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Small Kitchen Remodeling Ideas

Kitchen Remodeling

Make the heart of your home an inviting space for family and friends.

Creating the kitchen of your dreams begins with our team learning how you use your space. We’ll work with you to design a kitchen that is beautiful and functional, whether that means refreshing the style, adding storage space, building an addition, or removing walls to connect your kitchen to dining and living areas.

Countertops

Add counter space, bar tops, and kitchen islands using durable materials designed to stand up to years of use.

Backsplashes

Bring your kitchen together with an eyecatching full- or partial-height tile backsplash.

Custom Cabinetry

Give yourself the accessible storage space you need with cabinets, pantries, and more.

Finishing Touches

Customize your kitchen down to every last detail, including windows, in-floor radiant heat, and lighting.

Your goals, your style, your custom-designed kitchen.

Listening to your needs and desires, our team collaborates with you to design all the details of your dream kitchen, from flooring to faucets. We create a 3D rendering so you can experience your kitchen before it’s built. If you’re staying in your home for the remodel, our team will set up a temporary kitchen for you. Once construction begins, your lead carpenter is at your home every workday until your project is complete, ensuring your kitchen is completed on time and on budget.

Cost-Cutting Kitchen Remodeling Ideas

There’s a new breed of homeowners redefining the way homes are built: creative individuals who thrive on the challenge of finding inexpensive materials and using them in innovative ways.

Look Into Laminates

These homeowners wanted copper accents without paying top dollar for the real thing. So they installed a metallic laminate around the island that mimics the look of real copper. They added what looks like copper tiles to the backsplash — it’s actually copper-colored foil hand-wrapped over cheap white porcelain tiles.

Custom Isn’t the Only Way

Instead of paying top dollar for custom cabinetry, these homeowners built their own. They are made from purple-heart wood flooring and stainless-steel sheets. The handles are plumbing pipes from a hardware store. The countertops are stainless steel found at an old pizza parlor for $50. A sander was used on them to create funky swirls to camouflage the old scratches. Total cost of cabinets and countertops: $3,000.

Inexpensive Alternative to Granite Countertops

These homeowners got high style at an extremely low price. They went to a hardware store, bought five bags of concrete and poured it into forms they had built themselves.

Combine Materials

These homeowners combined multiple pieces to create one kitchen island. They found two premade Ikea cabinet units for $500, sandwiched them together then topped it with butcher-block. They found old soda-fountain stools online and had a builder anchor them into the floor joists.

Kitchen Remodeling Services

Customized to Your Lifestyle

The kitchen is the heart of the home — which is why you want this central space to not only be inviting, but customized to meet the specific needs of your lifestyle. Whether you’re looking for a contemporary, modern, industrial, mid-century,  or Scandinavian design, every project starts with taking your ideas and creating a 3-D model so you’ll have a clear vision of the transformation.

Kitchen Remodeling Services

Whether you’re ready for a full kitchen remodel, or looking to install custom cabinets, we’ve got you covered

services include:

Design (3-D modeling & computer renderings)

Replacing, restaining or refacing existing cabinetry

Kitchen island design & installation

Cabinet hardware installation (knobs, pulls, hinges). We proudly partner with Sunstone, Waypoint, Showplace and Dura Supreme

Countertop installation (laminate, acrylic solid surface, granite, marble, tavertine or quartz)

Lighting configuration (recessed canisters, pendants, switches/outlets, layered, LED under counter tape lighting). We proudly partner with Lamps Plus, Restoration Hardware for light fixtures and Lutron for LED recessed and under counter lighting

Tile installation (backsplash & flooring). We proudly partner for most our our tile selections

Flooring installation (wood, laminate & tile). We proudly partner with Mohawk

Residential painting services

Plumbing fixture installation including faucets

Wall removal and reconfigurat

Electrical

Kitchen sink installation (granite, fireclay, stainless, cast iron with porcelain)

Is Quartz or Granite a Better Kitchen Countertop Material?

This is a common question receive from our clients. Both granite and quartz are beautiful, durable, and strong kitchen countertop materials, and you can find a variety of options at New Life Bath and Kitchen.

Many people choose quartz for their kitchen counters because it can be less expensive than granite. In addition, the maintenance for quartz is minimal as quartz never has to be sealed, while granite must be sealed each year.

Best financing options for a kitchen remodel

When it comes to major home remodeling projects, few cost as much as a kitchen renovation. It’s not hard to see why. Not only do kitchens come with costly components like kitchen cabinets and countertops, there’s an array of expensive appliances you’ll probably want to replace.

Kitchen remodel costs are often so substantial that consumers save up the money for years to pay for their project — or simply borrow the money they need from the start and commit to years of monthly payments.

Borrowing money for a kitchen renovation is a necessity for many homeowners given the average kitchen remodel cost. For example, Remodeling magazine’s 2019 Cost vs. Value study finds that the average upscale major kitchen remodel cost $131,510 this year. A major midrange remodel set homeowners back an average of $66,196.

Remodeling your kitchen with a personal loan

As you’re considering kitchen remodel ideas, it helps to understand your options when it comes to financing the job. While there are borrowing options that rely on your home equity, another popular choice is a personal loan.

Personal loans let you borrow a lump sum with a fixed interest rate and a fixed repayment period. You’ll have a fixed monthly payment as a result, which makes personal loans easy to plan and budget for. Where other borrowing options like home equity loans require you to borrow against the equity in your property, personal loans are also unsecured. This means you don’t have to use your home as collateral and put your home at risk of foreclosure if you fall behind on payments.

KITCHEN REMODELING

STARTING FROM $8,900

This Silver Kitchen Remodeling package is perfect for adding a “wow” factor to your kitchen, especially if it doesn’t need big structural changes.

Ideal for: 10′ x 10′ moderately-sized kitchens.

All the Kitchen and Bath Shop packages include cover plumbing fees before, during, and after the project is complete as well

STARTING FROM $11,900

The Gold Kitchen Remodeling package is for those that want to go a bit farther than basic changes in their kitchen and include changes to their flooring as well.

Ideal for: a moderately-sized 10’x10’ Kitchen.

With more cabinetry colors to choose from, this package is for those who really want their kitchen to stand out. Away from the classics like white, the homeowners can also choose unique colors based on their dream kitchen design. It comes with elegance that actually lasts for years.

STARTING FROM $15,900

In this Diamond Kitchen Remodeling package, the focus is almost entirely on making your kitchen as stunning as it is functional.

We will offer 15 color options to choose for your cabinets, thereby ensuring a palette as vivacious as you. A full-height Glass Backsplash will also help in creating a stunning-yet-modern-decor.

As with our gold and silver package, the only work you have to do is to pick your options. From demolishing to installing, all the necessary plumbing and related activities will be taken care of by our expert team of professionals. And they will not leave until every appliance has been installed, checked and confirmed to be in working condition by you

MEASUREMENT

will visit your house and measure for space and consult with you, provide design ideas and offer some solutions

FREE DESIGN

After listening to your ideas and needs, we will design your kitchen with 3D renderings. will either invite you to the showroom to go over the designs or submit the design to you.

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Good House Interior Painting Depends On The Paint Selection

CAN YOU PAINT FURNITURE WITH WALL PAINT?

When you are a homeowner, every penny counts. But can that leftover interior paint be used for anything besides walls? Turns out, it can!

I bought this Lane dresser from a friend a few years ago, and as the way it always seems to go, I never quite got around to fixing it up. But then – an idea came to me. Since I wanted this piece to eventually go in the bedroom, I wondered if I could redo it in the same color as the freshly-painted walls? I had some paint left over and an inspiration in mind, so I went to work!

As you can see in the before picture, this dresser was in decent shape. It’s very solid and heavy, but the top was a little rough. To start, I gave the top, sides and drawer fronts an overall cleaning with some to remove the any grease and dirt. Furniture polished for years with Pledge and Endust type of products, which are silicone based, should be cleaned prior to refinishing, or you’ll have problems with paint or stain adhering. Plus, a good cleaning is always a must before starting your project.

I next scuffed up the surfaces with my Festool Random. (Sidebar: WHY did I wait so long to get a sander?) This is a good practice anytime you are repainting or refinishing a wood project, whether you use a sander or sand by hand. It gives the paint something to “grab” onto vs. sliding off a slicker surface. Be sure to wipe off any dust left behind.

I chose to leave the drawer fronts and the legs of the dresser in the wood tone and use the paint for the top and sides. The leftover paint of choice was Paint & Primer, satin finish, in “Owlet” – a nice taupey color with a soft blue undertone that I paired with “Blue Cashmere” for the rest of the room. The paint is an acrylic latex paint and primer in one that cleans up with soap/water, and goes on really nice. After taping off where the painted areas met the part I wanted left wood, I applied 2 coats, drying several hours between coats, with a 2ʺ brush.

Tips for painting bathrooms

Bathrooms and wet rooms have particular environmental factors which are unique from the rest of the home. Water, steam, heat and cleaning products can be tough on the decoration so professional products are often needed to ensure the best possible finish.

Considerations before you start:

Is the room well ventilated? Are there windows? This will influence the condensation build up within the room. Are you decorating near/in the shower? If so choose an appropriate waterproof coating.

Cover all fittings to prevent paint splatters

Decorating a bathroom or wet room will usually mean fittings, fixtures and tiling will already be installed so need to be worked around. Help avoid paint splatters by covering fixtures and fittings (including the bath!), Easy Cover from Tesa is particularly suited to covering large areas and provides the ideal protective barrier against any painting mishaps.

Drop a sheet down to protect the floor

Dust sheets such as the ranges from ProDec and RoDo will protect the floor from any paint spillages.

Prepare the surface

Preparation is key to ensuring a long lasting finish. Taking time to get the best foundation before painting or wallpapering will help illuminate issues which may arise after decorating such as damp or cracks and chips in the substrate.

Painting and Decorating Prices: How Much Is Too Much?

If you’ve ever had to paint your entire house, you’ll know how tiring and frustrating it can become. Yes, you might rush into your new home with enthusiasm, and apply that first coat of colour in the first week as you stamp your mark upon the place.

Painting and Decorating Prices

On average painting and decorating prices are around $160 per day. Prices in are likely to be a little higher. This means you should expect to pay between $375 and $500 to paint an average size room. You may get it a little cheaper if you have a bigger job.

Experience Costs Money

There are a number of factors to understand when you’re considering painting and decorating prices. Firstly, remember that most of the quote will be for labour costs. This means that prices will vary considerably, not only regionally, but because of skill level too.

Unsurprisingly, London is the most expensive area to get decorators in. But even in other areas, prices may still remain high because quotes are from skilled and experienced professionals. It’s definitely wise to weigh up the pros and cons of hiring those starting out compared to tradesmen who’ve been in the job for years. Anyone can splash a coat of paint up, but cutting in, covering up damp and getting a consistent finish aren’t always easy.

Extras Will Eat into Your Budget

If you’ve only budgeted for painting, then you may get a nasty surprise when a painter turns around and explains the amount of additional work they need to do. For example, damp patches can’t just be painted over with the final colour, but need a sealant added first.

Everything You Need to Know About Paint Finishes

Here’s what you need to know about four main paint finishes—flat, eggshell, semigloss, and gloss—and the best bets for where to use them in your home, along with a few more stand-out paint ideas. Remember: There are no set rules for how certain paint colors look in each finish; that decision is totally up to you

The Difference Between Satin and Semigloss Paint Finishes

While semigloss and satin paint finishes have some characteristics in common (both are great for high-traffic areas and are easy to clean with just a damp cloth), there are differences you should take into account. Primarily, it’s important to remember that satin paint will show any flaws in its application (i.e. brush strokes), so if you’re a first-time DIY painter looking for something durable yet forgiving, consider opting for semigloss instead.

Choose the Right Sheen

Picking the right shine level for your space is important. Not only will it impact how a color looks during certain times of day (that gray-green might look more blue than you expect!), but darker colors will naturally have more sheen, because they contain more colorant than lighter paint colors. So if you’re going dark and dramatic in your room but still want to hide some imperfections, you might opt to go down a finish in the shine department.

Pick the Best Ceiling Paint

Ceiling paints and wall or trim paints are not interchangeable. If you’re doing a full-room makeover, paint the ceiling first, then your walls and trim. Pick paints specifically formulated for ceilings, which are designed for uniform coverage and to minimize cracking. While white is standard, feel free to branch out and try a light or fun color to offset and coordinate with darker-colored walls or highlight moldings and trim. If you’re feeling daring, a dark color can add visual pop or lower a high ceiling visually.

What You Should Know About VOCs

VOCs are volatile organic compounds: chemical compounds in paints that evaporate (off-gasing) into the air of your room post-painting for months or even years after painting. That distinct paint smell? That’s, most often, from VOCs. These emissions can be irritating to those with health considerations such as asthma and allergies. Paints labeled low-VOC must have fewer than 50 grams of VOC per liter for flat paint finishes. Those labeled zero-VOC must have fewer than 5 grams per liter.

Must Have Painting Tools

I have painted almost every room in our home now. Make that almost every room in two homes! You could say that over the years I’ve learned a few tricks of the trade and have acquired quite a few painting tools. But, only a handful are my tried and true gear that get pulled out for every painting job.

Painter’s tape is a necessity for clean lines. I’ve been using ScotchBlue for years and I can tell you that the painter’s tape you used 5 years ago has changed. ScotchBlue is constantly researching and developing better painting products every year. We always have a supply of ScotchBlue in my tape drawer and we definitely go through it!

I used to be a taper and taped off every room we painted. (Now, I’ve gotten much better at cutting in with just a brush.) In a desperate attempt to save time, I bought this paint tape dispenser and was thrilled to shave some time off my taping tasks. You can watch a brief video here. I still tape off some edges when I know it will take me more time to be meticulous than to tape off some trim.

I have a no-frills metal paint tray. It has legs that can hook onto a ladder, which comes in handy when painting high on a ladder. This paint tray is the first and last tray you’ll ever need because you can line it with plastic grocery bags for easy clean up and for protecting the tray from a multitude of layers of paint.

Okay, I know you already know how much I love my cordless drill. Which is why you’ll understand why I jumped at buying this paint stirrer drill attachment just to have an excuse to pull out my drill for another project! Honestly, unless you like the slow process of thoroughly mixing old paint or blending colors, you’ll want one of these for your own. It makes your paint super smooth and creamy. Mmmmm.

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Blepharoplasty Plastic Surgery

Cosmetic surgery: An introduction

What is cosmetic surgery?

Cosmetic surgery refers to a surgical procedure undertaken to reshape and change the appearance of a body part. It may change the structure, position, colour or texture of a body part or feature and is initiated by an individual who is unsatisfied with their appearance, rather than by a doctor who thinks the surgery will improve the individual’s health. There are also many other treatments undertaken for cosmetic purposes which do not involve surgery, but change the structure of body tissues. These are known as non-surgical cosmetic treatments.

Body parts or systems operated

Surgeons can change the appearance of numerous body parts through cosmetic surgery. Some of the most common body parts which patients modify through cosmetic surgery, either changing the size or shape of, are:

Breasts;

Ears;

Eyes;

Face;

Hair;

Nose;

Abdomen.

Cosmetic surgery techniques and procedures

There are numerous operative techniques used in cosmetic surgery including:

Lipoplasty (liposuction): This involves the removal of fat from the body through small cuts in the skin using suction techniques;

Augmentation: This involves the implantation of devices to increase the size of a body feature (e.g. the breasts);

Body contouring including lifts and tucks: These are procedures in which loose skin is removed and remaining skin tightened to give a more toned appearance;

Reshaping procedures: The contour or shape of a feature is changed. These procedures might involve implants or removal or reshaping of bone or cartilage;

Dermabrasion: This involves the scraping away of layers of skin; and

Hair replacement: Skin with good hair growth is grafted onto bald areas where hair growth is desired.

Non-surgical cosmetic treatments

Non-surgical cosmfetic treatments are those which alter the appearance by changing the structure of body tissues, without surgery. Such procedures may be offered in non-medical settings including dental surgeries and beauty salons. While these treatments do not involve invasive surgery, they nonetheless carry risks and individuals should fully consider the risks and benefits of these treatments before consenting to undergo them.

Non-surgical cosmetic treatments include:

Botulinum toxin injections (Botox): Typically into facial muscles to reduce the appearance of wrinkles;

Dermal fillers: Dermal fillers include collagen derived from human and cow skin. In Australia collagen dermal fillers include the brands Cosmoderm, Cosmoplast, Zyderm and Zyplast. These are injected into the skin and reduce the appearance of wrinkles for 2–4 months;

Chemical peels: In which chemical solutions containing phenol, trichloroacetic and alphahydroxy acids are applied to the skin in order the remove the outer layers of the dermis.

How to become a plastic surgeon

Plastic surgeons serve high-profile clientele, like movie and TV stars, as well as people recovering from accidents and illnesses. They also help people born with birth defects. Whether performing cosmetic or reconstructive surgery, plastic surgeons make big bucks helping people. If you are willing to put in many years of hard work, you can become a plastic surgeon one day too.

Here’s how to become a plastic surgeon:

Obtain your bachelor’s degree in a premedical major, such as biology or chemistry.

Take the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT). You might want to consider taking an MCAT prep course so you get a good score.

Complete a four-year doctor of medicine (MD) degree from an accredited medical school [source: Education-portal]. Choosing a school with a plastic surgery residency program could make your next step easier.

Undergo surgical residency training upon completing medical school. This three-year residency is a general surgery residency.

Undergo a second residency specializing in plastic surgery. This is also a three-year residency. Some programs combine everything into one long residency [source: ABPS].

Become familiar with the role of a plastic surgeon through the rules and guidelines of the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS) and connect with groups like the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.

Choose a specialty upon completing your general surgery training, or during your second or third year of mixed training. Some possibilities include hand surgery, aesthetic surgery and cutaneous malignancy surgery.

Secure certification with the ABPS through examination and conformity with a code of ethics.

After completing your residency, you may decide to do a fellowship. This will help you further master your skills in your chosen area. After that, you will be ready to perform plastic surgery.

Why you should NOT get plastic surgery

Many of us are concerned with some aspect of our appearance. Maybe we don’t have the body we want, or we wish we could look younger. More and more, people are turning to cosmetic surgery to help them meet their goal of looking and feeling their best.

In fact, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgery, patients increasingly come from all income levels and ranges, with more than 70 percent of patients reporting a household income between $30,000 and $60,000. Age ranges also vary widely. In my practice, I commonly see patients from 18 to 80 years of age, and this reflects national trends.

Seek plastic surgery for you —not to please someone else.

Plastic surgery will not change your relationships or save your marriage. You should have cosmetic surgery for yourself — to make you feel better about yourself or to change something you’re not happy about with your appearance.

Think twice before letting pop culture drive your decision.

You should not have a cosmetic procedure just because it’s the latest fashion. We all follow the stars and watch plastic surgery reality shows, and this may entice you

Looking for a quick fix to drop some pounds?

Plastic surgery is not a weight loss procedure. A sensible diet, exercise and healthy lifestyle are the keys to maintaining a fit figure. For extreme weight loss, bariatric surgery is the specialty of medicine that helps patients lose weight by restricting the amount of food the stomach can hold.

Cosmetic surgery holidays

Cheaper, better?

A large international study, the Sun, Sea, Sand, Silicone Project, estimated that spend $300m a year on cosmetic surgery tourism, with an estimated 15,000 heading offshore each year to go under the knife. Dr M from the University of Technology, who worked on the study, told Associated Press, “Most people are attracted to it because it is cheap overseas but the agents are beginning to tell us that they are servicing people who are choosing to go overseas because they think they will get better work done.”

health insurer NIB is become a player in the market, offering  ‘NIB Options’. NIB Options is not a health insurance product but a fee-for-service which, according to their website, provides “safe and reliable choices for consumers wishing to undertake cosmetic and major dental procedures in overseas”.

Tourist traps

“Surgical procedures and tourism should not appear in the same sentence,” says Dr J, the ACCS’s chief censor. “Surgery used to be very well considered and a serious proposition. It’s not something that you can add on to a holiday and it’s not something you do simply because this is the cheapest way to go.”

Risky business

Surgery is a risky proposition regardless of where it’s done, but experts say there are additional risks to getting surgery in countries where regulation may not be as stringent as our own. The outcome could be results that you are unhappy with, or that cause a lot of pain and distress.

So, how much can you save?

Often in cosmetic surgeons do not list pricing on their websites, with the caveat that costs will vary between patients and procedures. There are many costs associated with surgery – not just the surgeon’s fee – such as hospital or surgical facility costs, anaesthesia fees, medication and medical tests.

Mini Lift Recovery – Helpful Things to Know

Many people refer to the mini lift as a “weekend facelift” due to its minimal invasiveness and quick recovery time. This title may mislead you, however, as mini lift recovery for some people may take longer than just a couple days. The choices a patient makes before and after the surgery can impact how long the recovery takes, but if done right, it can make the procedure easy and simple. Our experts want you to have all the information about what to expect after your procedure so that you can make an informed decision.

What is a Mini Lift?

A mini lift is the most common form of facelift performed today. It is a less invasive form of procedure than a full facelift and involves only a series of smaller incisions. Excess skin can then be removed. The procedure pulls the remaining skin tight across the face, eliminating sagging and reducing the appearance of facial lines and wrinkles. This helps users look like their younger selves without the involvement of a full facelift procedure.

A Closer Look at the Mini Lift Recovery

After the procedure, patients will be discharged and allowed to complete their recovery at home. The most important tip for speeding recovery is not to rush it; everyone’s bodies heal at their own pace, and trying to come back too quickly can cause further damage and set the process back days, weeks or longer.

Though patients can generally leave the facility the day of the surgery, they are typically advised to give themselves at least a week before needing to do any strenuous or public activities. Doctors also advise them to follow all their recommendations regarding aftercare.

Most doctors will do a follow-up meeting within just days to make sure that everything looks correct and your mini lift recovery is going well. They may perform another after one or two weeks although many patients recover quickly enough that this may not be necessary. It all depends on the unique situation.

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Tips For Success Bathroom Remodeling

Design Tips To Know Before Remodeling A Small Bathroom

Are you looking for a bathroom remodeling contractor in the Salem Oregon or, in your hometown?  If so, then you probably have many questions floating around in your head like I did the first time I remodeled a bathroom.  You came to the right place to find some great bathroom ideas for your remodel.

“Starting any remodeling project can be overwhelming but bathrooms and kitchens are where really costly mistakes can happen.”

Can I make my small bathroom feel bigger and more spa-like?  What’s the amount of space required for a toilet? How much does a basic bathroom remodel cost? How do you pick out the right vanity?  What is the best lighting plan for my space?  Should I change the layout, or leave things where they are?  Would a small tile make my small bathroom look larger?  On and on go the questions.

Where to Start?

Know what a bathroom remodel costs. Before you begin any project, it’s important to put your expectations into perspective when it comes to how much money you’re willing to invest. The size of your bathroom, the quality of materials you want to include and whether you’re planning to do some of the labor yourself all can affect the cost of a remodel.

Don’t make the toilet the first thing you see when opening the door.  Ask a bathroom designer what his or her best tried and true tip is, and this is what you’re likely to hear. The reasoning is simple. Oftentimes bathroom doors get left open, meaning that the first thing you or any guest in your home walking by will see the toilet.

So, what should you make the focal point? Anything but the toilet.

Consider leaving those vintage finishes. The point of your bathroom remodel might be a fresh, new look, but some things are easier to replace than others. For example, in older homes, wall tiles may have several coats of concrete behind them and maybe even wire lath. The difficulty in removing these can cause labor costs to skyrocket. Instead, you might want to keep the vintage tiles and design the rest of the room around them.

IMPORTANT THINGS TO CONSIDER IN YOUR BATHROOM REMODELING PROJECT

To make your home look more attractive, bathroom remodeling is one of the best options to choose from. It will not only change the entire look of your home but will also help you impress your neighbors, colleagues, friends and your loved ones. Whether your bathroom is small or big, remodeling will increase the value of your home. After all, it’ll help leave a good impression on the potential buyers.

In order to get the job done in the right way, a checklist is necessary. It will help you collect the ideas that you are thinking about and to estimate the time and cost of your project as a whole. While the contractor you hire for your bathroom remodeling project may not use your checklist, it will help you check whether the work is going in the right direction or not.

Design: This is one of the most important things when remodeling the bathroom. You should be clear about the new design you want for your bathroom. You can use any designing software programs to check which design will look the best for your bathroom. You can also use the help of your contractor that you hired for your bathroom remodeling project.

Flooring: There may be some floor work included in your bathroom remodeling project. If you are planning to move the sink, bathtub or toilet of your bathroom, new plumbing will be added. For this, you have to be clear on the floor work, which should not affect your budget, thus helping you to rejuvenate the look of the bathroom in a better way.

Remember, if you are keeping your existing sink, tub or tile it can be resurfaced to a new color and to a like new appearance.

Bathroom Remodel Ideas

home are spent in the kitchen and the bathroom – it’s no wonder that these rooms are at the top of the list for desired home renovations. If your home is your oasis, you don’t want your oasis to be outdated or uncomfortable. But, because home design trends are always changing, that may be exactly what you have. Perhaps, your bathroom was built in the 1970s, and you are surrounded by oranges, yellows, and browns. Maybe your bathroom is the product of a Do-It-Yourself renovation that you didn’t do and you don’t like. Or, it may just be that your bathroom was designed in an era when smaller bathrooms were the norm, and your family could use a little more space. Whatever the reason, remodeling your bathroom is a great way to update your home.

Modern Farmhouse

The rustic farmhouse look is all the rage right now, for every room in the house. Bring some of that rustic romance into the bathroom, but with a modern twist to keep it up-to-date. This bathroom captures the rustic sentiment of the farmhouse look with its wooden vanity, woven baskets for storage, and shiplap ceiling. But, modern touches keep it firmly in this century. Notice the contemporary feel of the glassed-in shower, the sleek white tub, and the monochromatic color scheme. These touches give the bathroom the feel of farmhouse chic without having to live in an actual farmhouse. Other elements of the farmhouse style you may choose to incorporate into your bathroom include bead board wall paneling, painted cabinetry, painted shiplap for the walls, planked wood flooring, and galvanized metal touches throughout.

Custom Storage

Bathrooms require a lot of things–toothbrushes, soaps, cosmetics, blow-dryers, and more. Countertops can disappear in an instant. Because it makes sense to keep the items you need in your bathroom, talk with your builder about custom storage options. If you like the look of open shelving, think about what you would keep on those shelves. Your builder can work with you to design shelves that can adequately hold everything you need in an attractive fashion. Or, if you prefer to keep things behind closed doors, custom cabinets are another great option. Depending on the look of your house, you can choose solid wood cabinets or glass-paneled doors

Personal Spa

Whether your space is large or small, consider transforming your bathroom into your own personal spa. It is, after all, the only room in your house in which you are practically guaranteed privacy. With a large tub for soaking, you can relax in peace and quiet. You can even upgrade to a massaging whirlpool tub or add a shower with a steam function. Use gentle lighting to create a peaceful atmosphere. Utilize the space around your tub for bath salts and scented soaps. If you have the room to do so, leave some of the floor space open to create an open-air feeling. But, even with limited square footage, you can capture the feeling of a spa. Plan storage solutions so that your countertops will be free of clutter, add a white noise machine or some gentle background music, and you can have a mini-spa all to yourself.

Freestanding Tubs

If you want to be on-trend in 2018, freestanding tubs are definitely one way to go. This update is ideal for turning your bathroom into a retreat–there is nothing like a soak in a freestanding tub to make you feel like you are removed from your daily routine. If possible, situate your tub close to a window to make you feel connected to nature. A freestanding tub is a great solution for a bathroom large enough to also hold a walk-in shower, but can also work on its own, especially if you have another shower elsewhere in the house. When you hear “freestanding tub,” you might think first of a clawfoot tub, but there are numerous modern versions available as well. A freestanding tub will definitely become the focal point of your bathroom, so choose one that draws the eye, and then design the rest of your bathroom around it. Available styles include French cottage, sleek modern, and even cast iron! Work with your bathroom remodeler to find the model that suits you best and works in the space you have.

Smart Ways to Upgrade Your Bathroom Without Renovating It

is one of the most personal and private areas of your home. It’s where most of your —from  to hot soaks—takes place. That’s why it’s especially important to make it a space you actually enjoy spending time in. What do you do then when your bathroom is due for a makeover, but for whatever reason—budget, time, or —you can’t commit to a ?

“A bathroom can be updated ,” assures Mel Bean of . The designer recently completed  in which her team gut-renovated the shower, but gave the rest of the space a little facelift without any major construction. “We painted the walls, trims, and cabinets in  that beautifully complemented the original countertops, as well as the new marble shower,” she says. Then they updated the cabinet hardware, towel hooks, and tissue holder. “Now the space feels completely new,” says

“If you have a mostly white bathroom, consider painting your cabinetry a bolder color to add instant personality,” says Cortney Bishop of . “Just because your bathroom is a private space doesn’t mean it still can’t evoke character and charm.”

“Bathrooms are full of noncommittal choices you can switch out,” says, an interior designer at , a bathroom-renovation startup based. Start with your , which is equal to the size of a wall, as updating it can be as transformative as an allover coat of paint, especially in a small space. Even swapping out plastic or acrylic rings for polished metal gives your room a “higher-end look,” Chu adds. Afterwards, swap the things you touch daily, like plush cotton towels—we like Collection Quick Dry Reversible Cotton Towels ($16, )—and soft rugs, or even your ceramic soap dish. Luxe versions of these items can really refine the place.

You can also go for the unexpected. “Cozy essentials, such as textiles—I love an  in a modern bathroom—and artwork is an easy way to add warmth, color, and scale to a utilitarian bathroom without remodeling the entire space,” says

Update Your Bathroom to Look Modern Without Renovation

You may want to improve the look of your bathroom without spending so much on a complete bathroom remodel. On one hand, typical old school methods like re-surfacing are costly and not suitable for the long term whilst on the other hand a complete renovation can be a fairly large investment that you’re not ready for.

The good news is that it is possible to cheaply improve the look of your bathroom without spending a fortune. Low cost bathroom updates can make a bathroom look more modern in a surprisingly affordable way! You will need to de-clutter, refresh tired looking parts, conceal what you can, and apply a few other techniques and ideas.

You have to be realistic about expectations on how good the bathroom will look, this won’t be the same as a full renovation! You are quite limited when it is not possible to remove all of the hard fixings such as flooring, sheet walls and PC items.

TO MAKE YOUR BATHROOM IMMEDIATELY LOOK BETTER – REDUCE THE NUMBER OF NON-FIXED OLD THINGS!

The first step to create a modern bathroom without renovating is to start eliminating as much “filler” items in the bathroom as possible or any items that seem to be idly taking up visible space.

This is quite important, because a bathroom that looks tired and in need of an update often has a few dated looking “soft fixtures”, essentially anything that isn’t a hardware fitting so that means not your toilet or bath tub. Some examples include an old towel stand, a freestanding little cabinet from the 80s or a suction mounted toothbrush holder which has stained yellow.

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Be Aware Of Dubious Tax Preparation

Things to know about the new income tax return forms

Having dropped the controversial provision for mandatory disclosure of foreign trips and dormant bank accounts, the Finance Ministry has finally come out with new and simplified income tax return (ITR) forms. The simplified ITR forms have been brought after the earlier version was opposed by the industry, MPs and assessees for its cumbersome disclosure norms.

The ITR forms, which were notified last month by the CBDT for the current assessment year, had specific columns for banks accounts, IFSC Code, names of joint account holders and foreign visits, including the ones paid by companies.

The good news now is that apart from doing away with some controversial provisions, the new forms — ITR 2 and ITR 2A — will have only three pages and other details will have to be filled in schedules, according to a Finance Ministry statement issued recently

Providing a big relief to assessees, the new ITR forms have been reduced to three. “The number of pages for the new ITR forms has been reduced from 14 pages to 3, making it easier for income tax assesses. The new forms, known as ITR 2 and ITR 2A, will therefore consist of only 3 pages. Any other details that must be filled will have to be included in schedules,”

Currently individuals/HUFs with income from more than one house property and capital gains are required to file Form ITR-2. “A new ITR 2A form is proposed which can be filed by an individual/HUF that has income from more than one house property, but does not have any income from capital gains, income from business/profession, foreign assets/foreign income,” says

Things You Absolutely Need To Know About Taxes

Tax Day comes around just once a year (it’s April 18 in 2016) but staying on top of taxes can feel like a year-round job. Whether you file on your own or use a tax professional, you need to know what your filing obligations might be and how your choices can affect your bottom line when it comes to money

Here are the 10 Things You Absolutely Need To Know About Taxes:

You may not have to file a federal income tax return. Not every person who receives income during the calendar year has to file a federal income tax return. There are a number of factors that affect whether you have to file including how much you earned – and the source of that income – as well as your filing status and your age. For most taxpayers, the quick “cheat sheet” formula is this: find your standard deduction and add your personal exemption to that number. You can find those numbers here.

Even if you don’t need to file a federal income tax return, you may still want to take advantage of tax breaks and credits. Tax credits are dollar for dollar reductions in your tax due and are usually more beneficial than tax deductions which simply reduce your taxable income. Additionally, sometimes, as with the American Opportunity Credit (AOC) you can get money back with credits even if you don’t owe any tax. If you’re still in school, you may be able to claim the AOC (now permanent) for qualified expenses (generally, tuition and fees): the maximum credit is $2,500 per eligible student and up to 40% may be refundable. The earned income tax credit (EITC) is a benefit for working people with low to moderate income. Despite popular opinion, having kids isn’t a prerequisite but it does increase the benefit: you can claim a credit of up to $503 with no qualifying children and up to $6,242 with three or more qualifying children (click here for more on EITC rates and limits for 2015).

You don’t have to itemize to take advantage of certain deductions like the student loan interest deduction. To take advantage of most deductions, you have to itemize – and most taxpayers (2/3) don’t itemize. But all is not lost. The IRS still allows for certain deductions (called adjustments to income) that you don’t have to itemize to claim: that handful of deductions can be found at the bottom of the front page of your form 1040. Among the most popular? The student loan interest deduction, the IRA deduction

f you’re self-employed, you likely need to make estimated payments. Our tax system is considered “pay as you go.” If you’re employed, your employer will withhold taxes from your paycheck and turn those over to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) for you as you get paid: at the end of the year, you’ll either owe more, break even or be owed a refund, depending on your financial situation. But what if you don’t have an employer or you get paid without having federal income taxes withheld? The IRS expects you to do the work and pay up if you expect to owe more than $1,000 at tax time. This applies not only to the self-employed (including freelancers) but also to landlords, S corporation shareholders, partners in a partnership and taxpayers with significant investments – almost anyone that gets a form 1099. To make estimated payments, you’ll use federal form 1040ES, Estimated Tax for Individuals (downloads as a pdf). Estimated taxes must be paid quarterly. If you skip a payment or pay late, you may be subject to a penalty.

How to File Your State and Federal Taxes for Free

TurboTax and other tax prep services advertised themselves as “free,” but we found several ways that they tricked people into paying. Here’s our guide to preparing and filing your taxes without falling into a trap.

Most Americans are eligible for free tax preparation services, but the truly free options can be hard to find. If you’re not careful, you could end up using a service that says it’s free but demands payment after you’ve spent time entering your information.

How do you file online for free?

If you make less than $69,000 a year, you can find free tax filing options at the IRS Free File webpage. There are options from TurboTax, H&R Block, TaxSlayer and others. Each site has its own eligibility requirements, so be sure to find one that will be free for you.

If you’re in the military, you can use MilTax, a service provided by the Department of Defense that uses a version of H&R Block’s tax software. It is available for free to active-duty service members as well as those in the Guard or Reserves, as well as their families. There are no income or tax form restrictions.

How can I get in-person tax help for free?

You can qualify for the IRS’ Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program if you:

Make less than around $56,000 a year, OR

Live with a disability, OR

Speak limited English

Key Elements of the U.S. Tax System

Q.What are the tax benefits of homeownership?

A.The main tax benefit of owning a house is that the imputed rental income homeowners receive is not taxed. Although that income is not taxed, homeowners still may deduct mortgage interest and property tax payments, as well as certain other expenses from their federal taxable income if they itemize their deductions. Additionally, homeowners may exclude, up to a limit, the capital gain they realize from the sale of a home.

The tax code provides several benefits for people who own their homes. The main benefit is that the owners do not pay taxes on the imputed rental income from their own homes. They do not have to count the rental value of their homes as taxable income, even though that value is just as much a return on investment as are stock dividends or interest on a savings account. It is a form of income that is not taxed.

IMPUTED RENT

Buying a home is an investment, part of the returns being the opportunity to live in the home rent free. Unlike returns from other investments, the return on homeownership—what economists call “imputed rent”—is excluded from taxable income. In contrast, landlords must count as income the rent they receive, and renters may not deduct the rent they pay. A homeowner is effectively both landlord and renter, but the tax code treats homeowners the same as renters while ignoring their simultaneous role as their own landlords. The US Department of the Treasury, Office of Tax Analysis (OTA) estimates that the exclusion of imputed rent reduced federal revenue by nearly 121.3 billion in fiscal year 2019.

MORTGAGE INTEREST DEDUCTION

Homeowners who itemize deductions may reduce their taxable income by deducting interest paid on a home mortgage. Taxpayers who do not own their homes have no comparable ability to deduct interest paid on debt incurred to purchase goods and services.

PROPERTY TAX DEDUCTION

Homeowners who itemize deductions may also reduce their taxable income by deducting property taxes they pay on their homes. That deduction is effectively a transfer of federal funds to jurisdictions that impose a property tax (mostly local but also some state governments), allowing them to raise property tax revenue at a lower cost to their constituents. The OTA estimates that the deduction saved millions of homeowners a total of $6 billion in income tax in fiscal year 2019. The cost of that deduction went way down because of the TCJA, as many fewer homeowners itemized and because the TCJA put an overall cap of $10,000 on the state and local taxes that taxpayers can deduct.

E-SERVICES INFORMATION

Tax Online is the convenient and secure way to e-file tax returns, make payments, review letters, manage your accounts, and conduct other common transaction online

Income Tax Refund Status

Where’s My Refund Search allows taxpayers to check the status of their individual income tax refunds 9-10 weeks after submitting a tax return. Status information is updated once a day.

Search Business Tax Licenses

Use the Search Tax Licenses feature on Tax Online to search for names, Hawaii Tax ID numbers, and status of business taxpayers issued a tax permit, license, or account.

IRS MODERNIZED E-FILE PROGRAM

The State is a participant in the Internal Revenue Service’s Modernized e-File (MeF) program, which allows income tax taxpayers to electronically file their federal and state income tax returns using approved tax preparation software or authorized tax professionals. Individual and Corporate Income tax returns can be filed through the software products or tax professionals approved for this program. Please contact vendors directly for any problems you encounter with their products or services.

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Wonderful Tips And Tricks To Choose Reliable Packers And Office Movers

OFFICE REMOVALISTS

You’re itching to get back to work, but you’re trying to figure out the best way to move your belongings from one location to another (preferably with the least amount of stress). No problem, we can help with that.

understand that time is money, so let us get you back to work faster, regardless of whether you’re moving down the road, or interstate. complete removal service operates locally within

WE TAKE CARE OF EVERYTHING

You can leave everything to us, if you prefer. This includes packing and moving your office, as well as unpacking and setting up your new location. also take care of cleaning, recycling and rubbish removal at your old office, so you can focus on more important things.

REDECORATING YOUR OFFICE?

Not every move is from A to B. Sometimes you simply need to clear out your office space for renovations or redecorating. can hold your furniture in storage or transport it to a new location, as well as donate or recycle it. It’s your choice.

NO HIDDEN SURPRISES

As a business, we’re well placed to understand what other businesses need. make sure you know everything upfront: the costs, scheduling and what to expect.

Office Moving Checklist & Office Moving Tips

A lot of planning, organizing and packing go into an office move or office relocation. With a helpful aid like an office moving checklist, you can make sure your office move stays on schedule and on budget.

Office Moving Tips

office moving guide already contains a number of useful office moving tips, but here are a few extra pre-office moving tips (taken off the desk of one of our senior office moving specialists!

Contact your local utility companies (phone, Internet, cable, satellite, electricity and water

Make sure your customers or clients know about your office move

Arrange for the installation of utility services at your new office

Create an “office moving task force” from your pool of employees

Consider storing excess or old office furniture, or donate to a local charity

Tips for Moving Into a Smaller Office or Business Space

Whether your company is allowing people to work alternate schedules, telecommute or share jobs, there may come a time when you are moving into a smaller office space even while maintaining the same level of staffing. In order to make such as relocation successful, you will need a team of experienced office movers

Get Rid of Unneeded Furnishings and Equipment

Consider scheduling two visits for the movers. On their first visit, the movers could collect all of the obsolete equipment and furniture. Some things your company might have to get rid of include printer stands, damaged cubicle walls or over-sized shelving units. These items could be donated, auctioned, or transported to a second-hand shop for resale. You can then go on to find remanufactured cubicles that can be used in your new office.

Measure the Space

Take some time to measure your current space and your future space as you may need to get rid of or acquire more furniture. Also, take the time to measure the furnishings and equipment. If you need to acquire more furniture, it might be a good idea to check out some office fitouts in Brisbane, or wherever the new office is, to make sure the furniture fits the space well because if there are things that will not fit into your new space, this is the time to order replacement products

Consider Multi-purpose Furnishings

Consider investing in furnishings that perform multiple functions. This could allow your employees to do more with less space. For example, storage and filing cabinets could be built underneath conference tables which you can find at places similar to office monster. If most of your employees use laptop computers, they might not need large, angled desks with bulky keyboard drawers.

OFFICE MOVING GUIDE

OFFICE MOVING INSTRUCTIONS

The following information and instructions have been prepared in order to facilitate packing and moving by your employees

GENERAL INFORMATION

1. It should be the responsibility of each department or section head to have the staff follow these instructions in order to minimize loss of time in preparing for the move.

2. Each employee should be responsible for his or her own preliminary packing for the move. To assist in this task, detailed instructions for packing and marking follow. Unless otherwise specified, packing and unpacking will be performed by your personnel.

3. It is important that only personnel involved directly with the move be present during the course of the actual move.

PACKING INSTRUCTIONS

1. One-piece plastic Tyga boxes and/or one-piece self-locking cardboard moving cartons will be available for packing. Be sure to receive training on the proper methods for packing and stacking the Tyga boxes or for assembling the cardboard moving cartons. Each has advantages in specific situations, but the Tyga boxes are the most desirable.  Please see instructions below for further information regarding assembly and packing.

2. All packing should be completed prior to the actual start of the move.

INSTRUCTIONS:

– DESKS – It is necessary to empty desks. Paper clips, pencils and other loose items should be sealed in envelopes or zip lock bags. Current working papers, letter trays, books and items on top of the desk should be packed in cartons. Protect all glass receptacles with paper or other material in the carton.

– FILING CABINETS /VERTICLE – These cabinets will generally be moved with contents intact. Tighten the internal draw to hold contents in place. Lock the cabinet if possible.  These cabinets would need to be partially emptied if your move involves a flight of stairs.  Fireproof cabinets and wooden file cabinets need to be completely emptied.  Ask us for specific info.  Also there could be a risk to the integrity of the cabinet if moved with all contents intact.  If locked, remove the key and pack in a safe place. Note: If the file has a punch-in lock and you do not have the key, wrap tape around the lock to avoid accidental locking.

– FILING CABINETS/LATERAL – These cabinets cannot be moved with all of the contents intact. If your move doesn’t involve negotiating any steps we do allow the bottom two drawers to remain intact.  Pack all of the contents in cartons, and secure the drawers by locking if possible.

*Note: Depending on the quality of the cabinet – in some cases, creases have formed in the back of some of the cheaper cabinets from moving with the contents intact. Once that happens the drawers will never operate correctly.

– BOOKCASES – All contents should be packed in cartons. After packing, remove the shelves and tape together. Remove the shelf pins and pack in an envelope or a zip lock bag.

– SUPPLY OR STORAGE CABINETS – All contents should be packed in cartons. Lock/tape the cabinet doors.

– COAT RACKS OR LOCKERS – Pack all contents, including hangers.

– SMALLER OFFICE MACHINES – (Scanners, printers, etc.) DO NOT PACK THESE MACHINES. Leave the machine on top of the desk or stand. Be sure the equipment has been serviced and all components disconnected. Small items, such as power cords, should be packed in zip lock bags or cartons.

– PICTURES, MAPS AND BULLETIN BOARDS – These items, if secured to the wall, should be removed. Tag each piece and leave against the wall. The mover will handle. Small pictures, etc., should be packed in cartons.   Newspaper should be stuffed in empty spaces between the pictures.

HOW TO PLAN AN OFFICE MOVE WITH MINIMAL DISRUPTION

Is your company growing? Maybe it’s time to move it to a bigger office. Or perhaps you just want to change the environment. However, it is always a good idea to freshen things up a bit. Besides, a new office will be appealing to both your employees and your clients. But of course, you don’t want to lose productivity during the process and harm your business. So, you are wondering how to do it right. Well, all you need is a good plan. Here are some tips on how to plan an office move with minimal disruption.

Don’t risk, go pro

Business relocation is different than moving a house. You are not responsible just for yourself and your belongings but also for your employees and company in general. For this reason, DIY projects are a big risk since you need to plan an office move with minimal disruption. With handling your employees’ and clients’ needs, you will need all the help you can get

A good plan is a key to success

As early as possible, start developing a plan for your business continuity and future actions. Inform your staff members about the relocation and give each one some tasks. The job is much easier when divided fairly. Organize a meeting with key team members and make lists together. Lists of everything that needs to be done, reorganization and preparations for the move. Outline what has to be conducted, coordinated and physically moved.

Your office move checklist

The easiest way to organize and track everything is to make a good moving timeline and schedule. You can make it in one spreadsheet that will be available to the entire team. When you are planning an office move, there are several things you need to have in mind. Consider the time you need to organize and conduct everything.

Besides the time and budget you need to plan an office move with minimal disruption, you should also consider:

Make sure you already have an available office space in mind before you start planning and organizing.

Talk to your staff members, and include them in the relocation process. They can help by packing their own belongings before movers arrive.

If you don’t have one already, hire a cleaning service for cleaning your old office space.

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Reasons Why Your Vehicle Needs To See A Mechanic For Auto Repair

Tips For Running A Successful Auto Repair Business

Are you about to get in the auto repair business and you’ve never run your own business before? If so here are a few tips to get you off to a great start. After you’ve set up your new business by registering your company and getting your business systems including: invoicing, accounting in place we recommend doing your research and spend some time on securing a great deal on high quality auto repair parts. This step is vital so you can build the reputation your business desires.

Your customers won’t know much about auto metal stamping which is explained in wikipedia but they will understand your discerning approach to working with a company like Weiss-Aug who have been in the business of custom automotive metal stamping molding and assembly solutions for over forty years. You’ll be off to a great start leveraging off their reputation and of course there’s a lot more to do before your business is operational including planning for employees and how you’ll manage them. This is where the Internet comes into it’s own just like it does with the other critical areas of your business.

Strive To Earn A Reputation Built on Trust And Professionalism

Unfortunately, there is a perception that the auto repair industry is full of shady operators with bad reputations. So the question to ask is: Are there mechanics all over the country taking advantage of their unsuspecting customers by overcharging them, putting used parts in cars and passing them off as new ones, and other nasty tricks that give this industry a negative reputation? A quick Google search would suggest there are enough bad operators out there tainting the reputation of the industry so it’s time for you to change this perception, at least on a personal level – i.e. for your business. You may need to go above and beyond to ensure your customers have the best experience possible.

Work Smarter So Your Customers Come Back For More

Working hard and smart is a prerequisite for any business especially a start up. Work on your customer care and reward them for their patronage with incentives and rewards. Customer advocacy and relationship management is not just for the professional services it also applies to cottage industry businesses so do everything in your power to again the loyalty of your customers.

Become A Specialist

Great ethics and treating your customers like gold isn’t even enough to become a success. You have to specialize in a certain area to set yourself apart from other auto repair shops in your community. So pick a specialization and run with it. This will set you apart from the competition and provide your business with authoritative expert status.

Ways to Increase Customer Satisfaction In Your Auto-Repair Business

Just a few years ago, mechanics got their business the old fashioned way – by word of mouth. Nowadays, the internet is flooded with directory services, customer ratings and review sites. As a result, tech-savvy shops with big budgets for marketing and SEO may have sent your customers elsewhere.

Say Hello

This one may seem obvious, but it’s a great starting point. Ever notice how, the very moment you walk into most nice retail stores, a sales associate greets you? That’s not a coincidence. According to the Retail Doc, 80% of customers won’t return to a business due to perceived indifference from staff. Now let’s flip this to a repair shop. Everyone knows repairs can be a pain, and they can be expensive, too. Put yourself in your customers’ shoes.

Share the Knowledge

Most drivers’ version of ‘vehicle maintenance’ probably doesn’t entail much more than gassing, going, and changing the oil. When things go wrong, it’s safe to assume most of your customers aren’t aware of what that means. What if you devoted two minutes per customer to explain the work you’ve done. Why does an air filter need to be changed, and how often? Why isn’t it safe to drive on tires with damaged sidewalls? What happens if a timing belt is neglected? Better yet, take an extra 60 seconds to walk your customer into the garage to show him/her the worn items you’ve replaced, or items that will need attention in the future.

Time it Takes: 10 minutes/day

Openbay is an online company, so it makes sense that on Facebook, right? Sure. been astonished to realize how few auto repair shops are on Facebook – love to link to outstanding service providers on social media

Here are a few:

If you don’t, someone else will. Odds are your business already exists on Facebook, maybe even with your customers, or competitors commenting about your business. If you don’t claim your profile, nobody’s there to speak about who you are, what you do best, and to interact with customers.

That’s where your customers are. According to Pew Research, 72% of internet users are on Facebook. If your current and potential customers were all heading to an event in your town, why wouldn’t you go?

If they like you, they’ll spread the word – the average Facebook user has 130 friends. If you do great work, tour word-of-mouth endorsement can travel a lot farther these days.

Auto repair in the time of COVID-19

Though still open as an essential business, auto repair shops are facing the same tough times as other businesses – though with factors unique to service stations, such as the business cycle, and the personal nature of cars.

business is now down to about 15 percent of normal, and the shop has been gradually cutting down on its hours. Parts suppliers are also reducing hours

“When people can leave the house, I expect they’ll want to drive instead of taking buses,” said – adding, “if they still have a job.” Another issue is the handling of cars themselves – these small quarters in which we breathe and sneeze and cough and eat our snacks and toss our clothes and our trash and sit with the windows rolled up, sometimes for hours

So everything has to be wiped down at the shop, said: The ignition, the door handles, the steering wheel. The keys also have to be wiped before being given back to the customer. Plus, the customers have to wear masks when coming in

AUTO REPAIR & SERVICE

Auto Repair & Service is here to help repair, service, and maintain your vehicle. appreciate all of your support, and look forward to meeting all of our customers – new and returning!

Alternator repair and services

When it is time for your vehicle’s regularly scheduled maintenance services, or if you’ve noticed your vehicle has been acting up lately, bring it to auto repair shop! If you hear strange noises like grinding or knocking, or if you see fluids leaking beneath your vehicle, come see today! Over the years, auto repair shop has been the leading choice for quality alternator repair and replacement services.

There could be several causes to a bad alternator. If you need to jump start your battery frequently, or the new battery you just purchased is not holding a charge, it could be a side-effect of a bad alternator. The alternator provides electricity to different components in your car; including your air conditioner and dashboard lights. Any additional power created by the alternator is stored for later use in your cars battery.

This situation is often misdiagnosed as a result of a bad battery, especially if it’s an old one. However, you can save both time and money by getting your vehicle serviced properly by experienced and trained technicians. Bring your vehicle to auto repair shop for top-notch alternator repair and replacement, that you can trust.

THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT HIGH-END FOREIGN CAR REPAIR

Have you ever had a tough time finding a reputable repair shop for your high-end foreign car? You’re not alone… Every day hundreds of people search Google looking for foreign car repair.

So, why all of the searching? Because luxury vehicle owners know that their vehicles are special and require a certain level of specialized expertise to service and maintain properly.

Is your technician up to the task?

Here’s the truth about any automotive technician who is going to do a good job working on your luxury vehicle… They have to be outstanding at two different skills.

First, they have to be able to diagnose the problem correctly with the right equipment. Today’s automobiles are very different than similar makes and models from a decade ago. Although the basics are the same, technology has made engines smaller, more powerful, and more efficient.

And with all of this new technology comes complexity. It’s harder to identify and diagnose what problems a vehicle is experiencing and it requires a deeper understanding of this technology through training, experience and education to produce results.

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Why Everyone Should Hire A Professional Carpet Cleaning Company

WHAT THINGS THAT YOU MUST NEED TO KNOW ABOUT CARPET CLEANING

Carpet cleaning ѕhоuld bе carried оut оn a regular basis. Carpet іѕ mаdе frоm fiber that attracts dirt аnd stores іt deep within. Thе quality аnd texture оf thе carpet іѕ affected bу hоw clean оr dirty іt іѕ. Cleaning thе carpet іѕ аn affordable solution tо keeping іt іn good condition without thе additional cost оf having tо replace іt with a new carpet. Taking care оf thе carpet іѕ thе best wау tо make іt lаѕt fоr an lоng time. There аrе different techniques that саn bе used tо clean a carpet аnd ensure that іѕ аlwауѕ аѕ clean аѕ possible.

Thanks to the big variety of materials and materials used today, certain problems could arise, which only knowledgeable would skills to handle. That mysterious stain – that no-one knows how it got there or what it’s – may take a special product to get rid of . Using generic or grocery bought cleaning agents can set a stain or permanently discolor the carpet. taking over a carpet cleaning issue without knowing the right method of removal or product to use may cause a carpet that appears worse than before, and is now getting to cost extra money than before

We all know how carpets attract dirt so much. Even if we try to take care and keep our carpets clean, there will always be a stain that will begin to pop out of it. Once a carpet looks very dirty, this can now destroy the look of the whole room. This can now leave the room very untidy and not well cleaned. This is the primary reason why you should always maintain the cleanliness of your carpets all the time

Carpet cleaning involves various activities that range frоm vacuuming tо using cleaning products that аrе designed tо reach thе inner fiber оf thе carpet whеrе dirt іѕ hidden.

When carpets store dirt they hаvе a tendency tо attract vermin such аѕ insects that саn end uр destroying thе surface аnd fiber within them. Aѕ thе carpet continues tо contain thе dirt аnd vermin, аn unpleasant smell саn emanate frоm іt аnd саuѕе general discomfort indoors. Anоthеr important reason why carpet cleaning ѕhоuld bе dоnе іѕ bесаuѕе іt goes an lоng wау towards retaining thе structure оf thе carpet. With regular cleaning thе problem оf damaged fiber іѕ addressed. This іѕ achieved bу keeping thе material that thе carpet іѕ mаdе frоm fresh еvеrу time іt іѕ cleaned.

Carpet Cleaning Services

Why Do Carpets Need to Be Cleaned Regularly?

It’s easy to think that the only reason you need your carpet clean is so it looks nice, right? That is certainly one reason to schedule regular carpet cleaning; however, it’s important to remember that carpet cleaning is also an investment in your health.

Carpets, whether in your home or in your office, can quickly collect dirt, bacteria, dust mites and allergens. Though not always visible on the surface, these contaminants can actually pollute the indoor air quality (IAQ) that you breathe every day. Carpets that often appear clean may, in fact, be much dirtier than you think!

Think of your carpet as a type of air filter in your home. When things like dust, dirt, bacteria and dust mites collect on your carpet, in time you will start to breathe in that buildup. Merely using household carpet cleaners to remove dirt and spills is not enough to ensure the air you’re breathing is as clean as possible.

By investing in services like COIT carpet cleaning, you can rest assured that our commercial grade, advanced equipment will give your carpets the deepest and most thorough cleaning possible.

Known as one of the industry’s oldest and most trusted carpet cleaners, has used the most advanced equipment available.

To remove allergy-causing contaminants and dust mites, uses carpet cleaning techniques that use deep-down extraction, yet still follow manufacturers’ recommendations and warranty requirements.

Using a truck-mounted carpet cleaning system, professionally trained technicians tailor each treatment to match what is best for your particular carpet.

Paying special attention to high traffic areas, we’ll remove ground-in dirt and stains that carpet shampoos simply cannot handle.

With additional carpet cleaning services available, choose from carpet repair, deodorizer and stain-resistant protective coating to keep your carpets looking plush and feeling fresh.

Are Carpet Cleaning Chemicals Safe?

Having clean carpets is an incredibly important part of keeping a healthy home. Especially in the winter when we spend more time inside, couped up with our pets and family. Dirt, dander, and dust settle into our carpets fiber, so keeping our carpets clean is a must. Getting carpets cleaned by professional carpet cleaners is a common part of our modern lives and most carpet cleaners have become great at their craft. They show up in the window of time they give you, they clean your carpets, and then leave them nice and clean. These days, very little separates carpet cleaning companies from each other, but one important difference is the chemicals used in cleaning.

Dangerous Cleaning Chemicals

For the most part, carpet cleaning companies try to use relatively mild cleaning chemicals, but “mild” doesn’t always mean “good.” Some carpet cleaning companies still use small amount of dangerous chemicals that could cause adverse health problems.

Carpet Cleaning’s Effect On Air Quality

Our carpets act as filters in our home, trapping dust, allergens, and bacteria. This helps improve our homes air quality by keeping these things out of our air. As dirt builds up over time, however, it makes it difficult for your carpets to keep it out of your air.

Green-Certified, Non-Toxic Cleaning Solution

As previously mentioned, most carpet cleaning solutions are relatively mild. However, there is a difference between have a chemical cleaning solution be “non-toxic” and being “not too toxic.” When you’re choosing the best professional carpet cleaner for your family, be sure to choose one that uses a cleaner that is safe for both you and for the environment.

Shorter Dry Times

Mold, mildew & bacteria can grow and spread quickly. That is why it is so important to choose a carpet cleaner that doesn’t leave your carpets soaking wet. If your carpet takes one to two days to dry after a cleaning, then you are at risk of being left with musty smelling carpets. Generally, carpet cleaners that use steam cleaning tend to have longer dry times as opposed to carpet cleaners that cleans with carbonation. That is because the carbonation allows them to use less water, that way your carpets aren’t left sopping wet.

tips for cleaning carpet

Spills, dirt, and dust are a fact of life in a busy household. love the kids, pets, and wine in our lives, but not the messes they sometimes make! working on a series of posts about how to maintain and clean all types of flooring. You’ve made an investment in your flooring, and want to help you keep it looking its best!

First up in the series: Carpet. Carpet is one of the most popular flooring choices, and for good reason. It’s comfortable and adds warmth to a room. Also, modern carpet technology (yes, there is technology in carpet!) has made it much more durable. But even the most current, tech-savvy carpet is still susceptible to stains from spills and the buildup of dirt.

USE A DOORMAT TO KEEP DIRT OUT OF YOUR HOME IN THE FIRST PLACE.

This classic staple can extend the life and quality of your carpet. Shoes and the dirt they carry are the number one culprit when it comes to the deterioration of carpet over time. Just wiping your feet on a doormat before entering your home can make a huge difference!

ENCOURAGE YOUR GUESTS TO REMOVE THEIR SHOES.

This is important, especially in the cold and wet seasons. Having guests remove their shoes will dramatically reduce the harder-to-remove messes that they tend track in.

PUT SOME BAKING SODA ON YOUR CARPET BEFORE YOU VACUUM.

The nose knows when your carpet isn’t clean! Merely vacuuming will clean your carpet, but adding baking soda will make your carpet smell like a breath of fresh air. The process is not only practical, it’s super simple! Start out by sprinkling a layer of baking soda across your carpet. Make sure you give it a few generous minutes before vacuuming the carpet. This process will ensure a clean looking and smelling carpet.

The Best Portable Carpet and Upholstery Cleaner

Drinks spill, kids and pets get sick—messes are inevitable, but a portable carpet and upholstery cleaner can make cleanup less of a hassle. We stained three types of fabric with red wine, bacon grease, indigo dye, and runny eggs, and found that of the seven models we tested, the Bissell SpotClean Pro (3624) was the most effective stain remover of the bunch. It’s also easier to use and clean.

Using a combination of hot tap water, cleaning formula, and a handheld suction brush, the Bissell SpotClean Pro 3624 removed every stain from a white rug during testing, and almost completely cleaned a couch-cushion cover and car upholstery. It was also the easiest to wash out after a cleaning session, because its dirty-water reservoir has a removable lid. It’s a great tool if you have kids or pets that regularly puke, pee, or make other small messes on your stuff, or if you need to regularly clean other types of stains on your carpet, furniture, or car interior. It won’t do a whole living room’s worth of carpets or rugs—you’d need an upright washer for that. Nor will it deep clean and disinfect upholstery and carpeting, but furniture experts, pro cleaners, and appliance specialists we spoke to explained that only cleaning services have access to machines that can do this effectively.

The Bissell SpotBot Pet 33N8A model’s handheld scrubber tool doesn’t compare to that of the SpotClean Pro, but it does have an automatic scrubber tool that can deal with small messes on the floor without additional elbow grease—it’s sort of like a miniature, stationary street sweeper. You simply place the whole unit directly over a stain and it does its thing. This makes it ideal for cleaning up cat puke or dog poop. In our tests the automatic scrubber tool took only a few minutes to completely remove splotches of egg batter, red wine, black ink, and grease from a white carpet. Though it’s designed to be placed on the ground, you could also use it on cushions or furniture, as long as it’s flush against the fabric.

If you live with pets, roommates, or small children who frequently leave stains on couches, rugs, cushions, or auto interiors—or if you’re just a little clumsy yourself—a portable carpet and upholstery cleaner could be a useful addition to your home. We’ve found that the best ones can remove even the toughest dried-on stains we could muster.

In this guide, we’re focusing on portable extraction-style cleaners. They’re suitable for getting small stains and blemishes out of most rugs and furniture. They use hot tap water, cleaning formula, suction, and some agitation to lift stains out of fabric. They (usually) don’t involve a heating element or pressure mechanism. The machine sprays hot-water-formula solution onto the stain, and the action of the scrubbing tool lifts the stain. The vacuum sucks up the loosened soil and liquid, and deposits them in a separate “dirty tank.” You should check to make sure that these machines can safely clean your items—look for a “W” cleaning code on furniture tags, and written instructions on your rug tags if you can find them—but they’re generally fine for most types of fabric.

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How To Be A Pro Wedding Dj

What Should You Tell Your Wedding DJ

Are you wondering what you should talk to your DJ about before your wedding day? While we all want to let the professionals do their jobs without having someone looking over their shoulder, there are certain things that you need to communicate to your DJ about beforehand.

You can bet that this list is based on plenty of hands on experience dealing with weddings of all sizes and scope. I feel these are the most important issues to discuss with your entertainment company prior to your event.

How to Pronounce the Names

When it comes to the grand entrance one of the most important things is how to properly pronounce the couple’s first and last names. Sometimes this can be challenging. That’s why you might want to give the DJ the spelling of your name phonetically.

Style of the MC

It’s really important that you communicate with your DJ how you want them to handle announcements and such. Do you want someone who is funny and telling jokes or do you want someone who is more of a fly on the wall and just there to help make sure everything runs smoothly?

Style of Music and Mixing

When it comes to the style of music, some DJs are radio mix DJs, also known as nightclub DJs, and they can mix songs back to back very quickly. This doesn’t always work at weddings and you probably want a DJ who will play an entire song. Communicate this with your DJ before hand.

Wedding Dj

For more than 45 years and with over 5,300 successful weddings, has been entertaining his couples and their guests with his unique and professional style and has outlasted countless wedding DJ. has received more five star reviews on the Knot and Wedding Wire from his couples than any other DJ! uses the most current sound systems and technology that are accompanied by romantic and energetic light shows. Couples can also choose from state- of- the- art up lighting, custom monograms and video equipment presentations. With over 2.4 million songs active in Jeff’s music library, and hundreds being added weekly, he has one of the largest in the U.S.

Every bride dreams of her perfect wedding day. Here is where your dreams come true! Your wedding ceremony and reception will be custom designed, fun and energetic, while retaining class and elegance throughout your special day.

Whether you are planning a wedding ceremony and reception, corporate event, birthday party, anniversary, private party, prom, surprise party, or any other kind of party, Rock Around The Clock Wedding and Event Entertainment is the DJ service that will make your once in a lifetime event a memorable one for all! Please click on any of the Knot and Wedding Wire badges below to read hundreds of actual client reviews.

“It was after a friend told me the DJ makes or breaks the wedding when I took extra caution in picking out our DJ. We found Jeff and within minutes of booking with him I received a phone call and we talked for a good 30 minutes or so about what I wanted at the wedding, and he explained his style.

important things to discuss with your wedding DJ

Wedding DJ’s are important to make the people come collectively and groove on beats to make the event memorable. Communicating your expectations in advance to these professional DJ providers is essential to make the event remarkable

When to play particular songs

There are certain elements in a wedding that makes it special like bride’s entry, father-daughter special moment, bride groom’s together dance, and each of these moments’ calls for a special or particular song. Ask your providers in advance about the timings or types of song to be played in order to avoid the last-minute havoc.

Pronunciation of names

They will be having the list of names of guests or family members but there are certain names that sound different from their spellings. When planning for grand entrances or introduction with names, it is important to note that correct names are taken in front of the guests.

Do not play” list

People sometimes oppose the types of songs that are not suitable for the wide variety of the guests. It is thoughtful to mention the taste or preferences of the audience in advance to avoid the criticism of the individuals.

Particular choice of songs

They will come with their technical equipment and list of songs to be played. If you have any preferable choice or playlist, it is better to hand it over to them for avoiding the last-minute rush.

Apps & Online Tools To Help With Wedding Planning

While we have mixed feelings about technology at weddings themselves (if we see another gorgeous aisle shot ruined by an iPad!), there are lots of apps and online tools that can make wedding planning your big day a whole lot easier.

But what about when it comes down to the nitty-gritty? When you’re no longer looking for ideas, tips and advice, but when you actually have to sit down and devise your seating plan or make up your budget.

Wedding Website Builders

We’ve written before about wedding websites, and if you ask me, they’re a modern-day essential for almost every wedding. They’re a go-to spot for guests to get all the information they need for your big day, from start times and dress codes to links for accommodation and travel. You can also use them to collect RSVPs, dietary requirements and playlist requests.

Minted

Want to coordinate your wedding website with all of your event’s paper goods? Minted offers brides & grooms a platform that creates a stylish online presence (ie. your wedding website) cohesively paired with matching paper invites & stationery.

Venue Search Tools

Finding the perfect wedding venue, in your local town or ideal destination that hits the mark on budget, guest count, scenery, services, curfew, aesthetics (on and on and on) can be vexing, luckily there are some websites that help you filter through them all!

What Does A Wedding DJ Do?

For those that aren’t familiar with professional wedding DJs, it may seem all they do is push a button and play music.  Planning and playing back music is one of the core functions of the DJ, there is so much more that goes on. The Wedding DJ is your entertainment coordinator and any times the wedding DJ stands in as pseudo-Wedding Coordinator. So what does a wedding do? To some people’s surprise, a wedding DJ starts to prepare well before the actual wedding day. In fact, it starts with the very first contact.

Getting To Know You

One of the very first things I do when meeting with a new couple is figuring out what exactly you are looking for. What kind of music do you like? Do you want lighting? Would you like to dance on a cloud for your first dance? What interesting things have you experienced at other weddings? All of this information becomes the foundation for determining the things you want, and don’t want, from your wedding.

Learning The Nitty-Gritty

While the first phase of the discussions gives the DJ a glimpse into what you are looking for. Once you get closer to your wedding date the details need to be fleshed out. Typically about 60 days out from your wedding I have a series of forms that will get filled that help me guide some of the key elements of your wedding; from the pronunciation of your wedding party guests to if you are going to have a bouquet toss. I have to admit, the list can be a bit tedious for some. But it’s very important for me to know all the ins and outs so I can help ensure that you have a great night of entertainment.

Sometimes, More Planning Meetings

So while some planning meetings can be “done in one” the truth is elements of the wedding change all the time. Headcount changes can force changes to the floor plans. Musical selections might be altered to accommodate a group of people. You may decide to enhance your experience that you didn’t plan before, the list can go on. I always reach out to my couples 30 days out to see what has changed, and what hasn’t, and see if more formal meetings are required.

Preparing For Your Special Day

Usually, the week prior I begin to lock things in place. I go over the details again and again, and if there is a question about a detail that I don’t have an answer to, I am not afraid to ask. I want to make sure that your day is as stress-free as possible! Establishing all your special songs in specific “crates” of music. Cloning my hard drive so I have multiple copies of music to play on. I go over all my equipment to make sure nothing is missing. I send the vendors and the venue some of the information I gather. There is a surprising amount of “little things” that I have to check off before your wedding day comes.

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Tips For Installing A New Electric Circuits

Simple Circuits

A circuit is the path that an electric current travels on, and a simple circuit contains three components necessary to have a functioning electric circuit, namely, a source of voltage, a conductive path, and a resistor.

Circuits are driven by flows. Flows are ubiquitous in nature and are often the result of spatial differences in potential energy. Water flows downriver due to changes in height, tornadoes swirl due to gentle temperature gradients, and sucrose flows from the leaves of trees to their distal parts due to differences in water potential. Even life itself is due to a clever hack by which living organisms serve as a conduit for the flow of solar energy. Perhaps then it is no surprise that electronic devices (certainly the one you’re reading this on now) are driven by flows.

In a simple circuit, voltage flows through the conductive path to the resistor, which does some work. Resistors–things like light bulbs, speakers, and motors–and electric circuits power these devices to do the work that their makers wanted them to do.

River-Dam Analogy

Flows and circuits can be illustrated via analogies of water, rivers, lakes and dams. If there are two lakes, with a trench dug to connect them, and both lakes have water at the same height h_1=h_2h then the water in the trench will not flow in either direction. There isn’t anything driving the system. A given parcel of water has the same potential energy and feels the same atmospheric pressure whether in one lake or the other, so there can be no net transport of water.

If this changes, and the height of the water in one lake is greater than the other, e.g. h_2 > h_1h then water will flow. Now, the pressure on the trench from the water in the higher lake is greater than the corresponding pressure from the lower lake, and hence water should flow out of the higher lake, through the trench, and into the lower lake. If it were possible to keep the water level in the two lakes constant, for instance by replacing the water that leaves the high lake, and removing the water that enters the low lake, then there would be a steady flow of water through the trench.

Best Electrical Engineering Apps For Every Electrical Engineer

Smartphones simplify our life. There are lots of books and software available for Electrical Engineering. Electrical Engineers require a deep knowledge from mathematics to the circuitry. So, enabling electricians and electrical engineering students and professionals to have access to an easy electrical engineering app is an excellent way to improve skill, productivity, knowledge, and efficiency

All these electrical engineering apps include electrical engineering study app, best electrical calculator app, basic electrical apps and best electrical apps for Android devices. All these apps are free to download from the google play store. All these apps are also important for computer engineers and other engineering professionals.

The best app for learning electrical engineering and are the best app for learning electrical engineering on mobile devices. These electrical engineering apps are the tools every electrical engineer should have. The apps listed down below include a scientific calculator, hex converter, resistor color code decoder, law calculator, resistor color codes, graph 89, voltage divider, resistor calculator, circuit simulator, unit converter, and droid tesla.

Electrical Technology

A very useful app about Electrical & Electronics Engineering & Technology. The plus point of this Electrical Android App is that you can use it offline i.e. without an internet connection. So you are able to use the useful Electrical tools as well as Electrical & Electronics Engineering Calculators and Articles to learn something new anytime, anywhere without worrying about mobile data charges. In addition, it is Free and Always will be

ElectroDroid

ElectroDroid is a simple and powerful collection of electronics tools and references. This is the free version, which contains ads; you can also buy from the Market the PRO version of the app to support the developer, unlock more features and get rid of the ads.

Electric

Do I need to get a converter for my electric stuff or is the current and plugs the same as here in the states?

110 Volts, 60 Cycle. You do not need a transformer or converter. Some older places may not have 3 hole ground receptacles with ground so you might want to bring one of those inexpensive adapters that go from a 3 prong plug to a 2 hole receptacle.

When we bought out house it had all two prong outlets and nothing was grounded. All 110 AC 60 cycle. just like here in the states. When I put in a new breaker box with a ground rod everything got grounded three prong outlets and lots of 220 outlets for the AC units.

If you’re not sure what your hotel has certainly take an adapter plug which will run you less than a dollar at WalMart. A lot of the newer hotels have the three prong outlets but some of the older ones still do not.

The simplest solution is to carry an adaptor that allows plugging modern 3 pin plugs OR polarized plugs into the old 2 pin wall outlets that were used up to just a few years ago, and as pointed out may be where you will stay. There is some confusion re 2 pin plugs which have become common now replacing 3 pin versions on many devices. 2 pin polarized plugs have one pin that is 1/4 inch wide & one 5/16 inch wide one, while the old wall sockets only have 1/4 inch tall slots so that can also prevent them being plugged in. Take a look at this photo for more help. and if you intend to take many things that might need plugging in then a modified power bar (some are made with 2 X 1/4″ pins) can be the answer.

While doing a bit more research on the internet regarding this electrical plug issue, I found out that the adapter for three plugs to 2 prong plugs is banned for sale because of safety reasons.

How Electrical Circuits Work

Basic Circuits

An electric circuit is an unbroken path along which an electric current exists and/or is able to flow. A simple electrical circuit consists of a power source, two conducting wires (one end of each being attached to each terminal of the cell), and a small lamp to which the free ends of the wires leading from the cell are attached.

Once one of the wires is removed from the power source or a “break” is made in the flow, the circuit is now “open” and the lamp will no longer light. In practical application, circuits are “opened” by such devices as switches, fuses, and circuit breakers. Two general circuit classifications are series and parallel.

Series Circuits

In a series circuit , the current through each of the components is the same, and the voltage across the components is the sum of the voltages across each component.

Parallel Circuits

In a parallel circuit, the voltage across each of the components is the same, and the total current is the sum of the currents through each component.

If two or more components are connected in parallel they have the same potential difference ( voltage) across their ends. The potential differences across the components are the same in magnitude, and they also have identical polarities. The same voltage is applicable to all circuit components connected in parallel.

Electronics Basics: Fundamentals of Electricity

In order to understand even the simplest concepts of electronics, you must first understand what electricity is. After all, the whole purpose of electronics is to get electricity to do useful and interesting things

The concept of electricity is both familiar and mysterious. We all know what electricity is, or at least have a rough idea, based on practical experience. In particular, consider these points:

We are very familiar with the electricity that flows through wires. That electricity comes from power plants that burn coal, catch the wind, or harness nuclear reactions.

It travels from the power plants to our houses in big cables hung high in the air or buried in the ground. Once it gets to our houses, it travels through wires through the walls until it gets to electrical outlets. From there, we plug in power cords to get the electricity into the electrical devices we depend on every day.

We know that electricity isn’t free.

We know that electricity can be stored in batteries. When the batteries die, all their electricity is gone.

We know that some kinds of batteries are rechargeable, which means that when they’ve been drained of all their electricity, more electricity can be put back into them by plugging them into a charger, which transfers electricity from an electrical outlet into the battery.

We know that electricity can be measured in volts. Household electricity is 120 volts (abbreviated 120 V). Flashlight batteries are 1.5 volts. Car batteries are 12 volts.

We also know that electricity can be measured in watts. Incandescent light bulbs are typically 60, 75, or 100 watts. Compact fluorescent lights (CFLs) have somewhat smaller wattage ratings. Microwave ovens and hair dryers are 1,000 or 1,200 watts.

We also may know that there’s a third way to measure electricity, called amps. A typical household electrical outlet is 15 amps (abbreviated 15 A).

And finally, we know that electricity can be very dangerous.

Electric charge refers to a fundamental property of matter that even physicists don’t totally understand. Suffice it to say that two of the tiny particles that make up atoms — protons and electrons — are the bearers of electric charge. There are two types of charge: positive and negative. Protons have positive charge, electrons have negative charge.

Electric current refers to the flow of the electric charge carried by electrons as they jump from atom to atom. Electric current is a very familiar concept: When you turn on a light switch, electric current flows from the switch through the wire to the light, and the room is instantly illuminated.

Electric current flows more easily in some types of atoms than in others. Atoms that let current flow easily are called conductors, whereas atoms that don’t let current flow easily are called insulators.

An electric circuit is a closed loop made of conductors and other electrical elements through which electric current can flow. For example, a very simple electrical circuit consists of three elements: a battery, a lamp, and an electrical wire that connects the two.