Leaving food on your grill grates may cause unwanted grime buildup or rust, things you’ll have to clean off before you can cook again. To avoid this, take any food off your grill before you shut it down. If any food remains stuck on the grill grates, clean it off after the unit cools down. Instead of a low temperature option, Traeger units come with a “shut down cycle” setting that helps the unit turn off properly. To avoid damaging your grill, do not turn it off without first running the unit through a shut down cycle. After activating the shut down cycle, close your grill’s lid and let it power down on its own. After about 10 minutes, your grill should automatically shut off. Even after the unit turns off, be cautious around the grill grates in case any residual heat remains. Once the grill shuts down, make sure to toggle the unit’s power switch to the “Off” position. Then, unplug the unit from the wall to avoid accidentally turning it back on. After each use, you should wipe down the grill grates with a fresh rag. About once a year, you should also clean up the grill’s smoke stack, grease drip pan, heat baffle, and main body.

Summary: Take any remaining food off the grill. Set the temperature dial to the “Shut Down Cycle” option. Close the grill’s lid and let the unit sit for about 10 minutes. Toggle the power switch and unplug the grill. Clean the grill once it cools down.


The stick should be about two to three feet long, and no wider than an inch or so in diameter.  If you cannot find a stick with these dimensions, you could whittle a wider, longer one down to the appropriate size. The dental floss should be about ten inches long, with seven inches on the loop side and three to four inches hanging down from the end of the stick.  Tie a slipknot with the dental floss.  To tie a slipknot, bring one end of the dental floss about two thirds of the way down towards the other end of the dental floss.  The dental floss should resemble a “C.” Holding the curved side of the loop in your left hand and the two ends of the “C” in your other, twist your left hand to form a loop.  Pass your left hand through the loop and pull the bottom arm of it back through.  Do not bring the entire arm of the floss through the loop.  Leave the tip of the floss just outside it. Tie the long end of the loop to the end of your stick.  The loop should hang about four to six inches down from the end of your stick.  Approach the lizard you want to catch slowly and cautiously.  Hang the loop slightly in front of it and either wait for it to enter the loop or gently ease the loop around the lizard’s neck.  Either way, when its neck is within the loop, pull up gently to tighten the slipknot and catch the lizard. To remove the slipknot, place the lizard on a flat surface.  Place one hand over the lizard with your index finger resting gently on top of its head.  Move your other hand slowly but cautiously toward the loop tied around its neck and pull the floss away from its body.  This will loosen the slipknot and allow you to ease it off over the front of its head. There is little chance of hurting or choking the lizard with the slipknot when it is only stuck within it for a short while.  However, if you leave the lizard fighting the slipknot or struggling to break free, it might hurt itself.  Remove the slipknot as soon as possible.

Summary: Obtain a long, skinny stick. Obtain some dental floss and form a slipknot. Catch the lizard in the loop. Remove the slipknot as quickly as possible.


The second you know that someone in your home has the flu, you should contact your pediatrician and let them know. Your pediatrician will be able to give you great information about how you can limit the chance of your little one catching the flu from someone at home. If you or someone else in your home catches the flu, ask your doctor about prescribing you antiviral medication. Antiviral medication can decrease the severity and longevity of the flu virus. The less time you’re sick, the lower the chance your infant may catch the flu from you.  Antivirals work best if taken within 2 days of getting sick. You can take antivirals, like Tamiflu, while breastfeeding. Tamiflu can be used in infants as young as two weeks old to treat the flu. Some antiviral medications can also be used to help reduce the chance of getting the flu in people over 1 year old. your baby’s bottles. While sterilizing your baby’s bottles is a good policy normally, it’s extremely important during flu season. This especially important if you travel outside the home with your infant, as flu germs could live on objects for several hours at a time. By sterilizing your baby’s bottles, you’ll limit the chance of them catching the flu. You can also wash and disinfect your baby’s toys and other supplies they often come into contact with. Whether you have the flu or not, you should make it a habit to cover yourself when you cough or sneeze. The best way to do this is with a clean tissue. Afterwards, you should discard the tissue and wash your hands.

Summary: Inform your pediatrician if someone in your home has the flu. Use antiviral medication. Sterilize Cover your mouth and nose if you cough or sneeze.


If you own your car outright, then you can get an auto equity loan. Generally, you can borrow 100% of your car’s value, though this amount will differ depending on your credit history.  If you have not paid off your car loan, then the car is currently serving as collateral for that loan. However, you might have paid off some of your loan. In that situation, you can get a new loan for a higher amount, using the car as collateral. Keep in mind that cars depreciate in value, so if you end up having to sell the car, you may not have enough to pay off the loan. There are a couple types of secured loans you can get using your home as collateral, and there are many lenders willing to make these loans. Consider the following types:  Home equity loan. You get a loan for a fixed sum of money and repay it in equal monthly installments. If you do not repay per your agreement, the lender can foreclose. Generally, you can get a loan equal to 85% of the equity in your home. Home equity line of credit. A HELOC operates like a credit card. You borrow as much as you need, up to the limit set by your lender, and make payments on the amount you borrow. Typically, you can borrow up to 85% of the equity in your home. If you default, your lender can seize your home. Some banks extend loans to customers who have a savings account with them. Because the account secures the loan, you generally cannot access the account until you pay the loan back. You can also use a certificate of deposit as collateral for a bank loan. You can get a secured loan using all kinds of assets as collateral. Consider any personal property that has value and which you own, such as the following:  Watercraft Motorcycles Equipment  Furniture Computer If you have investments with a private bank or investment broker, then they may lend you money using your accounts as collateral. Often, you can get a loan up to the full amount of your account. Some banks will give you a “cash advance loan” or “salary advance loan” backed up by your future paychecks. Generally, these are short-term loans, due when you receive your next check.  Many lenders offer legitimate salary-advance loans. Do not confuse these with “payday” loans, which have sky high interest rates and are illegal in many states. Payday lenders tend to operate out of storefront offices, like pawn shops. By contrast, banks and credit unions offer salary-advance loans. Businesses can use many assets to secure a loan for their business. For example, a client might issue a large purchase order for product. To fulfill the order, you need to hire staff or make other investments. Banks will often lend against your assets, such as accounts receivable or inventory.
Summary: Pledge your car as collateral. Use your home as collateral. Offer your savings account as collateral. Pledge personal property as collateral. Pledge stocks and other investments as collateral. Use future paychecks as collateral. Pledge business assets as collateral.