Monthly Archives: March 2018

How to interpret warning lights for your automobile?

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The best preventive maintenance for your car is to take immediate actions for repair and maintenance based on warning light signals of your car. However, many of us do not fully understand what particular warning lights tell us.  The following is a summary of what typical warning lights mean.

Red warning lights (alerting serious issues that need immediate attention and actions)

  • Oil pressure or engine temperature lights – major engine damage is imminent
  • An Illuminated brake light – an engaged parking brake, low brake fluid, or a serious issue that can adversely affect your car’s ability to stop
  • A flashing check engine light – exhaust emissions that can cause the catalytic converter to overheat and to be destroyed
  • Safety warning lights – alerting the driver to issue issue with seat belts, airbags, and doors that were not secured.

Orange or yellow lights (alerting possible trouble ahead)

  • An illuminating tire pressure light – alerting a driver that one or more tires are significantly under-inflated
  • A traction control light – your car senses that the tires start to skid or slide
  • A service warning light – alerting a driver that the fuel level is low, brake-pad is wearing out, or oil change is needed.

Vigilant of unusual smells (e.g., smell of exhaust fumes or gas/oil or sulphur) – Please check the website such as Your Mechanic (https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/how-to-diagnose-your-car-problems-if-you-know-nothing-about-cars-by-ian-swan )

For more details, please check the websites such as DriverSide ( https://www.driverside.com/car-diagnostic/) and AutoMD ( https://www.automd.com/diagnose/). Also, you may install a useful apps such as Autorepair (https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.andromo.dev498527.app570067).

How to avoid the overcharge for auto repair and maintenance?

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Getting your car fixed at a mechanic is a stressful experience due to a fear of being overcharged. First of all, you should remember that the mechanic’s written estimate should only differ from your final bill by a certain percentage (e.g., 10-20%). Your final bill should not vary substantially from the estimate without your consent. The following is a list of tips for preventing or avoiding the dispute over the repair and maintenance bill.

  1. Review any charges prior to the repair order. Check to see if any service is listed without a price beside it.
  2. Check some sites such as Your Mechanics (https://www.yourmechanic.com/estimates), Car Repair Estimator (https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/repair/), and Repair Pal (https://repairpal.com/estimator) for reasonable (typical) price ranges.
  3. Reach out to a third party such as the Better Business Bureau (bbb.org), if you are unable to resolve your dispute with the mechanic.

How to avoid locksmith scams?

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In the past, many of you might have been locked out of your house/apartment or car. In that unfortunate situation, you need to find a reliable locksmith in a hurry. However, some dishonest locksmiths can frustrate you more with other headaches. The following is a list of tips to avoid locksmith scams.

  1. Be aware of bait and switch tactics. Several signs of these tactics include: unusually low price. They usually advertise a “$19.95 or $29.95 and up” service call. The “and up” has been added in small print to get away from being charged with bait and switch laws. Another sign is “15 minute” response. After they tell you that your car is very difficult to get into, they raise their price as much as $200 or $300. If it is a house, they claim that the lock is a high security lock and then add the trip charge and other extra charges for drilling the old lock off and removing the old lock. Typically, added charges could be $400 or $500.
  2. Ask if the locksmith is actually local and certified (a Certified Master Locksmith). Many of the scammers are using the phone banks. So, if they ask for your area code or zip code, you should suspect their identities. The safe bet is to check their address on Google maps.
  3. Before they start the work, ask for a written estimate. In some states such as Ohio, you should not be charged more than 10% above the written estimate without authorization.
  4. Check and see if the locksmith to be hired by you belongs to the Associated Locksmiths of America (check the site http://findalocksmith.com/).
  5. Check the locksmith reviews (http://www.locksmith.reviews/).

 

How to get insider tips from locals and find the best private tour guides?

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Although major cities across the world may have guide associations whose members go through rigorous training on local attractions, history, and culture, your choice of the local tour guide can affect the quality of travel experience.  The following apps and websites may help to enhance your travel experiences (esp. foreign trips).

  1. Coolcousin (https://www.coolcousin.com/ ) – Offer local recommendations for 45 cities.
  2. Toursbylocals ( https://www.toursbylocals.com/?s=AW_18A_002a_toursbylocals&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIwuCSj9fa2QIVgiWBCh2vZgAIEAAYASAAEgKBBfD_BwE ) – Offer a list of more than 2,000 handpicked local guides in 159 countries
  3. Placepass (https://www.placepass.com/ ) – Offer a list of more than 100,000 tour options in 180 countries
  4. Meetrip (https://www.meetrip.com/ ) – List a network of 55,000 professional tour guides in 169 sountries
  5. Getyourguide (https://www.getyourguide.com/?cmp=brand&campaign_id=111706782&adgroup_id=7525714302&target_id=kwd-18417900866&loc_physical_ms=9022897&match_type=e&ad_id=49203894942&keyword=getyourguide&ad_position=1t1&feed_item_id=&placement=&partner_id=CD951&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIt5Tgvtja2QIViDuBCh27SwCSEAAYASAAEgIXqfD_BwE  ) – Allow you to book a reservation for more than 30,000 tour activities in more than 7,000 destinations
  6. Showaround (https://www.showaround.com/ )  – Connect travelers with locals who are keen to take visitors on a personal city tour.

How to reduce your energy bill?

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According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, In 2016, the average annual electricity consumption for a U.S. residential utility customer was 10,766 kilowatthours (kWh), an average of 897 kWh per month.  The average residential monthly electric bill was $110.21 in 2013. The electricity price went up by 3% in 2014 and 1.7% in 2015, respectively. In particular, the harsh winter weather in 2017 significantly increased our burden for electricity bills.The good news is that the average residential household can save approximately $460 annually on electricity bills by choosing energy efficiency options, according to the American Council for Energy Efficient Economy (ACEEE).

So, it is wise for use to think about ways to better control our energy bill. The following is a list of tips for reducing your energy bills.

  1. Consider replacing the old thermostat with a “smart” thermostat – Wi-Fi enabled devices controlled by the smart phone or PCs. The smart thermostat will allow you to adjust temperature while you are traveling, at work, or in bed. According to a report by Energy Saver, the smart thermostat helps you save up to 10% each year on heating and cooling bills by turning back the thermostat 7 to 10 F. (See  https://www.google.com/search?q=best+smart+thermostat&rlz=1C1GGRV_enUS754US754&source=univ&tbm=shop&tbo=u&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwi-saaO0drZAhXPuVMKHe84B2oQsxgIKA&biw=1280&bih=590   for the best thermostat)
  2. Use the Advanced Power Strips (APS) and smart plugs that can save you $200 a year, according to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory. These devices can reduce stand by power (aka vampire load) which consumes electricity when TVs, PCs, and their peripherals are switched off.  (See  https://www.energy.gov/energysaver/articles/choose-right-advanced-power-strip-you   for finding the best APS).
  3. Replace the traditional bulbs with Light-Emitting Diodes (LEDs) bulbs which can slash half the energy use. According to MoneyTalkNews (2013), the LED bulb uses only 25 cents’ worth and thus saves $1.23 per year.(See https://www.bestreviews.guide/led-light-bulbs?origin=google&google_params[matchtype]=e&google_params[network]=g&google_params[device]=c&google_params[creative]=248080124559&google_params[keyword]=best%20led%20light%20bulbs&google_params[adposition]=1t2&google_params[adgroupid]=40336765637&google_params[campaignid]=769102229&bs=cg4xHaLIuRXXmT4yEZMnoBDOiv9BbwQOI0CzL2a-5VvuhqQVYMoPZv2mm_36uwzhrbvDTFrK8i0=&google_params[feeditemid]=&google_params[targetid]=kwd-4917267992&google_params[loc_interest_ms]=&google_params[loc_physical_ms]=9022897&google_params[devicemodel]=&google_params[target]=&dest=0&sys_id=0|254&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIguuu1M3a2QIVlDuBCh0aPgtEEAAYAiAAEgKBzfD_BwE  for the best LEDs)
  4. Use low-flush toilets and low-flow shower heads which can save more than 20,000 gallons of water and $50 reduction in electric bills for an average family of four. According to the Conservation Warehouse, the low-flow Shower Head will save 40% of the showering cost with the 1.5 gpm model.
  5. Consider a home energy audit which may save you 5 to 30% on your annual energy bill, according to the U.S. Department of Energy (See https://www.homeadvisor.com/category.Home-Energy-Efficiency.-13029.html/?m=cammgsemha&iv_=__iv_p_1_a_92153082_g_4032469242_w_kwd-11700303_h_9022897_ii__d_c_v__n_g_c_181421957265_k_home%20energy%20audit_m_b_l__t__e_90620562_r_1t1_vi__&entry_point_id=18390184&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIpd379s_a2QIVECOBCh3OXAicEAAYASABEgIlFvD_BwE  for a list of the home energy audit contractors).

How to prepare for travel health risks?

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During the vacation season, many people would like to travel to foreign countries and enjoy learning more about other countries. But, unexpected sickness during the international trip can ruin your vacation and fun memories. Nevertheless, more than 25% of travelers report an illness during international travel, according to an article published in New England Journal of Medicine. Thus, it is wise for you to assess the health risk and prepare for the worst case scenario before making a trip. The following is a list of helpful tips for pre-travel health evaluation and planning.

  1. Review your medical history at least four to six weeks before planned trip.
  2. Check the history of any infectious disease outbreaks in your travel destination based on your itinerary (e.g., global health map, http://www.healthmap.org/outbreaksnearme/)
  3. Seek pre-travel health advice based on the checklist (http://www.travelinsurancereview.net/2012/05/01/pre-travel-health-checklist/)
  4. Make sure that you are up to date on routine vaccinations (e.g., measles, mumps, pertussis, shingles, hepatitis A, and typhoid, yellow fever, meningitis, malaria).
  5. Carry over the counter anti-diarrheal medications (e.g., Imodium, Kaopectate, Pepto-Bismol) given that 40% of the travelers suffer from diarrhea.  Also, antibiotics and medications for altitude sickness will be helpful. (See antibiotics types https://www.google.com/search?rlz=1C1GGRV_enUS754US754&q=antibiotics+names&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjA7uyh0NXZAhVIU98KHZ5vBYcQ1QII7AEoAA&biw=1280&bih=590)
  6. Seek pre-travel health consultation on how to stay healthy and safe while you are traveling (check https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/yellowbook/2018/the-pre-travel-consultation/the-pre-travel-consultation ).