Recent comments

  • Almost 2000 uses for a can of WD-40   18 years 36 weeks ago

    Trivia - WD stands for Water Dispersant. 40 because it was the 40th formula. There was once a WD-40 scented men's cologne.

  • Almost 2000 uses for a can of WD-40   18 years 36 weeks ago

    Lubricate - lubricate - lubricate!!!

    If you read the label of a can of wd-40, it does not use that word once! And there is a reason for that - it is NOT a lubricant.

    wd-40 is a SOLVENT that has some lubricating properties amongst many others. wd-40 will loosen many things because it eats up whatever is binding them. That property will also eat up and destroy many things that you don't want destroyed, like seals on bearings, grease, and oils.

    wd-40 is great stuff, but using it as a lubricant can cause more harm than good. If you must use it in an emergency as a "lubricant", be sure that you clean and properly relube the device ASAP.

  • How to Erase Your Medical Debt   18 years 36 weeks ago
    wow

    Harp, you're going to be making a lot of people's lives happier! Good post!

  • Cure it with Garlic!   18 years 36 weeks ago

    May I suggest the highly entertaining documentary on garlic "Garlic Is As Good As Ten Mothers":

    http://www.lesblank.com/more/garlic.html

  • How to be charming   18 years 36 weeks ago
    Hm

    I'm not so sure about that one. I know that it can be an effective tool, but you have to be very careful not to overdo it, or to start believing what you are saying. Sometimes, insulting yourself can make other people feel like they need to buoy your self-esteem.

    Everything in moderation, I guess.

  • Almost 2000 uses for a can of WD-40   18 years 36 weeks ago

    Jessica, that is totally inappropriate!

    It also happens to be the first thought that came to my mind. :)

    What? I like the smell. Maybe good as a room freshener, as well?

  • Almost 2000 uses for a can of WD-40   18 years 36 weeks ago

    is one of those automated litter boxes that scoops the poop automatically. I believe our very own Justin Ryan did a post about something very similar. Give it a read.

    http://www.wisebread.com/pet-hack-why-i-love-the-autobox

  • Almost 2000 uses for a can of WD-40   18 years 36 weeks ago

    What the heck is an electric cat-box rake? (#170)
    What the heck is a hydraulic ram, and why does its 5th wheel slide out? (#15)
    #193--Did they mean "repel" or "prevent"? I don't think animals climb on garbage cans. They either knock them over or (if they're open) they jump in.

    I agree, the repetition makes this list seem less impressive, but it is true that WD40 has a lot of unusual uses.

  • Your 401(k) is not an investment   18 years 36 weeks ago

    It's true that you don't want to withdraw the money from your IRA or 401(k). However, while leaving the money in the account, you can reinvest it in whatever is appropriate to balance your portfolio.

    For example, let's say you receive a bunch of stock (a gift, an inheritance, exercised stock options--something like that). As a result, your investment portfolio is now overweighted in stock and underweighted in bonds. Without taking the money out of your IRA or 401(k), you can shift a chunk of it into a bond fund, restoring the appropriate balance.

    Of course, depending on where your money is invested, your choices may be limited. Fortunately, there are lots of places you can move your IRA that offer a very wide range of investments.

  • Almost 2000 uses for a can of WD-40   18 years 36 weeks ago

    huffing it!
    (Just kidding, but I had to put it out there)

  • Your 401(k) is not an investment   18 years 36 weeks ago

    Thanks for this! I'm just getting to the point where I'm paying off debt and moving small amounts of money into a roth. I also have a traditional IRA from a previous job. It's a big learning process, and I was definitely making the mistake of confusing the two just as you're talking about here.

    At the same time, it seems like they are at least correlated. By definition you want to keep your IRA for long term stuff, since you get penalized by early withdrawal. It seems like you could put your Roth anywhere you feel comfortable with, and then whatever's left over goes to the more risky investments. Maybe I'm still confusing them, but it seems like different compartments take more advantage of different investments.

  • Almost 2000 uses for a can of WD-40   18 years 36 weeks ago

    I did point out the repetition in the post, but the top 200 were much less padded than, say, the final 200. I think it's a fun list with some great points. What I'm thinking of doing is creating a list of 100 supreme wd-40 uses from that list based on reader comments.

  • How to be charming   18 years 36 weeks ago

    One more tip to add.....be self defacing. People always like that. It's a strange charm trick I use that really works. Basically, put yourself down a bit - especially when you are complimented...don't overdo it. A little reflective neg will do.

  • Tasty, Healthy Breakfast Cookies With Chocolate-Covered Espresso Beans   18 years 36 weeks ago

    This is great! I've modified it to include powdered egg white for a more complete protein (and some flax meal for omega-3) =)

  • Your Personnel File...at home   18 years 36 weeks ago

    Thanks for the additions to courses -- professional certifications and designations, security clearances, etc. And since you mentioned projects, project values (what the company has invested in the project) and number of team members can be helpful.

    All of this info doesn't have to be included in whatever documents you prepare but it is nice to have it all in one place.

  • Almost 2000 uses for a can of WD-40   18 years 36 weeks ago

    .... it is amazing stuff though.

  • Almost 2000 uses for a can of WD-40   18 years 36 weeks ago

    Didn't even mention how good it is for starting fires!

  • Almost 2000 uses for a can of WD-40   18 years 36 weeks ago

    That list is ridiculously padded. How many separate entries do you need to say "cleans and protects metal objects" and "removes crayon from many surfaces"? Some of them were surprising, but I think the interesting uses tend to get lost in all the repetitive slush. Maybe you should take some WD-40 to that list--clean and protect it.

  • Your Personnel File...at home   18 years 36 weeks ago

    Certifications from courses you've taken, as well as the exact dates you got them, and any sort of other information like government clearance security information, and as to what level you're cleared at, would help recruiters as well.

    Also, for projects/engagements, the exact months (dates if ppossible) of when you started and how long it went on for, bbecause I'd count the months for actual "real" experience.

  • 10 frugal things to try before you die (updated)   18 years 36 weeks ago

    I knit and sew, too--and it can be either frugal or ungodly expensive, depending on what you make. I love knitting socks; they're wool and they'll last forever, but sock wool is very pricey. On the other hand, when my daughter was into the "Mommy and Me" look a few years ago, I caught a huge sale at the fabric store and made us a summer's worth of matching outfits--about 6 or 7 dresses for me, and dresses and shorts/halter sets for her. Because of the way they were made, she was able to wear them from age 3 to age 6 or so with minimal changes. The whole thing, soup to nuts, for both of us, patterns included, set me back about $100. Not bad for two complete wardrobes! In my professional days, I loved wearing silk blouses and wool skirts; the silk I could catch on sale, and the skirts (back then) I could make with one yard of fabric. Wool business skirts for under $10 each....I had a HUGE wardrobe, even on a journalist's pittance.

    The true value of sewing came home when I designed my wedding gown, though. I couldn't find anything I liked that wasn't $2K (to wear for 5 hours, HUH??!!) and I had a strict budget. And they were cheesy...pearls hot-glued on, etc. But I wanted the whole thing. Sewing the dress took 5 months and set me back about $600 for everything (lots of Czech crystal, Alencon lace, etc). Now, if I'd sold it, I probably would've made 25 cents an hour, if I was lucky. But when I had it cleaned after my wedding, it had to be insured first, and the cleaner, a friend, called in a professional appraiser. It appraised at $3600 13 years ago. :) Needless to say, it's stored very, very carefully.

  • Book Review: Ragnar's Guide to the Underground Economy   18 years 36 weeks ago

    At least, that's how I hope most people read Ragnar Benson's work.

  • 10 frugal things to try before you die (updated)   18 years 36 weeks ago

    I,m a bargain shopper from way back.I loved the late night shopping tip,and shopping at the goodwill stores.For years I had to watch every cent i spent,our income was low and I had a young son to raise.When you go shopping make sure kids have something to eat with them,a lolly, bread roll etc.as they,ll less likely ask for treats.If they do ,don,t give in.Look for magazines and books at the goodwill.They are usually read once,in near perfect condition and not always that old.I think the cookbooks are the best.Cheers!

  • Book Review: Ragnar's Guide to the Underground Economy   18 years 36 weeks ago

    I know his work. Interesting books, but most of it I was aware of previously. But I like knowing how to beat a system I'm comfortable complying with. It's that handy, comfy little back-up plan that will never (one hopes rather fervently) come into play.

  • My car payments are too much! What should I do?   18 years 36 weeks ago

    I am pretty much in the same position as you. I have great credit purchased a new car about a year ago, and now want out of the loan. I now feel as though i could def get a better car for the price that I am spending. I have a great plan, that was mentioned by only one other person on here. Currently I owe about 5 grand more than my car is worth. Once I have bridged this gap I will sell the car, its as simple as that.

  • Crappy service, great food...what to do?   18 years 36 weeks ago

    ...you learned NOTHING from this article. The whole point was to remain calm and polite. Not stomp out of the restaurant with your nose in the air. The wait staff will only sabotage your food when you act like a jerk. Again, you learned NOTHING from the article.