eureka 2-in-one stick vac w rotating brush; what to do if the brush will not rotate

I found that the switch was to blame: it's located in an oval space in the housing, whereas it should be a rectangular opening; therefore the 2nd (first (1) Floor then (2) Carpet) setting (when the brush spins) is beyond the reach of the switch. Just take a box cutter or other sharp knife and cut away some of the plastic on the floor (downward) end of the vac switch opening and see if that helps. I took the machine apart expecting a bugger problem, but it was just the switch.

great American made chinos; American made shoes

I have finally found first-rate American made pants: at Bill's Khakis. I was looking for quality lightweight chinos and found Bill's chamois cloth pants for $165. They are much lighter than ordinary khakis and are very soft yet durable. They are definitely worth the money.

US made shoes are hard to find but they are out there. I buy Wassookeag moosehide mocassins, which have triple soles and are extremely comfortable. For $175 you get a great looking shoe that will last a long time.

save on groceries -- go to Aldi's

Many items at Aldi's are far cheaper than even Walmart. For example, water softener salt is about a dollar less per 40 lb bag. Tomato juice (fresh squeezed) is at least a dollar less per can than the same item at Kroger. Peanut butter, maple syrup, olives, eggs, butter and many other items are 50 cents to a dollar less. I have seen restaurant owners and bar proprietors come in to Aldi's to get their supplies. I always leave with the assurance that I've saved about $20 dollars at a minimum.

trouble putting on compression stockings? or getting them off?

Here's the best solution I have found for putting on my elastic stockings, which I have to wear due to edema in my lower legs and feet. (The edema, or swelling, comes from insufficient recirculation of blood back to the heart.) Many seniors like me have this health issue.

My other problem is that I have hard time reaching my feet when it comes time to don my stockings each day, and getting them off as well. So I could not pull on my stockings by hand even if I wanted to.

Here's how:

Obtain a frame to stretch your stockings over. You can find the brand Jobst on the Internet; many websites carry the Jobst brand (Jobst Stocking Donner). The frame is metal with enamel coating, so it is easy to slip the stockings onto the frame. Then insert your foot, and the stocking peels off the frame and onto your foot.

The tighter the elastic pressure, the harder it is to pull a stocking on by hand, i.e., without a frame; but with the frame, even the tightest stocking goes on easily.

The best stocking doffer I have found is Sock-Eez. It is made of very smooth, heavy, curved plastic. You insert it on the side of your leg, and then push down. It peels the stocking off very nicely with no effort. It is long, so you would not have to bend way over to get a stocking off. You can find this product at the same websites where you would go to purchase a Jobst Donner. Or go to Sock-Eez website: www.sock-eez.com

scotch whisky for much less

Here's how to make scotch whisky for much less. First obtain a bottle of McClelland's Scotch, Islay Single Malt. It is extremely peaty and impossible to drink neat, or even diluted So you then add a little of it to a fifth of (relatively cheap) American bourbon and have a whisky that tastes like scotch at a fraction of the price.

great v8 juice for less

Here's how: mix 1 can of (relatively cheap) tomato juice with 1-2 cans of vegetable broth. I also mix in carrot juice when I can find it. (Or of course if you have a blender, you can juice almost anything into the mix.) When I pour a glass of it, I usually add a jot of soy sauce and one of Worcestershire sauce, then stir, then shake a little malt salt, bacon salt, or celery salt on top. Great way to start the day! OK, over the top on salt.

assemble a scoop for your gutters and clean out backed up leaves

We've all experienced the frustration of having just cleaned out your gutters, followed by a lot of leaves falling the next day after the gutter cleaner (guy) got paid. You can put off the return of said gutter cleaner by assembling the following: a long wooden pole with screw cut in, such as a push-broom handle. Then go to an online store where you can get black plastic, jointed, screw-in parts to fit the pole, with angles to be set (by you) to fit your needs; the last item is a spatula-like fitting which actually scoops your gutter as you stand under and in front of it. If anyone is interested, I will photograph my assemblage and post it.  --  Jim

save printer ink and paper costs when printing from the Internet

Here's how: when you go to print, go into Printer Preferences. You might see "4 pages," but the last page is often 1-2 lines of unnecessary verbiage. If you only want one page in the preview to print, go down to where it says "Pages" and then type in "1" or the proper number. Then return to "preview" so you can be sure you selected the right page. Then print. Often you will save 1-2 pages of unwanted print copy by doing this.

use fluorescent bulbs instead of incandescent spotlights and outdoor bulbs

You can save money and also extend the life of indoor spot lighting and outdoor lighting by replacing the incandescent bulbs with long-life fluorescent bulbs. They last far longer and cost you much less, especially with lights you leave on a long time, such as outdoor gate, front/rear door and patio lighting. Also they are less vulnerable to low temperatures, for those who live up north. (Most of my outdoor bulbs have lasted for 3+ years and still going strong.)

how to make moccasins without rubber soles last longer

I have very comfortable moccasins from Wassookeag. The only hitch is that they do not have rubber soles and are therefore prone to wear. I have countered this problem by putting a thick layer of Liquid Nails on each area of wear. This needs to be done once a week at least, but a tube of Liquid Nails is a lot cheaper than a new pair of moccasins at $175 a pair. New note: I have just found that this system works best when you apply an uneven coating on small areas, such as the heel, leaving a bumpy surface, with some bumps pretty think. DO NOT apply a thin layer over the entire sole, as this could make your mocs slippery on smooth surfaces. Leave 24 hours' drying time.

best can opener for seniors

I have found that the best can opener for me is a crank-type opener with an extra long crank. It works a lot better than an electric opener. You can find it online: the brand is Swing-a-Way. Another tip I have learned is that it's a lot safer to not remove the can top, but to go around so that an inch remains and the top is still connected to the can. That way you can avoid getting cut on the circular piece when handling trash and garbage. Just fold the top in and you can recycle the whole can, top and all.

save on trash bags: stop buying bags with built-in ties

Trash can liners with built-in ties are far more expensive than plain bags. So here's what you can do. Buy cable ties from Uline, and use them on plain bags to secure the tops so trash does not spill out. I use them on recycle bags which do not come with ties. Uline supplies companies large and small, and also deals with individual consumers. You can find their products online. But of course you can go to places like Lowes and find cable ties in the electrical department. Yes, the cheaper bags come with little wire ties, but they are flimsy and unless twisted many times, will not keep trash from falling out of bags when handled by trash collectors (unless, of course, you have a service like Rumpke's which picks up dumpsters).

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