Handy Ande, Home Economist

20 benefits of having me house-sit your home or apartment

2011-02-16T11:45:00.000-05:00

My free home-sitting service (tipping is appreciated) is ideal for single people in hospital who have nobody responsible to watch their homes, keep the heat and lights on, water plants, feed and walk pets, keep bills paid, and protect homes from burglaries, fire, frozen pipes, gas leaks, and water damage. Insurance companies prefer homes that are inhabited over vacant homes. I will even visit you in hospital to bring you personal items from home. It’s a reciprocal arrangement: I protect and maintain homeowners’ property and my payment is having a rent-free roof over my head.

Most of my clients have been teachers, realtors, business owners, or writers on assignment who
want the peace of mind that their homes and pets are being maintained and inhabited 24 hours a day. Others are travel agents on fam trips, event planners, authors on book tours, consultants on assignment, public speakers, military personnel, transferred executives who haven’t yet sold or rented their former homes.

I began house-sitting for vacationing Bed & Breakfast hosts in Toronto in 1994, and pet-sitting in 1976. As a member of TrustedHousesitters.com and Housecarers.com and, I have house-sat for free – as far north as Toronto to as far south as Washington DC, while promoting my how-to e-books online. But when several homeowners in a row changed their vacation plans, suddenly I was stranded hundreds of miles from Erie with an empty wallet. So for now I am accepting house-sitting assignments in Erie County only. All my belongings are in storage here in Erie.

20 Benefits of Retaining a Housesitter (by Andrea Reynolds)

1. It's a free service. There is no charge for basic home and pet-sitting services on a 24 hour basis for the length of your absence.

2. Pets get to stay in their own familiar home on their own schedules, which means less stress for them.

3. Homeowners can avoid the $20+ per day cost of boarding pets.

4. Pets avoid the possibility of "kennel cough" and any other infection or fleas from other animals.

5. Pets have 24 hour human attention and affection.

6. Plants are watered and tended as instructed.

7. Newspapers and mail are collected daily.

8. Lights are turned on and off at appropriate times of the day.

9. Phones are answered and messages are recorded or forwarded.

10. Trash and recycle bins are put out for pick up on time and brought back inside.

11. Walks are kept clear of ice and snow to prevent pedestrian falls and potential liability.

12. Insurance companies won't jack up insurance rates for homes that are inhabited.

13. Appliances such as freezers, furnaces, water conditioners, humidifiers, water heaters are monitored for maintenance and breakdowns.

14. Homeowners can receive email updates, photos, videos, or Skype communication from their house-sitter.

15. Expected deliveries are accepted.

16. Potential burglars who are "casing" for vacant homes are deterred.

17. Homes are kept clean: vacuumed, dusted, etc.

18. Emergency situations such as frozen pipes are averted.

19. Perishable food is restocked when requested.

20. Laundry is clean and folded when requested.

Home owners can use this handy checklist to determine their housesitting requirements: http://www.AndreaReynolds.com/housesit.php

Essay Contest: Become my heir

2011-02-10T08:16:00.001-05:00

As I approach my 62nd birthday I realize I need to revise my Will.... but I don't have any heirs to leave my things to. So, I'm developing an essay contest to find someone worthy of inheriting my stuff when it's my time to go. (I'm in good health, so it won't be any time soon.)

What do I have to give someone? A paid for van, a storage unit full of books, dishes, small appliances, a few computers, several business web sites, and a list of copyrighted works.

To enter the contest I want to know, in 500 words or less:
1. What do you know about me?
2. What should I know about you?
3. Why should I pick you to be my heir?

This contest is open to anyone over the age of 18, in Canada and the United States.

More details will be provided in this spot by February 14.

Reclaim your own money

2011-02-09T06:56:00.002-05:00

Posted on August 4, 2010
© Andrea Reynolds 2009-2011

In a recession money becomes more precious. We’re more careful to find ways to spend it more wisely. Yet I continue to see smart people abandoning money. I know this because I see authors, speakers, and experts who expect no payment for their work even when payment is available. When I decided to pursue damages after my constitutional rights were violated resulting in no income for several years, my friends all tried to convince me that I should let the money go and forget about it. Why? Should Bernie Madoff’s victims just forget about their losses? I hope not.

While you may not have lost millions or hundreds of thousands of dollars, you could recover several thousand dollars over the course of a year. That money could pay off a debt, buy groceries for a year, or cover multiple mortgage payments. Why deny yourself your own money?

The following eight suggestions may bring you small amounts of money for a little effort and time, yet when added up, could bring you a significant sum of “bonus” money.

1. Overcharges. Check hotel bills and grocery bills. If you were overcharged you’re entitled to a refund of the overpayment, and some stores will give you the product free and/or give you double your money back.

2. Overpayments. Did you pay your utility company more money than you owed before you moved out of state? Maybe you threw the statement into a box before you moved and never gave it another thought. And maybe you forgot to notify the utility company of your new address.

3. Unreturned deposits. Perhaps you left an apartment and never received your security or key deposit. That’s your money. Write a letter and insist on payment. If you posted a $100 security deposit with a utility company, get it back.

4. Unpaid invoices. Did you do work for a client who never paid? Did you earn commissions that you never received? Follow through with documentation, and remind them that you still expect payment.

5. Payment made on services not provided. Did you pay a retainer to a professional but they didn’t show up. Don’t just forget it, get it back.

6. Price matches. Take the time to check out prices in various stores even after you have purchased an item, like a camera, lawnmower, or bed. If the store has a price match guarantee, take your receipt and proof of a competitor’s better price, and ask for the difference.

7. Unpaid loans. Did you give up trying to recover money lent to a friend? If they are doing well now ask them to start paying you back in regular installments.

8. Damages. If a dentist breaks your tooth while drilling, insist on payment for the extra cost of repairing or replacing the tooth. If someone plagiarized your work, invoice him for stealing your intellectual property.

If you treat money with respect, more of it will show up in your life. Say yes to recovering your own money.

Several years ago I launched a service to assist individuals in recovering large amounts of money swindled from them. Not a lawyer, I have had a 100% success rate so far, without employing bullying tactics, insults or harassment. Contact me if I can write a mercy letter for you. You did keep the original documents, didn't you? Click on the headline above for details.

Landlords, do you treat your tenants like bad children?

2011-02-08T05:21:00.002-05:00

The Problem: Many landlords treat their paying tenants as if they were their enemies instead of their sources of income.

Here's what I discovered when renting apartments:
1. Age discrimination… younger prettier tenants get breaks not provided to older female tenants.
2. Pet discrimination… pet deposits for dogs are sometimes less than for cats.
3. Dangerously wet basements, rotten roofs and porches.
4. Flea and cockroach infestations.
5. Non-working lights and appliances.
6. Missing doors, broken windows, ripped screens.
7. Peeling paint.
8. Stained and smelly carpets.
9. Not returning security deposits or refunding overpayments.
10. Requiring tenants to pay other tenants’ utility bills.
11. Asking tenants to spy on neighbor tenants and expecting other free services from tenants.
12. Toxic chemicals used in repairs.
13. Lack of snow removal/salting, causing older tenants to fall and/or hurt themselves.
14. Different rules for different tenants.
15. Allowing tenants to bully and vandalize other tenants with no intercession.
16. Giving keys of single women’s apartments to male tradesmen without consent.
17. Charging for unnecessary, unwanted services.
18. Nicotine-stained walls.
19. Only emergency fire escape is through another tenant’s unit.
20. Leases that take away a tenant’s fundamental rights under the US constitution.
21. Allowing other tenants’ unneutered pets to run unleashed, reproducing, adding to feral colonies.
22. Foul odors throughout unit.
23. Demand for 13 months’ payments upfront before being shown available units.
24. Shards of glass imbedded in carpeting.
25. Exposure to fire hazards.
26. Leases with poor spelling, poor grammar, and confusing language.
27. Four- and five-page leases in tiny print written by lawyers who aren’t concerned about tenant rights.
28. Dog poop from other tenants’ pets where other tenants have to walk.
29. Allowing tenants to smoke drugs that tenants in adjoining units have to breathe.
30. Rewriting the lease before the tenant receives a signed copy.
31. Not providing tenant with a signed copy of the lease for several weeks.

The Solutions:
My services include:
1. Seminars for landlords and property managers to provide/brainstorm specific suggestions for better/kinder management practices.
2. Private (affordable) written reports for landlords – with photos - listing what in their units and leases could be improved to obtain/keep great tenants and reduce losses to their bottom line.
3. Quick, affordable, mediation to handle disputes between tenants and landlords.
4. A tenant hotline promising same day reply (unlimited), for a nominal annual fee.

The Results:
If tenants feel appreciated you’ll increase the likelihood of your tenants being honorable and responsible. The results of my services over time:
1. Not only more pleasant, but healthier rental accommodation across Erie county.
2. Better living standards for tenants.
3. More appreciative tenants who are more responsible.
4. Happier landlords and property managers who have fewer headaches, increased profit.

My Credentials:
I'm not an employee, but a retired public relations firm owner, with a dual-degree from Kent State University in Consumer Science, and Marketing/Communication who is also a former broadcaster and author of multiple how-to and how-not-to books. I have been a renter in the City of Erie, Millcreek, Lake City and Girard and owned/sold property outside of the United States. I studied and passed Pennsylvania’s real estate courses just to learn state law.

I am also:
Creator of BuyMyMobileHome.org
Author of Sell Your Mobile Home in 60 Days
Author of Jump Start Your Creative Genius
Author of The Bed and Breakfast Guest Etiquette Quiz

If you need my assistance, email me: handyande1@gmail.com

Egg Purchasing Tip

2011-02-07T05:59:00.001-05:00

Here's a quick grocery shopping tip. To ensure all the eggs in the egg carton you're buying are crack-free and unbroken, gently wiggle each egg in it's "cradle" with a finger. If any one egg sticks to the carton it means the shell is cracked or broken and some of it has oozed into the carton.

If it's glued to the carton, trying to remove it will only break it. If it's only cracked it should not be eaten. Micro-organisms may have contaminated the egg... and you don't want to get sick do you?

Download and print Handy Ande's brochure and bookmark

2011-02-06T06:54:00.001-05:00

Link to my 2 page Handy Ande services brochure: http://www.AndreaReynolds.com/HAbrochure.doc
This is a MS Word document. For best results print this out on 24 lb stock, back to back. Or not.

Link to my Handy Ande business card (actually 3 bookmark size cards): http://www.AndreaReynolds.com/HAcard.doc
This is a MS Word document. For best results print this out on heavy card stock and cut apart on a paper cutter. Or not.

Print as many as you like and distribute them to friends, family, neighbors, clients, customers and co-workers who you think will appreciate receiving them. Be careful to not insult anyone.

PS There is a finders fee in it for you if I know you're responsible for bringing me a client, and if you're willing to accept it.

Andrea

It pays to retain me... this will tell you why

2011-02-05T06:00:00.002-05:00

By Andrea Reynolds © 2010

Are we too skeptical and suspicious to accept genuine kindness and generosity? I’ve been conducting an experiment for 13 years - and telling everyone about it - to see how receptive people will be to helping an older woman start over. This is after helping police stop criminal activity and losing everything as consequence of my being a good citizen. To acquire only a safe place to park my van, a little water and electricity, I’ve offered very generous tasks and services to people who are financially comfortable as well as to those who are not. I’ve been documenting my experiences for a future book because, despite announcing upfront exactly what I’m doing, 99% of my offers have been rebuffed.

When I heard about a local man who died in his home a week before anyone noticed, I was sad that he’d been so alone. So in February I was surprised when his sister called me from California. I didn’t know her, but wanted to help any way I could. Her brother was a hoarder and she wanted someone to clean out the house and stage it for sale. Having those skills, I was willing to do it for no charge just to have a driveway to park in where I could sleep safely at night. I knew the house could be worth $100,000 if fixed up and I knew my de-cluttering and interior design services – my degree is the same as some HGTV hosts - would add another $10,000 in value to the home and sell it faster despite its being a stigmatized property. I expected no payment, yet she blew me off!

Yesterday (August) I drove by the house, saw that the property had never received any attention, and found a sold sign in front. I looked up the listing to find the list price was $32,000. I determined that if the house did sell for that much the owner - the one who blew me off - likely received $30,000 after the agent’s commission. Had she allowed me to do the work for free to allow me a place to stay and allow me to document the progress of my work for my portfolio on this web site to show future prospective clients, she may have netted an additional $75,000 for just saying yes to me. Her refusal to be kind-hearted deprived her of a $75,000 gift.

Not only that, but with loans perhaps I could have bought the house from her for $30,000 in February when she called me and she would have had her $30,000 five months earlier. But she had refused to give me the address or a key so I could even look at it inside and out. (In June I found both the address and a photo of the home in a newspaper article.)

My book will be filled with these stories of self-defeating choices. And all I wanted was a safe driveway to park in and an opportunity to acquire testimonials for doing good work so I could begin to land paying assignments.

In most cases I will not be able to provide free work. I need to charge for my services because I have expenses and I will need to pay to have a roof over my head in the bitter cold winter. But with my creative mind there is usually something else of value I can do for clients that is unexpected and sometimes outrageously delightful.

My advice? Be cautious, but before you reject a proposal out-of-hand, research who the person is and what they are asking in return. It’s not always a case of if-it-sounds-too-good-to-be-true-IT-IS. If you let your skepticism guide your decision-making, you may deprive yourself of valuable gifts from someone with a good heart and good character. (Like me.)

Andrea Reynolds is still working on her book, The Kindness Experiment. She offered to share 40% of the book’s profits with early buyers, but stopped after 6 months due to public skepticism.

A bigger home is not the only solution to your space problem

2011-02-04T11:20:00.000-05:00

Originally posted on July 27, 2010
by Andrea Reynolds

Do we really need 5 bedroom, 3 bathroom, 3 car garage homes to house our families and our stuff? Put another way, do we really need bigger mortgages if we’re already in debt? Let me tell you about the Paulsons. They live in their first and only house.

When they first married they rented a second floor apartment while saving for a down payment. When they did buy, it was a small bungalow on a quiet street. To have enough room for their three kids they spaced them so only two kids were living at home at the same time. They didn’t have pets. When their things took up too much room in the house, they reorganized their basement storage, held yard sales, gave things to the church for its rummage sales, and donated outgrown clothes to charity.

Soon after their 25th wedding anniversary their mortgage was paid off. They lived within their means despite several job layoffs, earned two college degrees in the family, and have lived debt-free for the past 15 years. Their children never felt cramped.

Only in their early 60’s the Paulsons’ retirement years will be cakewalk because they weren’t bitten by the bigger-is-better bug. Did you know that many self-made millionaires live comfortably in modest homes? Did you also know that the trend now is to live in tiny homes? Tiny, as in less than 144 square feet. Do a search on “tiny homes” and you’ll find custom home manufacturers building homes 10 feet by 10 feet.

If you think you can’t live without your stuff, try this. Rent a storage unit, fill it with anything you don’t need for cooking, sleeping, eating, or working, and don’t use what’s inside for a month. You may be surprised at what you don’t need, and happier with fewer possessions around you.

Andrea

Why I started Handy Ande

2011-02-03T11:04:00.000-05:00

10 reasons:

1. I liked the name. It was my nickname as a kid and it stuck. (It fits.)

2. I needed income to support myself.

3. I knew my work ethic and standards where higher than many other service providers and professionals I'd observed.

4. I wanted to bring income-generating work to others who need it.

5. I wanted to see that people who work for me are paid better fees than other employers.

6. I wanted to see other service providers raise their standards by teaching them a new work philosophy.

7. I wanted to show service providers that a "boss" could treat them better and show more appreciation... which could lead to long-time, loyal staff.

8. I wanted a business that would continue to bring me income when I could no longer work.

9. I wanted a business that could be franchisable, allowing other women and men to own and run a business of their own, affordably... with support along the way.

10. I wanted to see if I could help to increase economic standards in each community.

Maybe these are lofty goals, but they are do-able.

Andrea

What to do with your unwanted timeshare

2011-02-02T14:38:00.000-05:00

A few years ago my elderly father gave up traveling and decided his two week (back-to-back) Labor Day timeshares on the coast of North Carolina was costing him $1,000 a year in maintenance fees. He had paid two "timeshare advertising companies" upfront at least $500 each to sell his shares for him. Of course, they were a waste of money. Months went by and all they did was put a tiny ad in tiny type which was lost in a large catalog of other unwanted timeshares.

So I took on the task. I posted six photos of the timeshare unit, its location, description and map on my web site and waited to see what would happen. Yes, this is passive selling, but it cost me and Dad nothing. In a little over a year someone contacted me and offered $3,000 which was the current value of the points. I knew we would not likely find another buyer so I urged my father to accept, and they used a local lawyer in the same town as the timeshare to handle the transaction. There was no realtor commission to pay, just the lawyer fee which was nominal.

Today I heard Clark Howard say on his radio show that there was no way his caller was going to be able to sell her timeshare and urged her to just give it as a gift to family members. Obviously I don't completely agree.

My father could have done that: just give me his two weeks and then I would have had a lovely vacation spot that would have cost me only $1,000 in maintenance fees. If you have two children and own two timeshares, it would be somewhat easy to split them between the two. And of course if the timeshare sleeps six, erhaps your adult children could share if you have only a one-week share.

You could sign over a timeshare week to your children as a wedding gift so they have a free honeymoon location. Or you could simply allow friends to use your week for a fair payment for honeymoons and vacations. If you can break even on renting it out, you can keep the timeshare in your name for years to come. You can designate family members as beneficiaries of your timeshares in your will.

Or you could donate unwanted timeshares to your local PBS station and let the station figure out a way to sell the timeshares for cash OR put them in their annual fundraising auction to offer to subscribers. Consider other charities that accept vehicles as donated items.

If you give away a timeshare, you don't make money, but you stop having a money drain from the annual fees, and if you talk to your accountant, there may be a tax advantage in giving it or donating it. If you donate it, be sure to get a receipt from the recipient with a date on it.

And of course, if you insist on selling it there is eBay, Craigslist, Kijiji, etc., but I think there may be an element of danger - both physically and financially - and I'm not sure I'd attempt to sell anything of signficant value that way. I've encountered a number of scammers on those sites and an elderly person who is trusting may not fair well with a masterful scammer.

So giving away your timeshare(s) may be less hassle in the long run. But keep in mind not everyone wants to own timeshares even if they can trade for a more desired location.

But if your timeshare is sitting vacant, I'd be happy to use it so it doesn't go to waste. ;-)

Andrea

Pantry Organized

2009-05-21T13:45:00.008-04:00

This week I organized a pantry: one small room that was overloaded with stuff. Here are 2 of the photos: before and after:

You can read the whole story of what was involved, here on my almost-finished, updated web site: www.AndreaReynolds.com/decluttering.html

Andrea

Tip: Organizing kitchen utensils

2008-12-28T12:54:00.009-05:00

I don't like having my utensils in a drawer. Too disorganized.

For several years I had a white flower pot on the counter with all my utensils standing up inside it like a bunch of flowers. Then I found a clear plastic Brita pitcher and put all the utensils inside. It was lighter in weight and I could see inside the pitcher to see the handle of the utensil I wanted. But in both cases, it was difficult putting the clean utensils in and getting them out because they always got tangled.

Then this past week I obtained (through Freecycle.org) an over-the-door shoe organizer. Perfect! My basement door is very close to my stove, and I can use each compartment for related items: ladles, slotted spoons, whisks, rubber scrapers, pancake turners, etc. Here's a photo:

Andrea

Updated web site, lower fees

2008-12-26T22:43:00.005-05:00

A quick post to announce the updating of the web site and the accompanying reduction of membership fees. Tomorrow I write and distribute a news release to promote my services locally but also to promote my intention to generate visibility for my counterparts (concierges) in other cities throughout North America. I reduced the membership fee by $5-10, to $5.95 for 3 months membership, $10.95 for 6 months membership, and $19.95 for a full year's membership. To find the detail scroll down to the last link in the navigation bar/menu.

Please have a look around Handy Ande. I invite you to join right away so your services can benefit from my visibility. Let's all enjoy some extra income.

Andrea

A Bit of News

2008-11-10T10:36:00.009-05:00

I am no longer traveling and am re-establishing my personal concierge services. You can download my brochure and my business card by clicking on the links on AndreaReynolds.com.

Now that I'm in one place I am considering establishing a network of personal concierges who want to promote their services to generate extra income. The annual membership has been $19.95. This will increase sometime in 2009, so you might want to take advantage of the low price now so I can promote your services to press and media wherever you are and bring you some business.

You can also have a 3 month trial membership for $5.95 and a 6 month membership for $10.95. I want to make these rates affordable for as many as possible.

Andrea

Cleaning cat water fountains

2008-09-17T11:06:00.005-04:00

I have two of those pet fountains (Drinkwell) because my original one is in storage in Ontario Canada. (I've been traveling in the US but am about to move into an apartment.) Casper has been dehydrated so I bought him a second one, same kind (Drinkwell). The interesting difference is the one I bought in Canada ($69) had 3 bottle brushes in varying sizes included in the box for cleaning the unit. The one I bought in the US ($49) did not have the cleaning brushes. I saw somewhere where you can purchase the brush kit separately. Here: http://www.thepetstoreonline.com/drinkwell-cleaning-kit---3-brush-set.html ($10)

Here are my tips for cleaning (I post this because I know of several cat owners who hate cleaning so much they allow their pet fountains to get very slimy and clogged with cat hair) :

1. Clean thoroughly at least once a week. In addition, I often will empty, rinse and refill with clean water mid-week. I also add ice cubes during the summer to cool and replenish water. Casper loves it and drinks often which keeps him hydrated.

2. Don't allow the unit to dry out before cleaning. The slime/scum is more easily removed when still wet.

3. After dumping the water out, dry your hands. You need dry hands to grip the motor mechanism, turn it and remove it. It can be a tight fit.

4. Then soak the unit parts - excluding the motor - in warm sudsy water. I do clean the inside of the motor where the magnetized propeller sits: a cotton swab works well.

5. In addition to the bottle brushes, I use a clean toothbrush to get in the corners when the pink stuff is.

6. When I don't have bottle brushes, I use a flat dish scrubber (3M and dollar store brands) and poke it down into the center with a wooden spoon handle or something similar and scrub.

7. For the hard-to-reach corners I've also used toothpicks and I found in the dental aisle a package of tiny, tiny pipe cleaners (Plackers) to use for flossing. (I wish someone would make a fountain with no angles or corners.)

8. I also give Casper Brita-filtered water when I can. That keeps mineral deposits from forming.

9. Filling the unit usually takes a whole Brita jug full of water, which I pour only after I put the unit in place. (I'm too klutzy to carry it filled with water.) Then I plug it in.

I dislike this task, but with the right tools the job gets done faster and I'm less frustrated with it. Less frustration means I'll clean it more often... usually on Sundays.

UPDATE: I tried cleaning it in the top shelf of the dishwasher but that didn't work as well. I've found that cotton swabs are useful for the tiny corners.

Now that I am back in an apartment and have collected my things from storage, I have two units. I use one at a time, and clean the other at my leisure, ready for Sunday exchange. This means Casper doesn't have to wait without flowing water until I get the unit cleaned.

Andrea

Emergency Move

2008-03-17T13:59:00.005-04:00

On Saturday at 5:30 PM I received a distress call. A young man had an opportunity to move to a better apartment, thanks to his kind landlord. The new tenants were already moving in to his digs and he needed to get his things out right away. He wasn't even packed and his friends still had not shown up to help and nobody had a truck. So Handy Ande to the rescue.

I had a migraine and a van that was stuck in ice, but I was out the door and on the way inside of 30 minutes. My van had no room in it, but I emptied out half of its contents at his mother's house, then headed for the "old" house. Nothing had been done to prepare for the move. I organized the few men who did show up (who were very willing to take direction) by explaining that I was the veteran of more than 90 moves and we needed to dismantle the bed and large screen TV first. Big items first, small items last.

If someone had thought ahead the cars would have been moved out of the driveway to shorten the distance that heavy things had to be carried. I had to park the van in the street. I dismantled the double bed so the guys could get the box spring and mattress into the van, then I collected all the pillows and bedding to be used as cushioning for the TV. The guys got the TV up the stairs and used the furniture dolley I remembered to bring- not bad considering the migraine - and I found bungee cords to strap down the boxspring to the rack on top of the van. We managed to fit in the office chair and placed some smaller things on the seat and underneath. The rest of the stuff was small and fit into the 2 cars.

We got to the "new" house. Had I had time to think ahead - I like to have a minimum of 2 days notice so I can anticipate all problems - I would have brought a snow shovel to remove a mound of snow on the sidewalk next to the front steps, and brought old sheets to protect the carpeting we had to walk on with our wet shoes.

I quickly assessed the layout of the room for the best placement of furniture and set up the bed. The guys brought in the TV and soon the van was empty and the young man had a new home and a bed to sleep in that night. I went back to his mom's to repack my van, and gratefully received a cup of tea and a meal before I left.

I relay this story to illustrate that this not atypical for Handy Ande; it's the kind of service that the winners of my Handy Ande essay contest could receive.

Garage parking tool

2008-03-09T09:43:00.003-04:00

I've seen advertised on TV these laser parking assistants. The laser beam points a red dot to show you exactly how far to pull your car up so that you don't crunch your front fender or have your back bumper crushed by the garage door.

A much cheaper solution is to hang an old tennis ball on a string from the rafters so it just touches the wind shield as it hangs straight down. The point at which the ball touches the windshield is the point at which you stop the car when you drive in. You'll need to park the car where you want it, then throw the ball connected to a longer piece of string. While holding the other end of the string, pull it until the ball touches the glass. Then tie the string on itself. You've just saved $20 to $35.

Compare sizes and prices when shopping

2008-03-08T11:10:00.004-05:00

Pay attention to pricing and you could save a few bucks. I expected that family sizes and packages of several items would be priced lower per unit. Ha!

Instead, I noticed that when I wanted to buy a 1.8 kg box of frozen lasagna for $14.99, that two boxes of 900 gram lasagna (same item, same mfr., same quantity) cost $6.99 each or $1.01 less than the family size box. What I liked is that I could cook one and store one.

I also found that I could buy 4 separate single use cameras for $1.00 less than if I bought the package of 4 identical cameras. So you're paying more to have only one item in your shopping cart. And you're paying less for more packaging. It's the opposite of my thinking, and perhaps yours too. But the one advantage to paying more, if you can call it one: having 4 cameras count as one item could get you into the "8 Items or Fewer" line. (And yes, fewer is the correct word.)

Have you entered my Handy Ande contest to have me work for you, your household or your business yet?

How do I live simply and cheaply?

2008-03-04T22:40:00.001-05:00

Question: I lost everything in a fire and had no insurance. How do I replace appliances I need without expense? I don't want to ever be attached to things again and want to spend as little as possible.

Consider asking your local Freecycle group for what you need. Go to Freecycle.org and find your local online group. Once you join you will start receiving postings of items that people want to get rid of that may or may not be working. If there is something you need you can post a request. Some groups allow only one request per person per week, but most of the time someone has something you can use.

When I left everything behind (again) to return to Canada I was dependent on Freecycle for basic things like a bed, lamps, and small appliances like an iron, coffeemaker and a small vacuum. Many items, like the vacuum and more recently a toaster-convection oven just need a thorough cleaning and they will work beautifully. The coffee maker went through about 4 cycles with vinegar and clear water to clear out all the debris including a dead spider. I cleaned the outside with scouring powder and it looked pretty good. It came without a coffee pot, but someone had given me one that fit perfectly. It has a tiny leak but I just place it on a shallow pan and voila! it's back in use.

The vacuum needed some intensive picking apart but once all the stuff clogging it was removed it had good suction again. The toaster oven was a little gummy from baked on grease, but I sprayed the removal pan with oven cleaner to get off all the baked on stains and cleaned the outside with one of those "eraser" sponges. It looks new. I was able to find an instruction manual online and download it so I'm now in business and don't have to use my full oven to heat items like fish sticks that don't taste good out of the microwave.

So if you're willing to do a little fixing and cleaning, someone else's throwaways become useful workhorses again at no monetary cost to you but the gas it takes to go pick up the item. If you're handy you can restore items that others don't have the patience for.

Ask me anything

2008-03-03T13:51:00.004-05:00

One thing I loved about teaching junior high school Family Studies was answering students' questions. Years later, whenever someone asks an off-topic question on a writer's or publisher's discussion forum, in my profession, I answer with an answer that seems to be helpful. It's possible that most adults don't need to know how things work or how to fix things, or they can look them up on the Internet.

Yet, I decided to start this interactive blog to see what, if anything, people want to know. If a trend becomes apparent I may consider the topic for a new booklet. So it's possible you could become my muse.

Go ahead, challenge me with a question.