Useful Things Weekly Link Round-Up
Thursday, February 25th, 2010Easy Fixes for Common Internet Annoyances
Looking for quick solutions to phishing, ads, and CAPTCHA requests? Look no further. PC World’s got answers.
“15 Internet Annoyances and How to Fix Them”
via PC World
Electronically Free File Your 2009 Income Taxes
The IRS Free File program allows you to file your 2009 income taxes online for free.
“A Fast Free Way to File Your Federal Income Taxes”
via Get Rich Slowly
DIY Natural Mouthwash
These three recipes for mouthwash are quick, easy, natural, and inexpensive!
“How to Make Mouthwash”
via Ultimate Money Blog
Black Box Sanitizes Without Soap and Water
If you work in and industry where keeping your hands (and other extremities) germ free is a constant job, you may want to take a look at the Black Box. This handy contraption uses plasma gas to sterilize.
“Black Box Cleans Hands and Feet in Seconds”
via Coolest Gadgets
Where to Find Cash Rebates for Appliance Trade-Ins
Interested in trading in that 1970s clunker for something more energy efficient? The Database of State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency can help you.
“Cash For Appliances: Find Incentives Available in Your State”
via The Daily Green
Perfect for a romantic dinner on your patio, ambience in the tub, or even as a night light, the Sun Jar emits a warm, pleasant glow for up to five hours when fully charged. Just place the Sun Jar in direct sunlight for a few hours, and you’ll be rewarded with hours of eco-friendly light provided by the Sun Jar’s highly efficient solar cell, rechargeable battery, and low energy LED lamps. The Sun Jar is 100% waterproof for outdoor applications, and can withstand any weather conditions. $34.95. 
Power this hand-sized radio with the sun’s rays, and have hours of AM/FM radio enjoyment. Alternatively, hand crank the radio for one minute, and you’ll get thirty minutes of play time. The Solar or Hand Crank Radio is small enough to fit in pockets, tackle boxes, and backpacks. $24.95.
Quit buying bottled water packaged in chemical-laden plastic! These stainless steel water bottles pose no health risk, and are durable enough for years and years of constant use. Their double-walled design ensures beverages stay hot or cold, and the easy to remove screw-top requires only one twist of the wrist! Available in three sizes—16.9 oz, 20.3 oz, and 23.6 oz. 
Made from 100% Bamboo, these expandable towels are hypoallergenic, organic, and completely compostable. When compressed, the towels are only slighter larger than a poker chip. With just three teaspoons of water, however, the towel expands into a 12″ x 20″ hand towel. A pack of 10 only costs $9.95, so you can toss a compressed towel in your purse, briefcase, glove box, tackle box, diaper bag, desk drawer, and carry-on, and still have a couple leftover! 
Don’t overwater your indoor plants and herbs! Give them the perfect amount of moisture, and they will give you years of culinary delight and clean indoor air. Simply insert the rod end of the Herb and Plant Tender into the soil, and when it needs water, the LED light will blink. Buy one for each plant, or rotate between them, making sure to reset the device in between. $ 12.95. 
Charge two AA nickel-metal hydride rechargeable batteries while surfing the net, playing games, or working. The USB Battery charger plugs into any USB port, and will fully charge the batteries in 4-6 hours. A safety circuit will prevent overcharging, and automatically turn off when the batteries are charged. Batteries included. $20.95. 
For small shredding jobs, why invest in an electricity-powered shredder, or resort to burning? Instead, opt for an eco-friendly version—the Shredder Scissors. The Shredder Scissors consist of nine, sharp blades that quickly and easily turn unneeded important documents into unreadable strips, or confetti. $18.95. 
Conscious about wasting food? These Bag Clips with Expiration Setter will help you eat your food before it spoils. When you open a bag of chips, nuts, veggies, or other packaged food, set the day and month of opening, or the date of the expiration date. Each pack includes 6 bag clips—2 red, 2 green, and 2 white—which can be used to help establish a color-coded system of which foods should be eaten immediately, and which have a longer shelf life. $6.95. 
Don’t let your canned, jarred, or other foodstuffs spoil. Use a Digital Day Counter to mark how long that jar of spaghetti sauce, that can of peaches, or that bag of coffee, has been open. The Digital Day Counter comes in three versions—a rubber band style, a magnetic version, and a suction cup. $9.95 for a set of 2. 