint spray guns, because not all jobs require the same type of instruments. Some projects need using paint rollers or paint brushes, while others can be best done by using paint spray guns. The advantage to using a paint sprayer is that it can spread paint or stain in a faster way than a paint brush or roller can. By using paint applicators, one can complete a project in far less time than by using any other painting tools. All painting jobs may not benefit from paint spray guns; small jobs frequently need a brush because they give more control. Always remember to keep paint remover around when painting to clean up any mistakes quickly.

An electric tool kit is a great way to purchase your first set of power tools. Compact electric tool kits contain the most necessary tools such as a cordless drill, a stapler and a jigsaw. With these necessary portable power tools, you can tackle a large number of jobs around the house in no time.

Improved garden tools for the outdoor garden that make gardening easier for the gardening aficionado are always being made. One of the newest gardening tools that is recently experiencing increasing popularity is a upside-down tomato planter. Using a upside-down tomato planter makes growing scrumptious tomatoes much easier, since the plant is actually grown upside down. It is really easy to use the upside-down growing container because it comes with detailed instructions. There are also hanging tomato planters that allow you to grow plants in the upright position and can be found at your local home improvement store.

One nice thing about a hanging tomato planter is that it enables gardeners to more easily harvest their tomatoes than they would for an upright tomato plant. The good things about a Topsy Turvy upside-down tomato planter goes beyond ergonomics though; this is a gardening tool that also permits people to grow tomatoes in small areas. A small space is all you will need when you put this device to work. The ability to grow delicious tomatoes in a hanging container extends from homes with a large yard to apartments with no yard. A upside-down tomato planter can be hung on a small porch in a sunny spot and grow tomatoes as tasty as those growing in a thriving garden.

Another innovative gardening tool that is getting rave reviews is the garden sensor. Many plant lovers have begun using a garden sensor to know exactly what their plants require. A garden sensor has two prongs that are placed into the ground where you are thinking of placing a plant or tree. While the plant sensor stays in place for 24 hours, it works to track conditions like the temperature, amount of sunlight and moisture in the soil. Once the 24 hour period is over, the EasyBloom plant sensor is then plugged into a computer and you receive all kinds of information as to what your plant requires. The data the plant sensor has collected will be shown to you. What you can learn from this is how to select the right plants for that particular area of your garden. Also, a plant sensor can be used to diagnose issues with plants that are already planted in your yard. Utilizing the plant sensor in this circumstance can be helpful in correcting problems that your plants may be experiencing.

What the garden sensor does not do is warn gardeners of whether or not a certain plant is best suited for a particular planting zone. It also is not able to determine the pH levels in gardens, nor can it save data once the data has been collected by the website. As technology improves, it is probable that the garden sensor device will get better over time, allowing users more options to save data that has been compiled.

Superior garden tools should help to make gardening an easier task. That's exactly what these two unique devices do. Try out a upside-down tomato planter or garden sensor in your yard this year and you will find out that growing plants can be easy!

Maintaining your car goes beyond just performing standard system checks and oil changes. There are several auto accessories items that can add years to the life of your car, and update the appearance to your vehicle. Truck owners are beginning to utilize grille guard to protect and update the front end of their vehicle. Because of the extra layer of protection provided by these automotive accessories, you can prevent expensive auto body repair. Grille guards are available for both trucks and SUVs, and are a product that performs a valuable function. A grille guard can accomplish more than fender flares or a spoiler because it actually shields a vehicle by providing a layer of protection from cars, rocks and wet paint that can cause damage.

Individuals who love off-roading know the immense benefit of putting a strong grille guard on the front of their truck. Especially in these circumstances, you will want to purchase a grille guard and a skid plate. As the bumper grille guard works to protect the bumper and grill of the truck, the skid plate keeps rocks and other hazards from hitting and damaging the suspension of the truck. The other advantage of putting a sturdy grille guard to an off-road vehicle is that it provides a perfect mounting surface for off-road lights. Adding off-road lights lets you get out after dark!

A towing ball hitch is a great addition to a truck for people that are always on the go. Towing hitches, also called trailer hitches, are available in a number of shapes and sizes for their specific purpose. In general terms, a towing hitch is classified as either weight-carrying or weight-distributing. Depending on the type of truck you use to tow and the length and weight of the trailer, you will select a towing ball hitch that best fits your needs. A Weight-carrying (WC) hitch is used with trailers weighing up to 3,500 pounds, and where the weight and suspension of the tow vehicle can handle that load. Weight-distributing (WD) towing hitch are an attachment that slides into a Class 3/4 or Class 5 weight-carrying receiver hitch. The Weight-distributing towing hitch redistributes hitch tongue weight (TW) and is mostly used for heavier trailers up to 10,000 pounds.

Shock absorbers are an important part of every car, but especially off-road vehicles. Essentially, Bilstein shock absorbers absorb the shock that is caused by uneven road surfaces. Anybody who has ever been off-roading, or even has driven into a large pot-hole understands the benefit of having good Bilstein shock absorbers. Shock absorbers work through compressing and rebounding. When you pass over a bump or that pesky pot-hole, the shock absorber pushes a piston into the cavity (compression). After the bump has been cleared, the shock decompresses (rebound). Your wheels are then free to move without you feeling every bump and dip in the road. Such a minor auto part completely enhances the performance of your vehicle.

These key auto accessories can make your truck more comfortable and useful in a relatively economical way.