Easy Way to Remember Your Wifi Password

Do you have a really complicated wifi password? Check out this great idea to always have your wifi password handy?  You can learn more at apartment therapy.

Eve-Marie of Tixeretne came up with the brilliant idea of converting her wi-fi neywork password into a custom QR code, then framing it for display in a guest room. Guests can use a QR code reader on their smartphone or tablet to read the code and get the password in an easy copy-and-paste format.
Tongue planted firmly in cheek, Eve-Marie writes:

Now when we have people over, they don’t actually have to awkwardly talk to us to get the wi-fi password. They just scan it with their device and viola: internet access. You see, we have eliminated the last shred of one-on-one social interactions. Now we can all spend our time together ignoring each other and playing with out phones! Bliss.

Yes, in many cases it's easier to just quickly tell the guests your wi-fi password when they first ask, iPad-in-hand. But with a super-secure and hard-to-remember password, it's convenient to have the QR code displayed in the guests' room to call up at a moments notice, especially if the host is away.



Generate the CodeCreating a QR code is way easier than it looks, thanks to fool-proof QR Code generator websites. Check out The Super Simple Way to Make Your Own QR Code. Eve-Marie used a site called QRStuff.com, which lets you link your QR graphic to plain text instead of a link.

Print it OutThere's no wrong way to do this, really. Once you have a QR graphic, test it out to make sure it works, then drop it into a graphics editor like Photoshop or Paint (or even just a Word document) to size it up and print it out. Eve-Marie's made it foolproof, including a wi-fi graphic and detailed instructions on her site.

Cleaning the Dust off Electronics

Did you know that dust can hurt or damage all of your electronics?  The blog below has some great tips on how to keep your electronics dust free and running smoothly.  You can learn more about technology tricks by visiting apartment therapy.

Desktop Computer: Many towers have fans on the back and vents on the sides. At least once per year, perhaps more in dust ridden regions, use compressed air, then wipe down with an anti-static microfiber cloth. Start with the fan, then move to the vents to release any dust build up. You may be surprised what resides inside your computer's internal regions.

TVs: Wiping down the screen is pretty standard, but like computers, many large TVs also have a fan in the back helping to prevent the television from overheating. A little compressed air will help here too.

Keyboards: Keyboards won't overheat, but low profile keyboards will get "soft keys" (sticky) if there's too much built up gunk under a key. Unplug the keyboard and blow on it gently every once in a while, using that handy can of compressed air for bigger jobs, and a dollop of hand disinfectant on a paper towel to remove grime on top. 


Mouse with Rolling Balls on Top or Bottom: My old Mac had a mouse with a small rolling ball on the top. It was great for web browsing, but on a nearly monthly basis the ball would get stuck and would roll sporadically. Even small amounts of dust will cause a mouse with delicate parts to operate poorly. A little compressed air on a regular basis will go a long way, with an alcohol based cleaner to wipe the top and bottom from smoother scrolling.

Add an Air Purifier: protect your home electronics further by installing an air filtration system nearby to keep dust, pet fur, and other debris out of digital devices and appliances in the first place. 

Check out our How to Shop for an Air Purifier shopping guide, alongside Consumer Reports, Good Housekeeping, and Consumer Search for recommendations.

Benicia Community Park

Have you been outside a lot this summer?  Benicia Community Park is a beautiful 50 acre facility that offers activities for all ages and interests.  There is a playground, baseball fields, an X-Park, and more in this community space.   It is the perfect place to relax for an afternoon with a picnic or you can host a cookout with your family.  Keep reading and check out Benicia Magazine for more information on this beautiful park.

On any given day, you can experience the smell of barbeques and fresh-mown grass, the laughter of children, roar of skateboards, a parent’s cheer for a child’s first at-bat and the smile of a stranger who might become a lifelong friend. It’s the joy of Benicia’s Community Park, and why, for many, the park is not only the perfect place for year-round fun, but also an ideal venue in which to build community.

The 50-acre, award-winning facility offers an extensive array of activities to suit anyone’s style. Rick Knight, the City’s Parks and Recreation Superintendent, says that the soccer and baseball fields are very busy with league games and tournaments. In 2012, over 11,000 soccer players and 400-500 baseball players used the fields. Then there’s the 2,000-square foot X-Park. A recent sunny afternoon found several skaters performing tricks, even midweek, and sharing their passion for extreme sports. An in-line hockey arena awaits those wanting something a bit more competitive; and there’s even a disc golf course, although fewer people have discovered that gem. The park’s two playgrounds provide classic options for parents and children to gather—one for children two to five, the other for those slightly older, from five to 12. The park also boasts 56 picnic tables that can be reserved for groups and activities.

Loree Tackmier, a preschool teacher, brought her class here for an end-of-the-year celebration, as they’ve done for the past thirteen years. “The children can get their energy out. They get to play and have a good time.” Even our four-footed friends can enjoy the park—the enclosed dog park is just about the only public place a dog can legally be off leash in town. For quieter fare, walking, biking, hiking, and running trails surround the park. According to Knight, all of these activities build a sense of community. “The park is a great place to get out and see your neighbors.”

For more info or to reserve picnic areas, visit ci.benicia.ca.us.

Saving for a Vacation

Did you want to go on a vacation this year, but you just did not have the money?  Check out these great vacation planning tips for next year.   Working through these steps will help you plan and go on the vacation of your dreams.  You can learn more by checking out Apartment Therapy.

I haven't been away on a proper vacation in years. So when it comes to planning the perfect getaway, I can't tell you much about the best hotels or airlines. I'm not the person to give advice about cruise lines and tour packages. But you know one arena where I have lots of experience that can be applied to planning that perfect vacation? Saving up for it!

It turns out that saving up for a major vacation is much like saving for other major expenses: a bathroom remodel, car purchase, or appliance updates. Some steps that can help to sock that money away:

• Plan early. Preparing a year or two ahead of a major trip is not at all too soon. This will allow you time to save up and plan thoroughly.
  
• Set a budget. As with any large purchase, setting a budget will give you a goal to work toward. There are lots of online calculators for helping to budget your travel.
  
• Open an account. Open a savings account dedicated solely to your vacation. Make sure there are no fees and assure that the account comes with a debit card, which will be handy when you begin to book flights and accommodations.
  
• Automatically transfer. Determine a percentage you can deduct from your paychecks and have it automatically transferred into your travel account. This way, you aren't tempted to spend this money on other items, and it takes absolutely no effort to move it from point A to point B.
  
• Identify savings here and there. Have a change jar? Take it to the bank and get all of that loose change into your travel fund. Do you and your family members receive birthday/anniversary gift money? Save it instead of buying yourselves something with it. Cull all of the unwanted items in your household and head to Craigslist or hold a yard sale. You'll reap the added benefit of decluttering while you save! If you have children who receive an allowance, encourage them to get on board with the saving and contribute to the travel fund, too. It can be fun seeing what you can save as a team in the course of a year. If you begin saving as much as two years ahead, consider at some point putting the bulk of your travel savings into a 1-year CD. Currently, this will accrue 1% interest, which will cover some of the incidentals during your trip.

Happy Fourth of July!

It is time for cookouts, fireworks, family, and friends!  What are you doing to celebrate Independence Day!