Free food is always enticing. Even when you’re not hungry, the sight of a delightful snack that’s available without a price tag surely is appealing. Grocery stores, flea markets and wholesale clubs have long been capitalizing on people’s love for free food, offering samples in their stores or at their food displays. But what’s in it for the stores besides making people happy? Here are the reasons behind the success of free food samples:...
Ken Wolter/Shutterstock Who’s ready for some deals? Well this year at Harbor Freight, you’ll have to wait until Black Friday. Harbor Freight is one of the many stores that will be keeping Black Friday on Friday this year, instead of opening up earlier on Thanksgiving Day. Their hours are from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. the day after Thanksgiving, and boy do they have a lot of deals to take advantage of!...
MultifacetedGirl/Shutterstock No one likes to get robbed, and yet every time you leave the house, you likely do passive things to ensure you don’t, like closing and locking the windows and doors. You may even have a great home security system. Little deters resilient burglars, however, so you should probably make sure you’re not leaving easy clues for them to pick up on. How you hide your keys, for instance, is one of the first things burglars pick up on....
It’s natural to want to protect your home, where the people you love live and all your belongings are. One major decision you’ll need to make is whether to choose security system monitoring, or if you’re comfortable self-monitoring a security system. What Is the Difference Between a Monitored and Unmonitored Security System? Monitored systems are available from large security firms and some local companies. They cost more than unmonitored systems. While part of that cost can be attributed to rental of the physical sensors, cameras and controls, what you’re really purchasing is the monitoring service and the peace of mind that comes with it....
Family Handyman Save those “used”sanding belts to make specialized sanding tools. All you need is the belt, a pair of scissors, some two-sided carpet tape and a little imagination. Here’s a couple of ideas to get you started. Stick two-sided tape and a piece of sanding belt on the outside of a hole saw to work like a drum sander. We recently made some decorative scallops on a board by drilling evenly spaced 3-in....
ljubaphoto/Getty Images Choosing either a licensed or unlicensed contractor is one of the first decisions homeowners have to make before starting a home improvement project, and there’s more involved here than possibly saving a few bucks. Defining “Contractor” The first thing to understand is that contractors are essentially coordinators. It’s a common misunderstanding, but most people who use tools professionally are not contractors. The main work of a contractor is as quarterback, orchestrating a group of tradespeople hired to do the actual work....
Medium-density fiberboard (MDF) has a ton of useful applications, but as a finished flooring material? About five years ago, we needed a cheap “temporary” finished flooring solution in our upstairs, 1,200-sq.-ft. addition. MDF isn’t as cheap as it was then, however. Now it runs about $30 per sheet. The idea was to use MDF until we could afford something better (we called it our “five-year” floor). Well, five years down the line (and no sign of new flooring in sight), here’s how the MDF is holding up (photo below)....
It’s easy to fall into the trap of feeling like you need the latest and greatest power tool for your projects. But just because you can buy a tool doesn’t mean you should. If you’re cutting wood at an angle for picture framing or interior trim, a miter saw or table saw with a miter gauge can do the job quickly. But these are expensive and take up a lot of workshop space....
Though her father and grandfather worked in the trades, it took awhile for Sarah Lehowich to find her own career in construction. After working as a university professor, then at a community non-profit teaching young people about the trades and apprenticeships, she decided to try her hand at running her own construction company. Now she’s the owner and operator of True North Roofing, and says she’s never been happier. We talked to Lehowich to learn more about her career and the tools she finds essential while working as a roofer....
maxsattana/Shutterstock If you’re putting your home on the market, you’re going to want to get the best price possible and do whatever you can to increase home value. That means you’ll have to prove your home’s worth to an appraiser who will determine your home’s current market value. Appraisers will make their assessment based on your home’s square footage, age, condition, location, amenities and previous sale prices, according to the Appraisal Institute....
The number one thing pros worry about when deciding between corded and cordless tools is power. While it’s true that being able to make cuts and drill holes without being attached to a cord or a generator is a major plus, it’s not an option if it means sacrificing power. The editors here at CPT took a look at a DEWALT’s Cordless Stud/Joist drill and were really surprised by the amount of power it packed for being a cordless tool....
Bagged salads are reported to be among the most popular grocery items, with the average American eating over 22 pounds of greens per year. They’re convenient, nutritious and sometimes they even go on sale. The rest of the time, you’re forking over some real dough for the privilege of having ready-to-eat leaves. With that in mind, you might want to consider growing your own salad garden. It’s easy. And, you can even do it in containers....
jgolby/Shutterstock You’re doing a bit of decluttering and find you have some old tools in the garage or workshop that are beyond repair. Before you just toss them in the trash, here’s what you need to know about recycling old tools. Here are 15 items you didn’t think you could recycle. How to Recycle Old Tools: Contact the Dealer Some tool companies, such as Bosch, allow customers to drop off their old power tools at one of their dealers or service centers....
Sometimes, all it takes is the smack of a fly swatter or a thump from a shoe to silence an annoying insect buzzing about your house. But with the invasive spotted lanternfly, it’s not that easy. Learn how to spot this innocent-looking but malicious species, why it’s so problematic and what you can do to deal with it. What Does a Spotted Lanternfly Look Like? You’ll recognize the spotted lanternfly by its distinctive wings — a neutral set with brown spots, a red set with black spots and a black-and-white set....
A ductless air conditioner, also called a mini-split system, can be a quick and easy way to cool a room when it’s hot and warm it when it’s cold. Let’s see if a ductless air conditioner is right for you. What is a Ductless Air Conditioner? A ductless air conditioner cools down (or heats up) your living spaces without ductwork. The mounted units don’t require a large footprint on the floor, like a portable air conditioner, or take up a window like a window unit....
According to the Federal Highway Administration, more than 70 percent of American roadways are in snowy regions and more than 1,300 people are killed annually on snowy or icy roads. Making sure you’re ready to drive on those roads this winter can save your life, or the life of someone you love. Be Sure Your Car Is Ready for the Weather If you’ve parked your car outside, it’s likely covered in snow or ice....
Smart devices are fun and useful for the whole family. We tend to focus on how smart homes help adults, but there are plenty of kid-friendly smart devices on the market. So what can Alexa do for kids? Which commands will help kids stay on top of schoolwork, chores and extracurriculars, and which ones will just make them laugh? Some of Alexa’s existing commands are already perfect. But you can download others from the skill store or customize your own commands with Skill Blueprints....
The four water storage tanks on the California property where I live are the lifeblood of our household. A 500-gallon steel tank feeds an additional dwelling unit (ADU) nestled in a wooded clearing we call “the meadow.” A 500-gallon stainless steel tank feeds the main house, and a 5,000-gallon plastic tank feeds the garden and holds water for emergencies. The stainless steel tank feeds into an 86-gallon pressure tank to provide the main house with pressurized water....
Shutterstock/ Pormez When you own a painting company or other contracting business, you know that your online reputation is a huge part of your storefront. And you know that if your storefront is looking shoddy, you can’t expect people to want to enter and find out more about your business. But if your reputation is glowing and positive, people are going to take that first tentative step to learn more about you....
Eliminating buckthorn is all about gaining the upper hand and keeping it. This aggressive invader, which threatens the natural health of wetlands and uplands in the U.S. and Canada, is one tenacious fighter. It requires patience to bring it to its knees. Here’s how to identify it and kill it. What Does Buckthorn Look Like? Common buckthorn, the most widely-found variety, has glossy green leaves with noticeable leaf veins. Its trunk is gray and smooth when young, and there’s a small thorn at the end of branches....
