Running an iPod through the washer… and dryer

Loren called pleading for help. She accidentally washed and dried her grandson’s iPod. She can’t afford to replace it. She wants to know if she can get the iPod up and running again. At the very least, she wants to recover his music.

Loren, a wet iPod can often be fixed. It is much like fixing a wet cell phone, although you can’t open an iPod. But the longer the iPod is in water, the less likely it is to recover. And a hot dryer has certainly never done any favors for electronics.

Let the iPod dry completely before attempting to use it. Using it while it’s wet could cause a short. Connect the iPod to the computer and try to recover the music. I have a tip that will help. If the iPod won't work, you can send it in for repairs. You’ll have to pay. Apple will not send the same iPod back. So, all of his music will be lost. If the music is not backed up, try a third-party repair shop.

Find auto parts for less

After your home, your car is probably your most expensive purchase. And purchasing a car is just the beginning.

You'll have to fill it with gas regularly. It must be insured. And then there's the expense of maintaining it.

There's nothing I can do to help you with the price of gas. But I can help you save money on maintenance!

Today's Cool Site is Frugal Mechanic, which offers price comparisons. Unlike other shopping sites, Frugal Mechanic is dedicated to car parts.

To get started, select the make, model and year of your car. You'll be presented with a list of auto parts categories. There's also a box where you can search by part number.

After you find your part, you can see prices at numerous auto parts sites. If you decide to buy a part, just click through.

frugalmechanic.com