3 THINGS I learned this month

Nuggets of knowledge picked up on the job

1 CONCRETE PUMPING IS AFFORDABLE

Back in college, I moved a lot of concrete by wheelbarrow. (My shoulders still hurt!) “Pump trucks,” which pump concrete through a hose, were available, but college kids were a lot cheaper. Prices have come down since then. Pumping concrete from the street to our backyard patio cost us about $200. See the results on p. 38. If you have a concrete job on your list, check on local pricing.

2 BEST-EVER WORK GLASSES

I recently complained to my optometrist: With my standard prescription glasses, close-up work is blurry. With progressive lenses, I tilt my head all day and get a sore neck. He suggested a prescription optimizing my vision at about 24 in. from my face. He called this a “painter” prescription, because it’s one he does for painters, electricians and others who work with their hands.

3 OUR CAMPER NEEDS SPECIAL TIRES

We bought an old camper! And the whole crew is on overdrive, making it better than new in every way, including spiffy whitewall tires.

Because whitewall trailer tires are crazy expensive (and I’m a cheapskate), I proposed regular car tires. Turns out that’s a really bad idea.

Trailer tires have stiffer sidewalls, which make the trailer more stable. With standard tires, our camper would sway like a sailboat and maybe even tug the towing vehicle off the road. To see our pricey whitewalls—and the rest of our awesome camper— stay tuned for the

July/August issue.