Small flashlights, computer mouse, cameras and the TV remote all seem to take the common AA in our house. I am not sure how, but many end up in baskets, on the counter or in that infamous junk drawer, so I decided it was time to find out if they were keepers or tossers!
I was researching and found this cool little battery tester online:
It has a easy to read display, to let you know if they are dead or half dead or totally OK. (obviously it doesn't use those words but you get the point).I am sad to say I no longer have rechargeable batteries, so mine get saved for the twice a year battery collection that our township does to keep them out of the landfill. But for anyone who uses rechargeables, this will tell you if they need recharging too.
This has got to be one of the cheapest investments ever!
It is such a time waster checking different batteries in a flashlight or the TV remote with everyone waiting to get back to that movie. I want to know which ones are good and which ones are bad.
This Amprobe Battery Tester has absolutely loads of reviews, over 3700 at time of writing this post. It is under 10 bucks now, so next time you are placing an order on Amazon, don't forget to add one of these to your order, then do what I am doing, check them all quickly.
Old Batteries Can Be Dangerous
After a while acid type stuff will leak out of them, or the tops will get this white crusty stuff on it which is really bad on the skin. Once a battery has served its purpose, it needs to either be recharged or recycled properly. Don't just toss them in the garbage.
Many local landfill and recycling facilities will have a bin designated for dead batteries, and some home improvement stores will have them too. But if you find that awkward, or too far away and want to be environmentally responsible, you can get these battery recycling kits online.
Battery Recycling Kit
Create a Container for Dead Batteries and Make it a Habit to Test and Toss
I realized just how mine collected around the house. Most of the computer mouse's (are they considered mice in plural??) require only one battery and most battery packs are sold in at least two. The package would be ripped open and the other one would eventually fall out or simply be left on a coffee table, desk or tossed in a drawer.
My CSI skills finally figured it all out as the family all looked totally innocently at me and shrugged their shoulders!
I keep a Basket Just with Good Batteries
So now the deal is, when you open a package, the package or at least the other battery will end up in this basket. We know the ones in here are good to go.
When taking out the old one, we will now have a pail or container, not sure yet. Either way I don't want that frustration of the dead mixed in with the living ones!
This Tester is the First Step!
I also discovered that if you are in need of battery power, especially the most common AA's you can get them online in bulk!
Which is much cheaper than the electronic stores around me.
So, if like me, you have lots of battery power in your home, then you should try and create some kind of system to separate the good from the bad, test them to figure out which ones are what, and when you do need them, get them in bulk online.
This is a much cheaper option. This way when the troups are freaking because the TV remote died or that latest toy died, you are prepared!
Have a wonderful day!
If you have a balcony in your rental or condo or even just a tiny patio space, you can utilize the outdoor walls or railings to grow veggies.
f you goal is to simply dress up a wall either inside your home or out on the balcony or back patio, you can use these really cool air plants, that don't need soil.
After much research I found that you can get these air plants online in a kit. This kit includes 11 plants and one bottle of special fertilizer.
If your landlord doesn't want the yard dug up, then you can use one of these raised planter beds. If you rent and have a balcony, you can sit these in the corners to grow foods, herbs or even just flowers.
This is a different style of gardening and works awesome for root veggies such as potatoes, beets etc. As you you see you have access to the roots without having to haul out the entire plant.
If you have the room, I love the idea that it is long and not so deep. You could actually fence off part of your patio or use it as a patio privacy idea as well.
I have been on Both Sides of the Fence - Rented and Owned and Still Love the Idea of Container Gardening. 
Using raised garden bed kits or containers that take up the vertical space is the ideal way to preserve whatever yard you do have for other things.
I came across this cool set of planters that click together and can stack. This would be a great way to break up that open space and if you plant the right flowers you could totally create a nice looking green living wall instead of an ugly fence.
This planter box on wheels, also has a trellis that can work as a temporary fence while plants are growing. Choose fast growing annuals or vines, to quickly fill the trellis space with flowers and greenery.
Anyone who reads my blog, knows I go for the easiest, cheapest options that still look good for everyday life, and I came across these lightweight styrofoam ceiling tiles that simply glue to the ceiling.
If you are more DIY inclined, you can create instant wall panels by making quick 1 by 2 inch wood frames what ever size you want. You can get these cut at the home improvement store to what size you want. Staple or nail them together and then place a piece of smooth hardboard on top with nails. You can get this hardboard at the home improvement store cut to size too.
Just because they say "wall decals" doesn't mean you cant also place them onto a canvas. If you are looking to make some wall art pop, then going for a more 3D look works best.
