How To Get Bitcoins

What are Bitcoins?

How to Get Bitcoins

Technically referred to as Bitcoin (no "s"), this is a form of virtual currency that only exists on the Internet. However, you can actually use this form of online money to pay for things in the real world, and you can exchange it for dollars and many other types of global currencies.

Bitcoins have gotten a lot more attention lately because their value has spiked. In fact, virtual millionaires have appeared overnight. While the reputation of this victual currency got sullied a bit because they were associated with illicit sites like the Silk Road, they can also be used for everything from purchases on Overstock.com to some local computer repair places and other businesses.

How to Get Bitcoins?

There are a few different ways to get Bitcoins. Of course, before you get Bitcoins, you need to have a way to store them. You might read this concise article : How to Get Started With Bitcoins. It describes how to set up a Bitcoin wallet, join a mining pool, get paid with Bitcoins, and how to buy Bitcoins on an exchange.

Set Up Your Wallet

So, the first thing you need to do is set up a wallet. This can either be installed on your own device, or you can use an online wallet from a good third-party service. The choice is up to you, and you might read up on the pros and cons of both choices. For newbies, using a web service can be easier, but there are some advantages to using software you install and backup yourself.

Get Some Bitcoins For Your Wallet 

Now, you have an empty wallet with no Bitcoins. You can buy them on one of the popular exchanges. You may also choose to accept this type of virtual currency in exchange for goods and services. Finally, you can mine for these coins yourself. However, it is tough to mine by yourself, so you may want to join a mining pool to get started. This lets you cooperate with other minor, and you have a better chance of actually getting paid a share.

Cheap Ways To Make Your Home More Energy Efficient

Cheap Ways To Reduce Power Bills

Lots of people dream about alternative systems that can reduce reliance upon grid energy. These are great, but they require an large upfront investment. For example, it might take several years to get home solar energy to pay for itself.

You may eventually free yourself from the power company, but it can take several years to actually recoup your investment in the form of cheaper electric or gas bills and payments from the power company for excess energy produced. Consider some cheap DIY home projects to make your home more energy efficient!


Does your home really have enough insulation? 

You might be able to enjoy a very quick payoff in the form or lower utility bills and a more comfortable house if you simply add to your home. Most U.S. homes are insulated, but most do not have enough. Besides, there are lots of gaps in the walls, around fireplace mantels, in window frames, and even below doors that leak out the air you have spent a lot of money to cool or heat.

DIY Home Energy Efficiency Projects

The best news is that a lot of these energy efficient improvements can be made as a DIY project at home. If you tackle adding more insulation to your attic, for example, you might only need to spend a few hundred dollars, and this money might be recouped within a year or two. If you need to plug up some drafts in your home, you could fix a lot of problems with inexpensive weather stripping, sealant, or even duct tape, and you could get your money back in months.

How To Make Your Home More Energy Efficient 

You could start with any cold or hot spots you already notice in your home. Speak with the helpful salespeople in the store to get ideas for affordable ways to fix these problems. You can also find websites that will help you figure out if you have enough insulation in the attic of a house that's a few years old. Many very new homes have plenty of insulation, but houses that are a decade or more old may not. A simple inspection of your attic should tell you a lot

Your long range goal might be to free yourself from the grid, but you will want a well-insulated house anyway. In the meantime, lower your electric or gas bill today. That might give you the extra funds you need to make more improvements in the future, and that is a very frugal course of action.