6 Moneymaking Tips
from Reader's Digest August 2009 | July 26 2009
© 2009 Jupiterimages Corporation
Turn a C into a D
Stuck without a D battery? The MacGyver fix: Put a C battery in the slot and add three to five quarters to mimic the size of a D.
--Source: lifehacker.com
© 2009 Jupiterimages Corporation
Search for a Freebie
Go to alternativeto.net and type in the name of the software you’re thinking of buying. You’ll get a list of substitutes—some of them free—with user ratings.
--Source: veryshortlist.com
© 2009 Jupiterimages Corporation
Self-Check Your Way to Savings
Use the self-checkout line at the super-market. Your impulse buys will drop by 17 to 32 percent. (Not incidentally, this translates to an annual weight loss of 3.1 pounds for men and 4.1 pounds for women.)
--Source: Consumer Reports
© 2009 Jupiterimages Corporation
Skip the Drying Cycle
Save electricity and time by “flash-drying” your dishes. John Dries, an appliance-engineering consultant, told the New York Times that homeowners should open the door to the dishwasher after it shuts off. “Dishes are at their hottest point,” he said, “and give up water moisture the fastest.”
© 2009 Jupiterimages Corporation
Clean with Cold Water
Rinse grease residue (but not pans of it!) down the sink or garbage disposal with cold water, not hot. The Family Handyman points out that hot water merely “melts” grease until it reaches distant areas of your plumbing, where it solidifies, builds up, and eventually causes clogs. Cold water, however, solidifies the grease early on so it floats down the pipes harmlessly.
© 2009 Jupiterimages Corporation
Seal the Deal
When negotiating salary, let the employer make an offer. Repeat the number and be silent. A higher number will often materialize to fill the void and seal the deal. More details are in Negotiating Your Salary: How to Make $1000 a Minute, by Jack Chapman, and on getrichslowly.org. Watch Chapman demonstrate his tips on youtube.com.
