Friday, March 2, 2018

How to of the Day

How to of the Day


How to Enable Twitter Alerts

Posted: 02 Mar 2018 04:00 PM PST

Twitter alerts are tweets that contain public safety warnings and evacuation instructions from selected public agencies and emergency organizations during a crisis or emergency situation. When you enable this feature, alerts will appear on your Twitter home timeline and mobile notification section. If you have the official Twitter app on your phone, you will receive alerts as push notifications.

EditSteps

  1. Login to Twitter. Go to twitter.com in your web browser and sign in with your account.
    Log in to Twitter; page.png
  2. Navigate to an organization's profile. Open an emergency organization's Twitter profile from which you wish to receive alerts. Example include:
    Federal Emergency Management Agency Twitter.png
  3. Move to the Alerts section, under the bio. Click on the Be prepared link.
    Twitter Alerts.png
  4. Turn on the Twitter alerts. Click the button.
    Enable Twitter Alerts.png
    • To stop alerts for a specific organization, go to back their Alerts page (e.g: twitter.com/fema/alerts) and click the button.
  5. Finished. If you want to receive alerts via text messages to your mobile phone, activate Twitter text messaging with your phone number.
    Twitter; Alerts.png

EditRelated wikiHows

EditSources and Citations

How to Paint Rocks with Acrylic Paint

Posted: 02 Mar 2018 08:00 AM PST

Painting rocks with acrylic paint is a fun, inexpensive craft you can do with anyone. Make sure you have the right supplies — smooth rocks, brightly color acrylic paints, and a variety of brushes. Your rocks should be nice and clean before you start, so your paint adheres easily to the surface. You can practice your design before you start working on your rock. Make sure you use 1 brush per paint color and let the paint completely dry before you spray your rock with sealant.

EditSteps

EditChoosing and Cleaning Your Rocks

  1. Look for smooth rocks. A rock that has too many cracks or divots will be hard to paint. Look instead for rocks that have a smooth surface. You can find smooth rocks perfect for painting at home improvement stores with garden centers, landscaping supply stores, and craft stores. You can also take a walk in your neighborhood — you'll be surprised by what you can find![1]
    Paint Rocks with Acrylic Paint Step 1.jpg
    • If you're purchasing your rocks, make sure they have a natural finish. Some rocks will have a waxy finish on them, which makes it difficult for the paint to adhere. Rocks with a waxy finish will feel smooth and almost plastic-like.
  2. Choose rocks that are round. The rounder the rock, the prettier! It's also easier to draw out a complete design on a round rock with even edges.
    Paint Rocks with Acrylic Paint Step 2.jpg
  3. Look for rocks that are gray in color. Gray rocks will show your acrylic paint the best. They aren't so light that the paint colors will wash out, and they're not so dark that outlining your design is impossible.
    Paint Rocks with Acrylic Paint Step 3.jpg
  4. Wash dirt off of your rocks. This step is especially important if you found your rocks outside. Run your rocks under clear water until they look clean. You can wash them in your sink inside or outside with a garden hose.[2]

    • If there is stubborn dirt on your rocks, it might not come off just with water. Hold the rock under water and use either your hand or an old toothbrush to rub the dirt off.
    • Don't use soaps or solvents on your rocks — they can break down the structure of your rock.
  5. Let your rocks completely air dry. If your rocks aren't dry when you begin painting, the paint can run or lose some of its brightness. Once your rocks are clean, let them dry. If you can leave them outside in the sun, it should only take a few hours. Otherwise, let them dry overnight.
    Paint Rocks with Acrylic Paint Step 5.jpg

EditCreating a Design

  1. Choose simple designs. There isn't much room for detail when you're panting on a rock, so keep your design simple. Simple shapes, silhouettes, and patterns are best, especially when you're beginning. As you get more experienced, you can try more complicated designs.
    Paint Rocks with Acrylic Paint Step 6.jpg
    • For example, simple geometric shapes like hearts, stars, squares, circles, or triangles work well.
    • You can also combine simple shapes into a larger pattern. For example, you could begin with a ring along the edge of the rock, and move toward the center of the rock, creating a ring of circles, followed by a ring of hearts, and then another solid ring.
  2. Practice your design on paper. Draw a circle with the same circumference of your rock and then draw your design within that circle. This gives you the chance to perfect your design. Once you have the design down, decide which colors you'll paint the different parts of the design.

    • The colors you choose are up to you, but complementary colors often look best together. A complementary color is the one that appears on the opposite side of the color wheel from the first color you chose. You can also choose to go with all very bright, neon colors.
  3. Outline your design in chalk or pencil if you're using one. If you're working on a dark rock, use chalk for your outline. If you're working on a lighter rock, pencil will let you create more detail. Your design is totally up to you — you can create something abstract or an actual drawing.[3]

EditPainting Your Design

  1. Select brightly colored acrylic paints. Acrylic paints are long-lasting and thick, making them perfect for using on rocks. Make sure you choose bright colors. That way, even if you find or buy dark rocks, the paint will be easy to see.[4]
    Paint Rocks with Acrylic Paint Step 9.jpg
  2. Choose acrylic or watercolor brushes in a variety of shapes and sizes. Although you might find some variation in rock size, most will be pretty small. In order to get detail in your painting, you'll need small brushes. Look for brushes in a variety of shapes, too, especially round, rigger, and liner.[5]
    Paint Rocks with Acrylic Paint Step 10.jpg
    • The exact sizes will vary depending on the type of brush. For round brushes, look for sizes smaller than a 7. For rigger brushes, look for sizes smaller than a 2/0. For liner brushes, look for sizes smaller than 3/0.
  3. Pour your paint into a palette or on a plate. If you have a paint palette, squeeze out a quarter-sized amount of each paint color into its own section. If you're using a plate, make sure you leave about between each color so the colors don't bleed into each other.

    • If you do want to combine colors, make sure they're next to each other. Then use separate brush to scoop up each color and put 1 on top of the other on another plate or in the mixing section of your palette. Then use a third brush to mix the colors.
  4. Use 1 paintbrush per color. If you use just 1 paintbrush for the whole project, the brightness of the colors will be muted and you'll end up with mixed colors. Before you begin painting, look at your design and which colors you're using where. Use small, thin brushes for small detail work and larger brushes for larger areas. Assign your brushes by color.[6]
    Paint Rocks with Acrylic Paint Step 12.jpg
  5. Paint in your design. Exactly how you paint in your design is up to you. You can paint by color — painting everything that's the same color before moving on to the next color. Or you can paint by design — beginning at the top (or the side) and changing your brush and paint color as you move through the design.[7]

    • If you're using a lot of 1 color, let that color dry before you continue. That way you avoid smearing any paint.

EditSigning and Sealing Your Rocks

  1. Let your rocks dry. Once you're done painting your rocks, let them dry completely. Depending on how much paint you've used and how intricate your design is, this can take anywhere from a few hours to overnight.[8]
    Paint Rocks with Acrylic Paint Step 14.jpg
    • To test your paint, use the tip of your finger to gently touch the paint. If paint comes away on your finger, it's not dry yet.
  2. Sign your rocks. Once your rocks are dry, you'll want to sign them, particularly if you're selling them. Use a thin brush and black paint to sign the bottom of your rock. You can also add the date and/or a hashtag that you can then use on your social media accounts.

    • If you're selling your rocks or participating in the hiding-and-finding rock painting community, consider adding a label to your rock. Print out labels with contact information for your rock painting community and instructions for the finder. Then apply a layer of Mod Podge to the rock, stick on the label, and cover with Mod Podge.
  3. Seal your rocks in a well-ventilated area. Once all of the paint is dry, spray your rocks with sealant. Make sure you spray them in a well-ventilated area since the sealant can irritate your nose and lungs. Then let them dry according to the instructions on the can of sealant.[9]

    • You can choose shiny or matte finishes. If you're planning on leaving your rocks outdoors, look for a sealant made specifically for use outside.
    • Depending on the size of your rocks, the sealant will take an hour up to overnight to dry.
  4. Display your rocks. Once your rocks are finished, there are plenty of places you can display them. Indoors on shelves or tables or outdoors in your garden or potted plants are great places to display your rocks. If you're part of the rock painting community in your area, you can also hide your rocks in nearby parks and public places so other people can find them!
    Paint Rocks with Acrylic Paint Step 17.jpg
    • You can also post pictures of your rocks on your social media accounts.

EditTips

  • If you're painting your rock all 1 base color before you begin on your larger design, paint 1 side, then let it dry. Once 1 side is dry, flip it over and paint the rest of the rock.

EditThings You'll Need

  • Smooth rocks
  • Acrylic paint
  • Variety of paint brushes
  • Pencil or chalk for outlining
  • Black pens for detail outlining
  • Sealant

EditSources and Citations


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How to Find a Cheap Apartment

Posted: 02 Mar 2018 12:00 AM PST

Finding an apartment can be a difficult process, especially when you're trying to find a great deal. To make sure you're getting the best apartment for the cheapest rent, search for ads on websites like Craigslist, browse prices on apartment websites, and join a local housing Facebook group. You can also search in lower-cost areas and reduce rent by getting a roommate or negotiating the price down. Good luck, and happy apartment hunting!

EditSteps

EditSearching for an Apartment Online

  1. Look for affordable apartment and roommate ads on Craigslist. Check the local listings and use Craigslist's filtering options to narrow down your search results based on distance and rent price. Craigslist is often full of affordable options and deals. To avoid getting scammed, make sure to verify the owner, never give personal information away upfront, and never wire money.[1]
    Find a Cheap Apartment Step 1.jpg
  2. Find a cheaper option by directly comparing prices online. If Craigslist isn't your jam, don't worry! There are countless apartment-browsing websites that make it easy to search and compare options with just a click. Compare offers from different buildings to find exactly what you're looking for at the cheapest price.[2]
    Find a Cheap Apartment Step 2.jpg
  3. Join a low-cost housing Facebook group to find local options. Many cities have dozens of local groups with affordable apartment postings going up regularly. To find a group, search your city's name along keywords like "cheap," "affordable," "apartment," "listings," and "housing." Request to the join the groups, and once you're accepted, you can start putting faces to listings.[3]
    Find a Cheap Apartment Step 3.jpg

EditLooking in Lower-Cost Areas

  1. Look in the suburbs right outside of urban areas. Living just outside a city can cut your rent down by hundreds of dollars. Check out the surrounding suburban areas and focus your search on apartments in these cheaper areas. If you work in the city, this is a great option for saving some money and keeping your commute time reasonable.[4]
    Find a Cheap Apartment Step 4.jpg
  2. Consider moving to a city with cheaper apartment options. If your living situation is flexible and you're really looking to get the best deal, think about changing your living situation. Highly populated cities like New York City and San Francisco generally have much higher rent because of the high demand. Instead, look for cities like Memphis, Tulsa, Indianapolis, and Louisville, which have record-low apartment rent.[5]
    Find a Cheap Apartment Step 5.jpg
  3. Look for an apartment with a smaller square footage. Even if it's not your dream home, a lower square footage will mean a lower monthly rate. During your search, check out apartment buildings with smaller rental options, such as 400-600 square feet.[6]
    Find a Cheap Apartment Step 6.jpg
  4. Choose an apartment that's further away from public transportation. Apartments that are positioned conveniently near public transportation often cost more, so if you don't need the extra convenience, go for an apartment that's further away. This option can really help cut down on your rent price if you work from home, have a car, or don't mind a longer commute.
    Find a Cheap Apartment Step 7.jpg

EditReducing Rent

  1. Find a roommate to split the rent with. Post that you're looking for a roommate on your social media as well as popular websites like Craigslist or Spare Room. In addition, ask family and friends if they know anyone who needs a roommate. Having a personal connection can help you verify the potential roommate and also acts as a character reference.[7]
    Find a Cheap Apartment Step 8.jpg
    • In your post or ad, include some basic information about what kind of roommate you're looking for and invite people to contact you for more information.
    • You can also mention that you're "on a budget" if you don't want to say your exact price point.[8]
  2. Negotiate the rent down if possible. If you're not in a highly populated area with little renter turnaround, most landlords are open to negotiation. Set up a meeting with the landlord and be polite, respectful, and professional. Show them that you are an ideal tenant and make an offer for rent.[9]
    Find a Cheap Apartment Step 9.jpg
    • If they accept your offer, that's great! Make sure to get everything in writing and you're good to go.
    • If they turn you down, it's okay to walk away. Keep looking for a great bargain!
  3. Look at older buildings to find a rent-controlled apartment. Rent-controlled units protects tenants from unexpected rent increases or landlord retaliation in disputes. Search online specifically for apartment buildings built between 1947 and 1974, then call to make sure they're rent-controlled.[10]
    Find a Cheap Apartment Step 10.jpg
    • You can also enter an advanced search for rent-controlled or rent-stabilized apartments on the website https://streeteasy.com.
    • In cities with an abundance of old buildings, such as San Francisco or New York, you have a great chance of finding a rent-controlled unit.
  4. Stay flexible when searching and keep your standards at a minimum. It's exciting to dream about your ideal apartment, complete with shiny appliances and amenities, but in order to find a bargain, you may have to settle a little. Keep your standards simple and look for a place that may be less exciting but will give you a great deal.[11]
    Find a Cheap Apartment Step 11.jpg
    • When searching, start with basic criteria like no maintenance problems, insect infestations, or safety problems.

EditSources and Citations


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