Posted on 11/21/2014 7:52:29 AM PST by SeekAndFind
I spend a lot of my time mulling over the large purchases in my life.
And for good reason.
Still, I tend to forget about the small, everyday things that matter most and have the power to make life a whole lot easier.
The following household items are extremely useful and — better yet — each costs less than $10.
1. Chip clips I don't know why it took me so long to purchase a set of inexpensive chip clips for our kitchen. We end up using them for far more than just sealing bags for freshness. Use magnetic clips to stick to-do lists and bills up on your refrigerator — you'll save the $10 you spent to buy them in avoided late fees.
2. Reusable coffee filter If you're a coffee-addict like my husband, you'll want to invest in a reusable coffee filter to make your morning brew. You can find one fit most coffee makers on the market for less than $5. In other words, it'll pay for itself in a couple months of use.
3. Compact fluorescents Haven't yet switched your bulbs to compact fluorescents? Now's the time. These bulbs use far less wattage than traditional lights, yet they give off the same amount of glow. They'll last longer, too (the ones in the link are guaranteed for nine years!).
4. Plastic jar lids I'm that person who uses Ball jars for absolutely everything. I can tomatoes in them, I drink from them, I store bulk foods in them, I organize bathroom items (like cotton balls) in them, and I even started freezing foods in them. These plastic jar lids are extremely useful for all these purposes and easy to clean.
(Excerpt) Read more at businessinsider.com ...
Chip clips....clothes pins work just as well....and you may not have to go out and *buy* them.
I stopped at #3...CFL’s don’t come close to illuminating as they claim.
I stopped at #2. Those things are a pain to clean!
Add to the list
AK47 magazines @ $3.99
HK91 aluminum magazines @ 99¢
And take FOREVER to light up, especially when it's cold.
That and they often times burn out faster than traditional bulbs.
True that.....this author thinks you have to go out and *buy* something....instead of re-purposing something.
I hate those clips. Too big and not enough clamp power.
Best thing is binder clips.
;D
They don't produce a lot of light.
I replace them about as often as I replaced incandescents.
I think the whole thing is a complete scam to make light bulbs expensive.
Clothespins??? There’s a whole generation that probably doesn’t know what a clothespin is for, much less how to operate one.
CFLs are a waste of money compared to LED lights. LED lights have a more natural light.
Smartest thing I ever bought for less than 10? Condoms during the years I was single.Saved me 100s of thousands in child support I didnt need to pay.
Clothespin — the most important element of a solar power dryer!
Not to mention the mercury hazard in CFL bulbs.
#2 - 1-3 year’s worth of paper filters cost about the same as the reusable filter, with no cleanup needed - and more important: NO GRIT. A last sip of coffee full of fine grit wrecks any value of what let that grit thru.
#3 - sounds great until one smashes right next to young kids, and you realize they’re breathing mercury vapor. LED bulbs are NOT TOXIC LIKE CFLs, produce better quality light, last longer and cost less in the long run.
With crummy advice like that, I’m not following the link.
And check out these hazmat rules should a cfl break:
http://www2.epa.gov/cfl/cleaning-broken-cfl
******
Comparison chart
LED vs Incandescent vs CFL
http://www.designrecycleinc.com/led%20comp%20chart.html
That’s because they are designed to be turned on and remain on a minimum of 30 minutes after. Every fluorescent light I’ve ever used the same as an incandescent light has burned out in the same, or less, amount of time.
For example, we use light sticks in my workbench area. In the beginning I found they generally lasted six (6) months or less. After some time, I started leaving them on, even when I left the room for a short while. Since then, they last, well, seemingly forever. I’m still using those last purchased six years ago. Now my wife has instructions to leave the one over her washing machine area on until she is finished for the night. That one has lasted almost as long as the ones over my work area.
We only use the cfl bulbs where lights remain on generally over a half hour. Incandescent lights are used elsewhere although we are switching those to LED lighting here of late. They may be expensive but they do last longer and become cost effective over time.
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