How to Shred Paper Without a Shredder

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If a paper has confidential information (such as name, address, telephone number, Social Security number, credit card number and many others) printed on it, I shred the paper without using an electric-operated shredder similar to the picture below.  If you will buy the lowest price shredder at OfficeMax, you will pay $49.99 plus sales tax.  Then, you have to plug the shredder to an electric wall outlet to function.  So, you will use electricity, although very minimal.

To shred the paper, I do the following:

1.  Get a pair of scissor (see picture below)

2.  Tear the paper into small pieces (see below).

3.  Cut the small pieces of paper using a pair of scissor into small micro-cut paper and throw them into the waste basket.

Tips

1.  When you receive envelopes, credit card statements, bank statements and other printed materials with confidential information, just tear the portion of the paper with such information.  Keep the small pieces of paper in a small box until the end of each month.

2.  At the end of each month, cut the small pieces of paper with confidential information into micro-cut pieces using a pair of scissor.

Last Words

By not buying an electric-operated shredder, I was able to save $49.99 plus 8.1% sales tax or a total of $54.04 plus not using electricity.  A pair of scissor cost only $1.00 and I can use it for other purposes, unlike a shredder.

I hope you got an idea on how to save some money.  Please read more articles in this blog by clicking the link below.  Thanks

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Image - Microwave Oven

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Image - Microwave Oven

A new white Whirlpool microwave oven (see picture below) was purchased in September 2009 because the old black-colored microwave oven, which was installed in 1988, was already defective.

The new Whirlpool microwave oven has the following features:

1.  Size - height = 16 inches; length = 29-3/4 inches; depth = 15-1/2 inches

2.  Has front clear see-through glass door and turn-table inside the oven

3.  Has push round buttons for Vent Fan, Light, Clock, Setup Menu, Start and Cancel

4.  Has also push round buttons for Popcorn, Baked Potato, Quick Defrost and Pizza, Cook, Reheat, Defrost, Cook Time, Cook Power, Timer Set/Off, and Add 30 Sec

5.  Use Reheat button for beverage, casserole, dinner plate, soup, sauce and baked goods

6.  Use Cook button for fresh entree; bacon; fresh, frozen and canned vegetables; and rice

7.  Use Defrost button for meat, poultry and fish

8.  Electrical - Input - 120V-60 Hz 1800W single phase; Output - 1000W 2450 MHz; complies with DHHS Radiation Performance; Manufactured in 2009

9.  Manufacturer - Whirlpool, telephone - 1-800-253-1301, website - www.whirlpool.com

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Credit Card Protection

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Many credit card holders do not know their rights and protection.  Under the United States Credit Card Accountability Responsibility & Disclosure (CARD) Act, credit card companies must comply with the following Federal rules:

1.  Credit card payments.  A credit card company:

1.1.  Must include in your credit card statement how long will it take you to pay off your balance if you make the minimum payments only;

1.2.  Must deliver the credit card bill to you at least 21 calendar days before your payment is due; and

1.3.  Must apply any payments in excess of the required minimum payment to the balance with the highest interest rate, if you have more than one interest rate.

2.  Credit card interest rate.  A credit card company:

2.1.  Is prohibited from increasing your interest rate for the first 12 months after you opened an account except (a) if the rate is an introductory rate or a variable rate, (b) you are more than 60 days late in your payment, or (c) you are in a payment workout agreement and you do not make payments on time as agreed upon;

2.2.  Must deliver to you a written notice of rate increase before it can charge you higher rate for your purchases;

2.3.  Must send you a written notice explaining a forthcoming increase in your Annual Percentage Rate (APR) before it actually raises your rate;

2.4.  Is required to re-evaluate the increased APR every six months if it increased your APR; and

2.5.  Must charge interest on balances within the current billing cycle only and not on double-cycle billing system.

3.  Credit card fees.  A credit company:

3.1.  Must send you a written notice 45 days in advance before it can change your fees;

3.2.  Must give you the option of rejecting a fee increase (if you reject a fee increase, it may close your credit card account or may require a higher monthly payment);

3.3.  Cannot bill you a late payment fee of more than $25 regardless of the amount you owed except (a) when one of your last 6 payments was late or (b) the company can justify a higher fee based on the cost of late payments;

3.4.  Is prohibited from billing you a late payment fee higher than your minimum payment;

3.5.  Cannot charge you an inactivity fee for not using your credit card;

3.6.  Cannot bill you more than one fee for a single late payment or any other violation of your cardholder agreement;

3.7.  Cannot bill you over-the-limit transaction fees if you did not opt-in (meaning you do not allow transactions over your credit limit).

Last Words

I recommend that you print the above article for easy reference in managing your credit cards.  Also, you may want to inform your family members and others about these credit card protection.

Please click the link below to read more articles.  Appreciate your time in reading my blog.  Thank you.

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3 Ways to Improve Gasoline Mileage

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New vehicles have efficient gasoline mileage.  When they become older, due to wear and tear, gasoline mileage performance becomes inefficient.

3 Ways to Improve Gasoline Mileage

1.  Maintain the required tire pressure

Keep a tire pressure gauge  in the vehicle glove compartment, preferably a digital one (see example below), to check the actual pressure of all tires, including the spare tire, at least once a week.

According to studies, (a) gasoline mileage is improved by up to 3.3 percent, (b) driving becomes more safer and (c)  tires last longer by maintaining the manufacturer's recommended pressure for all tires.  If the tire pressure is under inflated, gasoline mileage is reduced by 0.3 percent for each 1 psi (pounds per square inch) drop in pressure of all tires.  There are no information on the increase or decrease in gasoline mileage performance for over inflated tires.

2.  Buy recommended grade of motor oil

Gasoline mileage is improved by 1-2 percent when the manufacturer's recommended (a) grade of motor oil is used and (b) the schedule of changing the motor oil is strictly followed.

According to studies, gasoline mileage is lowered by 1-2 percent if 10W-30 motor oil is used instead of the recommended 5W-30 motor oil.  Gasoline mileage is also lowered by 1-1.5 percent if 5W-30 is used instead of the recommended 5W-20 motor oil.

The image above shows a SAE 5W-30 motor oil.  SAE, which stands for Society of Automotive Engineers, implemented a numerical code system for grading automotive motor oils based on their viscosity characteristics.  The SAE viscosity gradings, from low to high viscosity, are 0, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 40, 50 and 60.

Adding additives to motor oil tank is not necessary to improve gasoline mileage if the recommended grade of motor oil is not strictly used.

3.  Keep the vehicle properly tuned

Gasoline mileage is improved if the vehicle engine is properly tuned.  According to studies, an old vehicle's gasoline mileage is improved by an average of 4 percent when the vehicle is properly tuned and the emission failure is fixed.  If a serious maintenance problem such as a faulty oxygen sensor is properly repaired, the gasoline mileage is improved by 40 percent.

Last Words


You may want to read "How to Compute for Gasoline Usage".

Please tell your family members and friends about this article so that they can maintain their vehicles properly in order to improve their gasoline mileage.

Please click on the link below to read more blog posts.  Thank you and have a nice day.

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How to Compute for Gasoline Usage

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Cars use gasoline or diesel, including other fluids, to run.  When cars become older, fuel efficiency suffers.

How do you calculate the car mileage for every gallon of gasoline?

1.  Things Needed


1.1.  Pen and paper
1.2.  Car
1.3.  Car odometer
1.4.  Gasoline
1.5.  Calculator

2.  Procedures


2.1.  Fill the gasoline tank completely when the car fuel meter is about one-fourth (1/4) full.

2.2.  Before and after filling gasoline, write down on a piece of paper the following information:

2.2.a.  Date
2.2.b.  Odometer reading before refueling
2.2.c.  Total gallons of gasoline purchased
2.2.d.  Total amount paid for the gasoline

2.3.  Keep the written information in your car's glove compartment for easy retrieval.

2.4.  After so many days when your gasoline in your tank is already about one-fourth (1/4) full again, record the following information on the same paper (previously kept in the car's glove compartment:

2.4.a.  Date
2.4.b.  Odometer reading before refueling
2.4.c.  Total gallons of gasoline purchased
2.4.d.  Total amount paid for the gasoline

2.5.  To compute for the gasoline usage, (a) deduct the second odometer reading from the first odometer reading to arrive at the total mileage and (b) divide the total mileage by the first total gallons of gasoline purchased to arrive at the mileage per gallon (mpg).

The example above shows that an old vehicle (as indicated by high mileage reading) has a fuel efficiency of 19 miles per gallon.

Last Words

1.  You can also compute the cost of gasoline per mile by dividing let's say, the total amount of $25 paid for the gasoline divided by total mileage of 147 to give you $0.17 of gasoline per mile.

2.  You can test also the fuel efficiency of your vehicle by following the steps enumerated above.  You can do the testing every 3 months to see what is happening to your vehicle.

Please click on the link below to read more interesting topics.  Thank you for visiting my blog today.

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Free Browser with Security Protection

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Internet Explorer browser was already installed on my desktop computer when I bought it.  I have been using the Internet Explorer 9 (the latest version) as the default browser for a long time with my DSL connection.  The uploading of web pages were slow and I was not complaining because I was using a slow DSL internet connection.

Then, I tried downloading the free Mozilla Firefox browser.  Most of the time, the uploading of web pages was also slow, using also the DSL internet connection.

One day, I visited my favorite public library and saw and borrowed the book (as shown below) by Ryan Teeter and Karl Barksdale.

I read the book and visited the Google Chrome website for more information.  According to the Google website, Chrome is a browser.  By definition, a browser (or Web browser) is an application program that locates and retrieves contents (such as web pages, images, videos and other type of files) on the World Wide Web and displays them on your computer screen.

Why use the Chrome browser?  According to Google, the Chrome browser has 3 important features, namely:

1.  Simplicity.  The browser makes the computer screen page streamlined, clean and simple.  The address bar is used (a) for navigating the Web and (b) as a search box at the same time.

2.  Speed.  The browser makes your (a) Internet connection to start up fast, (b) searching and loading of web pages fast and (c) running the web applications fast like a lightning.

3.  Security.  The browser makes your Internet browsing safely and securely.

I was very particular and interested on how Google Chrome browser protects my web browsing and all the files stored in my computer hard drive.  I found some testimonials and actual experience of people who actually used the Chrome browser on their computers.

The security features of the Chrome browser offer the following technologies to protect Chrome users against phishing and malware attacks:

1.  Safe Browsing.  The Chrome browser will display on your computer screen a warning message (see below) before you decide to visit a website that may contain malware or phishing.

Malware is a software that is installed in your computer while you are connected to the Internet without your knowledge with the purpose of (a) stealing data, files and other information from your computer and (b) harming your computer by putting viruses.

In phishing, someone pretends to be someone else to convince you into giving your personal and other sensitive information through a fake website or email.

2.  Sandboxing.  It is a technology where Chrome browser adds one additional layer of security protection to prevent malware from (a) leaving programs on your computer hard drive, (b) monitoring your web activities, or (c) stealing your personal and sensitive information from your hard drive.

3.  Auto-updates.  Every time Google makes an update on the Chrome browser security features, the Chrome browser installed on your hard drive is automatically updated without any action on your part to ensure your computer has the latest security features and fixes.

I made a decision to change my Internet Explorer 9 and Mozilla Firefox browsers (but I did not delete them from my hard drive) to Google Chrome browser.  My decision to change my existing 2 browsers to Chrome browser was based on the following factors:

1.  Several Chrome users gave testimonials about the Chrome features - simplicity, speed and security.

2.  Google, as the provider of Chrome browser, is a very reliable website.

3.  Installation guide for the Chrome browser is available online on the Google site.

So, I finally downloaded the Chrome browser application program to my hard drive.  After the installation, re-starting my computer and connecting to the Internet, I was amazed with the speed of loading the web pages I visited considering that I am still using my DSL connection.  I shouted "Whoa".  I have been using the Chrome browser for more than 30 days now and I am really happy and satisfied.

My Savings


My McAfee Antivirus program had already expired in September 2011.  I do not have any active antivirus program until I installed the Google Chrome browser with built-in anti-malware and anti-phishing programs in November 2011.

If I go to the Amazon.com website and buy the McAfee Antivirus program, I will pay $28.22 plus tax and shipping; if Norton Antivirus program, I will $20.66 plus tax and shipping; and if Kaspersky Antivirus program, I will pay $25.38 plus tax and shipping.  The antivirus program is good only for one year and I have to purchase it again year after year.

You can imagine the savings I realized by not buying McAfee antivirus program and instead, install a free (forever) Google Chrome browser with antivirus features.

Tips


1.  Do not delete your old browsers from your hard drive.  In case the Chrome browser malfunction, you can use the old browser as backup.

2.  Use the address bar in navigating the web and as search box at same time.

3.  Bookmark all your favorite websites for easy retrieval and eliminate typing of website addresses.

Last Words


Since I have already used the Google Chrome browser, I strongly recommend to you to install it in your computer.
Please give me some feedbacks on your own experience of using the Chrome browser.

You may type the words: free browser antivirus on the search box below for more information.  Thank you and have a wonderful day.

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Free OpenOffice Home and Business Software

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Microsoft Office Home and Business 2003 programs are still installed in my desktop computer since 2003 and I am still using them, specifically the Word and Excel.  It is already 2012 and I am still using them for personal and business purposes.  I intentionally did not upgrade the 2003 Microsoft Office Home and Business programs because I want to save money.  As of this writing, Amazon.com shows that the Microsoft Office Home and Business 2010 cost $219.99 plus tax and shipping cost (see advertisement below):

I downloaded the free OpenOffice.org 3.3.0 home and business software from OpenOffice.org website to my desktop computer to save money and avail of the new features of the packaged program.  The free OpenOffice.org home and business software includes 6 powerful programs, namely:

1.  WRITER.  It is a word processor to create letters, resumes, books, flyers, announcements, and many others.

2.  CALC.  It is a powerful program to create various types of spreadsheets, calculations, charts and graphics, analyses, presentations, flyers, announcements, and many more.

3.  IMPRESS.  It is use in creating effective and beautiful media presentations.

4.  DRAW.  It creates everything from simple diagrams to dynamic 3D illustrations.

5.  BASE.  It allows to develop and manipulate databases, tables, forms, queries, reports and others.

6.  MATH.  It processes mathematical equations with graphic user interface or directly typing the formulas into the equation editor.

Out of the 6 programs, I will be using the Writer and Calc most of the time because I have a home-based business and blogs.

Features and Advantages

The free OpenOffice.org home and business software provides the following features and advantages:

1.  Downloading of the software from the OpenOffice.org website to my desktop computer is free and not on a trial basis.  I can download the same software to several computers without any limitations, terms and conditions.

2.  I can download the software directly into several CDs to be given away to friends or to sell, provided that OpenOffice.org seal or logo is indicated on the CD.  In this case, I can make some money legally.

3.  The software works on various type of computers and operating systems.  It is available in many languages.  It will not show any irritating advertisements on any computer screen.

4.  Software installation guide, user guides, frequently ask questions (FAQ) and technical support are available online.

5.  I can update the software in my desktop computer anytime when OpenOffice.org informs me about the new upgrades, free of charge.

6.  The software will easily convert my Microsoft Word and Excel files without doing any changes.  All my data and files are stored in my desktop computer.

7.  Word and spreadsheet files can be converted to PDF file format which I can attach to my email or blog.

8.  I can use the software even if I am not connected to the Internet because the stand-alone software is in my desktop computer hardware.

Last Words

Why don't you download the OpenOffice.org 3.3.0 home and business software in your computer and start using the Write program to create a letter?

Or, you can type the words: free word spreadsheet software in the search box below to search for other free home and business office software similar to Microsoft's and OpenOffice.org's.

In my case, I am happy that I was able to save more than $219.99 by not buying the Microsoft Office Home and Business 2010 programs.  Please tell your employer and other people about this full, stand-alone software so that they can save money and you are giving them a favor.

Please click the link below to read my other blog posts.  Thank you for time and please come back.

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