The Best Universal Remote Control

I present my two picks for the best universal remote control:

Universal Remote Control MX-500

This universal remote control will control up to 10 devices and will learn from almost any remote control that you have. It includes ten "soft keys" for each device, which means you can program the label for each of ten keys on the LCD.

However, and this is the important part, none of the keys are on a touch screen. This means that you can easily feel the keys when watching television and don't have to look down, or turn on the lights, to find the right button.

The remote also has the ability to program macros so that one button will perform multiple tasks, like turning on each component. Also when you select a component, the remote can send a command to your TV or stereo to change the input.

$74.58 at http://www.amazon.com/

Universal Remote Control MX-850

For those rare circumstances where you can't get the MX-500 to learn something (many phillips products and some high end home theater components), or if you want to control devices in other rooms using radio frequencies instead of just infrared, this is the best, but its pricey. Unlike the MX-500, you program this remote using your computer, and if can learn even the most difficult remote codes.
$209 at http://www.amazon.com/

If you don't like these, check-out Universal Remote's entire line at http://universalremote.com/

Automobile Emergency Supply Kit

If you haven't already read my post about creating your own home emergency supply kit, read it first. This is a continuation of that article with a list of things you should have in your automobile emergency supply kit:

Storage

1 Kirkland Signature All Purpose 22" Rolling Duffel Bag ($89.99 at Costco.com) or any medium sized duffel bag (http://www.duffelbags.com/)
1 each pack of Zip Loc Easy Zipper Bags (Quart and Gallon sizes)
5 large garbage bags

Food and Water

2 cases of Aquablox water (each case holds 27 small boxes of water, totalling 1.5 gallons) (http://www.moreprepared.com/)

3 Mayday Food Bars (http://www.moreprepared.com/)

Toiletries

2 Huggies Soft Pack 40 Count Baby Wipes (Target)

Toiletries- Purell Hand Purifier, Body Wash/Liquid Soap, Toothbrush & Toothpaste, Deoderant, Fingernail clippers (most of these items are available in convenient travel sizes at Target)

Toilet Paper, Neutrogena SPF 70 dry-touch Sunscreen, Preservative Free Saline Solution (to wash eyes out, if necessary) (http://www.purilens.com/)

Medical

Johnson & Johnson First Aid Kit, Complete Care, 225 Piece Kit ($17.04 at Amazon.com) (also available at Target)

American College of Emergency Physicians First Aid Manual, Section Edition ($10.65 at Amazon.com)

FEMA Publication IS-22 "Are You Ready?"

Medicine- small quantities of Advil, Aspirin, Tylenol, Benadryl, Sudafed, Excedrin, and Pepto Bismol tablets in zip lock bags with dosing instructions and expiration dates. Neosporin, Hydrocortisone, Rolaids/Tums. Note that some of these items are already in the First Aid kit, described above.

Prescription Medicine- Allegra (a prescription antihistamine) and Vicoden Es or Vicoprofen (painkiller), and an Epi-Pen.

3 Swift First Aid "Instant Cold Compress" ($.99 each at moreprepared.com)

3 Graber Mycoal Mega Warmer (Warm Packs) ($1.49 each at http://www.moreprepared.com/)

Clothing

3 pairs of underwear and socks (in a ziplock bag)

Sweatpants and hooded seatshirt (http://www.hanes.com/)

2 baseball caps (http://www.copshoes.com/c-military-caps.html)

Sunglasses

2 Ponchos with hood ($.95 each at http://www.moreprepared.com/)

2 Safety Vests ($1.29 at http://www.moreprepared.com/)

2 Thermal Blankets ($1.35 at http://www.moreprepared.com/)

Electronics

2 Midland GXT600VP4 FRS/GMRS Radios with Weather Receive (http://www.amazon.com/) or similar FRS/GMRS radios that use AA batteries and have a weather radio receiver

Inova 24/7 SmartBright Signal Light (http://www.batteryjunction.com/)

Xantrex 300EP- Jump Starter/AC/DC Power Supply/Air Compressor

50 AA Batteries in a ziplock bag (http://www.amazon.com/ or http://www.costco.com/)

Tools

1 pair of Heavy Duty Gloves (http://www.moreprepared.com/)

2 N95 Particulate Respirators ($1.35 at http://www.moreprepared.com/)

2 Safety Goggles ($1.95 at http://www.moreprepared.com/)

Leatherman Micra multi-tool ($15.99 at http://www.amazon.com/)

4-in-one tool ($17.95 at http://www.moreprepared.com/)

2 36 hour candles ($10.00 at moreprepared.com)

Waterproof matches (http://www.moreprepared.com/)

Aluminum Foil

Nylon Cord (http://www.moreprepared.com/)

Paper and Pens

Photocopies of ID and credit cards; emergency contact list

Cash

2 Mace Triple Action Pepper Spray Police Model ($20.00 at http://www.safetyessentials.com/)