www.freecycle.org
The “freecycle” concept was started by a group of people who simply wanted things they didn’t have, and had things they no longer wanted. They decided to get together online to create local forums where people could barter and exchange without the hassle of yard sales or consignment shops. Got a printer you no longer need, but need a bicycle to help cut down on your gas consumption? Post your “haves” and your “wants” on Freecycle. Each group has clear rules for posting. There’s a Freecycle group in virtually every area of the United States.
To find our local group type Las Cruces, NM into the find a group
near you search box.
www.instructables.com
Are you a sucker for DIY projects, particularly ones that involve “techno-geek-ery?” Then Instructables.com is definitely the site for you. The site started out as an outlet for those enterprising minds constantly tinkering with electronics to show off their creations. But as with most good things, the fruits of its labors have expanded and grown far beyond the arena of technology. The site offers reader-produced projects (some with video instructions) on every subject now from building a computer from salvaged parts to knitting using scrap materials to baking a masterpiece from bits and bobs found in your cupboard. Instructables.com is a bookmark you’ll return to again and again to find new ideas to breathe life into old stuff.
www.trulia.com
One of the byproducts of a shaky economy is that sometimes it becomes necessary to move to where the jobs are. And one of the worst parts about moving is finding a good home quickly. Especially if you’re moving to a remote area or somewhere you’ve never been before. Searching for real estate on Trulia.com can make the task much easier. It compiles real estate listings from several different agencies in one place, complete with maps and graphs giving you information on the areas in which the homes are located; nearby schools, surrounding real estate values, historical averages on listing prices, most popular zip codes and more are all available at a glance. Links within the listings take you to photos and more information on the agents’ websites. While you’ll still want to visit your potential future homes in person, Trulia gives you a solid place to start your research.
www.thedailybeast.com
While staying abreast of local news is good (and newspapers are one of the best recycling materials around!), keeping on top of news elsewhere is super-important, especially today when world events all seem to trickle down eventually to the local level. Sifting through the huge amount of online news, though, can be a downright full-time job. The Daily Beast does the sifting for you. Editor Tina Brown (her publishing résumé includes editorships of both Vanity Fair and The New Yorker) and her impressive team of writers and contributors (which include Bill Maher, Christopher Buckley and Max Blumenthal) hack daily through the fat to get to the meat and bones of what influences our world. And yes, there is a “cheat sheet” compiled each day pinpointing the top buzz topics for you.
www.tastespotting.com
One of the first things to get slashed in our budgets is the “eating out” category. Most of us love the occasional foray to a new restaurant, but many of us are learning to truly love creating great food at home. The biggest problem comes in trying to narrow down the possibilities. That’s where TasteSpotting shines. Over the past few years, a staggering number of blogs have emerged dedicated to all things food and cooking, prompting many news outlets to now dedicate large chunks of their bandwidth to recipes and cooking ideas as well. Sorting through it all can be maddening. TasteSpotting allows people to share their favorite food finds and culinary creations with the rest of the world via the very first sense we use when eating: our sight. The site displays large photos of delectable dishes, and is searchable by keywords. Type in an item you’re interested in cooking with or the name of a recipe you want to look up, then just click on the photos and you’re taken directly to the site where the recipe or a review is housed. Everything from comfort foods like mac and cheese to delicacies like coriander fried sweetbreads are covered, and are within the home cook’s grasp. Click away!
www.lifehacker.com
Productivity is an issue we all struggle with. “Desk driving” can be a great way to earn a living but doing it efficiently and with the highest productivity possible is often an elusive goal. The team at Gawker Media’s Lifehacker test drives all the latest techno tools available to find the ones that really work, and the ones that can truly make our work easier and quicker. Along with reviews and downloads, you will find a wealth of articles explaining efficient ways to do everything from organizing your office to finding a new job.
www.authonomy.com
If you like being at the forefront of finding great new authors to read, authonomy.com is just your cup of tea. Officially a social network for those of the literary ilk, authonomy.com was created by Harper Collins to help bring together authors, editors and publishing professionals with an immediacy rarely before known in the publishing world. As a result of their forward-thinking approach to using the Internet to its best advantage, authonomy.com has become a place where authors and book-lovers alike can benefit. In an online “slush pile” format, authors can post their manuscripts and registered users (registration is free) can read them and comment on them. Being able to read books for free is always a good thing! Though the site currently does not allow for downloads of the manuscripts, reading them online can make for a great diversion (like when you’re stuck on layover but still have access to WiFi with your laptop). If you’ve written the next “great American novel” why not post it to the site and get some feedback? Harper Collins professionals regularly monitor the site for works that are getting the most attention, so who knows? Maybe you or one of your favorite authonomy.com authors will be the next to catch this legendary publishing house’s eye.
www.webmd.com
Doctor visits are expensive, and even with the best insurance coverage and the best doctors, sometimes diagnosis can be a frustrating trial-and-error waiting game. WebMD is an online repository of information that can help you research your symptoms, as well as help you better understand potential treatment options, medications and their interactions. The site is easy to navigate, offering a way to narrow down medical possibilities by symptoms, along with suggestions for general physicians, specialists and hospitals in your area should you need help choosing them. Where your health is concerned, knowledge is indeed power, and being able to clearly communicate your needs to your doctor can save you both a great deal of time and money in the long run.
