Monthly Archives: December 2014

DIY Ceramic Photo Tiles

Ceramic photo tiles have personal advantages as a gift. They are handmade. You carefully select photos that express your love for your gift’s recipient. They are versatile enough to make for any season. Visit Premeditated Leftovers for a tutorial for making photo tiles as ornaments.
 
They’d make great fridge magnets, too.
 

Posted by December 23, 2014 at 5:00 PM under News and Events
25 Essential Oil Based Gift Ideas

Is it crunch time for your homemade gifts? Never fear, Jillee has 25 essential oil based gift ideas. Pick a recipe or two, make enough for all your friends with similar interests, and you will be able to tackle several gifts at once. These gifts are both masculine and feminine.
 
Try some.
 

Posted by December 23, 2014 at 12:00 PM under News and Events
Handmade Gift Ideas

Giving handmade gifts is one heartfelt reason for the season. But this is your last week to get them done. At Simply Designing, Ashley Phipps has gathered some handmade gift ideas that are easy enough to get done today and a few won’t even require shopping.
 
Thanks for all the help, Ashley.
 

Posted by December 22, 2014 at 5:00 PM under News and Events
Winter Car Care Hacks

I couldn’t pass up this article by Jillee that has so many ways to make car care easier and cheaper all winter long. If you need to research more ways to replace expensive car care kits with home remedies, then One Good Thing is the place to go.
 
Drive.
 

Posted by December 22, 2014 at 12:00 PM under News and Events
Inexpensive Ways to Incorporate Solar Energy Into Your Life

The idea that solar energy is out of reach is simply no longer true. Around the world, experts are discussing the rise of solar and, in fact, some of the world’s leading experts are buying stock in solar companies and divesting altogether their oil interests. There is a big change getting ready to happen. It has become clear that solar is now unstoppable and that the wide scale adoption of solar is now just around the corner.

The price of “going solar” has dropped tremendously, but switching to solar to power one’s entire home is still a significant undertaking. In the next few years, this will, of course, change. But this doesn’t mean that you can’t find inexpensive ways to incorporate solar into your life and in the process save a little money.

So while your waiting for the solar revolution to start putting money back into your pocket on the large scale, why not opt for some energy saving gadgets in the here and now? In this article we’ll explore some of the best inexpensive solar energy options. As you will see, solar energy is no longer a pipe dream but is actually becoming more and more of a reality.

Portable Solar Chargers Can Give You Energy When You Need It the Most

Charging a mobile phone with a Solar powerbank - vector illustraPortable solar chargers have come a long way in recent years. Today these chargers are able to power a wide array of gadgets. Plus, they are lightweight and deliver surprisingly good performance.

Of course, you might feel as though you want to “super size” your portable solar charger. If this sounds appealing to you, then you’ll want to consider the Goal Zero Yeti 150 and Yeti 400 solar generators. These impressive solar generators can give you a much needed energy boost when you need it the most. Also their small size and weight makes them a good fit for emergency situations. A 1250-watt Goal Zero Yeti kit can provide as much as 22 hours when plugged into 2 full sized solar panels

The Solar Converter Back Pack

backpackThe solar converter backpack is an idea whose time has come. With one of these handy backpacks, you never have to worry about having dead gadgets when on the town or in the great outdoors. Let’s face it, we’ve become a gadget and tech focused society. That means that most of us can’t bear to be separated from our gadgets. Running out of a power is always a fear, but with a solar powered backpack, you never have to worry about running out of power for your gadgets wherever you may be.

Another major plus is that during a prolonged power outage you can still connect to the outside world. Simply plug your laptop, tablet or smartphone into this handy little device and you are ready to go!

Solar Powered Outdoor Lights
LightsThe most surprising thing about solar powered outdoor lights is that they are not more popular. Like all things solar, solar powered outdoor lights have improved a great deal in just the last few years, and the number of choices out there is now greater than ever before. One interesting option comes in the form of a solar-powered LED step lights. The solar powered stair light from DBPOWER turns on automatically during the night and is an easy way to help you cut down on your electricity bill.

The Solar Powered Flashlight is a Must Have Gadget

No list of easy ways to incorporate solar into your life would be complete without including a solar powered flashlight. The great thing about a solar powered flashlight is that it will continue to work even if there has been a power outage. Another great fact about solar powered flashlights is that they are exceptional for camping when used in conjunction with a solar converter backpack.

Solar Panels for Your Roof

Yes, you can “do solar” on the cheap, and that even includes solar panels. It is possible to receive a percentage of your energy requirements through solar and do so without breaking the bank. Solar panels are cheaper than ever before. Solar panel kits can be purchased for only a few hundred dollars, but expect those prices to go down perhaps dramatically in the coming years.

Is Your Roof Ready for Solar?

Photovoltaic Solar Panels on tiled roofWhen it comes to preparing for the coming solar revolution, there is one area that must not be overlooked- your roof. While solar panels are coming down in weight, your roof still must be sturdy enough and in good enough shape to handle the extra weight. There are many potential issues in this regard, for example, if your current roof has many layers of roofing material on it, then you may have a problem.

One of the big surprises that many people face in the next few years when they try to adopt solar is that choosing solar might come with a big roofing bill. However, a dramatic drop in energy costs will seem well worth it, especially in the long run.

The Solar Revolution is Upon Us

Ultimately, solar has come a very long way and done so in a relatively short time. There are many ways to incorporate solar into your life. In the coming years, solar will play a more and more important role in the overall energy picture. The site of solar energy panels on garages and rooftops will become an increasingly common sight.

Posted by December 21, 2014 at 6:07 PM under Alternative Energy Environment
The Highly Sensitive Shopper

Not everybody likes shopping in December, but some of us are more averse than others. Some of us are extremely introverted, and some of us are highly sensitive to commercial and social stimulation. Doña Bumgarner is visiting SortaCrunchy to post her methods for getting holiday shopping done while coping with high sensitivity.
 
These tips can reduce stress for everyone, though.
 

Posted by December 19, 2014 at 8:00 PM under News and Events
Handle Stress Any Season

The holidays are notorious for bringing on stress. As if your life wasn’t stressful enough, the holidays pack on extra commitments. On Keeper of the Home, Jessica Smartt suggests healthy ways to deal with stress that are tailored for extra stressful seasons. Some of her methods are deep enough to inspire soul searching.
 
Find them here.
 

Posted by December 18, 2014 at 12:00 PM under News and Events