If you have a ring stuck on your finger, there are several things you can do to get it off. The easiest method is to just hold your hand up in the air for a couple of minutes. See if the reduced blood flow is enough to loosen the ring. The next easiest thing to do is to apply some kind of lubricant like hand lotion, hair conditioner or WD-40. If this doesn't work for you, then your next best bet is to soak your hand in cold water for a while. (Note: This is why you should take your rings off before going swimming in a cold pool or lake). Finally, there's been a tip out there for years about using dental floss to remove a stuck ring. I won't even waste your time describing it here because it doesn't work; it is bogus.

People are buying used cars more than ever. According to Carfax, odometer fraud is up 57 percent during the last four years. What can you do to avoid becoming a victim? A good tip is to search the car for old oil change stickers, inspection certificates or service records. They may clue you in to possible fraud. Bottom line, you should ALWAYS get a used car checked out by a reliable mechanic.

A great Web site for any government-type questions you have is www.usa.gov. The site lists everything from voting rules to how to get on "do not call" lists.

If you have a clogged downspout, here's the simplest way to take care of it. Push a water hose up the spout and push it through the blockage. There should be no need to turn the water on. (Note: the cheap flimsy hoses don't work well for this tip). By the way, before you throw an old water hose away, consider using it for covering swing set chains or using it as a fake snake to keep birds out of your yard or garden.

Tim Thompson lives in Gainesville. E-mail Tim your ideas for tips, tools or tricks.