Tag Archives: save money

TEN THINGS TO WATCH OUT FOR WHEN DOING AMATEUR CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS (GUEST POST)

The nature of construction means there’s constantly the potential for disaster. Heavy objects, sharp ends, powerful machines and more don’t mix well with soft human bodies.

Even when I work with experienced teams or am just doing a little job around the house on my own, I still occasionally come across dangerous situations and close calls. These instances are even more common in the world of amateur construction, where people without professional training often find themselves at odds with the tools and materials they’re working with.

There are plenty of reasons to consider amateur construction. It can save you money, especially on smaller-scale work. It gives people a sense of accomplishment and ownership, and lets them express their creative side exactly as they envision with their own hands. But such projects cause disasters every day. Mishaps can cause expensive damage to structures and severe injury to the builder. If you’re considering a DIY construction project, be sure to use extra caution and be on the lookout for these common mistakes:

1. Dehydration and Overexertion

Often it’s not a wild swing of a hammer or improper use of a table saw that causes mistakes, but physical fatigue and breakdown. Unless you’re a very active person on a regular basis, your body may not be prepared for the rigor or heavy construction work. Exhaustion and dehydration make people clumsy and cause them to make bad decisions. Only work when you’re rested and hydrated, and be sure to make time in your efforts for breaks and refreshment.

2. Disorganization

A poorly organized work space is the bane of construction workers everywhere. It decreases efficiency and makes the entire job take longer to complete. More importantly, though, it creates hazards. It’s difficult to be safe and effective if you’re navigating through a mess of lumber and machinery. Always make a point to keep your work place as neat as possible; the investment of time will pay itself off.

3. Working Alone

Doing anything strenuous on your own is rarely a good idea. If something happens, like a sudden injury, it can be tough to take care of yourself. Avoid doing heavy construction work without someone who knows where you are and what you’re doing in case an emergency arises.

4. Improper Safety Gear

It’s amazing how many do-it-yourselfers try to tackle a project without even the most basic of safety equipment. You don’t need a HAZMAT suit to stay protected in most situations. Even just investing in some good work gloves and decent safety eye wear will prevent an astonishing amount of injuries.

5. Electrocution

When many people undertake large construction projects, they often overlook the difficulty and danger of working with and around established electrical systems. Improperly fiddling with the wiring in your walls and appliances can cause a deadly shock. Always be sure you know how to correctly handle electrical installation or removal before starting any projects that will require it.

6. Hazardous Materials

Some construction work might involve the use of hazardous chemicals that people aren’t used to handling. This could include something as simple as gasoline, or something a little more complex like an industrial cleaner. Always be wary of any dangers related to flammability, toxic fumes, and chemical reactions due to exposure.

7. Unwelcome Visitors

Even in a relatively safe work site, it’s easy for someone who doesn’t know what they’re doing to hurt themselves or someone else. I see this commonly in homes with children and pets where boundaries aren’t properly established. Be sure to make clear to any kids present that the construction area is dangerous, and take care to zone the area off from a curious dog or cat.

8. Excess Stress on the Body

A lot of construction work is physically taxing. There’s a high amount of pressure put on sensitive body parts repeatedly. Your shoulders, wrists, knees, and back are especially at risk. To reduce the danger, follow best practices for lifting and moving heavy objects and using tools.

9. Working from a Height

Some of the nastiest construction-related injuries I’ve witnessed were due to someone getting careless and falling from a roof or ladder. Always take extra caution when working from a position where a fall could happen, even if you’re just a few feet off the ground. Learn ladder and harness safety as necessary to prevent a fall.

10. Incomplete Tool Knowledge

As tempting as it may be to skip, you should always read the manual for any tool more complex than a hammer or screwdriver. Always know the ins and outs of all your power tools, from power drills to nail guns, so you’re never taken by surprise.

Doing a personal construction project is rewarding both personally and financially, but only if you avoid causing any damage to yourself or the area around you. Always be sure to follow all general safety precautions before getting started. Happy building!

Author Profile:

Author Profile: Home-shield Mike Thomas is a private contractor and writer for HomeWarrantyDeals.com.  He enjoys DIY projects, college football and is also deeply passionate about restoring antique homes.

TEN WAYS TO SAVE MONEY GOING TO THEME PARKS (Guest Post)

Nearly every kid dreams of going to one of the Disney theme parks during their childhood years, but parents are usually a little more hesitant to book the trip because of the hefty price tag that accompanies it. If you are thinking about taking a trip to a Disney park and are looking to save money, check out the following ways to save hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars on your trip.  Keep in mind that Disney would like you to think that buying their packages is the best way to save money, but often you can save more by buying things separately.

  1. Stay off the Disney campus.  Surrounding hotels have lower pricing to entice travelers away from staying at Disney.  Keep in mind that you will need to have a way to travel back and forth from Disney if you stay off campus.
  2. Book your trip during the off season.  Disney has many seasons ranging from “Value” to “Peak”.  Unfortunately there isn’t a 3 month period that is considered to be the off season.  Weekdays during the fall months are cheaper, and the period after Thanksgiving and before December 21st, when “Holiday Season” starts, is cheaper to book as well.
  3. Book a hotel that includes breakfast.  While breakfast is one of the least expensive meals to eat out, it can save you a surprising amount of money by eating at the hotel.  Before heading back to your room, grab some extra fruit for a snack later in the day.
  4. Bring along a soft sided cooler.  You are allowed to bring in soft sided coolers to the park, and the ones that will fit in a backpack or are a backpack are ideal.  This allows you to bring in both snacks and lunch.  Plan to stop at a discount store or a grocery store to stock up on some food to take in for when family members start to get hungry.
  5. Plan to eat your evening meal outside of the park.  By dinner time you’ve spent the majority of the day at Disney and everyone is probably ready for a break.  Take this opportunity to head back to your hotel and let everyone rest a bit and freshen up.  Then, before going back to the park, stop and eat something.
  6. Bring a refillable water bottle and flavored packets.  There are water sources around the park that you can fill up a water bottle with, but it’s well water and doesn’t taste very good, so plan on bringing some flavored packets to sweeten up the water.  Staying hydrated at the park is very important since you will be outside much of the time.
  7. Check out local ticket hubs for discounted tickets.  Disney wants you to think that you can’t buy tickets anywhere except through Disney and their affiliates, but this isn’t true.  Keep your eyes open for ongoing deals.  Sometimes you can make a donation to an Orlando hospital and the hospital will give you tickets to Disney for your family.  Different programs like this pop up all year long so keep your eyes open for deals.  Local ticket hubs can save you 5 to 10%, which may not seem like much, but once you do the math it starts to add up.
  8. Join the Cirque club to receive 35% off of tickets.  Joining the club is free and you must buy your tickets 30 days in advance to receive the discount.  The discount is only offered for the Cirque de Soleil performances that are during the Tuesday through Saturday shows.  Check the online club for applicable dates.
  9. Go to Disney Quest for half price.  If you’d like to check out Disney Quest (a virtual-reality theme park in downtown Disney) you can check for a manager’s special.  Often if you go within 2 hours or less of closing you can save half off the ticket price.  It would be something different to do and if you can go for half price it might be worth it.  This discount isn’t always offered so check while you are there.
  10. When renting a car don’t get stuck on size.  If you plan on renting a car once you reach Disney make sure to check rental sites often, because specials do change.  Rebooking your reservation could save you a bundle.  Compact cars tend to rent out first so check the next size up; you can still end up saving because the rental companies may have a bunch of bigger cars they need to rent out and as such will give you a free upgrade.

When it comes to taking young children to Disney, Disney does offer some valuable perks. If you have children ages 3 and under, purchasing a package may get you the most bang for your buck. Children under 3 years old get into Disney parks free, and they eat free at the park buffets and family style restaurants. These perks can add up to tremendous savings for families traveling with young children to Disney.

Many of these tips apply to other big-name theme parks, as well.  The best advice is to do your research ahead of time.  Six Flags, Sea World, and many other theme parks are big attractions to families.  Keeping your children safe in these parks is another big responsibility.  I have noticed many families or groups dressing alike, with the same color tee shirts so they can be easily found.  For toddlers, be sure to have their name, parents’ names, address and cell phone numbers on their clothes just in case they wander astray.  Lastly, prepare a packet of first aid products (especially band-aids and sunscreen) for much-needed relief.  Our thanks to Carrie Dotson, with summernannyjobs.org for this good advice. pb