DIY Life

I think it's safe to assume that you all know how to change a light bulb. What you may not know is how to change a broken light bulb. Broken bulbs that are still in the socket can be hard to change and very dangerous. A potato can be your saving tool.

What you'll need

1. 1 raw potato
2. 1 knife
3. 1 replacement light bulb
4. 1 bag for trash/glass shards
5. Gloves
6. Protective eye wear
7. Vacuum

The instructions on how to change a broken light bulb with a potato are simple, but you should pay particular attention to the safety tips. Next time you break a bulb in the socket don't mess around trying to pick through glass, just grab a potato and remove the bulb with ease.

Would you like to make Blog Action Day resound through your community? Here's a blog action angle that, with some concentrated effort, could become more than just a nice idea.

People have become aware of the great energy and dollar savings that can be had by changing over from the old standard incandescent light bulbs to the new and improved high efficiency florescent light bulbs. Depending on bulb count and usage patterns, folks have seen reductions in their electric utility bills as high as ten percent. The cost outlay for these bulb switch-overs can be a bit steep, but the energy savings are immediate and over time the dollars saved can really add up. I have an idea that can really compound the value of light bulb change over.

Please read on to see what I'm getting at.

These days an oil change will cost you around $50, so why not learn to do it yourself? It only takes about 10-minutes (give it longer if it's your first time) and it might just give you Internet geniuses your get-tough image back.

Follow these six steps from WIRED magazine:

1. LIFT the car. Never trust a jack -- drop $30 on a set of stands or ramps instead. Position a catch tub under the oil pan and unscrew the drain plug.
   
2. REMOVE the oil filter. You should be able to loosen it by hand, but if you're too much of a wuss, you can buy a $5 oil filter wrench at any auto parts store.
3. SMEAR some clean oil onto the new filter's rubber seal and screw in into place. Hand-tighten it only -- if you strip the threads it'll cost a mint in repairs.
4. REINSTALL the drain plug and pour in the new stuff. Your manual knows what kind to use and how much.
5. RUN your car for 30 seconds to circulate the oil. Then check the dipstick to gauge the level. Remember: Overfilling is just as bad as underfilling.
   
6. RECYCLE! Most auto parts chains or repair shops should take the old sludge off your hands and not charge you a dime.

Still not sure what to do? For a more detailed approach, check out these instructions from the people over at About.