Daily Handy Tips

Posts Tagged ‘budget’

1. How To Choose The Right Location for Your Shed

Take careful consideration about the placement of your wooden sheds. Give yourself enough room around the shed so you have the space you need to build it. Your shed should blend in with its surroundings and not look like it was just plopped in its place. Locate your wooden shed according to its intended purpose. For example, next to the pool if it’s to be a used as a pool cabana or near the garden if you are going to use it to store garden supplies and equipment. If you build your shed directly under a tree, it can get messy with falling debris and bird droppings.

2. How To Pick The Right Plans

A good set of plans should have it all. Your plans should contain plenty of photos of the wooden shed in the progress of being built. It should also have step-by-step instructions. Another helpful item is to have exploded diagrams along with a detailed materials list to make the trip to the supply store much easier.

3. How To Decide if You Should Buy a Shed Kit

Cost, time and skill level are the three main factors that help you determine if you should purchase a wooden shed kit. It should take approximately one weekend to build your wooden shed once it arrives. Your skill level of using tools is one you should be honest and comfortable with. Another consideration you will have is how much this will cost. Wooden shed kits tend to cost more but the time you will save is the big payoff.

4. How To Choose The Right Kind of Shed

The roof determines the style of shed. There are four basic types of wooden sheds. A lean-to shares or leans against an existing wall and is good for storing smaller items. Saltboxes have an uneven roof with more headroom towards the front end of the shed. Gambrels look similar to a barn with their two pitched roofs. The advantage of this is that they allow for more room overhead. The most popular style is the gable roof shed. The roof has two equal sides and is very simple to build.

5. How To Choose The Right Materials for Building

Cedar is the best material for wooden sheds. Not only does it have an unmistakable aroma and natural beauty, but it also repels insects and resists molds that rot wood.

6. How To Properly Prepare The Shed’s Site

The first thing you’ll want to do is remove any large rocks, debris and plants. Make the ground flat by using a rake and shovel. If you slope the site slightly down from front to back, this will produce the best runoff for water.

7. How To Stake Out The Site for Your Shed

Put a temporary stake in the ground where the first corner will go. Now, drive a stake into the ground a little ways past this stake. Measure the length of where the front wall will go and drive the next stake just past that mark. Run a piece of string between these two stakes. Now, stake in the second wall taking your best guess. This is only temporary. To make the next line of your rectangle perpendicular to the first, measure out from the corner (where the two strings cross). On one side measure three units (feet). On the other string measure four units (feet). From these two points, the measurement should be five units. If it isn’t, make adjustments until it measures this exact amount. This means it’s perfectly square. Continue around the other sides until finished.

8. How To Square The Walls And Floor

Once your wall or floor is framed, the easiest way to make it square is to measure the opposing corners diagonally. So, you would measure the bottom right and top left corners. Then measure the bottom left and top right. If both measurements are the same, the wall is square.

9. How To Take Advantage of The Small Spaces

The spaces between the studs are one of the most overlooked spaces in wooden sheds. Add 1×4 or 2×4 boards as shelves as these spaces are perfect for them. To make the shelves adjustable, use slotted tracks that accept shelving clips up the sides of the studs. You can find them at most hardware supply stores.

10. How To Make Your Shed Last A Lifetime

If your shed is made from the right materials and you take care of it properly, it is sure to last a long time. Use a high quality water sealant on all exposed wood and try to keep the roof clear of debris. It will make all the difference if your shed is made out of hardwood such as redwood or cedar.

You can find more info, tips and resources regarding to wooden sheds at Donald Rickerby’s new web site: Best Wooden Sheds

For parents who participate in shopping activities for and with children, you know that sometimes, picking out just the right thing and finding affordable clothing can sometimes be difficult. This can make shopping for kids clothing adventures challenging. Here are some ideas to make it easier.

When you think about it there are lots of choices to make when buying kids clothing. Depending on whether you’re shopping for a boy, girl, toddler, or youth the choices can be overwhelming. You have to pick the right colors, the right size and also stay within a budget making it hard.

The first lesson on keeping up with the trends in kids clothing and the new stylish attire is to keep your eyes open. Use resources available like the internet or local stores with displays. Many stores have websites and internet outlet stores that will have all of the merchandise categorized for easy viewing. Here you can take your time to look at all of the latest fashions that will help you keep your child up to date with the latest clothes.

A great way to save a little money when shopping for the latest fashions is visit your store’s customer service area for special notices. Normally, they will have a visible display inviting you to sign up for their store credit card that will give you considerable discounts for signing up and oftentimes to make it attractive they offer a lower interest rate. They will also have a way to be added to the stores preferred customer list by providing an email address so the can maintain a relationship with you by sending you newsletters, coupons, and other frequent discounts and rewards.

For budget conscious buyers investing in kids clothes, you also have options. Most stores have clearance sales. Check these racks in the stores first. You will find excellent bargains and really low priced items. Finding the right size may be difficult if you have a hard to fit child. Be sure to have the child try the clothes on before you purchase as these clothes usually have a no return policy.

If it is hard to find the right sizes, talk to the manager of the store and ask them what day markdown and update clearance racks. Consignment boutiques and garage sales can be a good resource. Many times you’ll find unique and quality clothes.

There is very good news for the parents on the hunt for kids clothing who have allergies. Check the tags for clothes that now have organic cottons blended in the fabric, adding durability and softness. These materials are not sensitive to the skin at all and have no dyes or paint chemical. A new material contains biodegradable bamboo.

To save money from having to shop and buy clothing frequently for growing children a good rule of thumb is to shop for kids clothing that have elastic around the tummy. Investing in clothing slightly looser will allow room for growing into helping to extend the wear.

How do parents keep up with all of the latest trends that are put out by the top brands producing kids clothing? This is a question many parents ask as they struggle just to keep their growing children clothed, let alone find all those adorable outfits that are seen on other kids. Thankfully, the answer is quite simple: many parents find ways to buy the best name brands at discount prices.

Garage Sales: This has been a great way to find used children’s clothing at very low prices, and they are making a come back in these tough financial times. If you can find a good area of town with a lot of affluent parents you can likely find some great yard sale prices.

Thrift Stores: From the big stores such as Goodwill or the Salvation Army to small mom-and-pop type thrift stores, this is another old but still relevant way to find reduced prices on clothing for your little ones. You may even be able to find brand new clothing with the tags still attached.

Auction Sites: If you don’t mind shopping online look for popular auction sites such as eBay. There are many smaller ones cropping up that are less competitive but still offer some great clothing items. Some sites now allow you to trade goods with others rather than purchasing outright.

Internet Only Sales: There are many sales through popular stores that are for internet purchases only and many consumers have no idea this exists. Go to the websites for your favorite stores and sign up for the email alerts and newsletters. You will then have some advance warning of sales inside the stores and even special invitations to internet only sales.

Clearance: For the best deals ever, shop the clearance products during a great sale or promotion. As an example of one great sale that happens regularly, the popular (and expensive) little girl’s clothing store Justice sometimes puts the entire store on a 40% off sale. This discount applies to the clearance items as well, which will take many of the clearance items down to less than a quarter of the price they typically sell for.

Discount Retailers: Look around online for websites offering reduced rates on the best name brands every single day. You aren’t looking for big sales here, but every day reduced prices that make these expensive brands more reasonable.

Trades: This may be a long shot for some people, but if you can ask around your local area you may find someone who is willing to trade clothing with you. If they have children a little older or younger than yours, then it may work out as a fair trade that will save you both a lot of money.

Why pay full price for kids clothing when you can dress your kids in the cutest styles for a fraction of the price?

During this economy crisis, we should all be looking for ways to save and preserve our finances. To be honest, we shouldn’t just stop our preservation efforts with our financial health, but we should also do all that we can do preserve the environment and the world that we live in. Taking steps to go green to help our world could result in us seeing more green in our wallets and bank accounts. Here’s how:

Give your clothes some “hang” time during this economy crisis. Many people that have space around their home can put up a clothesline outside where they can hang up and dry their clothing. If you are a bit squeamish about your clothing hanging out for all to see, then consider putting up a clothesline inside, either in a garage or even a retractable one in the shower or bathroom. The tools and clothesline that you need, you can buy for cheap at a dollar store or discount retailer.

By eliminating the use of the dryer, you will see an automatic saving on your electric bill, as dryers take a lot of energy to run. If you don’t have a lot of clothes to dry, then you definitely don’t need to use that dryer. During this economy crisis, wouldn’t it be better to drip dry so that you can help the environment and your wallet!

Walk, ride, or skateboard wherever you need to go while the economy crisis is looming. Not only will your body get all of the great advantages from this form of exercise, but you will also save money and our environment. Gas prices are ever-changing, so it can be difficult for a family to figure out their exact gas budget, anyway.

By using alternative means of travel, you can save our environment from the harmful emissions that your car gives off and you can experience a significant personal saving. Cost of gas and vehicle size, with larger vehicles requiring much more gas, can make a huge difference in a budget. So, put those feet to good use and save in the process.

Find alternative uses for some of life’s basics like newspaper and store shopping bags. Instead of trying to find ways get garbage bags that you can buy for cheap, re-use those plastic store bags. Some may say that it is better to just get a cloth shopping bag, but it can kind of balance out environmentally if people would just re-use those plastic store bags, which are almost always bio-degradable, for collecting their families daily trash.

Another fantastic item to reuse is newspaper. We get them as circulars in our mailboxes and we even buy them from time to time. They are perfect for cleaning windows, instead of using those name brand cleaning wipes. They can also be used for packing stuff and, even for helping to absorb stinky shoe and suitcase odors. A little crumpled newspaper can go a long way. During this economy crisis, we all need to find alternative uses for things.

These are just a few ways to go green and save during this economy crisis. Consider alternative methods of doing things, get “back to nature”, or just don’t use as much energy and other resources, and before you know it you and your family could be enjoying the saving, cost-cutting, and new frugal ways that you have learned. Everyone is looking for ways to get more for less right now, and when you and your family see the change in your finances…you will be glad that you took these simple steps toward going green!

Keeping little children occupied is a full time job for most parents. During this economy crisis, many families have felt the strain on their wallets as they to give their kids the toys and other entertainment items that they crave. With all of the marketing that is geared toward children, parents are often put in a tough spot where they have to make some decisions as to what they will spend on and what toys will have to pass their families by. Even though much of the world is experiencing an economy crisis, there are ways for parents to meet their kids entertainment needs without overlooking the financial needs of their families. Here are 3 tips for making it happen:’

Make fun stuff out of recyclable items! If your family eats cereal or uses juice boxes, then you should have more than enough supplies to have some recycling fun! Work along with your child to turn those boxes into cities that they can plan, build, and decorate. A little color from markers, crayons, and old newspaper or gift wrap can go a long way when it comes to sprucing up a newly built box “city”. You can also add an interactive element by making a trip to the dollar store to buy for cheap those little action figures, die cast cars, and trucks.

Teach them a craft! A fabulous way to not only have a good time with your child, but also to use the time in a constructive way is to teach your child a craft or learn one together. During this economy crisis, people are looking for more ways to save on little things and by doing craft projects, your family could do just that. From sewing potholders to crocheting scarves for the cold weather and knitting slippers, you and your child could make lots of stuff that your family could use. Frugal fashionistas should make an effort to buy for cheap the materials or use stuff that you have around the house. You will all be proud of your finished products and the saving that your family will experience because of them!

Find and use wacky frugal recipes for some real crazy times! One of the most fun, frugal recipes that you will find is the edible play dough recipe. Letting kids mix up a batch using items that you can buy for cheap like chocolate crme, confectioner’s sugar, peanut butter, and powdered milk will keep them busy and excited. Plus, you’ll also satisfy their need to snack while allowing them to explore their creative side! It’s a great time and it’s messy. Your kids will be very happy. But, most importantly, it won’t cost your family a lot of money during this economy crisis. Now that’s something to be happy about.

Kids don’t needs lots of high priced toys to have fun. Families can find other ways to have a good time during this economy crisis that will fit into their new saving, cost-cutting way of life!