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Cheap Tory Burch Handbags and my personal Fashion Faux Pas

January 19th, 2012

Michelle

It is always hard to admit to stupidity. But as I already told you in one of my previous posts I made myself a victim of counterfeiting. While I was on an online shopping spree I had a closer look at a number of Tory Burch Handbags that were offered for a really good price. The thing is, the offer wasn’t one of these “too good to be true” bogus deals. It was a great price but still reasonable enough for me not to see any red flags. But they were there – I just ignored them. Or in other words I should have done my due diligence before actually placing the order.

Tory Burch Handbags On Sale

I am not sure if I am legally allowed to mention the website I was buying from and expose them as a scam. However, what I am absolutely willing to do is to point you into the right direction. When you run an online search a la “Tory Burch Handbags For Sale” you will get a list of websites and some of them will look rather familiar. Specifically, Neiman Marcus, the original Tory Burch Website of course and a couple of other rather unsuspicious names. But then, already on the first page of the Google results, you will find a number of sites that may sound and look like authorized Burch affiliates, yet, they have absolutely nothing to do with the manufacturer.

I want to show you something that is rather interesting and will tell you a lot about the magnitude of this problem. Have a look at the screenshot below:

What you see here refers to the so called US DMCA (Digital Millenium Copyright Act). Under this law an entity can file a claim regarding copyright infringement with Google. Google will then follow up on the alleged infringement and take the appropriate action. Now when you actually follow the link to the complaint you will see a whole list of sites that used Tory Burch’s company logo (the “TT”) without having Burch’s authorization or even feature counterfeit products on their sites (click here).

Fake Tory Burch Bags

Now here is the issue. Most of those websites – I’ve been on a few of them – actually look like actual Tory Burch online stores. The double T is usually prominently displayed in the header and all the product images are the exact same that you can find on Burch’s regular website.

However, there are a couple of red flags as I had mentioned earlier in this post. Sometimes the discounts that are being offered are just ridiculously low. It wouldn’t make any sense to sell a product of that quality for such a low price. It’s like somebody offers you a Kindle for $10 – you would immediately know that there is an issue with that. That’s pretty much what happens here.

But it gets a little bit more deceiving when those scam artists are smart enough to price their products in a way that a customer assumes he is getting a great deal – what you will see is price reductions that are very good, yet, still reasonable. So there’s really nothing that would make you suspicious of the offer. And that’s exactly what happened to me….

I came across this one website that was named something like “toryburchoutlet-us.com” (I’m not sure if this is the exact name, this website doesn’t exist anymore….surprise, isn’t it?). It actually looked almost like an exact copy of the original Tory Burch website. I even read their FAQs and there was not a single mention that they were not an authentic and authorized Tory Burch Store. Long story short, I placed my order and I got everything for about 35% less than the actual retail price. It sounded reasonable and since there were even some customer reviews (later on it became clear to me that those were faked, too), I thought that this website was a credible and reliable source.

I received my order a couple of days later, but just looking at the box I thought that there was something weird going on. I had ordered two Tory Burch Handbags (actually, it was a handbag and a Tory Burch Purse) and a pair of shoes. All three items turned out to be counterfeits. They were definitely not authentic, I know that for a fact because I already own the same pair of Tory Burch Revas and one of the handbags is the exact same model my friend has since a couple of years. The worst part is, those counterfeit products didn’t even look good, those were just very cheap copies. I can’t tell you how annoyed I was but anyway, it was a lesson learned.

Where to buy an authentic Tory Burch Bag

Of course buying via the Tory Burch Website is the safest way to get you clothing and accessories. In addition to that, there are a number of trusted sources, and one of which we can highly recommend is shopsense/shopstyle. This merchant is affiliated with trustworthy and known retailers such as Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue, etc. Here is a small selection on what they have to offer on Tory Burch Handbags:

Tory Burch

Okay, I hope you found this helpful. By the way, in case you come across an unauthorized website that sells Tory Burch Purses, bags, clothing, or any kind of merchandise – or if you want to report a counterfeited product – use this email address and contact the Tory Burch Company directly:

enforcement@toryburch.com.

Big Time Savings During A Tory Burch Sale

January 8th, 2012

Well, at this point you probably figured that I am a huge Tory Burch fan, especially if you read my other articles about this designer. But today I don’t want to go in detail on certain products, but specifically talk about a way that allows you to save some serious money on Tory Burch Fashion.

Beware of Tory Burch Outlet Scams

A lot of people are looking for a Tory Burch Outlet. It makes sense, usually an outlet is a great place to get discounts. However, I have yet to come across with an actual, meaning physical, outlet that carries this brand’s products. And admittedly, this is a little bit confusing, because even on Tory Burch’s website there is a mention on Tory Burch Outlet Stores. However, while there are of course many regular stores all over the country and even abroad, I was unable to locate an “Outlet”.

Tory Burch Outlet

This causes a whole host of issues – many people, including myself, became victims of counterfeiting. When you go online and search for “Tory Burch Outlet” you will see plenty of websites that use that term in their title, ergo you would think that they are associated with Burch and therefore authentic and legitimate. But they aren’t. They may look and feel like they offer genuine Burch merchandise because use pictures of original TB products, of Tory Burch herself and the company’s logo. On top of that, they offer unbelievable discounts, sometimes up to 75% off the regular retail price. That is simply too good to be true but unfortunately people keep falling for these scams. Of course, this is extremely annoying for us customers, but also for Tory Burch. She did announce on her site that she will criminal and civil legal actions against counterfeiters. To read more about this topic of, click here (this link will take you to the “Counterfeiting FAQ” section on Tory Burch’s official website).

How you can shop safely for Tory Burch Sales

Tory Burch

So as we just learned, please stay clear off these offers that are just completely unreasonable. What you get is fake and mediocre products that are just cheap copies of Tory Burch products and you throw your money out of the window.

Tory Burch Sale

In my opinion, the only safe way to shop for Tory Burch Sales online is via her official website. I know that many people feel that there must be better deals somewhere else, but the fact of the matter is, there aren’t, unless of course you go shopping in an actual (and authentic!) Tory Burch Store nearby you. But as for the online part, make sure you only shop from the original TB website. It features a special “Sales” sections for each of the following product categories:

Clothing
Shoes
Handbags and Accessories

And this is where you can save some real money on legitimate, genuine Tory Burch merchandise. Click here to hop over there and check out the offers (yes, this link too will get you to the official Tory Burch site!). Remember, you have to select any of the aforementioned categories to get to the respective “Sales” – here is a screenshot that illustrates the right way:

Real example on saving on a Tory Burch Sale

Tory Burch Sales Shopping Bag

Okay, I will now take you guys with me on a little shopping tour and show you how much you can actually save. My objective was to get a nice little extra outfit for my new job that I will start in early February. I saved up a little bit ($500) and browsed through the currently available Tory Burch Sales and was pleasantly surprised because it seems that at this time of the year the selection is broader than ever. I might be wrong but it seems there are more products than usual on sale – maybe it’s because they need to make space for a new season and therefore get rid of the “old” stuff. But again, I don’t know that for sure it just appears that there are more items right now on sale than during the summer for instance. Anyway, so here is what I put in my shopping cart and how much I saved in per item and in total on this particular order:

Tory Burch Sale Savings

Pretty good, isn’t it? And if my math is not completely off, that’s a total of 30% savings on these Tory Burch Sales.

Conclusion

Like most for most of us, money is always and issue and I’m willing to go out of my way to get a good deal. However, I am not willing to compromise on quality. Therefore, if I want to get in on a Tory Burch Sale, I make sure that I only buy from her regular website. As I told you in the before, I once fell for a scam but that won’t happen again. If you come across with an offer that just seems to be too good, chances are it’s a counterfeiter.

Work at Home Scams

January 3rd, 2012

Michelle

In today’s tough economy, there are many people out there who are looking for opportunities to make money from home. Some people are interested in augmenting their income, while others may need to replace income from a lost job. Sadly, the more people there are looking for work at home jobs, the more people there will be trying to scam them. And unfortunately, someone desperate to more money is more likely to fall for a scam.

There are many different types of work at home scams. Some scammers require the home worker to pay exorbitant fees for training or material. Other’s may say promise a certain rate of hourly pay, but pay by piecework – and the home worker may find it impossible to complete enough work in an hour to earn a fair rate. A company may require many hours of unpaid training and not specify how many hours that training may be. Scams like these can cost victims hours of lost time and sometimes thousands of dollars.

Work At Home Scams

It’s important to remember that work at home scams often prey on your desperation to earn cash quickly. They often promise that lots of money can be made quickly with a minimal amount of effort. Scams like this include product reshipping. Typically, the home worker is sent merchandise which needs to be repacked and shipped to another address – often at the worker’s expense. The company will explain that they refund the money spent, and that the worker will be making a substantial amount of money for their effort. What they don’t tell you is that the merchandise is stolen, making you an accomplice to a crime – and the promised payment never comes.

You can avoid falling prey to scams like this by not accepting any jobs that offer high pay for little effort. If a company is asking you to pay for a start up kit, look elsewhere. No legitimate company will require that you pay before offering you a job. If you’re interested in working from home, there are a few things you can do to avoid becoming the victim of a work at home scam. For one, never give your personal information to an unfamiliar person or company. You should only give your information to a company after you’ve confirmed that they are in fact legitimate. One way to do that is by checking them out through the Better Business Bureau. See if the company has complaints against it; if there are you should avoid entering into an agreement. Furthermore, any serious work at home company will be able to provide information to prove their legitimacy. If the company is not willing to provide references, then beware!

Work At Home On Your Own Schedule

January 3rd, 2012

Michelle

Because of the internet and home computer, it’s easier than ever to work from home. If you don’t want to sacrifice your time with your family to your career, working at home can allow you to continue helping out with household finances. It’s also possible to start your own home business that can allow you to be much more successful than you were working for someone else.

There are many companies who offer work at home and telecommuting opportunities. You get the convenience of working in the comfort of your home while they benefit by not having to pay for office space and material. While customer service positions are being outsourced more and more, companies are still looking for people to do data entry, management services and accounting. It’s actually been shown that home-based employees tend to work faster than those in an office setting. The company benefits by only paying for completed work, rather than paying by the hour to workers standing around the water cooler.

Working At Your Own Schedule

But office and administrative work aren’t the only options out there for those who wish to work at home. For example, mystery shoppers are a great market research tool for companies who wish to improve their services. While perhaps not technically a “stay at home” position, you do avoid having to go into the office each day. Mystery shoppers are paid by posing as a regular customer and then reporting on the experience to the office or to a market research company. You will usually be paid for your time and travel.

Another favorite work at home option in the market research niche is filling in online surveys. There are people who make a significant amount of money by participating in this, as companies are eager to receive reliable and unbiased opinions on their services. This is a great job for those with little experience, as there is very little needed in the way of qualifications. If you can use the internet and know how to point and click with a mouse, you can fill out surveys.

Some work at home opportunities require specific qualifications while others are great for entry level workers. For many, the only requirement is that you have a computer with internet, and perhaps a printer. Of course, knowing how to use a computer and a few basic skills like word processing and internet knowledge will help give you better opportunities. A teleconferencing program like Skype can be helpful, too.

Finding a job that allows you to work at home is no different from searching for a regular office job, and telecommuting from home can often pay better than a traditional office job. If you are eager to find a job that allows you to work at home, it’s time to polish up your resume and make sure you have a good internet connection.

Work at Home Doing Internet Marketing

January 3rd, 2012

Michelle

Internet marketing is very lucrative work at home business option. But many people are confused as to just what internet marketing is, exactly. The fact is that IM can mean different things to different people, and there are a variety of ways that it can be done. Basically, the name covers any type of marketing of products or services online. No matter what your interests or skills, there is sure to be a type of internet marketing that appeals to you.

A lot of people associate internet marketing with scams and spamming. This is not what we’re talking about. IM has been given a bad rap by unethical – or black hat – marketers who send spam emails and create pages of misleading information to try to game the search engines and bring more traffic to their websites. It doesn’t have to be that way – all of the following types of internet marketing are legal and ethical.

Internet Marketing

The most basic type of internet marketing is to sell a product of your own. There are two main types of product that are sold online, physical products and information products. You might make candles and sell them on your own e-commerce site, or you may write articles as freelancer and sell them online to other websites. Maybe you’ll want to write an ebook on flyfishing, and sell it online. Or you can scrounge garage sales and local thrift shops, and then sell your best finds on an online auction site. You might even build websites to sell to other marketers who don’t care to build their own.

What if you don’t have anything of your own to sell? Well, you can sell things that belong to someone else to earn a small commission. This is the premise behind affiliate marketing. Many large e-commerce sites have affiliate programs and are happy to share the profits with you if you are willing to market their products to others. Basically, you’ll need to sign up for their program, and you’ll be given special coded links to their products. Build websites to market the product, and when a customer buys a product after clicking on one of your links, you get paid. Affiliate marketing is available for physical products and information products. In fact, information products like e-books often pay large percentages to their affiliates.

A popular form of internet marketing lately is flipping websites. Much like flipping real estate, investors buy virtual real estate in the form of web pages. The goal is to buy a simple page for a low price, do a bit of work to monetize it and increase the traffic, and then sell it for a profit. There are now entire auction sites build up to allow people the opportunity to buy and sell websites.

Internet marketing does take a few skills. Being able to write a simple article can be a great help, although you can pay to have other people write articles for you. Likewise, you will eventually need to learn how to build simple websites and some basic html, although there are free web page and blog sites you can use to get started. If you’re looking to augment your income are looking for a way to quit your job and start working for yourself at home, internet marketing may be for you.

Start Your Own Work At Home Business

January 3rd, 2012

Michelle

Are you tired of spending your days working to make money for someone else? Have you ever thought about quitting and starting your own home business? Before you take the plunge, you should realize that running a home business is a lot of work – probably a lot more work than you do at your current job. On the other hand, working for yourself doing something that you love can make the hard work worth the trouble. If you’re thinking of starting your own work at home business, you should take the following into account.

1. What business are you interested in doing? Are there any zoning requirements in your area? Are there any laws you need to be aware of?

2. Will your home business be part time or full time? If you’re considering something part time, will it allow you to continue at your current job? Will you be able to devote as much time as you need?

3. Will your business need any investment? Consider any licensing, insurance, equipment, or advertising. How about operating costs like accounting services?

4. Draw up a chart with any risks that may be involved.

5. Will you need any type of classes or training before starting your business? Will there be ongoing training?

6. Do you know anyone who does this job or who has a successful work at home business that would be willing to mentor you?

: Work From Home

Once you’ve got the answer to all of these questions, you’ll have a better idea of knowing whether or not you’re ready to start a work at home business. Your final consideration should be whether or not this business is something you’re passionate about. If you want to start a home business, you should choose something you love to do as you’ll be able to put a lot more effort into without feeling like it’s a chore.

Some of the businesses you might want to consider are home-based child care; craft making business like candles, gift baskets, or jewelry; wedding or party planning; or photography. Some of these are full time jobs; others can be started part time. Any of these will take time and effort to get up and running, but all of them can be very successful.

Of course, if you have a computer with internet, there’s a whole new world of work at home businesses available to you. Accounting, online marketing, and affiliate sales are just a few of the options you might have. If you know a bit about setting up web pages and search engine optimization, creating websites for local businesses can be a very lucrative business.

If you like the idea of working on your own time from the comfort of your home, you may be very happy with starting a work at home business. But you do need to weight the benefits and the risks before diving in. Take the time to make an organized business plan, outlining costs and materials you might need. Don’t forget that you’ll also need to maintain your regular home routine. Time management will be a priority so that you can build your home business successfully.

Working At Home

January 3rd, 2012

Michelle

Working from home isn’t a new idea. Throughout history, there have been a number of jobs that people have run from their homes, such as freelance writing, cake decorating, wedding planning and so on. But the opportunities for working at home have really skyrocketed since the internet has become all pervasive.

It’s fairly simple to start an online work at home business. A computer, a telephone and a good internet connection are the main requirements to getting your business started. Of course, you’ll need to have general computer and office knowledge; knowing how to use a word processor and spreadsheets can be a big help. There are a variety of jobs that can be done from home. Evaluate your skills and see what works for you.

Working At Home

If you have at least average writing skills, you can get a start writing articles. Writing articles for private clients is one way to go, and sites like Elance.com or Textbroker can help set you up with clients who are willing to pay for your services. Web content sites like Associated Content and Break Studios are also a great way to get started making money online. Related jobs are proofreaders and editors, as well as “article spinners”. An article spinner’s job is to rewrite old articles to create new content for websites.

Another online job you can do from home is virtual assistant. Your job would include clerical and administrative duties for your employer. Some VA jobs require serious office skills, while other positions just require that you do some light writing or data entry. Pay should be commensurate to your duties and experience. VA jobs can be found by searching the internet for companies that are hiring.

Tutoring is another profession which can be done online. If you have skills in the maths or in languages, there are people all over the world who are eager to learn and will pay you to help them. You may decide to go with an online company that matches tutors with students or you can start a webpage and offer your services privately. You’ll need to have a webcam and microphone to communicate with your student. There is a big need for English tutors around the world, so this is a blossoming business.

If you have medical background, you may qualify to be a medical transcriptionist. It’s necessary to have a working knowledge of medical terms, but if you’re interested in this position there are courses in terminology available at most community colleges. The position requires that you transcribe and edit medical records for doctors or hospitals. You can get a job through a company that provides these services, or you can offer your services to local physicians.

Internet marketing has become a popular way to earn money from home. The most common type of internet marketing is to become an affiliate of an established online seller. Build websites to market their merchandise and in return you’ll receive a percentage of any products sold through your special links. It’s also very possible to create your own product to sell online – you can even find affiliates to market for you!

Working from home is the best option for many people. College students, stay-at-home moms (or dads!) and the disabled can supplement their income, or even make a full time salary. Some online employers provide benefits to their home workers to include health care and pensions. You may discover that working from home is the perfect solution for you.

Why You Should Do Your Own Home Repair and Maintenance

January 3rd, 2012

DYI Expert

Why should you learn home repair and maintenance? The answer should be simple if you’re a home owner. Home repairs done by experts can be very expensive. A home visit from your local plumber or electrician can run as much as $100 just to have them show up – and that doesn’t include any parts or extra labor! It can be very frustrating to pay that much money to find out there was a simple solution to the problem that you could most likely have done yourself if you had the right tools and just a little basic know how.

DYI saves money

Saving money on home repairs can be much easier than you think. Many home repair jobs don’t take a lot of technical knowledge; they can be as simple as cleaning a filter or replacing a worn gasket. Many home repairs don’t even take any special tools! Even if you’ve never thought of yourself as handy, you can learn to repair small problems and perform the everyday home maintenance that your house needs –and being able to do it yourself will save you a ton of money.

But there’s more to it than that. Small home repair problems can turn into really big ones if they aren’t taken care of. A small leak in your roof can lead to dangerous mold or even a collapsed ceiling. A drafty window pane can behind a large heating or cooling bill. It’s nice to save a few bucks by repairing something yourself – but it’s even better when you know that you’ve been able to avoid a very costly major repair because you were able to nip a problem in the bud.

Home maintenance is very much the same. Knowing how to flush drainage pipes, keep gutters cleaned, change A/C filters and all the other little minutiae of home maintenance can help you avoid large repair bills later down the road. Not all home repairs and maintenance jobs are easy, but you’d be surprised at just how much you can accomplish on your own – and how much money you can save – even if you only focus on learning the basics.

Part of home maintenance is learning how to keep things clean – you’d be amazed at how much better things work when they’re clean! It’s important to keep appliances and tools cleaned, both inside and out, for them to function properly. With a little home repair know-how, you can become a pro at taking things apart to clean them – and at putting them back together with no parts left over!

So next time the toilet backs up (and you know it will!) why go out and call for a plumber who’s going to charge you $150 for an emergency weekend night visit and take 10 minutes to do the job? Spend $5 on a plunger and less than $20 on a plumber’s snake and you’ll never have to suffer with a plugged toilet or drain again! Having a few basic tools and a bit of basic know-how can save you a bundle of cash and fill you with the pride of knowing you can handle any home repair or maintenance problem that comes your way.

When to Call a Professional for Home Repairs

January 3rd, 2012

DYI Expert

Doing basic home repair jobs on your own can be immensely gratifying. There is a special satisfaction that comes from being able to take care of things in your home by yourself. And many jobs in the home are simple enough for even the beginner: repairing drywall, painting, or repairing leaks, for example. However, there comes a time when the job isn’t suitable for the novice do-it-yourselfer. Whether it’s because of specialized skills or specialized tools that are needed, there will be times when it’s best to pay someone else to do the job. Here is a short list of jobs where you will probably be better off calling in the pros.

Roofing – Some roofing work is well within the bounds of the do-it-yourself home handyman or woman. Replacing a few loose shingles, installing a vent or skylight may be jobs that you feel comfortable doing. But when it comes to anything that involves the actual structure of the roof, it’s time to call a pro. Improper roofing installations can cause the whole thing to come crashing down on you – and your insurance may not cover the damage if you’ve done the work yourself.

: When to Call a Professional for Home Repairs

Electrical Wiring – Unless you have a very good working knowledge of home electrical systems, this is a job best left to the pros. Many home owners have learned how to install a simple outlet or ceiling fan, and as long as you’ve made sure that the power is turned off to where you’re working, you should be fine. Anything more than that, call an electrician. You most definitely do not want to be messing around with the high voltage lines that your air conditioning system and clothes dryer are connected to. Any work that involves the circuit breaker box itself or the connection to the house should be done by professionals or your power company.

Gas Lines – If your home uses gas for heating or cooking and suspect there may be a leak, you should immediately notify your gas provider and get out of the house. Do not spend time wandering around, trying to find the source of the leak. You may want to cut off the main valve to your home if you know where it is, but keep in mind that the slightest spark from a pilot light or electrical appliance can cause an explosion. Of course, if you have a simple problem like an extinguished pilot light, you can probably handle this on your own. Turn off the source of the gas and let the room air out a few minutes before turning the gas back on and re-igniting. Most gas appliances are fitted with a thermocouple, a device which automatically shuts off the gas if the pilot goes out; however, it never hurts to be on the safe side.

Plumbing – This is one aspect of home care and repair that often gives the home do-it-yourselfer a chance to really shine. Repairing simple leaks and repairing or even reinstalling toilets and basins are jobs that are generally pretty straightforward (although they may be quite time-consuming!). Clogs can be fixed with a bottle of liquid clog dissolver, a plunger, or a plumber’s snake. However, something that appears to be a simple plumbing job can turn into a disaster if you don’t get all the connections closed and water starts rushing out of an opened pipe, as recently happened here in our house. An oddly connected pipe (we found out it actually came from an upstairs bathroom) didn’t close when we closed off the rest of the water to the downstairs bathroom, and within seconds, gallons of water were pouring out of the water heater at an alarming rate. Other home repairs that should be left to the pros include leaks inside of walls or under floors. And of course, any problems with your main connection should be handled by your local utilities company.

One final tip: If a job will require you to buy an expensive tool that you probably won’t ever have much use for after, it can be easier to call a professional.

What Tools Should You Have for Basic Home Repairs?

January 3rd, 2012

DYI Expert

If you plan on doing your own basic home repairs, you’ll need to have the correct tools on hand to get the job done. Taking a little time to learn the basics of the necessary tools will make it much easier to deal with the little repair jobs as they come up. With home repairs, it really is 90% preparation!

Before you rush out to buy, we want to remind you to keep quality in mind. Buy the best quality tools that you can afford. Higher quality tools will last much longer and are safer to use. The last thing you want is a hammer head that goes flying backwards across the room on your upswing. Look for tools that have smooth and shiny metal parts – that means they’ve been well machined. Hold the tool and check how balanced it feels in your hand. You’ll spend about 25% more for high quality tools, but they’ll pay you back in the long run because they’ll last forever.

: Tools

So what tools are essential for the home handywoman or handyman? We’ll list what we think is mandatory first, and then add a few tools that are optional.

Fastening Tools:
- Hammer – A standard claw hammer is probably the first tool most people buy when they start collecting their own tools. A 14 or 16 ounce hammer is standard; women usually prefer the lighter. A hammer that is too heavy will wear you out and is harder to aim. Make sure the hammer feels balanced in your hand.
- Screwdrivers – You’ll need a set of standard (or flat) head and a set of Phillips head screwdrivers in at least three sizes. Or you can buy an all-inclusive set of screwdrivers that has a variety of sizes.
- Wrenches – A set of variably sized wrenches is a good investment. Wrenches are used to turn nuts and bolts. Standard wrenches come in box or open styles; box is a closed hexagon shape, while open wrenches leave one side open in a U-shape and are useful for locations where closed wrench won’t fit.
- Pliers – Pliers are used for grabbing and holding things with more force than you can do with your hand. They should not be used in place of wrenches. There are a variety of pliers styles, the most basic recommended are a slip-joint and a needle nose.
- Optional tools – A socket wrench set; an Allen wrench set; a vise-grip; a rubber mallet.

Measuring tools:
– Tape Measure – These days, you should look for one that has standard and metric measurements. A 25 foot measure should be sufficient for most home jobs, but make sure that the tape is at least 5/8” wide – that will help it stay rigid as you extend it.
– A Level – Levels come in a variety of lengths, but 30” is good for most home uses. Great for use as a straight edge and of course for hanging shelves and pictures level.
– A Square – a combination square is a good tool for measuring right angles. You can often find them with a level built in.
– Optional tools: Chalk lines are used for marking long straight lines; stud finders help find the wooden studs behind the drywall, very useful for hanging pictures.

Cutting tools:
– Crosscut saw – This is the standard saw that we’re all familiar with, so named because it’s typically used for cutting across the grain of the wood. For most home uses, a saw with approximately 8 teeth per inch is adequate.
– Keyhole saw – A keyhole saw has a thin, tapered blade approximately 10” long. As the name might suggest, it’s used for cutting openings into material. Handy when you need to pass a pipe through a cabinet wall.
– Optional tools: Hacksaw for cutting plastic or metal; coping saw for cutting curves and other shapes in thin wood; Rip saw for cutting with the grain (called ‘ripping’); hole saw – circular saw bit that attaches to a drill and is used for cutting doorknob and other holes;

Drills:
– The only electric tool we’re recommending in this list is a power drill. A lightweight electric drill is adequate for most all home repair jobs. Make sure you have a back up battery; it’s a real pain to run out of juice in the middle of a job. You can choose to go with manual drills if you prefer, but a decent power drill isn’t too expensive and well pays for itself with the speed it allows you to get jobs done.

Specialty Tools:
- Electrical tools – Unless you know what you’re doing when working with electricity, the only tool we recommend is a can of compressed air to use for cleaning out electrical appliances. Often, dust or grime will prevent good electrical contact, and cleaning the interior of an appliance will get it working again. Make sure that any appliance is unplugged before you attempt to clean it. If you have a little experience with electrical repairs, a multi-meter will help you diagnose most problems.
- Plumbing tools – Most of the tools you need for plumbing jobs are included above, but there are a couple of specialty tools you may want to have on hand. Most every home has a plunger on hand for clogs, but if that doesn’t work a plumber’s snake will help you break through just about anything that’s blocking the pipes. A pipe wrench and a basin wrench will be handy if you plan on replacing a basin.