Dust and Electronics

Did you know that dust can hurt or damage all of your electronics?  The blog below has some great tips on how to keep your electronics dust free and running smoothly.  You can learn more about technology tricks by visiting apartment therapy.

Desktop Computer: Many towers have fans on the back and vents on the sides. At least once per year, perhaps more in dust ridden regions, use compressed air, then wipe down with an anti-static microfiber cloth. Start with the fan, then move to the vents to release any dust build up. You may be surprised what resides inside your computer's internal regions.

TVs: Wiping down the screen is pretty standard, but like computers, many large TVs also have a fan in the back helping to prevent the television from overheating. A little compressed air will help here too.

Keyboards: Keyboards won't overheat, but low profile keyboards will get "soft keys" (sticky) if there's too much built up gunk under a key. Unplug the keyboard and blow on it gently every once in a while, using that handy can of compressed air for bigger jobs, and a dollop of hand disinfectant on a paper towel to remove grime on top. 


Mouse with Rolling Balls on Top or Bottom: My old Mac had a mouse with a small rolling ball on the top. It was great for web browsing, but on a nearly monthly basis the ball would get stuck and would roll sporadically. Even small amounts of dust will cause a mouse with delicate parts to operate poorly. A little compressed air on a regular basis will go a long way, with an alcohol based cleaner to wipe the top and bottom from smoother scrolling.

Add an Air Purifier: protect your home electronics further by installing an air filtration system nearby to keep dust, pet fur, and other debris out of digital devices and appliances in the first place. 

Check out our How to Shop for an Air Purifier shopping guide, alongside Consumer Reports, Good Housekeeping, and Consumer Search for recommendations.

Lets Go Tigers

Lets go Tigers!  Do you know why we are saying that cheer today?  Check out this great story about how the University of Memphis became the Memphis Tigers.  You can keep reading the blog below and find out about more traditions at the Memphis Tigers site.



When the University of Memphis first fielded a football team in the fall of 1912, no one had selected a nickname for the squad.

Early references to the football team tabbed them only as the Blue and Gray Warriors of West Tennessee Normal School.

After the final game of the 1914 season, there was a student parade. During this event, several Normal students shouted, "We fight like Tigers." The nickname was born.

More and more the nickname "Tigers" was used, particularly in campus publications. But it did not catch on with the newspapers downtown. They continued to use "Normals" or the "Blue and Gray" when referring to the University.

Under Coach Lester Barnard in 1922, Normal's football team gave a ring of truth to that old student yell about Tigers. The team adopted a motto - "Every Man a Tiger" - and went on to score 174 points while allowing its opponents just 29 points.

In the late 1920s, student publications and downtown newspapers began referring to the football team as the "Teachers" or "Tutors." The Tiger nickname would return, but not until 1939 was it finally adopted as the official nickname for the University of Memphis.

Surviving College on a Budget

 College can be rough on the wallet.  However, even with limited funds you can still have fun.  Check out these great ways to save money in college and stay within your budget.  You can learn more at ecampustours.

Since you don't have a lot of cash flow in college, you need to learn how to be thrifty with your money. Here are some tips for surviving on a college budget.
 
Walk or ride your bike to classes. By doing this, you won't have to spend as much money on gas or car maintenance. You also won't have to shell out a bunch of money each semester for campus parking fees.
 
Get good grades. Having good grades can save you money on car insurance. Check with your insurance company to see what grades they require for the discount.
 
Look for free or cheap entertainment. Stop spending ridiculous amounts of money at your local movie theater. Many campuses host free movie nights throughout the school year. You could also set up a netflix account and watch movies in your dorm room or apartment for cheap. Check out sites such as Groupon and DealChicken for deals on movies, food, travel, etc. Instead of going out to clubs every weekend where you have to spend money on cover charges and beverages, save your cash by attending art openings or free student concerts. Stay away from shopping malls when you are bored; you'll be too tempted to make purchases. Instead, keep yourself busy by going for a long walk, playing sports, having a picnic with your friends, etc.
 
Don't pay for a fitness club membership. Most campuses have fitness centers that are free to students. If your campus doesn't, buy some hand weights and take up running, biking, swimming, etc.
 
Use coupons. For every item that you purchase, check to see if you can use a coupon for it. This includes groceries, clothing, electronics, etc. If purchasing items online, you should first visit sites such as ultimatecoupons.com or couponchief.com to check for online coupon codes. In addition to discounts, some sites, such as Ebates, offer cash back and will mail you a check based on your purchases. If your mom is a coupon clipper, have her send some in your next care package.
 
Get free Internet access. Many campuses offer free wireless access. If you have a desktop, some colleges provide their students with free or discounted dial-up accounts. If you need faster service, head to your campus computer lab.
 
Purchase a laundry rack. Using a laundry rack instead of a clothes dryer will cut your laundry costs in half. Plus, your clothes will last longer and look better.
 
Buy your textbooks online. Websites, such as Amazon and barnesandnoble.com, offer cheaper textbook prices than your local bookstores. In some cases, you may save more than 50% by purchasing books online. You can also save money by renting textbooks at sites such as chegg.com and campusbookrentals.com. Added bonus: you bypass the whole standing in line thing.
 
Be smart about credit. If you use a credit card, make sure you have cash to pay off the balance every month as not to accrue interest. If you get into debt during college, those credit card woes will be with you long after graduation.
 
Get a free checking and savings account. Look around your community for banks that cater to students. Make sure there are no attached fees for ATM withdrawals, online banking, funds transfer, etc.
 
Don't shop for groceries when hungry. You'll end up spending way more than you originally intended. Make a list and stick to it!
 
Carpool. Going home for the weekend or for a holiday? Carpool with other students from your hometown. Gas doesn't seem that expensive when you split the cost.
 
Don't forget about financial aid. Remember to research scholarships and grants.
Your college years can be a financially rough time. With a little planning and a lot of willpower, you can survive on a college budget.

Happy Independence Day!

We hope everyone has a great Fourth of July with friends and family!

5 Creative Uses for Jars

Do you have a lot of old food jars laying around?  There are some great creative uses for jars that will help you out with storage.  You can use it to store craft supplies, emergency items, or even your own air freshener.  Keep reading and check out apartment therapy for more information.




1. Drill a hole in the top and use it to store your string. Use a jar with a fun top or simply paint your own.

2. Wrap them in twine to make simple and cheap centerpiece vases.

3. Cover jar lids with pretty scrap paper, and use them to store your odds & ends.

4. Make your own natural air freshener. Combine baking soda and your favorite essential oil in a jar, and punch some holes in the lid.

5. Make an emergency oil lamp. All you need is a jar, wick, and a natural cooking oil like olive oil.

And before you even get started, here's a tip on how to clean the smell out of food jars.

5 Beautiful Flowers You Probably Didn't Know You Could Eat

Summer flowers are in bloom, and boy do they smell good! You might enjoy more than just the smell, as some of them are literally good enough to eat! Check out "5 Beautiful Flowers You Probably Didn't Know You Could Eat" below and add some petals to your plate!

Candied rose petals on cakes and stuffed squash blossoms are yesterday's news! Here are five edible flowers that will make you look at your flower bed in a new and delicious light.

I have been slightly obsessed with edible flowers ever since picking up a copy of Cooking with Flowers by Miche Bacher. The pages of this book are full of ideas that bring bright colors and new flowery flavors to almost every meal of the day. These five have me particularly excited:

1. Daylilies: Bacher says all parts of the daylily are edible, from the blooms to the roots, and they have a fresh "sweet lettuce" flavor. Add them to salads for a pop of color or use them in stir fries.

2. Lilacs: Oh, yeah! That heady, sweet, floral fragrance that turns heads apparently translates directly onto the plate. Use only the blossoms themselves, and infuse them into sorbets, ice creams, puddings, and even jam. My first project is going to be an infused simple syrup for use in cocktails.

3. Orchids: Although these flowers might seem too pretty to eat, you definitely should. Bacher describes their flavor as a mix "cucumber and endive." She recommends using them in stir fries or candy them for cake decorations.

4. Sunflowers: I love sunflower seeds, but never thought about the petals! They have mild grassy flavor. Pluck those petals and fold them into grain salads or bake them into a loaf of bread (Bacher's recipe in the book uses both the petals and the seeds for a double dose of sunflower!)

5. Tulips: Tulips have a cucumber flavor like orchids, but without the spiciness. Given their cup-like shape, they are nature's original edible container. Bacher suggests using them as ice cream bowls, but I also like the idea of packing them with a grain salad and taking them on a picnic. Remove the pistols and stamens before using.

Whenever you're cooking with flowers, make sure you only pick or buy flowers that have been grown organically and without pesticides. Many flowers intended for floral arrangements are sprayed with pesticides and insecticides that aren't always safe for consumption.

(Image: kikolinakika/Shutterstock)




Original Article Here: http://bit.ly/16dieAH

Navigating How to Live at Home in the Summer

College is now over for the year, and you are living at home with your parents.  This can be a difficult transition anytime you need to move home. However, with these steps you can be sure to have the best experience possible.  Make sure to take advantage of the resources you have around you, and you can enjoy this time with your family.  You can find out more at College Cures.

Most of you will be packing up and heading back home to spend quality time with Mom and Dad for the next few months now that school is out.

Although some of you, I’m sure, are already moaning and groaning thinking about the fact you have to live in such close quarters with your parental units, don’t count out the pros of this just yet!

While I’m no longer in college (I’m just a poor recent graduate), I can still give you some insight on why living at home can be great.

You’re not paying rent.
Seriously. Rent takes such a dent out of each and every one of my paychecks. I would love to live at home if I could! You’re able to keep the money that you would be spending on rent to live in a different city for the summer to save up for something special. Even if you don’t have something in mind that you want to save up for right now, you’ll definitely want to start tucking some money away for when you have to enter “the real world.” Trust me, you’ll thank yourself later.

You’re spending quality time with family.
Once you move out, you won’t be able to get this time back. Even though it seems absurd to think this right now, there will come a time when you wish you could go back to the days of living under the same roof as Mom, Dad and the rest of your siblings. There are so many things that I’m sure you take for granted right now and don’t even realize it. You’ll find that you will miss the simple things – like helping a younger sibling with their homework or going to the grocery store with your Mom. Enjoy it while you can!

You’ve got a support system around you.
There are no words to describe what it feels like when all you want is a close friend or family member to give you a hug and they are hours away. There will be times when all you want is a pep talk from your Mom and Dad. Luckily, since you’re at home, they are accessible to you by just walking down the hallway. Although we’ve got Skype and Facetime these days, they still aren’t the perfect substitute for getting a hug from Mom or Dad.

You can learn skills you didn’t have time to before.
Ever wanted to learn how your Mom gets her shirts perfectly starched? Or maybe how your Dad ties a bow tie? Take this time to learn everything you’ve been meaning to ask your parents about. For example, when I lived at home after my freshman year, I learned more from my mom on how to cook some of my favorite recipes, since I knew I would be living in an apartment the next year and wouldn’t have easy access to cafeteria food. Don’t underestimate all that your parents can teach you!

Now that we’ve discussed the pros of your living situation, here are a couple things you need to keep in mind to keep your parents happy while you’re under their roof:
Be respectful of bed times for younger siblings.
Understand that a curfew isn’t a death sentence.
Volunteer to help around the house (even if you don’t want to).
Watch your language and topics of discussion around younger siblings.
Show respect to your parents and they will respect you back – you’re way too old to throw fits.