Best Verizon Free Phone: Droid RAZR M

Best Free Phone from Verizon Wireless

My wife and kids switched their cell phone service from AT&T to Verizon recently.  I was still considering my options, so stayed with AT&T until I saw the free phones that my kids got.  I have gotten free phones before, in fact I have always gotten free cell phones.  If you sign up for a 2 year cell phone service contract, you always have some free cell phone choices.

Free Phone- Motorola Droid RAZR M from Verizon Wireless!
Image Source: Dr. Penny Pincher

Droid RAZR M- Best Free Phone

I was pleased when my wife informed me that the kids got free phones.  I wasn't expecting much from a free phone, but the Droid RAZR M is amazing.  It is a great Android device as well as a great phone.  It runs the latest Android Jelly Bean (4.1).  My son likes it better than his 4th generation iPod touch for playing games and watching videos.  Of course, I was concerned about data utilization.  The Verizon Family Plan we signed up for includes 2GB of data to be shared each month.  Playing games and watching videos for a few hours could easily burn through 2GB of data.  But the Droid RAZR M does a good job of automatically using Wi-Fi networks when available.  We have a Wi-Fi network at home, and have taken advantage of free Wi-Fi in restaurants and coffee shops when we are out and about.  The Droid RAZR M clearly shows on the display when you are using Wi-Fi data to download vs using 4G or 3G cell phone service.  The kids know to watch for this and only use data when they are connected to a Wi-Fi network.  Our data utilization has been almost zero so far.

The display on the Droid RAZR M is bright and clear.  The phone is very responsive, sporting dual 1.5GHz processors and 1GB RAM.  The Wi-Fi capability has been seamless, which is important since we plan to do almost all data utilization over Wi-Fi instead of the cellular network.  I have tried out the 4G wireless service for data access a couple times, and this seems to be about as fast as access over our home wireless network.

Verizon Wireless Cell Phone Display- RAZR M is the best free phone
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I switched to Verizon to Get a Free Droid RAZR M

After playing with my kids' phones and reading about the Droid RAZR M, I switched to Verizon so I could get a RAZR M as my free phone.  The RAZR M is the best free phone from Verizon.  The size of the phone is just right.  The screen size is 4.3 inches, which is small for a modern smart phone.

However, I prefer this size.  You can use the phone with one hand, and it is smaller in your pocket.  It is still plenty big for using the internet or watching videos- the screen extends all the way to the edges of the phone and is very easy to view.  The display is intuitive to zoom in and out to view pictures or web pages.  The larger cell phones now have 4.8 inch displays or even larger.  Droid DNA has a 5 inch display and Samsung Galaxy Note II has a 5.5 inch display.  A phone this large seems more like a tablet than a cell phone to me. I have heard these giant cell phones called "phablets"- for phone-tablets.  I want something smaller that is easy to carry in my pocket and use with one hand.

Motorola Droid RAZR M- Best Free Phone!
Image Source: Dr. Penny Pincher

The Droid RAZR M may be small in size, but is packed with features.  This phone has a compass built in.  The GPS seems to work very well.  The 8MP camera has a lot of features- I still haven't figured all of them out yet.  The back of the RAZR M is make of Kevlar and the body is made of aircraft grade aluminum.  The entire phone is treated with water repellent nanocoating   Here are more features of the Droid RAZR M for new owners from Motorola's blog.

If you are looking for a new cell phone, check out the Droid RAZR M- it is a great size, durable, light, thin, really quick, and FREE!




Recommended reading:

How to Sell your Old Cell Phone and Get Cash

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Kohl’s Credit Card: Get Kohl’s Cash and Kohl's Discounts

Kohl's Credit Card- The Key to Savings at Kohl's

How to Save Money at Kohl's
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Kohl's is where most of the new clothes at the Pincher household are purchased because Kohl's has some excellent savings programs. Applying for and getting approved for a Kohl's credit card is the place to start to get all of the discounts and savings programs. You can ask to apply for a Kohl's credit card at a Kohl's store at the checkout. You can get approved on the spot and be issued a temporary shopping pass if you want to use your Kohl's credit card for shopping right away. You'll need a Drivers License or other photo ID and you'll need your social security number to apply.

Use Kohl's Credit Card to get bargains at Kohl's

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Kohl's Cash- Even better than Kohl's Credit!

A savings program with a name like Kohl's Cash gets my attention. Kohl's Cash is a special type of coupon that you get by shopping at Kohl's. You can get $10 in Kohl's Cash for every $50 that you spend. The Kohl's Cash is valid for a limited range of dates, typically 11 days. You can't use Kohl's Cash on the same shopping trip that earned the Kohl's Cash- the Kohl's Cash must be used on a future date.

One issue with Kohl's Cash is that it does expire. You must use it by a certain date, or it expires. I have had Kohl's Cash expire a couple times when I forgot that I had it, or simply didn't get back to Kohl's in time to use it. Since Kohl's sells many types of items from clothing to household goods to toys and even some food items like Keurig K-cups and Sodastream syrup, there is always something you can find that you need when you have Kohl's Cash.

Kohl's Cash- Free Shopping at Kohl's!
Image Source: Dr. Penny Pincher

Why does Kohl's give away cash?

Why does Kohl's give away Kohl's Cash? The answer is to bring their best shoppers back to the store! If you spent $50 or more at Kohl's, they would love to have you come back since you are likely to buy more. Your potential as a shopper is amplified even more if you have a Kohl's credit card to tap into to buy bargains at Kohl's.

I recently went to Kohl's with $20 Kohl's Cash to pick up a pair of shorts. I ended up with 2 pairs of shorts, and my wife got 3 shirts. All good deals, but we spent $50 on a trip to Kohl's that we would not have otherwise made. This is a good strategy for Kohl's, and it is also good for shoppers- I did save $20 on my shopping bill.

Kohl's Discounts: 15%, 20%, or 30% off!

Now for even more savings- Kohl's Discounts. If you have a Kohl's Credit Card, you'll regularly get mailings with a peel-off sticker that reveals your savings. You can get 15%, 20%, or 30% off. The discounts are a percentage off of the regular store prices, which already seem pretty good compared with department stores like JC Penny, Younkers, Sears, Dillards, etc.

The Kohl's discounts are sometimes good for one day, or sometimes can be reused for a couple weeks before they expire, I always have a Kohl's discount coupon tucked away just in case we end up at Kohl's. One downside of getting used to always having a coupon at Kohl's is that it just feels wrong to go to Kohl's without one.

When you peel the sticker from the Kohl's advertisement and get a 30% off discount, it feels like you won something. Getting a 30% coupon is significant savings and I try to have at least a 20% discount coupon in hand before I go shopping at Kohl's.

Kohl's Discounts: save 15%, 20%, or 30%
Image Source: Dr. Penny Pincher

Use a Kohl's Credit Card, Kohl's Cash, and Kohl's Discounts to Save Money

Here's an example of how using savings programs at Kohl's can save you money when you shop at Kohl's: I had $20 in Kohl's cash from a recent shopping trip to Kohl's to get clothes for my growing kids. I wanted a pair of shorts and my wife came along to help me find some that were not too embarrassing. I also had a 15% off coupon.

I bought 2 pairs of shorts for myself and my wife bought 3 shirts. Kohl's has lots of great stuff!

At checkout, the cashier will tell you how much you saved and it's printed on your receipt. For example, I had $20 Kohl's cash and a 15% off coupon. The cost was $53.12. I "saved" $93.89 with price discounts, 15% off, and Kohl's cash. My receipt lists this total saved, and the cashier circled it in red pen. I know the savings is somewhat inflated since almost no one pays full price, but it does make you feel good about shopping. I also picked up $10 more Kohl's cash that I can use on a future shopping trip.

Shopaholics Beware... Kohl's Bargains may be too good!

Kohl's is very good at offering great deals and getting you to come back to the store and see the great deals. They make it easy to charge on your Kohl's credit card- you don't even need to have the credit card with you. They will look up your account if you show them a photo ID and type your social security number in the credit card machine. If you have trouble overspending at stores, you may want to be careful. Kohl's got me to come in with $20 Kohl's Cash, and I ended up spending that plus $50 more!

Recommended Reading:

Old Navy Credit Card Tips
United Credit Card: How I Avoided Paying the Annual Fee and Kept my Miles
GAP credit card: GAPCARD rewards at Gap, Old Navy, and Banana Republic

Penny Pincher Journal

Copyright © 2013 by Dr. Penny Pincher.  All Rights Reserved.  Privacy Policy

Ceiling Fan Upgrade: Install a Ceiling Fan With Uplight and Remote Control

Upgrade Your Ceiling Fan- Get Uplight and Remote Control

Ceiling Fan Upgrade Options: Uplight, Downlight, and Remote Control
Image Source: Dr. Penny Pincher

My wife tried to convince me to buy a discount ceiling fan at Lowes and install it at home. There were several display ceiling fans that had been taken down and were lined up resting in shopping carts. The one my wife was interested in was Harbor Breeze Wakefield 52 inch ceiling fan with up lights, down lights, and a variable speed ceiling fan with remote control. Our old ceiling fan was a simple ceiling fan with no lights or remote control. I had several reasonable and rational objections to this plan:

1. We already had a working ceiling fan, why replace it? OK, the fan we already have doesn’t have lights, but we have lamps in the living room that we can use.
2. The close-out bargain ceiling fan cost $80, which is a lot more than nothing which is how much not replacing it would cost.
3. I didn’t want to mess with wiring and installing a new ceiling fan myself.
4. The bargain ceiling fan was a demo model and not even in its original box- what if parts were missing?

These objections were noted and overruled. The new ceiling fan was purchased and brought home and awaiting installation. On the bright side, we got a fan that originally sold for over $200 for only $80- and it came with a full set of compact fluorescent lights installed. And it had a remote control. I didn’t really even notice the remote control until after we bought it.

Harbor Breeze Wakefield Ceiling Fan With Uplight and Remote Control
Image Source: Dr. Penny Pincher

Ceiling Fan Installation Steps

The installation process started with about an hour of complaining. I then got out to work following these steps to remove the old ceiling fan and install the new one:

1. Read ceiling fan installation instructions
2. Check to see that all parts needed are present
3. Switch off power to the ceiling fan at circuit breaker. Check to make sure the power to the old ceiling fan is off after switching off the circuit breaker. If the ceiling fan still turns, try a different breaker…
4. Get a step ladder, set it up under the old ceiling fan
5. Remove the old ceiling fan. There is usually a mounting screw that must be removed. Sometimes it is hidden under trim that snaps in place. Newer ceiling fans can hang in place while you work on the wiring. Let the fan hang and disconnect the wiring. Since I’m paranoid, I took a picture of the connections of the wiring to the old fan before disconnecting anything- just in case. Take the old fan down and set aside.
6. Install the new ceiling fan. Hang it in place and connect the wiring with wire nuts. Make sure the wire nuts are nice and tight and that the correct wires are connected together. It’s usually pretty obvious like white wire connected to white wire, black wire connected to black wire, etc. Now raise the new ceiling into position and install the mounting screw and trim.
7. Now the moment of truth- switch the breaker on and try out your new ceiling fan.

Ceiling Fan remote control for fan speed, uplight, and downlight
Image Source: Dr. Penny Pincher

Easy Project: Upgrading a Ceiling Fan

Upgrading a ceiling fan is an easy project- this took me about 45 minutes to remove the old ceiling fan and install the new ceiling fan. If you have a properly installed existing ceiling fan, it is really easy to install a replacement ceiling fan.

If you want to install a ceiling fan in a place that does not have an existing ceiling fan, you may need to tear into the ceiling to install a junction box that can carry the weight of a ceiling fan- a much bigger project and you may want to consider hiring a professional contractor.

A ceiling fan uplight provides perfect lighting for watching TV
Image Source: Dr. Penny Pincher

Ceiling Fan Upgrade- Good Value!

If you don’t have a remote control ceiling fan with up-lights, you don’t know what you’re missing!

The up-light is perfect for watching TV. The light reflects off of the ceiling and provides a nice low level illumination.  The fan also has a regular light on the bottom, a down-light I guess, which provides more light if you want that. The ceiling fan also works well, and all of the functions are controlled by a remote control. I use this all the time to control the lights and ceiling fan speed without getting up.

One of the first things to do when installing a new ceiling fan is to make sure it rotates in the correct direction. Most fans are reversible and have clockwise and counterclockwise rotation directions for summer and winter. You want your ceiling fan to make you feel cooler in summer and warmer in winter by moving air in the proper direction. The Harbor Breeze has no obvious way to reverse the ceiling fan direction. It took a bit of research to discover the proper ceiling fan rotation direction for summer and winter and how to change the ceiling fan rotation direction on a ceiling fan without a switch.

I use the features of the new fan every day, and a fancy fan like this probably increases the resale value of my house. We use the uplight every evening, occasionally use the downlight, and use the fan most days. It is really handy to be able to control the lights and fan speed without getting up. I'm glad we upgraded our ceiling fan, this was a project well worth doing.

Recommended Reading:

Which direction should your ceiling fan rotate in summer and winter to save you money?
Best Products to Buy to Save Money

Penny Pincher Journal

Copyright © 2013 by Dr. Penny Pincher.  All Rights Reserved.  Privacy Policy

Mutt Mitt Dog Waste Bags vs Plastic Bags: What is the Best Way to Pick Up Dog Waste?

Mutt Mitt Dog Waste Bags

Mutt Mitt- The Easy Way To Pick Up Dog Waste
Image Source: Dr. Penny Pincher

I first encountered Mutt Mitts when walking in a city park.  There was a sign encouraging dog owners to pick up after their pets.  Next to this sign, there was a dispenser for dog waste bags.  The type of dog waste bag being dispensed was Mutt Mitt.  I didn't have a dog with me, but this sounded interesting enough that I took a Mutt Mitt to try out later.

Mutt Mitt Dispenser at City Park
Image Source: Dr. Penny Pincher

Mutt Mitts are made of biodegradable materials and break down within a year, unlike regular plastic bags.  The shape of Mutt Mitts is much better than a rectangular plastic bag for picking dog waste.  The Mutt Mitt is shaped so that your hand can easily pick up the dog waste by grabbing it from both sides.  You then turn the Mutt Mitt inside-out so that the dog poop is contained neatly inside for easy disposal.

How to Use a Mutt Mitt- Wear the Mutt Mitt like a Mitten
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Use a Mutt Mitt to Pick up Dog Waste
Image Source: Dr. Penny Pincher

The Mutt Mitt I picked up at the park was constructed with 1-ply plastic.  You can also get 2-ply Mutt Mitts that provide more isolation than thin single ply plastic bags.  This means that it feels less like you are touching dog poop, which can be a good thing.

How Much Do Mutt Mitts Cost?

Of course the Mutt Mitt I picked up at the park was free.  If you want your own supply of Mutt Mitts, they cost about 10 to 20 cents each, depending on the quantity you order.  You can get less expensive single ply Mutt Mitts (called Singles).  Organizations like cities and park departments, dog parks, and campgrounds can order dispensers, signs, and bulk supplies of Mutt Mitts.

Mutt Mitts vs. Plastic Bags

The most popular option for picking up dog waste seems to be rolls of small plastic bags.  The plain ones cost about 3 cents per bag.  I find the bags that come on rolls are difficult to dispense and open, especially in really cold weather.  I can remember a number of times standing in a snow storm trying to get a dog poop bag open.  The sides stick together, and when the bags and your hands are cold, it is sometimes almost impossible to open the bag.  Sometimes I rip the bag a little bit to get it started- and sometimes this ruins the bag.

Roll of Plastic Dog Waste Bags- Bags can be hard to open in cold weather
Image Source: Dr. Penny Pincher

You can get biodegradable dog waste bags on rolls for about 5 cents per bag.  Greenbone Biobase Pet Waste Bags come on rolls like the cheap plastic bags, but they are much easier to open and are thicker.  High quality biodegradable dog waste bags are better choice all around than the cheap plastic dog waste bags that come on rolls.  They work better than the cheap plastic bags, and they are biodegradable just like your dog's waste.

Greenbone biodegradable dog waste bags- much easier to open than cheap plastic bags, and biodegradable too
Image Source: Dr. Penny Pincer

Using Recycled Plastic Bags for Dog Waste

Another option for plastic bags for dog waste disposal is reusing plastic bags that you get for other purposes.  I find that Subway sandwich bags work great- they are the right size and the plastic is strong enough for the job.  Newspaper bags also work well.  Our newspaper comes in a small plastic bag on rainy days- I always save these for dog duty.

You can also use plastic shopping bags to pick up dog waste.  I don’t like to use shopping bags- they are too big.  They take up a lot of room in your pocket, and there is a lot of wasted plastic since the bag is much larger than necessary.  Also, the cheaper shopping bags tend to have small rips and holes- this is not desirable for a dog waste bag!

Recommended Reading:
Dog Sunglasses Buying Guide
Pet Food: Why is dog food and cat food so expensive?

Penny Pincher Journal

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Dishwasher Detergent Options- Best Automatic Dishwasher Tablets

Automatic Dishwasher Detergent Options

Automatic dishwasher detergent tablets contain soap and other cleaning chemicals and are placed in your dishwasher soap compartment.  The dishwasher tablets, also known as dishwasher tabs, gel pacs, or capsules, are more convenient and less messy than filling the detergent compartment with liquid dishwasher detergent or powdered dishwasher detergent.  How much does dishwasher detergent cost, and which dishwasher tablets are the best at getting dishes clean in your dishwasher?

Dishwasher Tablets and Gel Pacs

Dishwasher tabs and gel pacs are a convenient way to load your dishwasher with soap.  Dishwasher tablets are made of a solid detergent material that dissolves during the dishwasher cycle.  Dishwasher gel pacs have a soft wall containing liquid soap that dissolves during the dishwasher cycle, releasing the soap.  Some gel pacs contain multiple compartments of cleaning products that are released at different times during the dishwashing cycle.

Cascade Platinum Dishwasher Gel Pac- You can see gel and powder inside the pac
Image Source: Dr. Penny Pincher

Dishwasher Tablet Cost

Dishwasher tablets and gel pacs cost about 25 cents each depending on the brand and quantity that you buy.  Since a load of dishes takes one tablet or pac, the cost of detergent for a load of dishes is about 25 cents per load for tablets or gel pacs.

Dishwasher Liquid Cost

Dishwasher liquid or gel comes in jugs and is poured into the detergent dispenser of your dishwasher.  The cost is about 9 cents per ounce depending on the brand and size of container.  Dishwasher detergent capacity is typically 2.5 fluid ounces.   This brings the cost for running the dishwasher to about 22 cents per load.

Powdered Dishwasher Soap Cost

Powdered detergent costs slightly less than dishwasher liquid or gel, about 7% less by some estimates.  The cost of powdered dishwasher detergent is about 20 cents per load depending on the brand and size of container that you buy.  Dishwasher powder detergent is the lowest cost automatic dishwasher detergent solution.  However, dishwasher powder is messier and more difficult to pour into the detergent dispenser.  Also, the solids in the powder may not dissolve as well as gel, resulting in less effective cleaning of your dishes.

Cost of Hand Washing Dishes

The cheapest way to wash dishes is in the sink, washing them manually.  The cost of dish soap is only a few cents per load.  You can buy a 24 oz bottle of name brand dish soap for about $6 that will wash many loads of dishes.  If you use 1/2 oz of dish soap, your cost is about 12 cents per load, where a load in this case is the capacity of an automatic dishwasher which is several sinks worth of hand wash dishes.  If you wash dishes like me, you can use the 1/2 oz of dish soap to wash a few sink fulls before adding more.

Another cost of doing dishes in the sink by hand is time and effort.  Washing dishes by hand is labor intensive and time intensive.  Using an automatic dishwasher is much more convenient.  A dishwasher is a robot that washes dishes for you so you can do other things.  This is worth spending a few extra cents on soap if you have an automatic dishwasher available.

The Best Dishwasher Tablets: Finish Powerball vs Cascade Platinum

I prefer the tablet or gel pac format- this is very convenient and seems to do the best job at getting dishes clean.  We normally use Quantum Finish Powerballs.  We ran out of Finish Powerballs and bought the only gel pacs that our neighborhood grocery store had to offer- Cascade Platinum.  Which is the better dishwasher detergent product: Finish Powerball or Cascade Platinum?

Quantum Finish Powerball vs Cascade Platinum Dishwasher Gel Pac
Image Source: Dr. Penny Pincher

The best dishwasher tablet:  Finish Powerball produced noticeably cleaner dishes.  Cascade Platinum left flecks on glasses and silverware. The water at our house goes through a water softener, but the water is still hard water with high mineral content, which may have affected the cleaning performance.  Finish Powerball was much more effective than Cascade Platinum- we will give away the rest of the bag of Cascade gel pacs since we like Finish Powerball so much better!

Penny Pincher Journal

Copyright © 2013 by Dr. Penny Pincher.  All Rights Reserved.  Privacy Policy

Dog Sunglasses Buying Guide- Find the Best Doggles and other brands

Can You Really Buy Dog Sunglasses?

Yes, you can buy high quality sunglasses for your dog for under $25.  These sunglasses are designed especially for dogs and typically have two adjustable straps- one that goes under the chin and another that goes around the back of the head under the ears.

Dog Sunglasses protect your dog's eyes from UV light and debris
Image Source: Sgt. Jason Brace

UV Protection with Dog Sunglasses

Dog sunglasses provide UV protection for dog's eyes similar to the protection provided by sunglasses for people.  This can be important for dogs that spend a lot of time outside, especially in environments where your dog is exposed to lots of reflected light:  boating on the water, on the beach, or in snow on a sunny day.  This style of dog sunglasses looks like human sunglasses with straps added.

Sunglasses style dog sunglasses: Doggles K9 Optix

Dog Goggles: Protection from Blowing Debris

Some styles of dog sunglasses are more like goggles than glasses.  They remind me of swim goggles with an extra strap.  The goggle style dog sunglasses provide protection from blowing sand, dust, and other debris in addition to UV protection.  Military dogs use the goggle style of dog sunglasses when working in environments with eye irritants.  Some dog owners put dog goggles on their dog during car rides so the dog can put his head out the window.  The goggles protect the dog's eyes from drying out and from blowing debris.

Goggle style dog sunglasses: Doggles ILS and Doggles Originalz

Dog Sunglasses for Medical Conditions 

Some dogs have medical conditions that make their eyes more sensitive to sunlight.  German Shepherds and some other breeds are susceptible to an eye condition called Pannus which is caused by UV light exposure. Dog sunglasses are helpful for dogs with Pannus that will spend a lot of time outdoors. As dogs age, their iris muscle may become weaker, which reduces the ability to constrict and reduce the amount of light entering the eye.  Dog sunglasses are useful for older dogs that have sensitivity to bright light.  Dog sunglasses may help prevent cataracts in dogs.

Dog Sunglasses Buying Guide

Sunglasses or Goggles Style

Do you prefer goggle style or sunglasses style?  Goggle style dog sunglasses provide excellent UV protection as well as protection from blowing debris.  The sunglasses style looks like human sunglasses and may be more fashionable while still providing UV protection for you dog.  Doggles K9 Optix is a sunglasses style while Doggles ILS and Doggles Originalz are the goggles style of sunglasses.

This dog seems to enjoy wearing sunglasses!
Image Courtesy of ktylerconk CC-BY-2.0

Interchangeable Lenses

Some models of dog sunglasses, such as Doggles ILS (interchangeable lens system) allow you to change the lenses to a different color of tint, or even clear lenses for nighttime use.  You can also get black lenses that block 100% of light for blind dogs.

Military dog wearing Doggles ILS
Image Source: Spc. Daniel Bear

Lens Features to Look for in Dog Sunglasses

• UV protection- This is the main function of sunglasses!
• Shatter-proof lenses- You don't want the lens to break and injure your dog's eye.
• Anti-scratch Lenses- Dogs may put a lot of wear and tear on lenses during normal use.
• Anti-Fog lenses- Especially important for goggle style.
• Lens spacing from eye- The sunglasses lens should have space for your dog's eye.  Some breeds have protruding eyes that bulge out.  My Malshi (Maltese - Shih-Tzu hybrid) has eyes like this.  You'll want to choose a style that has enough room so that the sunglasses will not contact the dog's eye.

Dog Sunglasses Brands

Doggles
Doggles is the leading brand of dog sunglasses.  Styles include both sunglasses style (Doggles K9 Optix) and goggles styles (Doggles ILS and Doggles Originalz).  The U.S. military uses Doggles for their service dogs.

Doggie Shades
Doggie Shades sells the sunglasses style of dog sunglasses.  This company has been in the dog sunglasses business 18 years.  They have a sizing chart on their website where you can print out a paper template to check sizes.

Fashion Pet canine goggles / Cool Pet Goggles
Available wholesale and from sellers on eBay.  These look to be an inexpensive goggle style of dog sunglasses.

How to Put Dog Sunglasses on a Dog

With some practice, it takes about 15 seconds to put dog sunglasses on your dog.  The first time, you'll need to adjust the straps to the correct fit.  It is recommended to put the sunglasses on your dog outside, especially the first few times.  If you put sunglasses on inside, you dog may be confused by darkness since there will not be enough light to see well.

The video below shows how to put dog sunglasses on your dog in 15 seconds.

Dog Sunglasses Sizes

Find the Right Size Sunglasses for Your Dog

How to measure size for Doggles:
To determine ideal back strap and frame length, measure the entire head circumference, across the eyes and around under the ears. To size chin strap, start just under one ear, under the chin, and back up to under the other ear (like a helmet strap).

Doggles Sizing Chart with Breed Examples:

Doggles Size	Dog Size	Breed Examples	Back Strap and Frame	Chin Strap Length	Actual Lens Size
Extra Small	1-10 lbs	Chihuahua, Pom	5-13"	3-7"	1"h x 1-1/4"w
Small	9-25 lbs	Beagle, Westie	12-20"	4-8"	1-1/2"h x 2"w
Medium	20-60 lbs	Dalmatian, Collie	15-25"	5-11"	1-1/2"h x 2-1/4"w
Large	50-100 lbs	German Shepherd, Labrador Retriever	18-30"	6-15"	1-1/2"h x 2-1/2"w
Extra Large	100+ lbs	Lg. Rottweiler, St. Bernard	22-45"	11-26"	2"h x 3"w

Order Doggles from Amazon.com

Recommended Reading:
Malshi: Cross of Maltese and Shih-Tzu Dog Breeds

Pet Food: Why is dog food and cat food so expensive? Would it be cheaper to feed my pet meat?

Penny Pincher Journal

Copyright © 2013 Dr. Penny Pincher.  All Rights Reserved.  Privacy Policy

How to Change the Oil in your Lawn Mower

Lawn Mower Oil Changes

Changing the oil frequently in your lawn mower engine is your best chance to extend the life of your lawn mower, saving you money.  Small engines such as those on push lawn mowers need effective motor oil to provide lubrication and distribute heat to protect the engine from damage.  Old motor oil breaks down over time and will no longer protect the engine properly.  Motor oil also gets dirty with wear particles from the engine and from dust and contaminants that are introduced into the motor with air intake during use, causing increased wear on the engine when running with dirty oil.

How often do you need to change the motor oil in your lawn mower?

The manual for your walk behind lawn mower will provide recommended oil change intervals.  The minimum oil change interval for a lawn mower should be at least one oil change per year.  Oil changes more than once a year may be needed depending  on amount of use.

How much does it cost to change the oil in a lawn mower?

The cost for a lawn mower oil change at a service shop ranges from about $15 to $30.  The cost of a lawn mower oil change will depend on if the shop transports your mower, or if you bring it to the shop yourself.  They may also recommend replacing the spark plug and sharpening or replacing the mower blade when you get the oil changed.

You can change your own lawn mower motor oil for a few dollars.  A quart of oil costs about $3- and you can get up to 4 lawn mower oil changes from one quart.  If you need to buy a siphon pump, this will cost about $25, but the pump should last for many oil changes.  A pan to collect used motor oil is free if you can find recycled materials around your house or garage, otherwise you can buy a small plastic bin for about $3. You can transfer used oil from your pan to other containers, such as empty oil bottles, allowing you to re-use the pan.

How do you get the old oil out of the lawn mower to change lawn mower oil?

Remove oil through the oil drain plug
If you’re lucky, your push mower will have an oil drain plug.  This makes oil changes really easy.  The picture below shows the location of the oil drain plug on a lawn mower.  You may need to clean grass and debris away from the base of your lawn mower engine to see the drain plug.  A small socket wrench is the tool you'll need to remove the oil drain plug from your lawn mower.

Lawn Mower Oil Drain Plug, Dipstick Tube, and Oil Sticker Locations
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Remove oil through the dipstick tube
Some small engines do not have an oil drain plug.  If your engine doesn’t have an oil drain plug, you will either need to tip the lawn mower on its side to drain oil out of the dipstick tube or use a siphon pump.  The dipstick cover can be unscrewed and removed to drain oil.

Remove oil with a siphon pump
You can use a suction pump or siphon pump to draw the old oil out of the engine.  This allows oil to be removed from the lawn mower engine without tipping the mower on its side.  Siphon pumps can be purchased at auto parts stores or on the internet for under $25.  Siphon pumps can be used to transfer oil, gas, and other fluids as well as air inflation.  The dipstick cover can be unscrewed and removed to allow the siphon pump tube to be put in place to remove oil.

What are the steps to change lawn mower oil?

Step 1.  Make sure you have new oil available before you drain the old oil.  Most lawn mowers take SAE 30 or 10W30.  You mower may have a sticker that indicates the type of oil.  If not, check the manual for the correct type of motor oil.  Most lawn mowers require about 8 oz of motor oil.  If your lawn mower has an oil filter, obtain a replacement oil filter.  You may need to order one from a parts dealer.

Step 2. Run the lawn mower for about 5 minutes to get the oil warm.  This will make it much easier to remove more of the old oil.

Step 3. Drain the old oil from your mower.  You’ll need a pan to catch the used motor oil.  
If your lawn mower has a drain plug, position a plastic cup under the drain plug and use a wrench to remove the plug.  A small socket wrench is the best tool to use to remove the oil drain plug.  Also remove the dipstick to allow the oil to drain quickly.

If your lawn mower does not have a oil drain plug, place a pan on the same side of the lawn mower as your dipstick tube, remove the dipstick cover (unscrew), and tip the mower on its side to drain the old oil into the pan.  You’ll need to tip the mower more than 90 degrees to get the oil out.  This will work best if you have a low profile pan so you have enough room to tip your mower.

If you are using a suction pump, insert one end of the tube into oil dipstick tube and place the other end in the pan you are using to collect the used motor oil.  Squeeze the pump bulb, or operate the piston, to pump the old oil out of your lawn mower.

Step 4. If your lawn mower has an oil filter, replace the old oil filter with a new one.  Unscrew and remove the old oil filter and discard.  Apply some oil to coat the seal around the new oil filter to prevent oil leakage.  Then tighten the new oil filter in place.

Step 5. Fill your lawn mower with new oil.  Replace your drain plug (if you have one) and tighten using a wrench or socket driver.  Tighten firmly, but not too tight or it will be hard to remove next time.  Place your lawn mower on a level surface and use your dipstick to check the level as you fill the oil reservoir through the dipstick tube.  You may need a funnel if your dipstick tube has a small opening.  Over filling or under filling your engine with oil can cause damage to your engine, so use the correct fill level.

Check your lawn mower oil level with a dipstick
Image Source: Dr. Penny Pincher

Step 6. Dispose of your used motor oil properly.  In some areas you will need to place the used motor oil in a container with a lid and take it to a recycling center for disposal.  Auto supply shops may also accept used motor oil for recycling.

Safety when changing oil in a lawn mower

• Use caution to avoid starting a grass fire.  Hot parts of your engine can cause grass to ignite when tipping your mower to drain oil.  You want the engine warm to help oil drain, but not too hot.
• Use caution with fuel.  You can drain the fuel from your tank, or wait until your fuel tank is empty to avoid spilling any gas if you need to tip your mower to drain the oil.  Gas can leak out the fuel cap when you tip your mower.
• You can disconnect the spark plug cap to avoid the mower accidently starting while you are working on it.

If you never want to change oil in your lawn mower again, check out electric lawn mowers!

Recommended reading:

How to check your gas mileage: Step-by-step instructions

Can You Save Money Driving a Car with Manual Transmission?

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