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Second Stream of Income: Getting Started and Where to Look

Having more than one stream of income holds a whole lot of benefits.

If there’s one lesson this pandemic has taught us, it’s that jobs and businesses can be fragile. 

The response of almost every government around the world to COVID-19 has surely taken its toll on our businesses and while our economy is gradually getting back up on its feet, this doesn’t ensure us our jobs and businesses complete protection in the case of another recession such as this.

So, it is best to be prepared with multiple streams of income to keep you backed up in case one of them crashes down, God forbid.

But before you go jumping into figuring out how to start-up your next stream of income, it is only practical that you consider these three overriding points:

Time

This is a common thing to neglect to keep in mind when looking to set up a new stream of income.

Do you have time to dedicate to your new supply of income? What are some things that take up most of your time? Do you think you can give up some of those activities that are less important to make room for your secondary source of income?

A lot of people jump right in head first, not recognizing that all of this will come at the cost of time, no matter the type of income source you’re looking to setup.

Some sources of income will cost less time while others will cost more. Some will have a better ROT (Return On Your Time) whereas others may have less. 

Are you willing to add another 8 hours a day for your secondary source of income, doubling your current work time? It may seem hard to think about it now, but in the long run, it might turn out to actually be quite worth it.

So take some time to pause and think about it. Discern within yourself how much time you have to sacrifice.  Do you have 8 hours a day?  Or 4?  Or only 1 hour a day?  Write it down.  It is important to know and keep at the front of your mind while making your decisions. This leads us to our next point:

Sacrifice

Every successful stream of income comes with some sacrifice. There will come a time where you will have to make a decision, whether you will give something up like your own comfort, a personal hobby, time (which we’ve mentioned above), or even pride.

Yes, there will be times you will have to lower your pride, which is something we humans have a hard time letting go of. You will come across a situation where you will have to set aside your ego and ask help from others, whether that’s monetary support,  physical labor, or asking “stupid” questions to “smart” people to try and solve a problem, or anything in between.

What are some things you think are worth sacrificing for your second stream of income? Think about it and prepare to build up the strength to let it go.

On the other hand, it’s also important that you think about what you would absolutely not be willing to sacrifice. Write it down and keep it somewhere close. This way when the day comes that you are asked to sacrifice that thing you can remember what is most important.

Passive or Active

One other thing to ask yourself as you seek a second stream of income is, what kind are you looking for? Are you looking for a passive or active stream of income?

Active income pertains to income obtained by actively performing services.  It typically takes up your time and energy. Passive income pertains to earnings received from work that doesn’t require any physical involvement. It is income that is income that is created whether you are actively participating or not.

Most people dream of having their second stream of income to be passive, not realizing there are still some things to look out for when dabbling into this type of income.

The thing is, each type of income comes with its own expense. Seeking towards getting a passive stream of income may require you a different set of objectives as compared to that of the active income, which may or may not be suitable for what you hoped.

Passive income will often take time to grow. It won’t happen overnight as compared to active income where you put in 8 extra hours of work and you are immediately paid for those 8 hours.

Bottom line is that it’s always good to think ahead, it prepares you for what you will possibly have to face. It will make it easier to make decisions on where you want to come up with your second stream of income.

With all that said, here are just a few ways you can add to your current stream of income:

Get Another Job

Getting multiple jobs at a time can be difficult, but for some, it can be easy. This, of course, depends on numerous factors. There are certain things to consider and questions you need to ask yourself before you go and pursue a second line of work such as, “do you have this certain skill set?” or “what is your educational background?”

Often a second job will be during odd hours and may not be as well paying as a “professional” job, but may provide that extra boost you are looking for.

This is obviously a more active way to earn money and will come at the cost and sacrifice of your time. But as we mentioned above this is a simpler and quicker way to earn money for the effort you put in.

Start Investing

Investing is a great way to prepare you for the long-run; you can invest in realty, insurance, dividends and stocks, and so-on.

Before you invest in something, do some research on where you plan to invest. There are multiple companies worth investing in, it just takes a little bit of hard-looking to find the right ones.

Start an Online Business

It’s all the rage these days. Since the pandemic, a lot of physical stores and restaurants had to shut down and we had to suffer a lockdown. Thankfully this all happened during the era of the internet, making the process of setting up an online store as easy as 1-2-3.

People have even looked to Facebook Marketplace, GoDaddy, and even Craigslist to set up their own online business selling the things their passionate about.

Stream or Upload Content

Thanks to media sites like Youtube, Twitch, and Tiktok, you can make money out of your own hobbies and interests.

We all know by now that people have become celebrities and millionaires only through Youtube and Twitch. 

And all it really takes to get started is a desire to create and the motivation to keep pushing through.

Part-Time Freelance

Whether you’re a writer, a graphic designer, or a voice actor; finding a freelance part-time job is easy and we highly recommend you give it a try to include it as your second source of income.

Websites like Upwork, LinkedIn, Fiverr, and VoiceBunny are great platforms when it comes to freelancing.

Rent Your Properties

Is your car just sitting idly by? Suffering from a cluttered garage? Do you have a summer home you currently haven't gotten the time to get to? Renting out your personal properties is another great addition to your multiple streams of income.

Property rentals are an example of a passive income, not having to actively perform in any way but to just passively allow the cash to flow in.

Consider renting your things with us at My Garage Rentals, we allow you to rent out almost anything, just make sure that others will find it useful to rent. Whether that’s your appliance, tools, camera gear, or even your clothing, you can enlist it for rent at My Garage Rentals.

Head on over to www.MyGarageRentals.com today to find out more and avail of our services.

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20 Reasons Why You Should Rent Before You Buy

Accumulating material possessions has always been an issue of the human heart since the beginning of time.

It has come to a point where we’ve accumulated too much stuff that we no longer know what to do with our things.

And then renting came into the picture. People found a way to make use of the many things they already have at home, with the benefit of earning and saving money in the process.

The first known rental happened in the 1930s when a truck seller rented his truck to a customer who only needed it for a day.

And thus, rental shops emerged and gradually spread around the globe and even evolved to the online rental shops we use today.

If your question is, “Why should I rent? Why don’t I just buy?” We’ve written down 20 reasons that might just convince you to rent.

Why Should I Rent?

It’s cheaper to rent than to buy something brand new.

And because it is cheaper, renting can help with financial deficiency. For example, if an individual could not afford to buy a house, they should consider renting.

Additionally, it gives you the opportunity to experience using expensive and luxurious products that may be difficult to afford.

Moreso, renting allows you to save money and can help with your budget planning. Thus, it is considered a frugal practice to rent.

When you need something only temporarily, like a tool, a car, a commercial space, and more, we recommend renting.

Renting will save you space around the house since the item isn’t yours and will be returned, you wouldn’t have to worry about where to pack it when it is not in use.

Less waste is dumped if you choose to rent. About 1,980,262,621 of waste and counting are being dumped worldwide this year.

Renting gives you the freedom to try out different hobbies before you truly pursue them. You can rent musical instruments, photography equipment, sports gear, and much more, most of which can be quite costly investments.

Maintenance and repairs are not going to be an issue.

You don’t have to worry about durability and lifespan either.

Renting out your own items will allow for extra income and keep your things from remaining idle at home.

It doesn’t just allow for extra income, it will also eventually pay you back and cross over the original value of the product, making it as if you got the item for free, to begin with.

Thanks to online rental shops, you can rent at the comfort of your own home and with just the tapping of buttons.

Online rental is a big contributor to the sharing economy, which is an important factor to keep in mind since almost everything revolves around the sharing economy these days.

If you’re looking to buy something brand new, you might want to review the item first, and renting that item can help you with that. Renting will assist you in deciding whether that particular product is worth purchasing at full price or not.

Renting provides you access to a wide collection of media such as books, comics, music, and movies. You can finally read the whole Harry Potter series or watch the whole Matrix trilogy without having to buy them at their standard price.

Did you know that renting dogs is a thing? By doing so, you can gauge whether owning one is really for you or if it’s companionship is just something you need occasionally.

Thanks to peer-to-peer rentals like Airbnb and VRBO, traveling out of town and finding accommodation elsewhere is made easier.

Renting promotes sharing.

43 Million Americans rent, according to a study by Harvard.

Why Should I Use My Garage Rentals?

My Garage Rentals is a neighbor to neighbor online rental shop. Our main focus as a rental company is connecting communities with each other, making renting quicker and more secure.

We also provide a $1,000 guarantee for any unfortunate damages, giving our users the peace of mind knowing that they’re renting with us will be safe.

Unlike other online rental shops, My Garage Rentals doesn’t focus on any specific category of item. You can rent almost anything with us, as long as it’s wholesome and something useful.

Visit www.MyGarageRentals.com and give our services a try. Rent with us today!

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A Glance at the Sharing Economy

What is the Sharing Economy?

Also known as the gig economy or collaborative consumption, the Sharing Economy is an economic structure that allows individuals to share resources with other fellow individuals with the help of an on-line platform.

The Sharing Economy has been around for over a decade now and we can find examples in the likes of Airbnb and Uber, to name a couple.

We will delve into where the sharing economy is now and how much it has grown throughout the years. In this article, we will learn how the sharing economy will look moving forward into the future.

The Sharing Economy's Persecution: Criticism

Before the sharing economy got to where it is now, it had to go through a ton of skepticism and backlash. Airbnb and Uber, for example, both had to experience lawsuit after lawsuit from government sectors not just in the United States but in other countries as well.

For instance, in 2017, Uber was forced to terminate its services in the Philippines over the case of unregistered drivers.

Airbnb also experienced legal struggles of their own, such as in Australia in 2018 when NSW passed two laws against them.

The Sharing Economy’s Contribution: Benefits

A primary advantage that the sharing economy contributes to is that it allows its consumers to share their extra stuff, vehicles, space, time, services, and talents through peer-to-peer renting and outsourcing platforms.

Participants are thus given the opportunity to earn income their own way and on the other end, enjoy more affordable access to products and services with budget-friendly alternatives.

The sharing economy also allows more flexible options for consumers to choose from, no longer are they restricted to big brands and expensive hotels when they can rent products and rent homes overnight.

This system also opens up leverage for job seekers to be able to find work that is in-line with their skills and career choice and likewise, it helps business owners find employees easier than ever before.

More benefits include contributing to the battle against material waste and creating unity and trust in the communities.

One more idea to keep in mind is that the sharing economy has technically been around for centuries, it was when times were simpler and there weren’t yet any big brands that hindered people from trading and selling with one another their personal belongings and self-cultivated goods.

But, with the help of technology, the public is given yet again an ecosystem wherein independent trade is possible.

It Comes in Different Types

The sharing economy consists of an enterprise of two types; non-profit and commercial.

Platforms that offer free online courses and learning materials are examples of the non-profit side of the sharing economy.

The commercial types of platforms are where companies provide certain services and secondary products to consumers for affordable prices.

Here are a few examples of different kinds of commercial-type services and websites:

      Freelance and Outsourcing – These are platforms that offer freelancers easy access to job applications fitting their specific skills. These sites also allow businesses and companies seamless outsourcing. Upwork and LinkedIn are two of the big examples of freelancing and outsourcing websites. They have been around for a while now and have dominated the online job application industry.

      Peer to Peer Lending – Big names such as Uber and Airbnb fall under this category, but there are definitely others more. Peer-to-peer lending refers to platforms that offer rental services to those looking to make use of the belongings they have lying around their house. It’s a great way to make money and save money at the same time.

      Fashion – Rent the Runway, Dress for Less, and The Black Tux are fashion websites that offer clothing for rent. These places are specially made for those hoping to spend less on high priced clothing brands only for a certain duration.

What does The Sharing Economy look like moving forward?

The sharing economy has been growing exponentially over the years, and it doesn’t show any signs of slowing down. According to an article by Brookings India, people in the sharing economy will possibly be spending $335 billion by 2025 in the United States alone.

Whether we like it or not, our economy is evolving, we could be seeing more services and categories emerge in the times ahead, providing the general consumers a more convenient, accessible, and affordable economic system.

Our platform, My Garage Rentals, also falls under the peer-to-peer category; but we prefer the term neighbor-to-neighbor, which boasts of our aim to build a trustworthy rental community, which allows a more secure and faster transaction for both the renter and the lender.

We are a rental platform that allows almost anything you deem useful to rent, such as handy tools, power tools, sports gear, camera gear, appliances, you name it, My Garage Rentals can rent it!

Sign up now at www.MyGarageRentals.com and take advantage of our rental services! Enjoy easy registration, the security of our $1,000 risk-free guarantee, and more unique features.

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Make Money This Thanksgiving with These Appliances

Thanksgiving is drawing near and most of us are already fixated on cooking a turkey the original oven-baked way. 

Your neighbors, on the other hand, may be interested in experimenting this year with different methods. 

While there are indeed other ways of preparing Thanksgiving turkey, these creative ways will require certain kitchen appliances to make them possible. 

We’ve listed said kitchen appliances and if you own any of these, you can earn a little extra this year if you can convince your neighbors to rent them from you for Thanksgiving dinner:

Deep Fryer

The most unhealthy way, out of all the appliances, to cook a turkey; a deep fryer will give your Thanksgiving bird the crispiest texture and the juiciest taste that no other appliance can create.

Air Fryer

The air fryer is a great way to get your turkey crispy and moist but without the need for added oil. Its convection heating causes a circulation of air around your food, giving it that same result a deep-fryer would make but with less fat, making it a healthier alternative to deep-frying.

Griller

No other kitchen appliance will give you that smokey yet moist and flavorful turkey dinner than the griller. It also gives the fellas a chance to talk about football over some beers while allowing the missus to chit chat with the rest of the ladies.

Slow Cooker

Another way to allow your turkey to be nice and tender, we highly recommend you give the slow cooker a try. It may just take some time to prepare as a down-side, but it will be all worth it in the end.

Sous-vide

Water bathing your turkey is also another fantastic way to give your turkey that tender juicy flavor without having to incorporate any additional grease. The only down-side of this being that sous-vide machines are expensive, so not that many people will be able to experience sous-viding their turkey. If you own one, on the other hand, you may just make your neighbor's day when you decide to lend them yours for rent this Thanksgiving.

Conclusion

My Garage Rentals is a neighbor-to-neighbor platform that allows you to easily have your personal belongings rented to those around you.

This coming Thanksgiving is an opportunity for you to make some money if you're willing to lend your appliances for rent.

Sign up is absolutely free and you can feel secure with our $1000 guarantee for any damaged or stolen item from you! Click here now to visit My Garage Rentals

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10 Things A College Student Can Rent To Save Money

Money never comes easily, especially for college students, or any kind of student for that matter.

Usually only living off of minimum wage salaries or off of parent’s allowance, it can be quite the challenge for the average student to budget and save.

Nothing screams economical more than renting. In contrast to buying, renting is most certainly the cheaper approach.

Whether you’re a college student or a parent of one, this list might just be for you. As you read on, we hope that you find something useful to take away from this article.

1.  Laptop and Tablet

An obvious essential for every student; and yes, laptops and tablets can be rented.

If you already own a laptop and/or a tablet, renting may not come to you as something useful yet at the moment.

But when the time comes and your device unfortunately breaks down, you may want to consider renting, just until you get your old one repaired or have enough to spend on a new one.

2.  Books

Every student will eventually have to read and study a book, whether that’s for reference or just for something to enjoy and pass the time.

While books can be conveniently read digitally nowadays, there are still plentiful benefits to reading them the old-fashioned way.

For instance, there is no UV lighting to expose your eyes to radiation; and then there’s the satisfyingly smooth feel of the ivory paper’s texture and the crisp sound of every page flip.

Here are a few rental platforms you can utilize to rent out a book: My Garage Rentals, Campus Books, and E-Campus.com.

3.  Musical Instruments

Whether your course revolves around music or not, it’s always a good idea to have a personal musical instrument within arm’s reach.

Learning to play a musical instrument exercises the brain by creating new neural pathways to help improve brain growth, which can result in creativity and motivation for productivity.

Playing the guitar and other musical instruments can also help calm the mind, alleviating stress, and depression.

Here are a couple of platforms, including our own, that provide rental services for musical instruments: My Garage Rentals, RocknRoll Rentals, Rent My Instrument, InstruRentals,

4.  DSLR and Mirrorless Cameras

DSLR and Mirrorless cameras are expensive and don’t even get me started on lenses and the vast variety of camera accessories.

Owning a camera is a real investment, it’s not something you just throw your money at willy-nilly. You have to make an extensive thought first before pursuing photography or film.

While you’re still saving up for a camera of your own, perhaps consider renting first and observe whether or not this field certainly captures your passion.

Including our rental services, here are a few online platforms that offer photography gears for rent: My Garage Rentals, Borrow Lens, Lens Rentals.

5.  Gym, Sports and Athletic Gear

The expenses that come with buying sports gear might discourage a lot of students, especially those looking to get fit and try out sports for the first time.

You shouldn’t let this hindrance stop you from getting in shape and staying healthy. You can always opt to rent sports equipment first until you can finally afford to invest in your own gear.

Visit our website or any of these other online platforms for sports and fitness rentals: My Garage Rentals, Fairent, Fitness at Home, Fitness Plus.

6.  Live-stream Equipment

We’re living in an age of streaming. We stream our movies, concerts, music, and our favorite shows; students even now have to attend their classes through live-streaming.

With the help of platforms like Twitch, YouTube, and Facebook Gaming, students can stream their creative content online with the potential of earning.

A full live-stream equipment can be costly overall, but with the help of renting, students can begin their live-streaming dreams much sooner than they think.

Have a look through My Garage Rentals for live-streaming gear rentals, or you can also check out FairRent as well.

7.  Video Game Console

We can argue all we want on whether or not video games are a bad influence on the youth, but it won’t dismiss the fact that a ton of research shows there are great benefits in gaming.

Other than some of the mental and emotional benefits of playing video games, students can also profit from it by pursuing a career in E-sports and video game live-streaming.

8.  Portable Fridge, AC, Microwave, Vacuum, and Other Appliances

Some dorms and apartments may already provide appliances like microwaves and refrigerators, but this is not true for others, those that don’t may encourage you to rent appliances.

If you’re one of those, already provided with these appliances, you may resort to renting when the time comes that these machines suddenly give in and break.

When this unfortunate event does occur, do not go and buy one brand-new right away. Having it sent to the repairman and renting one as you wait for it can help you save more.

Make use of our platform, My Garage Rentals for all things rental including appliances. Feel free to also have a look at Fairent.

9.  Decorations

Decorating is a great way for students to express their creativity in their own respective dorm rooms. Tell me, when was the last time you saw a dorm room without any decorations on it?

The only hassle in constantly decorating is that it’ll cost you, especially when there’s another holiday coming up in the succeeding month, or if you suddenly needed a new backdrop for a vlog you were recording.

Thankfully, there are websites like My Garage Rentals that offer neighbor to neighbor rentals, making it easy and affordable to switch from one holiday decoration to another.

10.  Bike or Car for Transportation

Just because your friends have cars doesn’t mean you should go and spend all your savings on one in one fell swoop.

You have to consider your priorities first and if buying a car isn’t on the top of your list, you might want to re-think getting one right away.

Fortunately, you can still enjoy good and comfortable transportation without having to compromise your savings, and yes, that’s by renting.

Our Platform:

My Garage Rentals is an online platform that offers neighbor to neighbor rentals, allowing its users to connect with a community of lenders within their local area, making finding the perfect item to rent easy.

Unlike the rest of the rental platforms mentioned in this article, My Garage Rentals offers its users the ability to rent almost anything, boasting not just one specific category but a wide variety to rent from.

You can also earn and start your own rental service with us by enlisting your items up for rent. You can earn each day your item is used; you control the duration and the security deposit, and sign up is absolutely free!

Take advantage and earn from the things you already own which are just lying around your room wasting precious space!

Click here to visit My Garage Rentals today to start renting: www.MyGarageRentals.com

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16 Essential Camping Gear You Should Rent to Save Money

Introduction

Camping can be a lot of fun, but it takes a full set of gear to fully enjoy the experience.

Depending on the type of camping, the total cost of a full set of gear can be a shocker for most.

For those pursuing camping as a hobby, filling up the inventory can be beneficial, since they will be using these items quite often.

But for those one-time campers, it might not be a good idea to spend for a whole bundle of gear, since they will barely be using these items again anyway.

That begs the question, what can the one-time camper do to save their wallets from complete obliteration while still enjoy the fully-equipped experience of camping?

Renting might just be the missing link you one-time campers are looking for.

Read on and find the answer to what I suppose your next question is, “Which camping gear should I rent?”

1. Tent

If you’re going on a camping trip that requires a tent, then yes, you can and should rent a tent.

A good strong and hefty tent will cost you a fortune, and unless you will be using the tent more often than not, renting one is indeed the smarter way to go.

2. Sleeping Bag

Again, depending on the kind of camping trip, the sleeping bag is a must-have when going out camping.

Unless the campsite you’re headed to has nothing but soft and smooth grass; without a sleeping bag, you will most likely be sleeping on rocks and dirt.

3. Camping/Hiking Bags or Backpacks

It is important to keep in mind the kind of bag or backpack you will bring. With a sturdy and durable backpack, you ensure the safety of your valuables from getting wet or falling off during the trails ahead.

The only issue is that good quality camping bags can be quite a costly item.

4. Lights

It can get dark at night, whether you’re camping out in the woods or on the mountains, the pitch-black darkness outdoors is nothing compared to the darkness we experience indoors.

A good source of light is a camper’s most trusted friend and is something you cannot forget to bring with you going camping.

5. Tools

There usually are specific tools for each specific kind of camping. But the general necessary tools for all camping consist of an axe, a multi-purpose knife, and a shovel.

You will need an axe for gathering up wood for a nice campfire, a swiss army knife for whipping up your canned goods and popping open your soda bottles, and the shovel for personal reasons I need not mention.

6. Portable Stove/Camping Grill

If you’re planning to car or RV camp, then you might want to take with you a portable stove or camping grill. With the vast storage space in your vehicle, taking with you a stove or a grill will not pose as a problem at all.

Stove and camping grills truly amp up the vehicle camping experience, there’s just something about it that adds to the already homey vibe of camping with an RV or a car.   

7. Water Filter

Not all camping activities will require you to bring a water filter. A water filter is more suited for those backpacking and hiking.

It’s important to know before heading out whether you will be passing by any riverbanks or lakes and whether these bodies of water might have bacteria and require a water filter or not.

8. Cooler

Another one for those planning on an RV, Outlander, or car camping trip.

It is highly suggested that you bring a cooler for your beverages and frozen goods!

Not all RV’s will have built-in refrigerators in them after all.

9. DSLR or Mirrorless HD Camera

While not all of us have the privilege of owning a DSLR or mirrorless camera due to its known immoderate pricing, the camera is still essential to have around when camping.

With the right camera and proper lens, you will be able to capture the memories and jaw-dropping sceneries from your camping trips in high-quality HD.

Someone has posted their Canon 5D right now for rent! Visit My Garage Rentals now and you can rent the camera for as low as $20 per day! Click here: https://bit.ly/3imfXg1

A Tamron 28-75mm lens is up for rent as well and you can rent it for as low as $10 per day! Click here to rent it today: https://bit.ly/33npDCK!

10. Storage

It’s always a good idea to have masculine and sturdy storage for your valuables when camping, it ensures the safety of your valuables while you roam around the woods or sleep in your tents or RV’s at night.

Portable storages are there to protect your things from getting wet from possible rain or from getting ravaged by any possible wildlife.

11. Portable Tables and Chairs

There won’t always be rocks and logs conveniently set up and placed for you to sit on as you gather around the campfire.

If you’re tent camping, car camping, or RV camping, then tables and chairs should be on your list of stuff to bring.

There are kinds of portable chairs and tables specifically built for outdoor camping too, these kinds are much sturdier than the conventional chairs and tables.

12. Smart Binoculars

Great tool for sight-seeing, bird watching, and spotting out other wildlife; some binoculars even reach far enough for you to have a closer look at the moon.

If your camping involves adventuring and a lot of hiking, the binoculars can be very useful for being on the lookout for the trail up ahead.

Smart Binoculars, compared to ordinary binoculars, provide GPS and WiFi. Some even allow you to take photos and videos.

Luckily, there’s a pair of smart binoculars available for rent right now at My Garage Rentals. Click here to rent it today!

13. Power Bank

The power bank should be very self-explanatory, it doesn’t take an Einstein to see the importance of its functions in the wild.

It’s very important to keep your phone charged up in case of an emergency and the power bank can help with just that. 

Our phones are more than just a way of contacting the emergency hotline, it works as our map and compass as well; with the GPS feature, finding your way back to the campsite will be a breeze. 

A power bank can also recharge our other devices like our AirPods for music and smartwatches, just to name a couple. I can’t stress enough how much convenience comes with bringing a power bank along with you as you camp.

14. Emergency Portable Generator

If you’re a writer like me who enjoys writing articles with the sound and the ambiance of nature in the surrounding, you will most likely be bringing your laptop.

An emergency portable generator will help power up your laptop and other electronic devices that need more electricity than a small power bank can hold.

These usually cost a lot, but renting them out instead of buying one brand new will make a huge difference.

15. Camping Clothes

Depending on the kind of camping you’ll be doing, such as backpacking, primitive, winter, or dry camping; camping clothes is a necessity.

Camping clothes can consist of a pair of boots, a jacket, gloves, cargo pants, and a cap. It’s a whole fashion statement. 

Depending on the brand, buying these overall may just cost you dearly. So we highly recommend you take advantage of My Garage Rentals and rent instead.

16. Portable Insect Repeller

The Insect Repeller is a great gear to drive out creepy crawlies and pesky mosquitoes away from your campsite, ensuring a more comfortable camping experience, especially during your sleep.

These machines don’t come cheap though, as a repeller can cost you roughly $80 or more brand new, depending on the brand.

Conclusion

In planning on a camping trip, it is important to first consider what type of camping you will be doing. 

As you’ve probably noticed in our article, we’ve mentioned that some of these items are only necessary for certain camping trips.

That being said, knowing the kind of camping trip you’re planning will determine the items you need on your list of things to bring.

Once you’ve completed your checklist, you can point out those you think you would benefit more from renting over buying.

You can utilize My Garage Rentals, a peer-to-peer rentals platform that offers rental services for any kind of gear, tool, or equipment!

Did we mention you could make money by joining My Garage Rentals too? Talk about hitting two birds with one stone; saving and making money that is.

If you own any of the items listed in our blog, you can list them for others to rent, making the opportunity to earn from your own belongings! 

It will also be doing a first-time or one-time camper a favor; by renting out your old but well-conditioned gears to them, you help them save a lot of money in the process!

Use our platform at www.MyGarageRentals.com to rent and save, or to rent and make money today!

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6 Tucson-Based Online Stores You Should Definitely Visit

Introduction

Stores and businesses are finally reopening here in Tucson, but it’s doing so only at a gradual pace. It’s rather slow but a good sight to see that businesses are bouncing back from this crisis.

While we wait in our homes for the economy to rise back up and for our favorite restaurants and shops to re-open, we can take advantage of the gift we call the world wide web.

While some stores weren’t allowed to re-open physically, operations were allowed to continue virtually.

Here are 6 Tucson-based online stores you should definitely visit.

My Garage Rentals

The first Tucson-based online peer-to-peer rental platform; My Garage Rentals seeks to connect the Tucson community, making it easier to rent from friends, neighbors, and other locals nearby with just a message away.

Whether it’s tools, musical instruments, kitchen utensils, or even cars, My Garage Rentals is the platform to rent anything under the sun.

It can be used to make money out of the tools and things we only use occasionally by lending them to others for a price of your choice.

It can also be great leverage for those looking to save money instead of buying something only needed momentarily; obviously, when you rent you pay less and in turn, you save.

Another reason you would use My Garage Rentals for would be to explore new hobbies. Like renting out a camera for example and just testing the waters of photography first. A lot of people set out to try new hobbies and end up letting go mid-way, already spending more than they should have.

I can go on and on about how My Garage Rentals is quite an efficient platform, there are countless benefits. But we’ll leave you to imagine and discover for yourself as you give this website a try.  

Sign up now and start renting! Click Here to visit My Garage Rentals today!

Pueblo Vida Brewing

Recently nominated for “Best Brewery of 2020” by Tucson Weekly, Pueblo Vida Brewing is known for its high-grade brewed craft beers.

Their tap list boasts of a wide variety of unique flavors ranging from their Bavarian-style Hefeweizen to Coffee Brown Ale.

Their beers are sold in cans, with each flavor owning their distinct artistic design.

And if you just can’t get enough of their amazing brew, you can always order an entire 1/6bbl keg.

We wouldn’t be giving Pueblo Vida Brewing enough justice if we did not acknowledge their kind and accommodating crew, which you will meet as you pick-up your order.

The staff shows how Pueblo Vida Brewing does not only desire to sell you their great tasting craft beer but that they seek all the more the satisfaction of the local community with every pick-up.

You can order their craft beer and their merchandise as well, head on over to their online store by clicking Here!

You can visit their official website for more details. Click Here to visit Pueblo Vida Brewing now!

Laura Tanzer

Winner of multiple awards such as the “Best of Tucson Clothing Designer of 2017 and 2019” and “Best Designer in Tucson Fashion Week 2013,” there is no denying the raw talent and passion of clothing designer Laura Tanzer.

Designing clothes since 2013, Laura Tanzer has always aimed at incorporating sustainability along with style and comfort in her designs.

Laura Tanzer flaunts a wide selection of clothing from various categories; from her latest Antique Linen Kimono Origami Jacket to her Convertible Knit Dress, every piece exhibiting their unique kind of chic.

Leaning towards the greener and more ecological approach; Laura Tanzer chooses to produce her clothing with sustainable natural fabric and donates the left-over tatters to schools, later to be used for art projects, according to Green Living Mag.

Did we mention that Laura Tanzer makes facemasks too? Talk about being safe with elegance and style!

Laura Tanzer is open for business online, you can order over at their website by clicking Here!

Old Paint Records

Good news for all of you classic music geeks living in the town of Tucson. Old Paint Records is up and running for online shopping.

For those of you newcomers in Tucson who haven’t heard of Old Paint Records, it’s a vinyl record shop and miscellaneous store found in Old Town Artisans.

They sell only classics in almost every genre; from Rock and Soul to Country and Blues, Hip-hop and Jazz to R&B and Punk, name it and they surely got it.

They have an impressive collection of only the most acceptable music for vinyl, some of these you may not even find elsewhere on the internet.

So even though you’re spending more time indoors, you can still slap a brand-new vinyl on your record player and dance to the likes of Marvin Gaye and Miles Davis.

You can purchase vinyl records and other Old Paint Records merchandise over at their website just by clicking Here!

El Be Goods Boutique

From handcrafted greeting cards to clothing and accessories, there is no lack with El Be Goods Boutique.

This is the perfect online store to go shopping for your girlfriend or your mom, being that most of their merchandise is targeted towards female consumers.

Just by looking at their products, you can very well tell that they were made with heartfelt effort.

Whether it’s a last-minute gift for someone or just a treat to cheer yourself up, El Be Goods Boutique is the store to shop.

Visit their website now and start shopping, click Here!

Or if you're willing to get out of the house to see their products in person, you can most certainly do so by setting an appointment on their available business days which are on Thursdays to Saturdays from 12 noon to 5 PM.

You can find El Be Goods Boutique at 245 E. Congress St. #115, Tucson, AZ 85701.

Shahida Parides

Founded by Shahida Clayton, this women’s contemporary clothing collection was birthed from a dream to make all of its wearers experience power, chic, and comfortability altogether.

Shahida’s style is breath-taking in a sense that it evidently expresses the elements of the desert and its dwellers, promoting the beauty that is found in Tucson while still revealing power and chic.

Shahida Parides has been responsible for several celebrities’ gowns, dresses, and tuxedos; Sofia Vegara, Kyle Richards, Lisa Vanderpump and Paris Hilton for example, have been spotted wearing Shahida Parides clothing.

Kaftans and Halter dresses are Shahida Parides’ specialty, we recommend that you have a look at their selections under these categories.

Shop with Shahida Parides online today, visit their website Here!

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Get Free Tools from any Store and Earn More from Them

You read that title right! And before you go and accuse this blog of being a scam, give it a chance and read on through. You will not regret this informative 3-minute read.

First off, a slight disclaimer, not all items or tools may prove effective with the use of this method. But later in the article, we’ll be giving you examples of tools that will actively work in applying what you’ll learn.

So, let’s get down to the nitty-gritty.

Everybody wants free stuff. But free things are hard to come by these days. While a majority of the world believes in the saying, “nothing in life comes free,” we, on the other hand, beg to differ.

There is indeed a way to get free stuff, and additionally, you can even earn from them over time and still call them your own.

Although this article will focus on one specific kind of tool, you can still take advantage of these steps with other items as well, so read on.

What tools are you buying?

The first thing to do is to determine what kind of tool you’re buying, whether it’s a hand tool or a power tool.

Strategically, you’d buy a tool you know to be useful for something you are working on now and for future projects.

Another thing you’d ideally have to give some thought on is whether the item will be something another person would use occasionally. 

There are various kinds of tools homeowners occasionally use but aren’t willing to purchase due to their price and the usage infrequency relative to that cost. 

Think of carpet cleaners for instance. Everybody wants nothing more than to have their carpets cleaned on a regular basis, but most people don’t purchase the cleaner because they only use it once a year. 

It’s also good to note that the heavier-duty the item, the better. Let’s take for instance a gas chainsaw; it’s heavy-duty and something a person would need on certain occasions and it’s probably something that most homeowners are not going to want to purchase, again due to the cost relative to the infrequency of use.

Find the best and closest hardware store or visit their website.

The next obvious step is to visit the hardware store of your choice. We would suggest you choose the closest one, just to be on the safe and convenient side.

And if you’re uncomfortable going out in public, for safety and health reasons, you can always opt to visit your favorite hardware store’s website. The best hardware stores often have an official e-commerce website where you can order their products online.

We suggest these well-known hardware stores; Lowe’s, Home Depot, Ace Hardware, and Do it Best, all of which have websites and offer ship-to-home delivery services.

For this method to work effectively, we suggest that you refrain from choosing to buy from hardware stores that vend cheap and less durable products, i.e., Harbor Freight.

Durability matters.

Like we mentioned above, you need to consider purchasing more durable products; that way, you’re able to take advantage of the tools much longer and earn more from it over time.

So again, consider the quality of the tool you will be getting. Suggestively, you would purchase an item that costs more on the lines of $200 and above. These are usually much longer-lasting than others.

For the sake of this article, we’re going to use the gas chainsaw as an example. 

We can look at this Husqvarna 455 Rancher 20-in 55.5-cc 2-Cycle Gas Chainsaw for instance, which costs $475.99, found at Lowe’s official website.

And before you go complain and say, “I thought you said this was how to get free tools? Why are you telling me to buy then?” Well, we’ll get to that in the following paragraphs.

Put your item up for rent.

Now that you have a new gas chainsaw, the money-making part is putting it up for rent online.

My Garage Rentals is a great peer-to-peer rental platform you can use to put any of your personal belongings up for rent, whether it’s used or brand new.

Registration is easy, and listing your item up for rent is just as simple.

My Garage Rentals allows its users full control over the item’s rental duration; this can come in handy for when you need your tools back during a specific time. 

You aren’t only in full control over how much your item will be priced per day, but you also get to choose how much the security deposit will be.

Utilize your item.

And now that you have your chainsaw listed on My Garage Rentals for rent, all that’s left to do is to wait and hope for a customer nibble. 

The waiting part is when you use your chainsaw for whatever it is you need it for, and when someone requests it on My Garage Rentals, that’s when you have it prepared for rental and ready to go.

The best part about it is that it doesn’t have to just be power tools or DIY equipment. 

My Garage Rentals caters to any type of item that falls under any type of category, be it a camera, professional audio, sports gear, camping equipment, you name it.

Just make sure that it is something a renter will find useful, or else you may end up unlucky in finding customers.

Conclusion

So, if you’ve been hesitating on buying that heavy-duty tool that you’ve been eyeing for so long, terrified by what was written on the price tag, fret no more!

If you have the money now, I say, “just get it!”

Hardware stores often take tools that cost around $400 in retail and have them rented for $60/day. If you followed this same model on My Garage Rentals, with some patience, you could pay for that tool after renting it out 7 times. Then it will just be pocket money from thereon.

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10 Ways to Earn from What You Have Lying Around the House

What is it that most Americans have in their homes that can be both an advantage and a disadvantage at the same time?

It's having too many things in their homes and not know what to do with them.

According to the LA Times, there are 300,000 items in the average American home.

While this is something to be concerned about, it too can be beneficial as we continue to spend more time at home during this season.

After you read this article you will be surprised at how most of the stuff you have lying around your homes can be good sources of income. 

Here are 10 ways you can earn from what you have lying around your house:

1. Sell and Deliver Food

Is your refrigerator running? Well, you better catch it because food is number one on our list.

Selling food has never been made simpler thanks to e-commerce marketplaces like Shopify, Ecwid, and Facebook Marketplace. People have taken to these websites to sell their fresh, frozen, and baked goods.

You will have to look for a meat supplier first if you’re planning on selling either frozen meat or packed cooked meals. But the internet cannot make that step any easier than it already is with just a Google search.

If it’s vegetables you’re choosing to sell, various articles and videos online provide a step-by-step guide on how to grow leafy greens and root crops in your backyard. For instance, Thompson & Morgan have a whole article on the Top 10 Easy to Grow Veg, Fruit & Salad.

2. Sell Stored Photos and Videos

If you’re a photographer, videographer, or a graphic artist, you may still have some unused media all stocked up in your hard drive.

Why not put them to good use instead of just leaving them there, taking up storage?

Phillips accepts photos, paintings, graphics, and artworks of any kind, which they will be posting up for auction online.

And if you’re a little intimidated by the whole auction bonanza, you can always opt to sell your work on media stock sites like Adobe Stock, Shutterstock, and Getty Images, to name a few.

3. Sell Original Music

Musicians are at a leveled advantage during these times. If you have your instrument with you, which I’m sure you do because you are a musician. And once you have your recording equipment ready, with just a bit of hard work you will be making money in no time.

Soundtradr helps musicians publish their original work online and allows them a platform to sell.

TuneCore, on the other hand, can help you spread your music through the vast majority of social media and music platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, Youtube Music, TikTok, and oodles more.

The best part is, TuneCore promises that 100% of the revenue you earn from your music goes solely to you. In other words, they do not get a single cut from your work, zilch.

4. Sell Arts and Crafts, Sculptures and DIY Projects

If you’re into arts and crafts, DIY, clay sculpting, or woodworking; surely, you’ve got your chisel set and crafting tools with you at home.

Marketing platforms such as Facebook Marketplace, Shopify, and Ecwid can help you sell your handmade projects online. All you have to do is go through an easy signup and listing your items up for sale should be a piece of cake from there!

Not to mention there's Etsy, another e-shop website made especially for original and unique handcrafted items.

5. Rent Your Dogs

This might come out as strange to you, but hear us out! Renting your dog to others could actually do you some use.

This allows you to finally be able to clean up the house, finish a project you never thought you could finish, or just lay back on your couch to watch Netflix without worrying about walking the dog, feeding him, or cleaning up his poops for a certain amount of days.

Additionally, Borrow My Doggy provides its lenders with user feedback from other dog renters which you can review. This gives you the peace of mind knowing that your dog is in good hands.

6. Blog or Sell Your Writing

Everyone's a writer nowadays, even those who never really studied writing attest they are writers. In that case, let me tell you that you can earn in the security of your own home by writing!

An article by Vanessa Gowora states that the highest-paid blogger of 2019, Gina Horkey, founder of the Horkey Handbook blog, earns roughly $25,000. Although you won't instantly be making that sum of money writing blogs at the beginning, writing as early as now can give you a head start toward there.

You can also have your work published as an e-book over at Amazon if you're confident your writing deserves to get out there.

7. Sell Your Old Toys

Toys are another addition to our list of items to earn from! Whether you're a collector, a father, or mother, or just have that old toy from when you were younger, you can always choose to sell those old toys or figurines online.

Neat Stuff Collectibles is a website made especially for hobbyists and toy owners to sell their toys online. Or you can always just post your toys up for sale on Facebook Marketplace or on Facebook “Buy and Sell” Groups, like The LEGO® Group.

8. Sell Your Old Books

Do you have way too many used books? Do you need to make more room on your shelf for newer ones? You may want to consider finally letting go of some of those older books of yours.

Amazingly, you don't have to feel the bitterness or guilt when you choose to de-clutter away. Thanks to a few websites we found online, throwing your books away doesn’t have to be an option!

Decluttr is a great way to sell your used hardbound books online! They even allow you to sell other things of other categories too, i.e. LEGO toys and old DVD’s.

Bookscouter, on the other hand, focuses more on the buying and selling of textbooks; although, in some cases, they’d still allow you to sell hardbound books.

Now, if you’re the kind-hearted sort of fellow and wish to have your books donated instead, you can do so at BetterWorldBooks. But in case you happen to change your mind, you can also choose to sell your books there as well. 

9. Rent Your Stuff

You read that right! Anything in your house that you deem useful, can most probably generate some income.

How you ask? With the help of My Garage Rentals, you can post your tools, bicycle, toys, your guitar, DSLR camera, and many more up for rent for people to use and for you to benefit from.

My Garage Rentals consists of a community of trustworthy lenders and provides its users with safe and secure transactions.

You can always review a lender or renter’s profile for feedbacks and comments, this helps steer you toward verified and careful borrowers.

10. Rent Your Home

If you've checked your entire house and have not seen a single thing you can use to benefit from, even with the help of the websites we've shared with you here; then we're left to say, use your house!

Utilize AirBnB or Vrbo for when you’re going out for the weekends to visit your mother’s, or perhaps have your resting home or your vacation house rented while you’re not there.

Just make sure you have the place sanitized afterward or at least check if your renters are healthy, just to be on the safe end.

Conclusion

These are just some of the many ways you can take advantage of your stuff, we’re sure there are countless more out there.

What do you think of our list? Let us know if there's something we've missed that you think should be on this list. But we sure hope this helps you get-by during this time of crisis.

For anything rental-related, message us on our Facebook page or visit us at My Garage Rentals.

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5 Ways to Earn During the Pandemic

These are difficult and trying times, not just health-wise but also wealth-wise. Multiple businesses have been forced to shut down, employees have lost their jobs, and the rest of the economy is falling in a downward spiral. The unemployment rate in the US alone has skyrocketed to an all-time high since April, says a statistic from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. But it isn’t the end of the world, and even though it may probably take a really long time, we will definitely bounce back from this crisis. In the mean-time here are 5 ways to earn extra cash while coping with the pandemic.

Create Something and Sell It

An anonymous person wrote, “The desire to create is one of the deepest yearnings of the human soul.” There is something about our human nature that drives us to create something and to gain satisfaction from it. From toddlers with their Lego pieces to adults who practice robotics, we all have our own way of creating things. Most of the time we won’t even have to leave the house to create, making this an outstanding way to earn some extra cash during these times! 

If you’re a handyman for example and you’re into woodwork, or an arts and crafts kind of person; websites like Etsy can help you sell your own personal homemade creations online. Creating an account is easy and posting a product up for sale is oversimplified for its users. Depending on what you make or how many, you can earn a lot; but just like everything, it takes persistence and perseverance to see the results. 

Offer Work and Services Online

If you’re into graphic design or photography, there are multiple websites that allow you to post your artwork online for sale as stock photos. Adobe Photos, Shutterstock, Unsplash, or Pexels are some of the best websites you can visit to upload your artwork for sale. 

Or why not apply as a virtual assistant, a content writer, a social media manager, video editor, or an online tutor? Websites like UpWork and LinkedIn can help you easily find work online, all you have to do is to create a profile that includes your resume and you’re good to go. According to an article we found in statista.com, about 160 million people in the United States since April 2020 have used LinkedIn to find work.

Offer Your Services to Neighbors

Living in a neighborhood means having a lot of opportunities. Offering to mow your neighbor’s lawn is actually a brilliant way to earn some extra money, and it’s not even that hard. You can water their plants, walk their dogs around, or do their grocery shopping for them. If you know a bit about plumbing or carpentry, offer to do repairs. If you’re on the way to buy food, offer your neighbors to buy their food or beverages for them, just charge them a bit but don’t overprice it! 

Sell Things You Don’t Use Anymore

Everyone’s got something lying around their house they no longer need or will probably never use again. These items may be useless to you, but they could be worth something to others. With websites like Craigslist, Offerup, or Facebook Marketplace, it's easy to sell items. With these websites, finding buyers within close vicinity will not be a problem at all. 

Rummage through your box of old things in the attic, clean out your basement, or ravage the toolbox in your garage. I’m sure there’s at least one thing they're worth selling and don’t tell me I’m wrong because you know I’m not.

Rent Out Your Things

If you’re not comfortable selling the items and equipment you have lying around your house, you can always have them rented out instead. With a website like My Garage Rentals, having your things rented out online is made possible. Maybe rent out that old vacuum you don’t use anymore or that old camera you’ve forgotten about. Creating an account is a breeze. User profiles and feedback are there to ensure that a renter is genuine and takes excellent care of what they rent. 

My Garage Rentals is a sure-fire way to earn money, especially during this pandemic, since people would rather rent than having to risk their health darting into crowded malls just to buy something brand-new that they’ll most likely only need once. So, clear out your garages and start renting out your stuff today, click here for more details.

Conclusion

Milton Berle said, “If opportunity doesn’t knock, build a door.” There’s always a way to earn money out there, you just have to get up on your own two feet, you’ve got to stop sulking about the economy, and make something out of what you have lying around. There are many ways to earn money during tough times like this and there still are many more out there. Opportunities are everywhere, and this virus shouldn’t limit us or stop us from taking them.

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Ride-On Mowers: Lawn Tractor and Zero-Turn

Ride-on mowers are great for the lawn and are a very fun way to manage it. But when thinking of purchasing one, there are things you ought to consider first before laying down your cash, after all, ride-on mowers are no funny business when it comes to pricing. In this article, we will compare the two types of ride-on mowers, we will talk about their advantages and disadvantages. Hopefully, at the end of this article, you would have decided which mower to go with.

Lawn Tractor vs Zero-Turn

Choosing between getting a lawn tractor or a zero-turn lawn mower may depend on how big your yard is. It will also depend on whether or not your yard has hills, trees, rocks, and other obstructions that may get in the way of your mowing. Although both lawn mowers are powerful, agile, and efficient; versatility and mobility can vary between the two. Let’s find out exactly which mower is best suited for you and your lawn.

Lawn Tractor

Lawn tractors are controlled through a steering wheel, making it easy for beginners to learn. The controls are user-friendly, maneuvering will feel as comfortable as driving a car. Versatility is a major factor in lawn tractors, being that you have the capability of installing attachments that will help you with other yard work such as snow blowing, spraying, or mulch spreading; some even make great storage and carriers of hefty objects like logs, rocks, or tree branches. Lawn tractors work very well with yards that have hills; they remain rather stable when driving over them.

The only downside to the lawn tractor is its mobility. Compared to the zero-turn, the lawn tractor can be quite the slow-poke in making those turns as it has a tight turning radius. You may have to do some parallel driving and reversing to get yourself back on track. Due to that tight turn radius, you can expect small patches of grass to be left uncut.

Looking to purchasing your own lawn tractor? We recommend the John Deere E160, powered by a 24 horse-power, V-Twin extended life series engine. This machine goes the extra mile in doing its job with this engine. It's designed with a three-bladed deep deck that lifts grass for a superior cut. You can get one over at their website for the affordable list price of only $2,349.00.

https://www.deere.com/en/mowers/lawn-tractors/100-series/e160-lawn-tractor/

Zero-Turn

A zero-turn lawn mower, also known as ZTR, is known for its zero turning radius, hence the name. While a lawn tractor is controlled through a steering wheel, a zero-turn is most of the time steered with two handlebars. This type of mower is designed to make it easier for you to navigate around obstructions such as trees and rocks. These lawnmowers are more agile when comparing to the lawn tractor. Due to its zero-turn feature, reversing and turning around is a breeze. Visibility is one of the advantages of having a ZTR. Since there is no engine in-front blocking your field of vision, pivoting through obstacles is a piece of cake.

The downside of using a zero-turn is the navigation, it can take some getting used to since you won’t be using a steering wheel to maneuver. Also, unlike the lawn tractor, the zero-turn does not allow attachments, it was made for the sole purpose of mowing your lawn. Another downside would be that these mowers aren't as great with slopes as the lawn tractor is, when in fact, they can be quite shaky at that.

If you’re looking for an affordable yet quality zero-turn riding mower, the Troy-Bilt Mustang Fit Riding Lawn Mower is the mower for you. With only $2,599.99 on Amazon, you can enjoy the features of a 34-inch deck and a powerful 452cc engine.  

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06WWL8J3D?tag=tool-deals-us-20

Conclusion

If your only purpose for getting a lawnmower is to mow your lawn, then we recommend you go for the zero-turn. Its turning radius is going to be a big help in efficiently mowing your lawns, not to mention maneuvering around trees and large rocks.

If you're looking for a multi-purpose mower that can help you even in snow conditions, the lawn tractor is a perfect choice. The layout of your yard is also something to consider when choosing which type of mower to get. If your yard has hills, the lawn tractor can advantageously handle those slopes.

Find purchasing a new lawnmower too expensive, why not rent one out instead? Rent the Exmark Lazer Z Series Zero-turn Riding Mower today for only $150 per day! And if you're the guy who's got way too many lawnmowers in the shed and have no idea what to do with them, you can have them rented on this site as well! Check out www.mygaragerentals.com now for more details.

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Drivers for Dummies: A Newbie Guide to Drills and Drivers

Just like everything else in the market, it’s only wise that you do a bit of research first before buying your power tools and in this article, we’re going to be focusing specifically on drills. This article was formed to better help you, our reader, to decide on what to spend your hard-earned bucks on.

Corded and Cordless Drills

Drills are power tools that excel in drilling holes into wood, concrete, and steel. If you ever decide to purchase a drill to add to your shop, you will eventually come across a dilemma whether to get a cordless drill or a corded one. When considering which drill to purchase, it’s important to keep in mind the difference between the two.

Corded Drills

Corded drills traditionally have more torque and a higher RPM (revolution per minute) and can be exploited for longer use without shutting off. You would often use a corded drill for heavy-duty work in drilling holes in wood, concrete, and steel. These are usually powered by a 110 to 120-volt electric cord.

Cons: Having a corded drill could mean having to lug around extension cords, due to most corded drills being installed with only a 6-ft wire. You will also have to be constantly pulling on the cord to unplug it when moving around your shop, and that might be frustrating.

Pros: One thing to consider when starting out doing DIY projects is that corded drills are essentially more affordable compared to cordless drills, a big factor on why is because you won’t be required to buy any extra batteries and not having to worry about battery life and recharging.

If you’re considering purchasing a corded drill, we recommend that you go for the Black and Decker DR260C Corded Drill. This light-weighted corded drill does a bang-up job in drilling into wood, masonry, and metal, with the 5.2 amp power it produces. It also provides ample variable speed for good control during drilling and driving.

https://www.amazon.com/BLACK-DECKER-Corded-5-2-Amp-DR260C/dp/B00T2VJ93C

Cordless Drills

Cordless drills, on the other hand, are battery-powered and don’t require you to plug them into any outlets. Its battery life depends on the amp per hour; the greater the amp per hour, the longer the battery life.  Unlike corded drills, cordless ones have either a 3/8 or ½ inch sized clutch that enables them to drill and drive with a bit stripping/snapping preventive mechanism. Cordless drills can be used to drill holes into wood, concrete, and metal. You can also use them to screw in fasteners.

Cons: Cordless drills are a much bigger investment because you will be purchasing as many batteries as you have tools and each battery can cost you at least $60. You can also expect compatibility problems as not all batteries will be compatible with your drill. Another itch you’ll encounter is the running out of battery life and having to recharge them from time to time.

Pros: You can work from point A to point B without having to worry about tripping on its cord and lugging extension cords around. As long as you have good quality drills and batteries, cordless drills can be very reliable and powerful to work with, they are also traditionally more durable as compared to corded drills. The clutch mechanism in a cordless drill is adjustable to your preferred setting where a corded drill would normally have a fixed clutch. In terms of longevity, the brushless motors found in cordless drills can perform more efficiently than that of the corded.

If you're just starting out and looking for a quality yet affordable cordless drill, we recommend the Makita XT269M. Its efficient BL brushless motor is electronically controlled to optimize battery energy use to up to 50% longer run-time per charge. It has a 2-variable speed ½ inch Hammer Driver Drill. It is equipped with a max torque and its light-weighted to only 4.2 pounds including the battery. You can purchase a combo kit for only $249.00 on Amazon.

https://www.amazon.com/Makita-XT269M-Lithium-Ion-Brushless-Cordless/dp/B01IB4NALM

Hammer Drill

A hammer drill or impact drill is traditionally used for drilling in hard materials such as concrete, brick, and stone. Although some hammer drills are equipped with a setting that allows you to switch to a non-hammering mode, it is highly discouraged that you use it to drill into wood.  

Hammer drills can be a bit over on the pricey end when comparing with regular drills. They are also more substantial in mass when we talk about the ergonomics. But when it comes to its functionality, versatility, and durability, and depending on its brand, hammer drills are worth your penny.

We highly recommend the DeWalt DCD996P2 if you’re looking to getting the best quality hammer drill out there. This tool produces high-performance transmission for fast application speeds and improved run time. Its highly efficient brushless motors deliver up to 57 percent more run time over brushed motors. 

https://www.amazon.com/DEWALT-DCD996P2-Lithium-Brushless-3-Speed/dp/B01DR90NA2

Impact Driver

Impact drivers are mainly used for driving in screws that require a lot of torque. These tools are equipped with a hammering-like-mechanism that pushes forward its screw bit in the actual circular rotation of the chuck. More than just driving in screws, the impact driver also loosens up screws that may have been tightened up too much or have been stuck due to over-torque.

These drivers can pack a powerful punch and, in some instances, are capable of snapping screw bits off in half. If we compare this with a decent cordless drill that, let’s say, produces around 60Nm (Newton Meter, the unit for torque) force, then an impact driver will produce about 150Nm.

If you’re just starting out in the DIY world and are looking to getting your first impact driver. We highly recommend the DeWalt DCF885C1 impact driver. It’s affordable, it’s powerful, and it’s not complex at all to use.  Ergonomically speaking, it's quite compact, only taking up 5.55 inches, front to back, and is light-weighted with 2.8 pounds (excluding battery). You can get one for $99 at Home Depot or on Amazon.

https://www.amazon.com/DEWALT-DCF885C1-20V-Impact-Driver/dp/B01LBT3AZU

Facing a dilemma on which drill to buy? Why not borrow one instead of purchasing one brand new? Many DIY-ers collect a whole lot of tools and they’re prone to forgetting about the older ones they still have lying around their garage. My Garage Rentals gives them the opportunity to still make use of these tools by having them rented on the site. And you can rent them out yourself. While you’re still thinking on which drill to invest your money on, why not rent one for a day and for an affordable price? Rent a Hammer Drill today for only $30.00 per day. 

https://www.mygaragerentals.com/