Gels tend to chip off after a week or two, and its best to wait until they're mostly gone to start peeling them yourself, so you reduce damage to the surface of your nail.

Summary: Wait until the nails are mostly chipped away.


Position the slat support on the inside of the outer board so that the top of slat support is even with the top of the support post. Check for level and secure the slat support in place with seven 2 ½" screws. Position the second slat support on the inside of the sideboard so that the top is even with the top of the support post. Check for level and secure the slat support in place with seven 2 ½" screws. Position the end support on the inside of the headboard so that the top of the end support is even with the top of the side slat supports. Secure it in place with four 2 ½" screws. Position the end support on the inside of the footboard so that the top of the end support is even with the top of slat support and the support post. Secure it in place with four 2 ½" screws. Measure and mark the locations of the fourteen slats, creating even spacing along the slat support. Attach each of the 14 slats by drilling a pilot hole at each end into the side slat supports and securing them with two 1 ½" screws.

Summary: Position and attach the first slat support. Position and attach the second slat support. Add the first end support. Add the second end support. Add in the slats.


The buttons and valves on the trumpet have the largest impact on changing notes, but your embouchure is important too. Tighten your embouchure when playing high notes and loosen it when playing low notes.  Without your mouthpiece or trumpet, practice tightening and loosening your embouchure and notice how the pitch of the buzz changes. This effect is amplified when blown through the horn. Next, practice with just the mouthpiece and notice the siren-like sound you can make by changing the embouchure shape. Your embouchure is not effective when you don't have enough air. Sitting up straight keeps your airways open so that you can blow with enough force to produce the full scale of notes. Good posture also keeps your trumpet raised. Slump down in your chair and notice how you can't breathe as deeply as when you are sitting upright. Practice good posture when you aren't playing so you get used to sitting up straight. Your lips will get tired easily when you are first learning your embouchure. Practice holding it for a few minutes. Then practice buzzing for a few minutes. Add a little bit of time each day so you can build up your endurance. Since many musical pieces are five to ten minutes or longer, it's important that you can buzz your lips for a long time without getting tired. If you are having trouble with a particular part of the embouchure, look for videos that describe that part or the whole process. Watching someone form the embouchure may give you a better idea than reading about it. Ask a teacher or mentor if they have any videos you could borrow, or search online for videos. You'll also be able to see the way players hold the trumpet and sit. If you are in a band class at school, or take lessons with a mentor, ask them to look at your embouchure or listen as you play to see what you are doing wrong. They will be able to help you with specific problems you are facing with your embouchure. If you don't have anyone to ask, find a local instructor who would be willing to help you out. You may be able to get some quick tips without taking a full, paid lesson.

Summary: Adjust your embouchure for different notes. Maintain upright posture. Practice buzzing your lips everyday. Watch instructional videos. Ask an instructor for tips.


When you go to a dealer for a new car, chances are your salesman will try to find you a loan using his system.  However, you might be able to get a loan from your bank at a better interest rate. If you bank at a credit union, your odds are higher of getting a loan because these institutions are smaller and more willing to work with you personally.  You may also be able to get a loan with a credit union even if you don’t bank there. Consider the website Peer to Peer, where you can get a loan from an individual instead of an institution.  Consider borrowing money from a relative. Find someone who has good credit amongst your friends and family to co-sign on your car loan. This will boost a lender’s confidence in the loan. Make sure it is someone who trusts you, because the record of this loan goes on both your credit reports.  If you ever default on this loan, the lender will look to the co-signer for payment, making your relationship very uncomfortable. If you are offered a loan, make sure it has a low enough interest rate to keep your monthly payments low. For example, someone with a mid-range credit score (620-680) is looking at an interest rate of between 5 and 6%. A credit score lower than that is looking at an interest rate anywhere from 6.5 to 13%. Although monthly payments might be higher, getting a loan for a shorter amount of time means paying less interest in the long run. If you can handle it financially, try to get a loan for four years or less. Some lenders and car lots will give you discounts based on things you have done and memberships you have. If you qualify for a discount of any kind, bring the paperwork for it.  Some places (both dealerships and lenders) will offer discounts for being a student, a recent graduate, being in the military, or being a first-time buyer. All of these discounts tend to come with strict requirements. For example, the first-time buyer discount may require 10% down, references, a steady job, and car insurance. You may be able to get a lower monthly payment if you lease instead of buy. If you are jobless when you start the car search and no lenders will take you, consider pausing the search until you have worked steadily for several months. This will build your reputation as a responsible citizen. Be sure to bring in proof of employment when you resume the search. Also consider doing things to boost your credit while you wait, such as getting a credit card. Ultimately, the easiest way to buy a car without any credit is to pay cash for the entire vehicle. This practice is wise because it keeps you from going into debt and defaulting on loans, but it is also risky because it means you will continue to have an empty credit history. Car dealers who receive $10,000 or more in cash are required to report the transaction and its specifics to the IRS.
Summary: Find loans on your own. Seek out a co-signer. Make sure your loan has a low APR. Try to get a loan with a shorter term. Look into getting discounts. Revisit the loan in a few months. Pay cash in full.