Friday, 25 December 2009

Financial Planning - financial planning


I bought this book for my grandchild as a gift, but have decided to keep it for myself, as there are numerous things in there I didn't realize, even though I am an elderly lady. It is definitely worth buying and then continue through all of the rest of the ages. Personal Finance in Your 20s For Dummies - Financial Planning'


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Stainless Steel - screw, screws


Currently Amazon is charging 35-40 bucks for a 5 lb box of these #10 stainless steel Spax "deck screws". That is a great bargain considering it is probably the highest quality screw that you'll find for general outdoor construction.



For the 2-1/2 inch length you get 420 screws per 5lb box.

For the 3 inch length you get 350 screws per 5lb box.

For the 3-1/2 inch length you get 285 screws per 5lb box.



The screw is rated for a working load of 240lbs shear and 750lbs pullout. The ultimate rated strength is 320lbs and 1000lbs, respectively.



These screws are listed as either made in the USA or Germany. I'm more than happy with either location as they're both good indicators of quality (not made in China for sure). The manufacturer is ISO 9001:2000 certified.



The quality of the screw is most evident when driving the screws into hard material. You can see the great quality control in the tight tolerances of the #2 square drive heads. I have never run into a malformed, loose fitting, or jammed up head after driving over a couple thousand of these screws. Keep in mind that these are stainless steel which is a relatively soft metal. They will not stand up to a lot of camming-out before the head strips and you can no longer drive it. So make sure you're aligned, applying adequate driving pressure, and don't use a worn out bit. If you're driving it into something really hard, make sure you pilot the hole first. This is true of any stainless steel screw. Compared to other stainless screws I've used, these are the least likely to strip the heads out or have the heads shear off.



These screws also use patented technology on the threads which helps them bite and cut into softer woods more cleanly and helps reduce splitting. The upper threads near the head are designed to improve clamp up. Often when a screw exits the first board and enters the second, the tip takes a moment to bite into the 2nd piece, creating a gap. The segmented thread design here improves the ability to suck up that gap.



The thread design shouldn't be confused with composite deck screws (like Double-Dekkers or Trapease screws) which have counter-threads at the top to prevent mushrooming around the screw hole on a composite board. These screws do not have that feature but are great for just about all other applications where you need a high quality, non-corrosive screw.



Using these is actually a pleasure, they work so well, you feel good about their quality and the quality of the item you're building, the clients are happy, they will last a long time. (Keep carrying this item Amazon!) Spax 4577000500767 10-by-3-Inch Flat Head Stainless Steel Screws, 5-Pound Container

Just to follow up on the previous excellent review, I bought a small box of Spax screws years ago, quite by accident. When I got home and used them it was clear that they were a big step up from the garbagey cheap screws I used in the past.



Two things set them apart from others:



1. They are made of decent metal that doesn't twist in half.

2. The threads have little saw-like edges that saw into the wood.



The local lumber yard has stainless deck screws. They are so expensive they stash them where they can't be stolen. When I saw that Amazon had them, and that they were a Prime item with free shipping (that is a surprise for an item like this), then it was obviously the choice for my little 100 square foot deck project.



The deck screws have two sets of threads so that the top plank is pulled down tight to the joists. I pre-drilled the planks, so that wasn't really an issue for me, but the feature does work. The screws also have little ridges under the head so that they countersink. That feature also works very well.



Square drive is pretty much a requirement for high-torque applications and the bit I had fit nicely into the square. There were no duds or slots filled with crud or anything.



I used both a little Bosch impactor and a powerful Milwaulkee corded 1/2" drill and did not break even one screw. The impactor action is nicer as you don't have to press down as much.



They don't exactly give Spax screws away. They are the most expensive ones in the screw department and clearly cheaper ones are fine for most projects. But, if your project is special or tough and you don't want to be digging out stripped or broken screws, then Spax makes sense. - Screw - Stainless Steel - Screws - Spax'


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Foster The People - foster the people, rascal flatts


Stereo Hearts is one of those songs where all of the elements work perfectly in sync, there is no "filler" part that you sit through to get to the hook. It's all hook! From the charming lyrics to the catchy melody, the fuzzy bass to the dizzy strings, it all comes together perfectly. I can't imagine getting tired of this one any time soon. Stereo Hearts (Feat. Adam Levine)

"Stereo Hearts" has an amazing opening hook from Maroon 5's Adam Levine (Hands All Over) Now, I used to find Levine's yodel annoying. Somehow he has managed to take it under control, and has improved remarkably since his Songs About Jane days. He's even a judge on a music competition show-he has learned the ropes, tamed his voice, bared his chest, showed his tats-all is well. "Stereo Hearts" has a fun melody, Adam sings it great-but the rap of Gym Class Heroes is intrusive and doesn't fit. It's like putting relish on top of macaroni and cheese. The two styles clash, like plaid with stripes. If this song were 100% Adam Levine, it would be wonderful. - Lmfao - Rascal Flatts - Foster The People - Onerepublic'


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Battery Replacement - battery replacement, ups


After 14 years, the backup battery for my security system failed causing loss of the pin code during a transient power failure. The replacement was an exact match to the original and worked as expected. Fast delivery and good price. Much less costly than having the alarm company do it!. Power-sonic PS-1270F1 - 12 Volt 7 Amp Hour Sealed Lead Acid Battery with 0.187 Fast-on Connector

The battery in stock did not pass the pre-ship power check. Portable Power Systems, Inc notified us immediately there would be a couple day delay or they could ship a better quality battery for the same price. We had the battery in two days. It installed easily and is functioning perfectly. Who could ask for more?!!

This battery was a great price and came promptly. I installed it easily and initially it did not register in my alarm system, but in a short time it fixed itself. I think it had to just charge a little to get recognized.

This battery was bought for a security system battery backup solution to replace my original battery that finally stopped holding a charge. So far this battery is holding up very well and showing signs of good reliability. Right after replacing my battery we had a power outage due to a falling tree and this battery kept my system running without issue. I haven't had this battery for a long time yet so though I may be doing this review prematurely I feel confident that this product will hold up for years to come. Most importantly this battery solution was so affordable I would recommend anyone to first try a battery solution through Amazon or somewhere online as you will save ten fold. Overall this product scored a 5 out 5 because it successfully operates as described and more.

12v sealed lead acid battery for hobby project replaced identical unit which had been in service for many years before failing. New unit was delivered within a few days, very well packed, and works perfectly.

Powersonic PS-1270F1 - 12 Volt/7 Amp Hour Sealed Lead Acid Battery. I ordered two for Fishfinder on my Kayak. Works well and recharges to 13 Volts. Each battery will power the electronic device for a day of fishing. Good bottom ballast, but not too heavy. - Battery - Battery Replacement - Ups'


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Bad Shipping - great wallet


Small enough not to weigh alot on the shoulder when full. Big enough to carry many items and be able to find them when needed. I really like the zipper compartments so that things stay put and secure. Perfect for slinging it over the chest crosswise. Sherpani Zoom Travel Shoulder Bag - Sunfire Red - Great Wallet'


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Home Audio - soundbar, home audio


Great sound. I have a one-bedroom apartment which is small but I love it, and I know an entire speaker system would be way too much for it. I just purchased this sound bar and it works great! You can plug two separate systems into it (I currently have my PS3 and cable) and easily switch to the one you want. The bass is amazing, and when you put it on surround sound it does illuminate the entire room with even-sound.



The remote works fine for me. Yes, you do have to be pretty much right in front of it to use the remote, but unless you're really picky it is not an issue.



Great for everything. Haven't even tried the flash drive, computer hook-up for digital playback on the tv with the sound bar's own video capabilties, or SD card, been plenty impressed just with the sound.



Great product. I don't know if it's worth paying full price since Amazon has had it for over half-price, but I am very happy with my purchase. I'm not rich by any means, so spending over $100 on any single purchase needs to be worth it for me, and this one was. PYLE PSBV400 6 Way 300 Watt Multi Source Wall Mounted Sound Bar with USB, SD, MP3, FM Tuner and SRS 3D Technology

It fits perfectly below a 46" flat-screen... has enough inputs 3 sets of rca jacks and 1/8" plug... I use it with a Belkin blue tooth receiver to play the computer through it without running a cord...the best thing is it sounds great, takes up little space, and no speaker wires.

Great sound and awesome price. The sound quality is excellent and i love that it has a built in fm radio and the ability to plug in my mp3 player. The only bad thing about it is the remote isnt very responsive unless you are directly infront of the unit and you cant program a universal remote to operate it.

Speakers put out a lot of solid audio with great reception of FM radio with supplied antenna. Remote works great in my living room with speaker on shelf above big flat screen TV.Great price also for those not needing HDMI connections. LOVE IT! Can't believe I had not heard of this company before Amazon search.

I read a some reviews before I purchased this item some positive some not too positive, I ordered and received it in new packaging no surprises it works great, has a FM radio, also a connection for the a MP3 player and the RCA for the TV. Sound very decent.

After looking for over a year, I decided to try this sound bar. Very happy I did. Sound is great, especially in surround sound mode; and I just love the built-in FM radio tuner. It's a pretty hefty item and is currently sitting on some books awaiting professional installation on the wall...no, I shouldn't try it! It has made watching my flat screen more enjoyable because I can hear everything (tonal ranges) and not have to have the television turned up as loud as we had to do prior to receiving this.



As others have stated, the remote is somewhat lacking in range but I do okay from about 16-17 ft. away. There should be a dedicated button for the FM tuner and I shouldn't have to look in the book every time I want to turn the radio on or find a station that's already programmed.



Overall, excellent purchase, although it's gone done in price over $25.00 since the end of May 2011.

I guess you get what you pay for, Sound is terrible, Set up is a joke. You must cycle through all inputs every time you turn it on so keep the remote nearby. Even if you use a multi function remote like a Harmony plan on having it pointed at the Pyle for awhile. I think they should change the name to PILE.... my 2 cents. Going back to Amazon right away

I bought this for my basement. I wanted a compact unit for a small area 15x15 and didn't want to spend a ton of money as it is not my primary location for watching TV. This is a big soundbar, do expect to place this in front of your LCD TV as some of the other soundbars that are made to fit between the bottom of your TV and the base. You will need some shelf space for this on your entertainment center. Sound is pretty deep, you can customize the bass and trebble. Sound is much much better than the stock speakers on my TV. The unit contains a built in sub that does a good job delivering a deep punch. No popping or hissing, sound is clear.



My only negative is since I use a universal logitech remote it does not recognize the brand, so I cant use the universal remote to switch between activities. I have to manually select the different inputs using the unit's remote.

I mounted this soundbar over my Sanyo 60" TV. The sound improved drastically over the TV speakers. However, since I mounted the TV on a swivel, when I pull the TV out and angle it 30-40 degrees to the side, the sound from the speakers can be barely heard when you're not in front of them. The biggest problem is with the remote control - you literally have to be 2-3 ft from the front of the unit to be able to use it. Hopefully, a universal remote can fix the problem but I haven't tried it yet.

I hooked it up to my Sanyo 55" LCD and it works just fine. The 300 watt speaker system and simulated surround sound yield big sound in a small package. Plus, in the same unit you can play your SD cards,USB cards,built in FM,or plug in CD or Ipod players. There are a lot of features that fit in a small place. I placed it on some wood blocks in front of my screen to rise slightly above the TV base. It fits perfectly and allows easy reception from the remote control. I liked it so well that I bought a 2nd one for my downstairs setup. - Home Theater - Sound Bar - Home Audio - Soundbar'


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Film Guides - reviews, movie reviews


This book is not only an excellent source for good movies, but also well-composed contents with numerous comments from movie directors/ actors/ actress.

You can also find the movies in 10 categories: Joy, Anger, Food for thought, Desire, Fear, Sadness, Exhilaration, Regret, Contempt and Wonder.

I thought TIMEOUT was a sort of "fashion" paper but I was wrong on this one.

It deserves to buy it, own it and keep it....to me. Time Out 1000 Films to Change Your Life (Time Out Guides)

Hate the way this book is laid out. It's not user friendly at all. It suggests it's going to be a very accessible list form of "1000 films to change your life" but it's really hard to read, there's no cohesion. The layout and the way it's broken us is really offputting. Bummed - bought it as a gift :( - Reviews - Time Out - Movie Reviews - Film Guides'


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Motion Sensor Light - home security, led light


I bought two of these units to replace two Heath/Zenith 5316s, one of which was nearly new. The Heath/Zenith 5316 sensors were problematic from the start and were too unreliable to give real peace of mind for their coverage areas. Various weather conditions would make them stop working altogether. The local home improvement and hardware stores only carry the Heath/Zenith products or the same products under a different brand name, but fortunately we're no longer at the mercy of the local store and what they have in stock.

I have both of my Cooper MS180Ws installed and both are working perfectly. I've had chances to test them in weather conditions under which the Heath/Zenith units failed (cool and/or very humid) and they continued to work flawlessly. They are a bit physically larger than the Zenith 5316 but this is apparently to accomodate an oversized lens, which I have to believe helps with it's more consistent detection range and ability. This unit has a brighter, round LED located on the bottom and works opposite of the Zenith model. The LED stays on constantly to show that the unit is in the "armed" condition and blinks off when motion is detected. Also, unlike the ones they replaced, these units make an audible click when triggered, meaning they probably have a more robust relay than the Zenith models. The best part is that they're reliable. I now feel confident that the areas these units are monitoring are protected, and that's the main purpose for me.

I would absolutley recommend this unit to everyone looking for a low-cost, reliable motion sensor and would definitely recommend it over it's competitor's weak offerings. Cooper Lighting MS180W 180 Degree Replacement Motion Security Sensor Floodlight, White

This is a great motion sensor. I've had it in for a few days and had no trouble installing and adjusting it. The instructions are clear and they gave me an idea on how to mount another light on a different part of my yard that work great.



I will check back after this winter on whether it survives New England cold, damp snow.

Bought 2 for different locations with existing outdoor paired flood lamps that are switch operated. Replacing the electrical box cover with a 3 hole model allows the sensor to be mounted to the side or the middle of the lamps. Along with motion sensing this unit had daylight/night sensors to eliminate daytime activation. Easy to install but may need short extension tube for wires for positioning of sensor and clearance from lamp housings. Note, there are 2 colors to choose from with Amazon.

Excellent product. I was really surprised at the sensitivity and distance that the unit responds to motion of large animals and humans. And the unit does not pick up the motion of tree limbs blowing unless they are pretty violent. The 4 minute and 12 minute settings are just great for me and I like the option of having it come on permanently.

It came in a reasonable length of time. The price was very fair. Easy to install with good instructions, although some knowledge of electric wiring is recommended.



It scans as advertised. I have 2 of these. My backyard lights up like a Christmas tree when the sensor(s) are triggered.



Great product. Cooper Lighting MS180 180 Degree Replacement Motion Security Floodlight Sensor, Bronze

Seeing the awesome reviews, I ended up buying this sensor. The instructions were easy to understand, and the test mode worked great. However, when moving this to the 4 min and 12 min modes, the sensor dint initially trigger the light. (the sensor does trip when there is motion, with no difference in lights turning on). I initially thought the sensor wasnt functioning correctly. However, on reading the manual, I realized there were a) many different modes including dawn-to-dusk b) the sensor will prevent the lights from coming on during the daytime. There are a LOT of sensors out there, but this is by far the best! - Led Light - Motion Sensor Light - Motion Sensor - Home Security'


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Appointment Books


Academic Weekly Professional Appointment Calendar



Pros:

-100% Post-Consumer Paper

-Made in the USA

-Good price

-Daily and hourly agenda broken down into 15 minute increments

-Goes from 7:00a.m. to 9:00p.m.

-Able to look at the whole week

-Good size/dimensions

-Great for planning the academic semester or for a scheduling person/professional's life

-Overall good product



Cons:

-Sunday was a little squished but given the space allowed to the other days of the week it was a practical compromise

-Other color options might have been nice but this wasn't a big issue for me

-The addition/inclusion of a bookmark, monthly tabs, and a monthly calendar would make this already great agenda perfect!



I was looking for a daily-hourly agenda and was pleased to find one that was made of 100% post-consumer paper and that it was made in the USA. It feels and looks like a good product and I've already scheduled out my courses for the semester. If the "pros" I've listed keep being a part of this product, I will be purchasing another one next academic school year. Thanks! House of Doolittle Academic Weekly Planner, 8.5 x 11 Inch 12 Months August 2011 to July 2012 Black Planner, Recycled, Made in the USA (HOD257202)'


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