You never know when an accident or other mishap will occur. It’s best to be prepared, especially if you’re traveling far from home. Take a look at this checklist of items that your vehicle should be equipped with in case of an emergency, and see if you’re ready to hit the road.

Flashlight. If you break down in the dark, you’ll need a flashlight to take a peek under the hood or change a flat tire. If you need to walk anywhere for gas or parts, a flashlight is also handy.

Spare tire. Of course you can’t fix that flat tire without a spare. Make sure your spare is aired up before long trips, and check it periodically during the year, just as you do your every-day tires. Make sure your jack and tire iron are in good shape, too.

Jumper cables. Leave your lights on overnight and now you have a dead battery? You need a jump, which means you’ll need jumper cables.

First Aid Kit. Great for minor injuries, whether incurred in a fender bender or while you’re out exploring on the road. Restock it after use, and check it at least once a year for items that may expire.

Small Took Kit. A flat and Phillips head screwdriver, pliers, a couple of different sized wrenches, a small hammer. All could come in handy if you have to do any work under the hood, or even something simple like change a headlight.

Flares. In case of an accident that blocks the road, flares are an effective way to keep other drives safe and in the know.

Bottled water. You never know when you’ll be stranded in your vehicle. Having a bottle or two of water in the car is always a good idea.

Insurance information. If you’re in an accident, you’ll need to report it as soon as possible. A simple call to your insurance agent will help you collect the information you’ll need to make a claim.

Emergency contact numbers. After a traumatic event, your memory isn’t always functioning properly, and if you’re unconscious, rescue workers will want to know who to contact. Keep a list of emergency contact numbers in your glove box, purse or wallet, or saved in your cell phone.

Medications. If you take any medications on a daily basis, make sure to pack them. You never know when a half-day trip will turn into a full day ordeal.

Others. If you live in a snowy climate, make sure your vehicle is equipped with a shovel, windshield scraper, and blanket. Other useful items that you can store in your glove box include: matches, knife, and cash.

Take an inventory of your vehicle right now. Are you prepared?

Is your laser printer lying to you when it says your toner cartridge is empty? It’s very likely, according to OppressedPrinterUser and Farhad Manjoo, in an article he wrote for Slate. Apparently, laser printer cartridges, such as those used by Brother, contain a sensor. This sensor, or in some cases software, try to predict when your toner cartridge will run out of ink. Unfortunately for consumers paying the hefty price of ink, the sensors are often wrong. How do you get around this? Farhad Manjoo followed OppressedPrinterUser’s instructions to cover the sensor with a small piece of dark electrical tape, and it worked. It’s been eight months and hundreds of pages and counting since he tricked his cartridge into thinking he’d installed a new one. Will it work for you? Try it out. If it works, it will save you money.

Oppressed Printer User’s Forum

Read about Farhad Manjoo’s ordeal in his article “Take That, Stupid Printer!”

Situation: You’ve just installed a new sink and vanity in your bathroom. You step back, take a look, and lo and behold, it’s not level. It would only take a few minutes to fix the problem, except the screws securing the cabinet to the wall are neatly tucked behind the sink bowl, and are inaccessible with a drill. What do you do? This is where you need a flexible drill bit extension. Flexible extensions are designed to reach tight, difficult places, and in this case, it’s the only tool that will save you from unhooking the water supply and lifting the sink off the base, or ripping the vanity from the wall and possibly busting it.

What kind of extension do you need? It will depend on your drill. All extensions are rated for a certain amount of torque, and the package will specify the extension’s rating. Most drills made today have a high amount of torque. If you can’t find a flexible extension rated for your drill, simply set the clutch on your drill lower. For this specific case, the eazypower Isomax Flex a Bit, available from Home Depot, and online through Microcenter, worked fine. For around $8, this 7 ½ long bit is rated for 3.5 ft/lb. of torque. There is also a heavy-duty version, which is rated for 13 ft/lb. of torque. I recommend purchasing the heavy-duty model for a few extra dollars. If you can find a model with a lock-in bit option, even better.

Flexible extensions also come in much longer versions. The Vermont Flexible Extension Shaft, available at Ace Hardware outlets, has a maximum reach of 36″, but can be used in tighter spaces as well. There is also a 72″ bit, available online through Tools-Plus, which is designed for high torque drills. These bits are often used in the electrical industry for drilling through studs to run wire. These longer bits will cost you more—between $30 and $50– but they can save you hours of time, and in some cases, they may be your only option.

Flex a Bit
Vermont Flexible Extension Shaft
72″ Flexible Drill Bit Extension

In the last year alone, the price of food has risen sharply. According to the Boston Globe, the price of milk has increased 26% over the year, while the price of eggs has jumped 40%. The Bureau of Labor Statistics, in charge of the Consumer Price Index, reports a 12.1% increase in cereal and bakery products since July of 2007, and a 10.1% increase in fruits and vegetables. In this time of high inflation, how can you save money at the grocery store?

1. Go to the store on a full stomach. If you go to the store hungry, everything will look good, even that expired-two-days-ago deli-roasted chicken.

2. Plan your meals, make a list, and stick to it. By planning your meals, you’ll save a lot by not eating out, not making frequent trips to the store to impulse buy, and not buying costly convenience food, such as frozen dinners. Plan three to four meals for the week, put all of the ingredients you’ll need for those meals on a list, and stick to that list when you shop. You may find yourself eating healthier, too.

3. Set a budget and stick to it. Of course you’ll need to adjust for inflation, but set a weekly grocery budget, and while you’re planning your meals, take your budget into consideration. You may need to cut back on how much steak you’re eating to meet your budget, but you won’t find yourself red-faced at the store when you find out how much your total is.

4. Generic vs. name brand vs. organic. Which should you buy? Purchase generic goods if the quality is the same or similar to name brands, and it will save you money. Those extra cents for name brand products mean you’re paying for just that—the name. Organics are a trickier matter. If you prefer to purchase organic, but can’t afford the sticker price, consider buying only those items which, grown conventionally, contain a higher amount of pesticides and/or hormones. Such items include, but are not limited to: berries, peaches, nectarines, apricots, cherries, tomatoes, spinach, lettuce, potatoes, green beans, bell peppers, celery, milk, and baby food.

5. Buy in bulk. You can save money buying some items in bulk. Spices and nuts are two items that are almost always cheaper to purchase in the bulk section. For pasta, beans, cereals, flours, and the like, comparison shop.

6. Beware of bargains. Just because something is on sale, doesn’t mean you should buy it. Is it only ten cents off the regular price? Do you need it? If not, skip it. If you have to buy three jugs of milk to get a discount, but you can’t consume that amount before it expires, don’t bother.

7. Coupons. Coupons can save you money, but just like in-store discounts, ask yourself if you need it, and if it’s really a great deal.

8. Check the bottom shelf. Grocery stores frequently place the more expensive items at eye-level, so for the best bargains, look lower.

9. Compare different stores in your area. You might be surprised at how drastically prices between stores fluctuate. Of course, if the store with the best prices is further away, paying the extra in gas to get there might not save you any.

10. Time your trip to the store right. Go to the store early in the day, before it gets crowded, and after your store has stocked items. A well-stocked, uncrowded store will give you time to compare products and prices, and give you a better chance of getting what you want. If you go to the store during or after a rush, you may have to opt for a different, possibly more expensive alternative.

Are You Spending More on Car Insurance Than You Need To?
Paying for coverage you don’t need? Find out.

“When Should You Downgrade Your Car Insurance?”

Wine Picks for Spicy Food
Don’t limit yourself to beer or cocktails when eating spicy food. Find out what wines will work with the heat.

“Wines for Hot and Spicy Foods”

Wirelessly Transmit Audio to Multiple Rooms
Wires tripping you up? Go wireless with the Sony S-Airplay and you’ll be able to listen to music anywhere in your house.

“Sony S-AIRPLAY wireless audio system”

Manage Your To-Do List on the Go
If you’re a Windows user, ToDoList offers features other task managers don’t—the ability to track nested tasks.

“ToDoList Handles Subtasks Galore”

Travel Scams to Avoid
Don’t get ripped off while you’re on vacation. Check out these scams to be aware of.

“Beware of Scams, Especially When Traveling”

Balance Your Work Life with the Rest of Your Life
Try these tips and you may find yourself working more efficiently, and spending less time at work.

“Fourteen Techniques for Improving your Work-Life Balance”