Stories
Longer reads about fixing, finding, making and getting rid of things, and life around the neighbourhood.
Spring bike tune-up checklist
By Tod · What a tune-up covers, what you can check yourself, and when to book.
Getting rid of it in the GTA: recycle, donate or drop off
By Tod · Where paint, electronics, batteries, furniture and hazardous stuff should go.
Digitizing old photos and home videos
By Tod · Save prints, slides, negatives and VHS tapes before they fade.
Fix it or replace it? A simple rule for everyday stuff
By Tod · Tod’s rule of thumb for deciding whether a repair is worth it, from phones to fridges.
Winter tires in Ontario: what to know before the first snow
By Tod · When to switch, what to buy, storage, and the insurance discount most people forget to ask for.
Getting a Safety Standards Certificate in Ontario
By Tod · What the safety inspection checks, when you need one, and how to avoid a surprise fail.
How to talk to a mechanic (and not get upsold)
By Tod · Describe the problem well, get it in writing, and know which repairs can wait.
Phone screen repair: original vs. third-party parts
By Tod · What changes with each kind of screen, and what to ask before you hand over your phone.
Tailoring 101: what’s worth altering
By Tod · Easy wins, hard jobs, and how to get the most from a tailor visit.
Shoe repair: give good shoes a second life
By Tod · Resoling, heels, stretching and winter care, so your favourite pair lasts years.