Many of us have Inkjet Printers that require expensive ink cartridges. They seem to run out fast or dry out after periods of inactivity. Here are some tips to fight back.

Inkjet Cartridges Get more Expensive

In September 2016, HP issued a software update to various printers that PREVENTS them from using non HP Ink! Do not install this.  They reversed course in October 2016 to update the software again and remove this restriction.

The printers affected by the firmware upgrade are HP Officejet Pro 8610, HP Officejet Pro 8615, HP Officejet Pro 8620, HP Officejet Pro 8625, HP Officejet Pro 8630, and HP Officejet Pro 6230 ePrinter, HP Officejet Pro 6830 e-All-in-One Printer, HP Officejet Pro 6835 e-All-in-One Printer, HP Officejet 6812 e-All-in-One Printer, HP Officejet 6815 e-All-in-One Printer

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New rebates have been added for 2023

Southern California’s power utility Southern California Edison rebates are here.  SCE has a bunch of cash SCE rebates and ways to go green and save money.

• Smart Thermostat Rebate up to $75
• $1000 rebate heat Pump Water Heaters
• Up to $300 per ton on Central HVAC Heat Pumps
• It pays to drive electric
• $50 rebate on Power Stations
• You may be eligible to save $1,500 or more for purchasing or leasing a new electric vehicle.

You can print out rebate forms online and then send in proof of purchase.

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Seaspiracy

In 2021 a documentary called Seaspiracy hit Netflix. It definitely presents all the problems with the commercialized fishing industry. Trawling nets destroying kelp and coral, over fishing, chemical dye and more. Illegal fishing is depleting fish stocks all over the world. There isn’t a simple solution, but awareness is the first step. Even fishfarming generates a lot of toxic waste.

The problem is, it’s only solution was to STOP EATING FISH. Some would combine it with stop eating meat and just eat vegetables.

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The average household will spend over $1100 staying warm during the winter.  This cost just keeps going straight up.  You can lower your heating costs by 2-5% for every 1 degree lower you set your thermostat. Easily save $200 a year.

Housing accounts for 20% of total US energy use with heating and cooling consuming a whopping 44% of residential energy use.

We realized that we were not setting our programmable thermostat optimally, when we saw some tips that result in lower energy use. We would set the thermostat to heat to my desired temperature of 65 degrees from 6pm to 7am. Many people will prefer 68 degrees, but we like wearing sweaters at home. (Or are so cheap we have to)

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Solar Panels do not need much maintenance and are pretty reliable. As with anything exposed to the elements, they do eventually breakdown. We will detail our experience with long term solar panel ownership.

Typical Solar Panel Warranty

A reputable solar panel’s performance warranty will typically guarantee 90% power production at 10 years and 80% at 25 years. A solar panel warranty will typically guarantee 10-12 years without failing.

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Last Update: 4/27/2022

Tesla Factory

We recently purchased a Tesla Model S. Much has been written about this excellent electric car—instead of providing a more technical review, we will provide insight gleaned from day to day use of this car in the San Francisco Bay Area.

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Are high gas prices getting to you? Do something about it!

It costs a lot to live in the San Francisco Bay Area. A recent study released in  2012 showed that the average household in San Francisco spends 39.5% of their income on housing and transportation. Those that lived in the suburbs spent even more, probably because they had to drive longer distances. People that lived in Marin County spent 56.3% on housing and transportation, while those lived in San Mateo County spent 53.3%. Finding ways to reduce our transportation costs is very important.

How to Save Money on Your Car

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Introduction

Anyone interested in taking the plunge with an electric car or Plug-in Electric Vehicles (EV’s) needs to investigate their charging options. Adding a charger to your garage can become a several hundred dollar project or several thousand dollar home improvement project. Each vehicle needs a different type of charger system and each house has a different electrical system.

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New rebates have been added for 2021.

San Diego’s power utility San Diego Gas and Electric rebates are here.  SDGE or SDG&E has a bunch of money saving SDGE rebates and ways to go green and save money.

• $500 instant rebate Electric Heat Pump Water Heaters
• $100 instant rebate Gas Water heaters
• $200 instant rebate variable speed pool pump
• These are Instant rebates at specific stores.

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Recently I found a friend who was using Chinese Miraculous Insecticide Chalk otherwise known as Pretty Baby Chalk, Ant Chalk, Roach Chalk and Chinese Chalk.  Tres Pasitos is a Spanish name for this product.

The product is illegal and dangerous. The EPA has a warning on it too. We tried it in the past and found that it didn’t really work. I found this stuff being sold all over San Francisco’s Chinatown and it is for sale on eBay.

A check on amazon in 2022 found no insecticide chalk.

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