Some Simple Ways to Save Money and Enjoy Life

Did you know that there are some simple ways to save money by doing ordinary things? There most certainly are! What in the world am I talking about? I will explain in this article.

My first tip is for when you go grocery shopping. Are you aware that the generic brands of the foods you normally buy are just as tasty as the name brands? This is true! In fact, very often the generic (or store-name brand) of a particular food item tastes better than the big name brand. Best of all they cost far less. Also at your supermarket, do not be afraid to buy whatever items they have on sale at the time. You can pick up some really great stuff this way. Remember to clip coupons out of your weekly local newspaper. Chances are good that your supermarket advertises in there. You can find out what is on sale and clip your special coupons at the same time.

Tip number two. Do not be afraid to shop at your neighborhood dollar or thrift store! Whether it is a big store like Walmart or Target or a smaller dollar store, you will get some incredibly good merchandise on items like clothing, household stuff, personal care merchandise, or edible goods. Many neighborhoods also have small, independently owned discount stores with wonderful deals. Just because you buy your products from a discount store does not mean they are inferior! Shopping at a thrift or discount store no longer carries the stigma it once did. More and more people are realizing you can save money on everyday items and still get good quality.

Do you know that it is possible to dine out now and then and not spend a fortune? How, you may ask? It is simple! Look in your local newspaper for specials they are running. Independent restaurants as well as fast food and mid-sized restaurant chains will regularly advertise this information. If you are online and / or use a Smart Phone, a lot of places will offer special coupons that you can use when you visit their establishment. Do not fear stopping in a buffet-oriented restaurant. Some of the best food can be sampled this way and will cost you less money. The same thing holds true of clothing and other retail stores. Look in your paper and online for special discounts and offers. A plethora of merchants now take advantage of Internet use to bring in customers. They will advertise special deals that you can print out or call up on your Android phone to buy their goods and save money at the same time.

Traveling on a budget! It is no longer necessary to stay at home and vegetate! It is entirely feasible to save money and travel at the same time. Websites such as Orbitz or Travelocity offer discounted airfares and lodging accommodations for this purpose. Take advantage of them. It is also possible to buy some food and beverages at a local supermarket and store them, as many hotel rooms have small refrigerators. Then you can dine in your room or have a picnic at a nearby park. You will enjoy the views and save money by not eating out at restaurants on your whole vacation. Take advantage of these opportunities too! Save money and enjoy your lives at the same time! What could be better than that?

3 Ways to Get a Car Loan With Bad Credit & No Money Down

If you have bad credit you have probably been to more than one car dealership that has turned you down. This is very common that people do not accept the opinion of the first car dealer and so they go looking for a second opinion much like many people do with doctors. We just do not like to hear the bad news and were looking for someone that will tell us what we want to hear.

Here are three ways that you can get approved for a bad credit car loan without having to put any money down.

1) If you have a local bank or credit union that you have your checking account with, you may be surprised to find that they will actually offer you a car loans so long as, you have a reasonable average balance and do not ever have any overdrafts. You will have to have a stable place of residence that you have probably been added for at least two or three years, you will need to have been eager job for a reasonable amount of time, and the price of the car needs to be within certain guidelines. These guidelines will relate to the loan amount. The loan amount versus the loan value. Getting a car loan with no money down using a local bank or credit union, means that you will have to find a deal on a car that is priced at or near loan value.

2) Buy here pay car lots are not the cheapest place to buy a car, however financing is very easy. Some places do not even have a credit check and do not really even have any requirements whatever, other than having a down payment. The only way to avoid a down payment when buying a car at a car lot that finances their own cars, is to have a trade-in that is either paid off or has considered equity. This is not the best option for you if you want to save money and get a good deal on a car, however, I mentioned this information in this article because buy here pay here car lots are commonly considered as an option when you have credit problems and need a car.

3) Online loan companies that are legitimate, can offer you finance saying with no money down and guidelines and lending standards are quite a bit different from those that you will find when using a local bank. These types of lenders work only with people that have bad credit, and are in business just to help people out there that have bad credit and can not get financed at a car dealership. This is by far the easiest way to get a fast approval, get lower monthly car payments, and a better interest rates. One of the great things about using a service like this, is that you can pick and choose what model and make of car that you want, without being limited to what just one car dealership has to offer.it is much easier to get a no money down car loan when you are able to shop around and find a good feel on a car. When you can do this you can find good deals and local classified newspapers, bargain hunters, and even on-line auction sites.

How To Play Time Management Games Online For Free

1. First a warning, playing games can be addicting so remember to manage your playing time. Also be sure to download time management games from sites that you trust and always keep your anti-virus program up to date.

2. Check your browser some time management games require the Internet Explorer browser and will not work with Firefox and some other browsers.

3. Decide if you want to play time management games online or download them and then play. Please check our "Times Management Games" section for resources that is updated regularly.

4. Let us look at some of the games that you can play for free online. As you will see there are many time management games to choose from so take the time and try several of them, you will soon find out which one you like the most.

Belle's Beauty Boutique:

'Belle's Beauty Boutique' you must help run a beauty parlor single-handedly. The owner, Belle, needs your help to give all of her customers the treatments they want. Help her wash, cut, shampoo and color a crazy cast of characters. Watch them gossip, flirt, and help Belle realize her dream of creating the ultimate beauty salon.

Big Island Blends:

After arriving on Big Island you discover that the "fortune" you've just inherited is an orchard? Well, what better way to turn your fields into a real fortune than opening a smoothie stand Serve your delicious fruit concoctions to the thirsty inhabitants of Big Island in level after level of fast-paced fun. Then, use your hard-earned money to purchase a wide variety of sparkling upgrades to make your smoothie stand the best on Big Island! Colorful, fast, and fun, try Big Island Blends for a unique taste of the tropics.

Burger Island:

Help our heroine Patty turn around a run-down burger stand located on deserted Mount Tikikola Beach in 'Burger Island'. Juggle orders from demanding customers, purchase over 30 exotic mouth-watering recipes, unlock more than 40 delicious ingredients, combining up to 9 per order, all while keeping an ever-watchful eye on the clock. With 60 increasingly challenging levels, see if you have what it takes to help Patty build the best burger stand on the island!

Burger Shop:

After receiving a set of strange blueprints in the mail, you build an extraordinary food-making contraption and open a restaurant. Your goal? Make food and satisfy customers until you discover the truth behind the mysterious blueprints. Burger Shop is a fun and addicting time-management game with several play modes including: Story Mode, Challenge Mode, Relax Mode and Expert Story Mode, each with different trophies you can collect. Utilize unique food making devices to make over fifty different food items during your quest. With four play modes, over sixty upgrade items and ninety-six trophies, you can play Burger Shop forever!

Cake Mania:

Baking runs in Jill's family. Help Jill upgrade her kitchen with state-of-the-art baking tools, while serving her ever-increasingly difficult customers. Help Jill earn enough to reopen her grandparents' bakery in this fast-paced culinary crisis.

Cake Mania 2:

After re-opening the Evans Bakery, and sending her grandparents on an exotic Hawaiian cruise, Jill is back in an all-new, out-of-this-world adventure! Explore six far-flung bakery locations; serve up deliciously original creations to 18 quirky customers, ranging from Federal Agents to mysterious Aliens, and choose the path Jill will take in 'Cake Mania 22!

Delicious 2:

Uncle Antonio needs Emily's help to get out of a financial fix. Help Emily rescue her family's finances in five all-new restaurants, each with a unique menu and theme. Use your earnings to purchase decorations sure to make your customers smile. Emily's friends and family are on hand to help, but it's going to take your serving savvy to get Uncle Antonio back on track. Featuring two game modes, all-new customers, and hours of fast family fun, 'Delicious 2 Deluxe' is just the thing to satisfy your craving for fun.

Features:

* Two Game Modes

* Five All-New Restaurants

* 60 Challenging Levels Featuring New Customers

* Decorate Your Restaurant Your Way

Delicious Deluxe:

Join Emily on her quest to make her dreams come true in two game modes and seven different restaurants. Success means more tables, bigger restaurants, and a menu full of uniquely delectable items. Tasty treats may keep your customers happy, but it's going to take quick clicks and careful timing to get Emily's ambitions off the ground. Take a bite out of Delicious today!

Features:

* Two Game Modes

* Seven Different Restaurants

* Bonuses Like Bigger Trays, Chocolate, and Stars

* Five Types of Customer

Diner Dash:

Diner Dash is the action-puzzle that brings out the entrepreneur in all of us. Poor Flo! Sick and tired of pushing paper in the world of finance, she ditched her desk job and is setting out to build her very own restaurant empire. Flo's on her own now and heading for the top! It won't be easy, though. To get there she'll have to start on the ground floor and she needs your help to survive and thrive. Diner Dash combines fast-paced puzzle action with a build-your-restaurant-empire theme. You'll start with a run-of-the-mill greasy spoon and end up in a dream restaurant that will take your breath away!

Features:

* 40 challenging levels of addictive, skill-based game play that allows you to grow your restaurant through 4 complete re-models

* Five different types of customers, each with different behaviors

* Two modes of play: Career and Endless Shift

* Fun sounds, cool visual style, flashy effects, and humorous animations

* High score tracking and automatic game save

Diner Dash®: Flo on the Go:

Flo trades in her apron for a passport to paradise! But will our hard-working waitress get a chance to relax? Seat customers, take orders, collect tips and dress up Flo in hundreds of vacation outfits in the all-new Flo's Closet".

Wedding Dash":

Help Quinn, a hopeful wedding planner, make wedding bells ring! Featuring the hilarious ups and downs of wedding day drama, 'Wedding Dash"' incorporates the plate-spinning fun from the 'Diner Dash®' series with the added challenge of pulling off the perfect wedding reception. Can you keep the bride and groom happy and Quinn's business afloat? Help couples select all the details - from tasty cakes to gorgeous flowers - but once they've tied the knot, lookout for obstacles preventing the perfect party, such as tipsy guests, falling cakes, and catty bridesmaids. When the going gets tough, keep an eye out for extra help from everyone's favorite server, Flo! It's a fast-paced challenge to execute a flawless event, but for the determined Quinn, it's all in a day's work!

5. There are several types of games available, some give you resources that you have use or spend to advance to the next level. Some time management games you must complete a number of tasks within a fixed period of time while in other games you have a certain number of lives, when you have lost them the games are over. Also there are games where you can continue to play until you figure out how to advance to the next level.

6. By now you have decided what time management game you want to play. Before you start the game check the game options, select the easiest level or story mode (where available) first time so you time to become familiar with the game.

7. As you become more experienced move through the different levels or game modes. Remember one of the advantages of playing time management games online is that you can communicate with other people playing the same game, so you can always ask for help.

8. Have fun but remember playing time management games can be addictive so take a break away from your PC every now and then.

Shortly we will look at time management games that you can download and play for free, so please re-visit or subscribe to our blog.

Warm regards,

Henrik

PS. Where can you find the games mentioned above? Please go to: http://games.aol.com/browse-games/arcade/time-management/

Chinatown Bus Lines are a Budget Traveler's Dream

A Guide to the Chinatown Bus

The word is out - the cheapest way to get from one major US city to another is on the "Chinatown bus". In recent years this has become transportation option of choice for budget travelers in New York, Washington DC, and Boston, and more recently on the West Coast. Students, backpackers, and an array of other savvy travelers have long loved the rock bottom prices that these bus companies offer. Despite the popularity of these bus lines it can still be difficult to find information on Chinatown bus service.
What exactly is a "Chinatown Bus"? Read on and you will have the inside track on this great budget travel option.

Chinatown Bus history

The Chinatown bus phenomenon began in the late 1990s when an entrepreneur in New York's Chinatown started running daily bus service from Chinatown in New York to Chinatown in Boston. The service was aimed at Asian immigrants who wanted to shop or visit relatives in either city and needed cheap and convenient transportation. The service was bare bones - no advertising, customer service, or bus stations. Customers simply went to the bus stop, waited for the bus (or van), and paid the driver upon boarding. For those willing to do without frills, they offered the same service as traditional bus companies at a substantially lower price. Before long, the word spread and all kinds of people started using the service. It became especially popular with students, budget travelers, or people for what the service was simply more convenient.

Soon more bus companies duplicated this model and started offering service in other cities. Now you can find this type of bus service in Philadelphia, Virginia, Baltimore Washington DC, Los Angeles, Las Vegas and San Francisco. At this point the term "Chinatown bus" is used more loosely to describe this sort of low-cost / low-frills service. Many, if not most, of the companies do not have Chinatown as their main location and may not cater to the immigrant population at all. These operators are also sometimes referred to as "curbside" operators.

How can tickets be so cheap?

$ 15 between New York to Boston? $ 25 from Las Vegas to Los Angeles? It seems hard to fathom. Chinatown bus companies are able to keep prices low because they operate in a fundamentally different way from traditional carriers. Foremost, the service is very basic. There is little in the way of customer service or amenities. Most of these operators do not have formal stations, picking up passengers at bus stops instead. They eschew traditional advertising in favor of word of mouth. Further, many of the operators play a very hands-on role in the operation - you will not see idle executables at a small independent bus company. Finally, these operators make sure they fill their buses. That is why Chinatown bus operators usually only operate on heavily trafficked routes. Indeed some companies only run buses at peak times.

Are they safe?

When these companies first started operating, concerns were raised about safety standards. There is still controversy within the bus industry about whether these newcomers are complying with the same regulations as the traditional companies. However, a task force set up by the Federal government to look at safety issues found that Chinatown bus companies did not perform better or worse than other types of bus companies (ie. Charter, tour buses). All bus companies operating in the US must undergo the same inspection standards and must comply with the same rules. Realistically there is probably a range of quality among Chinatown bus carriers. Some are fly-by-night operators trying to make a fast buck, while others are legitimate entrepreneurs who plan to grow and operate a long term business.

What you should expect

• No frills service - the driver may be the ticket collector; there will not be a lot of customer service.
• Comfortable buses. Since the low fares buses are usually quite nice. Most buses are comparable to Greyhound and many are actually more deluxe.
• Communication challenges. Drivers are legally required to speak enough English to help passengers in the case of emergency. In reality this is often adhered to rather loosely. At the very least, expect your driver to have an accent.
• Possible delays. Many of these bus routes are on highly congested roads. When the roads are busy, expect delays.
• Rest stops. Buses will have a lavatory on board but there is usually a 10 or 15 minute bathroom break on trips over 4 hours. Do not be late returning to the bus, the driver will not count heads before leaving at the appointed time.
• Full buses. Buses definitely sell out at peak times (weekends and evenings). Book ahead or get there early if you want secure a seat.
• Plastic Bags. An odd little quirk on Chinatown buses is that every aisle seat usually has a plastic grocery bag tied to the arm. I guess they find this is the best way to keep the buses clean.

How do I find the Chinatown Bus?

Again, "Chinatown bus" is a term used to describe a type of operator and not an individual bus company. Many unlisted bus companies fall into this category. Since most Chinatown buses do not spend money on advertising it can be difficult to find out details about schedules and bus stop locations. Many of the carriers are becoming savvier about the Internet and quite a few have websites with information. Usually an Internet search will yield links to bus service to your destination. There are also several directories, such as chinatown-bus.org that include links for most Chinatown bus companies and the author's employer, GotoBus.com, is a centralized booking site that has schedules and sells tickets online for most Chinatown bus companies.

The Chinatown bus is not for everyone. If you want an order system with American style customer service, you should probably stick to traditional carriers. However, if you know what to expect and come prepared with a sense of adventure and humor, you should enjoy the trip just fine. You will also enjoy the money you save!

Make Extra Storage Space in Your Garage With Garage Storage Cabinets

Garage Storage Cabinets: Why you might need them and your options

It is common knowledge that garages are meant for the cars but most unnecessary items from the main house find their way into the garage. Oftentimes they are too cluttered and messy that there is hardly enough space for the car itself. The place mean for the car becomes an all-purpose room. There are some things though useless we simply can not part with. Given such circumstances, you will have to have cabinets installed in your garage for storage. You will be doing yourself a great service that way in terms of keeping your garage well-organized.

You can, if the necessity is taken take professional help installing your garage storage cabinets. They can give you expert advice advice on the best possible way to install the cabinets even as there is enough room for the car. Then again, you have the option of doing it yourself as long as you know what you are doing. With your personal involvement in the project you know where to put up the cabinets and which type you need.

Having storage cabinets in the garage will help you put things where you can easily locate. The tools you use practice always should go into a cabinet easily accessible. The ones that you only rarely use should be labeled and kept in some other cabinets. And the larger ones that can not go into any of the cabinets should be placed at the sides and properly secured. Organizing your garage so will save your time when you happen to need any items from the garage. You should ensure that your garage is organized at all times to save good time and much work which will definitely crop up if you are not careful.

Do you need to redo your garage cabinets? Most would be taken off-guard by the question. In fact, the idea of ​​redoing garages is becoming popular and catching up fast. The demand is ever in the rise for garage cabinetry; since they come in countless designs and in all ranges of price.

If you are in need of inexpensive yet functional cabinetry, you should consider using recycling used from the kitchen. Or you can visit a store that deals in recycled home products. They can sometimes be incredibly low-priced and in great shape. They are just perfect for use in the garage since they are strong and can be repainted. You can remodel them into storage units to your liking and what's more you save yourself a reasonable amount of money that way.

While you are at redoing your garage cabinets always avoid the mistake of nailing it to walls. You should use screws instead. They are stronger and have incredible holding power and can stand fabulous weight.

Online Bill Pay and How It Works

Online bill pay is fast becoming a popular means of payment among people who want to practice good debt management skills, and save on both time and money in the process.

What exactly is online bill pay?

Generally, it is a payment method that lets an individual carry out payment instructions to creditors electronically through a computer program. This can actually get rid of errors, making it easier to manage debt. In addition, it is faster than mailing checks.

Online bill payment methods come in two basic categories: those being offered via a bank, and those offered via a service provider- like a credit card or phone company.

In general, online bill pay is designed to be fast and simple to use. Majority of major banking institutions, as well as businesses, provide this service without any charge. Individuals can choose to manually enter their payments every month, or arrange for an automatic withdrawal from their account. Automatic withdrawal allows them to set up their payments before their due date without worrying about giving manual instructions to make a monthly payment. The creditor will transfer funds straight from the bank, and enter these funds into their account with no action needed whatever.

Advantages of Choosing Online Bill Pay

The following information will help you consider the different advantages of using online bill pay:

Hassle-free

Individuals can save on time when using the online bill pay platform. Instead of writing out checks, wetting stamps and filing lots of papers, they can set up an online account to get rid of all these steps. It will also be easier and faster to manage their debt.

When they need to go over past bills, they do not have to waste time in looking for them - because all of their account information can be seen in one centralized location.

Cost Efficient

They can save on the stamping costs, which can add up. The average household gets 15 bills every month, which could amount to $ 70 a year in just postage costs.

They can avoid late payment fees that are incurred every time a payment is received after the due date. Missed payments could lead to the following:

• Increase in interest rates;
• Late payment charges and over limit fees.

When the payment is past due, their account could probably go to collection status.

Convenient

What is a more convenient solution to managing debt? Individuals could create their own automatic online bill account, so they can set up recurring payments that are to be regularly withdrawn from their account. This decreases the chance of late / lost payments, saving time in the process.

When they find out that one of their bills is due for payment on the next day, the best way to make sure that their payment will be posted on time is through online bill pay.

Computers and Technological Innovations: A Way to Ease Life

Tired of the boring and routine work at the office? Bored with the bountiful paper works? Stressed in filing documents in cabinets and drawers? If so, you are one of the millions of employees who got hooked up with the traditional office operations and records keeping. To ease your burden, you need to use computers and other technological innovations to automate your operation and to ease your work load.

Scientists, manufacturers and companies continue to conduct research to innovate equipment and machines to give relief and comfort to everyday operations and routines, both at home, at school and at work. No matter where you are, what life you have and what work you do, you can not escape technology. It is everywhere and everywhere you go.

Computers become a way of life for everyone. Majority of us can not live and feel helpless without them. It can not be denied that it has become a vital aspect in business, at home and in our personal lives. It enables everyone to communicate with friends, relatives, family members and loved ones despite the distance between them. It helps students in their assignments and research works. It provides comfort in filing and tracking of records, thereby saving time and money. It lets you purchase items via electronic commerce and enables you to pay bills through Internet banking. It makes data analysis fast and easy by a click of a computer mouse. It lets you keep track of your inventory and logistics.

Other technological innovations and their associated significance:

• Cellular phones and iPhones. Enable users to communicate with colleagues, office mates, friends, family members and loved ones anytime and anywhere.
• Washing Machines. Let homemakers do their laundry at less time and effort.
• Photocopiers. Enable students, professionals, employees and ordinary individuals to copy vital documents.
• Airbags. Can save the lives of both the driver and the passenger during car accidents.
• Plasma television (TV). Enable you to watch movies, television programs and news at the convenience of your home.
• Digital cameras. Let you capture important events and precious moments with a click of a button.
• Hybrid automobiles. Enable users to travel and go places with less gasoline and without the danger of polluting the environment.
• Magnetic Resonance Imaging. Enable doctors to see the presence to cancer cells and tumor.
• Nanomedicine. A medical scheme that uses nanorobots to perform biological functions and medical procedures, such as repairing damaged tissues, attacking viruses and cancer cells and cleaning clogged arteries.
• Laparoscopic surgery. A single incision surgery performed in a patients' navel, reducing complications and hastens recovery period.
• Closed-circuit television. Used by multiple companies and organizations to see illegal activities, like robberies, shoplifting, murder, holdup and many more.
• Automated teller machines. Let you withdraw money anytime and anywhere.
• Hydroponics. An inexpensive gardening method that gives farmers increased production, controllable conditions and less risks of damage crops.

No matter what innovations you choose and used, it is of utmost importance to use them wisely, efficiently and effectively without harm other people and the environment.

Online Bill Pay and Its Benefits

For every one of us, there are several bills that are paid on a monthly basis. The list includes rent or mortgage, electricity, credit cards, cell phone, internet and cable, among others.

Most people pay an amount in double digits. It is natural that at times, one of these bills slips their mind so they have to pay the late payment fee. A 2016 survey by a financial firm reveals that more than 1/3 of customers or 35% of respondents paid late in the past year, and 65% were charged with a late fee.

Most banks and credit companies that offer online bill payment make it easier to manage and pay bills to avoid extra fees. Besides paying bills from the convenience of their computer at any time, people can save on stamp costs and the trouble of traveling all the way to a mailbox.

It is not something new to pay bills online since it is done by a vast majority of Americans. However, most of them do it with the use of different websites and providers. So, there is a possibility of missing a payment.

As an alternative, wouldn't it be better to receive and pay bills via the bank with just one list in one place? Think of how this could simplify matters.

How the System Works

This is just plain and simple. The individual logs in to his bank account, then goes to the online bill pay platform. He chooses the bill provider and keys in the account number corresponding to each bill, then authorizes his bank to send the payment for him.

The bank can send the payments electronically or by a paper check in order for the individual to pay bills online, even though the biller does not have such an arrangement. He may either select a one-time payment or arrange a recurring one. Usually, he can choose to pay the whole balance, the minimum due or just a certain amount.

Aside from paying companies like electricity or Internet providers online, the bank can also send payments to individuals - like, for example, a landlord, to eliminate the need for a checkbook.

Setting up

Thought the initial setup is not that fast, it can save time and problems later on. These are the things needed to be done:

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  Bring together all bills, account numbers and addresses to where payments will be mailed.















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  Key in the information of each company into the online bill play platform of the bank.















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  Choose the date when payment will be sent.















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  Choose between one-time payment or recurring.















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  Set reminders of each bill's due date.

Most service providers and sellers provide the option of getting an electronic bill. Whenever an e-bill is available, the bank will often alert the individual. He can then choose whether to let the statement be sent to his online bill pay center or inbox/mailbox. E-bills usually take effect in a number of billing cycles.

Reasons to Use it

Online bill payment helps people manage their bills and be reminded of due dates. It is easier for them to see the flow of their money, making sure that there are sufficient funds to cover every payment. This is difficult to do if paying through several websites.

Paint On Your Own With Professional Results

Fresh coats of paint can make your home look fresh and just the way you want it. New exterior paint can make your home look appealing and inviting. It can be fun to pick colors for such projects. Yet the biggest barriers are often the time involved and the cost when you hire someone else. With a paint sprayer, you can paint on your own and get professional results.

You will be able to save both time and money. At the same time, you can get the appearance you want anywhere inside or outside of your home. Take your time to compare the various paint sprayer products out there. They are offered with various features and in various sizes. Think about the scope of the work you will do with the tool, and go from there.

Use with Ease

Even though a paint sprayer is going to offer you an array of features and benefits, the product is not going to be hard to use. The company takes pride in offering user-friendly products for do it yourself products. This is why so many of the home improvement stores offer such products. You can also find them online and have them shipped quickly.

Of course, you still need to follow the directions for the specific model you buy. This will make sure you get the most benefit from the product and it lasts a long time. Never assume these products are the same. While they may be similar, there are significant differences to take note of.

Fast Application

You will be able to get the paint applied in a fraction of the time with a paint sprayer versus a roller. This means you can get a professional look but you are not going to spend tons of your time to get it done. Most paint jobs must at least two coats, and you will be able to get that all done with ease. You can do it in sections and you will love seeing the progress.

Even Flow

One of the benefits of using a paint sprayer is the even flow design. You do not want to paint your be thicker in some areas than in others. You do not want to have paint splatter or blotches either. They will be hard to cover up and you do not want to leave them because they will be an eyesore. Instead, you want the paint to go on evenly and smoothly.

In order for that to happen, you need to make sure you spend enough time prepping the surface. This includes removing paint that has chipped for exterior jobs and washing the walls and the ceiling for interior painting.

Easy to Clean Up

Once the job is done, you will be appreciative of the fact you can clean a paint sprayer with ease. The process is to make sure it can be packed away until you are ready to use it again. Yet there will not be any gunk or residue inside of it that can compromise how well it works the next time around.

Durable and Affordable

This is a well-known brand with plenty of local consumers due to the durable nature of the products. The materials are carefully selected to hold up well to the ingredients in paint products and storage. They are also considered a good investment as the price is reasonable for such a product. In fact, you will often find them priced lower than competitor products.

That is very encouraging, especially since you know you will be saving money but not compromising anything about quality. This is a painting project tool you can put to use and be very happy with from start to finish.

Beginner's Guide to Buying a Desktop Computer

People certainly are not camping outside stores in the rain to get the latest and greatest desktop computer these days, but PCs are far from dead. Simply put, there are certain functions that mobile devices and laptops either can not do or can not do almost as well as a desktop.

Not to mention, there's no beating the price. A budget desktop is going to be miles ahead of a budget laptop. It's expensive to make things small. The small size is what appeals to some people when choosing a new computer, but these days big honking towers are not your only choice.

Styles of desktop computers

There's a lot more variation and choice in the desktop form factor, which is great in some ways, but also makes the buying process that much more complicated. You can find computers in each of these categories at a variety of price points, so the most important thing to keep in mind is how you plan to use your desktop.

Tower

The classic desktop form factor, towers have stuck around for good reason. It's hard to fit a lot of power into smaller devices like a laptop or tablet for a reasonable price. The power to price ratio of tower computers is pretty much unbeatable.

There's also a lot more flexibility with a tower. There's more room to upgrade and expand the system when new technology comes out, whereas with smaller devices you may just have to buy a whole new system.

Towers do, however, take up quite a bit of space and if space is at a premium in your home, a tower could be out of the question. They also require a separate monitor, keyboard, and mouse. There are some cases where those accessories are included, or you can get a discount if you buy them at the same time as the computer, but plan for buying those when you're making up your budget.

All-in-One

All-in-one computers offer a simple and space-saving set up. These are, in essence, a cross between a desktop and a laptop. They feature a large monitor with all the necessary components built into the back or base.

The small design gives you a lot more flexibility with placement and keeps your work area clutter free. Plus, because everything is all in one, set up usually just involves plugging it in. You do still need a separate keyboard and mouse however.

Because these computers are smaller, they are not as powerful as a tower and you can not customize and expand them (although this also makes them much simpler). There's also the issue that if the monitor breaks, you need a whole new computer.

Mini and Stick PCs

These computers use mobile components to keep them small (like all-in-ones). As such, they're not very powerful, but they're extremely portable. Mini PCs are small enough to be hidden behind a monitor or TV set up and stick PCs are slightly larger than a thumb drive. Because of the small size, they're not very powerful and internal expansion is limited to impossible.

While you will not be able to do any advanced gaming or multimedia editing, they work great for day-to-day tasks, browsing the Internet, and watching media. Set up is extremely easy and they're quite versatile in that you can use it as a home office during the day, and then plug it into a TV for a home theater at night.

The different operating systems

The question of which operating system (OS) to go with is not asked as often with desktops as it is with tablets and smartphones, but it's still something to consider.

Windows 10

This is definitely the most common desktop OS so you'll have a big selection of hardware as well as compatible third party software. It's designed around a touchscreen interface, though it still works great with the classic mouse and keyboard, so if you do not buy a touchscreen monitor you will not have any problems.

macOS Sierra

If you're in a family of Apple lovers, then Mac could be for you. Sierra is only found on Mac computers, so you're limited in your hardware, but these are well-made computers that historically have fewer problems with viruses. A Mac will also pair seamlessly with your other Apple devices and programs.

Chrome OS

If you're just looking for simple, no-frills computing the Chrome OS will be right up your ally. The OS runs custom apps and cloud-based programs as opposed to other operating systems that run software. It's not suited for demanding tasks like gaming, but it's great for email, file-sharing, and browsing. You will always need to be connected to the internet, but that's usually not an issue with desks.

Types of desktop computers

Not everyone is going to use a desktop for the same reasons, and how you use it will influence the type of computer you buy. After all, you do not need a complex, high-powered machine just to check your email.

Business PCs

These PCs are stripped back, no-frills machines that do not allow for advanced computing, but are easy to service and upgrade. They also usually offer extra security, software and hardware certification programs, software support, and some even have on-site tech support.

Workstations

These are specialized PCs that feature multicore processors and intense graphics. They're perfect for scientific calculations, media creation, and other high-powered tasks that would not be even remotely possible on a laptop.

Gaming PCs

These are (as the name suggests) made for gaming. They feature specialized graphics cards, extremely fast multicore processors, and many have flashy design elements although those generally cost more. Upgradability is a must as newer and more immersive games are released.

Learn the lingo

There's a lot of terminology you need to know before buying a PC so that you actually know what you're buying. This list from PCWorld goes into further detail, but here's a quick breakdown of the terms you should know and understand.

Processor (CPU)

This is the brain of your computer. Processor speed is measured in gigahertz (GHz) and generally, the higher the clock speed, the better the performance and the higher the price. The more cores a processor has the better the performance as well. Desktops either have an Intel or an AMD processor.

Memory

The random-access memory (RAM) determines how good your computer is at multitasking. The higher the RAM the better, especially for high-powered tasks like gaming. For simple tasks like email and web browsing 2GB is fine, but for anything more advanced than that, look for a computer with 4GB or more.

Internal Storage

The amount of storage your desktop has determines how much stuff you can keep on your computer. Desktops almost always have more storage than laptops and for a fraction of the cost. It's also easy to upgrade your hard drive for more storage, or upgrade to a solid-state drive.

Wait for the best price, but do not wait too long

Once you've figured out which computer you want (and have read plenty of reviews to ensure that it's actually up to snuff), it's time to buy. This can be tricky with a desktop because they can be pretty expensive and technology is always evolving.

While it can be tempting to just buy the computer when you're ready, you might miss out on a great deal or the latest tech. Shop regularly for a stretch of time instead of spending an entire day looking around. You're more likely to catch a deal that way. Also check the release dates of new models. You'll most likely get a good deal on an older model, or you might just want the latest technology.

Waiting for a sale also means you can bump up your computers specs with the money you save, meaning your computer is a bit more "future-proof" than if you were to just go for the cheapest one you can find.

However, this is a balancing act. If you spend too much time waiting around for the perfect deal or the latest model, you're never going to end up buying your desktop. So be patient and wait for sales, but once you find the model you want in an acceptable price range, go ahead and buy it.

Automotive Rapid Prototyping Fail First Paradox

New product development and innovation is much more difficult and time consuming than most other business activities. Automotive rapid prototyping greatly advances learning speed and reduces the risk of new automotive parts development.

Historically, the automotive industry has been using rapid prototyping as an important tool in the automotive parts design process. The extremely fast-paced automatic design cycles require an extremely fast prototyping system which can produce car parts fast and inexpensively.

The main objective of automatic prototyping is to learn quickly: how a new automotive product behaves in its natural working environment, before transferring the prototype to the production line. Many times, mistakes are learned only after a new automated part is launched. This is the main explanation for poor automotive parts design, from product mismatch, poor engineering and function or finish, and overpriced production. In order to accelerate the learning curve, before these costly automated prototyping mistakes are made, one must accelerate and facilitate feedback loops from tests in the lab and market trials.

Automotive Manufacturing Technologies

Working with an assortment of rapid prototyping equipment, automated prototyping engineers utilize the most advanced 3D printers, in their quest for perfect form, function and utility. Working in advanced manufacturing centers, the automotive engineers use the technology to verify what they are doing, and, equally important, to save tremendous depths of time, and money.

Automotive Rapid Prototyping Compresses Development Time

The advantages of 3D rapid prototyping model creation versus viewing a cad / cam model on a computer screen is palable. Automotive parts engineers get together discuss the pros and cons of a rapidly produced automotive parts model and discuss the pros and cons of the design, as they pass it around, twisting and viewing the prototype, and decide if that is what they had in mind. This way, problems get solved up front, before going to the assembly line! Once determined that the automotive prototype design is a go, the model can then be sent to a die maker.

Automotive Prototyping and the Die Maker Process

The die maker can not use model to make the die, but because they have it in their hand and can look at it and feel it, they can determine where the parting lines will be and exactly how much steel they will need to produce it. The timing of the die process is greatly compressed.

Examples of Automotive Rapid Prototyping Parts

· Engine castings and parts

· Car Engine parts

· Auto Mechanical parts

· Car Dashboards

· Car Handles and Knobs

· Auto Body Components

· Car Trim parts

Fail first Paradox in Automotive Rapid Prototyping

The automated rapid prototyping paradox is to fail sooner rather than later. By failing earlier, the design engineers unexpectedly succeed in accelerating the project; this greatly reduces development cost risk. By considering all automotive prototype failures as learning experiences, the engineer has much less stress, knowing that they are practicing the old adage, that success comes from ninety-nine percent failure and introspection.