Guides & how-tos
Honest, practical articles about the topics our apps solve.
Mobile games like Stardew Valley: 6 picks for iPhone and Android
Six games like Stardew Valley you can actually play on iPhone or Android, from My Time at Portia to Graveyard Keeper, with what each keeps from Stardew and what it drops.
10/11/2026 · 6 min read
Blown-in insulation calculator: how many bags do I need for my attic?
How many bags of blown-in insulation you need: the R-value × area ÷ bag rating formula, DOE targets by climate zone, a bag table for a 1,000 sq ft attic, and a free calculator.
6 min read
Bill payment tracker: the columns you need, a 20-minute setup and free printable, sheet and app versions
How to set up a bill payment tracker that stops missed payments: the seven columns, a 20-minute setup, a weekly check, and free printable, spreadsheet and app versions.
6 min read
Coast FIRE calculator: how much do you need saved to stop saving?
The coast FIRE formula with a worked example, a coast FIRE number table by age, what most calculators leave out (inflation, Social Security, taxes, couples) and a free calculator.
7 min read
Pea gravel calculator: how much pea gravel do I need? (yards, tons and bags)
How much pea gravel you need for a patio, path, dog run or play area: the formula, a coverage chart by depth, bag counts and worked examples, plus a free calculator.
6 min read
Best Shopify collection import and export apps (2026)
Matrixify, Altera, Collections Import Export Pro, IMPEX and Shelfport compared for exporting and importing Shopify collections: free limits, prices and what each does best.
5 min read
How to create Shopify collections in bulk
Plan smart collections around tags, create them one by one in Shopify, or build hundreds from one spreadsheet with a preview and undo.
5 min read
How to sort products in a Shopify collection (and change it in bulk)
Set a Shopify collection's sort order, drag products into a manual order, pick the right order for each collection, and change sorting across many collections at once.
5 min readHow to copy collections to another Shopify store
Move Shopify collections to a new store: copy products first, rebuild smart and manual collections natively, or export every collection and import it with a preview.
5 min read
Best bulk edit apps for Shopify in 2026, compared honestly
Hextom, Ablestar, Matrixify, NA Bulk Price Editor and Bulk Edit Everything compared: ratings, free-plan limits, paid plans and which one fits which job.
6 min read
How to bulk edit variants in Shopify: prices, SKUs, weights and more
Edit Shopify variants in bulk: the bulk editor, the product CSV, renaming option values, common jobs like SKUs and weights, and a filter-and-preview method with undo.
5 min read
How to bulk edit inventory in Shopify
Update stock for many Shopify products at once: the Inventory page, the bulk editor, the inventory CSV, tracking and out-of-stock settings, and a faster way with undo.
5 min readHow to bulk edit compare-at prices in Shopify (start and end a sale)
Put products on sale in Shopify by bulk editing compare-at prices: the bulk editor, a CSV with formulas, clearing compare-at after a sale, and a one-task method with undo.
5 min read
Tierwise vs Kaching vs Pumper vs Dealeasy: quantity break apps compared (2026)
An honest comparison of Shopify quantity break apps: Kaching Bundles, Pumper, Dealeasy and Tierwise. Ratings, free-plan caps, paid plans and which store each suits.
6 min read
How to sell in packs or multiples on Shopify
Sell products in packs or multiples of 6, 12 or 24 on Shopify: pack-size variants, checkout rules that enforce multiples, and pack discounts.
5 min read
Shopify volume discount not working? 7 things to check
Fix a Shopify quantity or volume discount that doesn't apply: code vs automatic, product coverage, how quantity is counted, discount combinations, Buy It Now and display issues.
6 min read
Shopify quantity discounts without Shopify Plus
Run tiered quantity discounts on any Shopify plan: automatic discounts with a minimum quantity, what's really Plus-only, the limits, and a one-discount alternative.
5 min readHow to back up your Shopify store (and what Shopify doesn't save)
Shopify has no restore button for your own changes. What you can export for free, what you can't (collections, pages), and a simple monthly Shopify backup routine.
6 min readShopify smart collections: conditions, examples and bulk setup
How Shopify smart collections work: creating one, the conditions you can use, five every store needs, why wrong products show, and creating many at once.
7 min read
How to schedule a sale in Shopify (start and end automatically)
Schedule a Shopify sale to start and end on time: automatic discounts with active dates, compare-at sale prices, and scheduled bulk price changes with undo.
6 min readHow to bulk edit tags in Shopify: add, remove, rename and clean up
Add or remove tags on many Shopify products, customers or orders, rename a tag, and clean up old or duplicate tags, using built-in bulk actions first.
6 min readHow to show a quantity discount table on Shopify product pages
Three ways to show quantity-break and volume discount tiers on Shopify product pages: a description table, a metafield with Liquid, or an app block.
5 min read
Quantity breaks vs. bundles on Shopify: which offer does your store need?
Quantity breaks, bundles, mix-and-match and BOGO compared for Shopify stores: when each one lifts order value, how they combine, and suite vs focused apps.
5 min readFree quantity break apps for Shopify: what each free plan really includes
Free quantity break and volume discount apps for Shopify compared: revenue caps, order caps and product limits on each free plan, read from the App Store listings.
6 min read
Image converter app (2026): HEIC, WebP and PNG to JPG without uploading
Why on-device conversion matters, what to look for in an image converter app, and free options: our Android HEIC/WebP converter and a browser WebP to JPG tool.
5 min readGravel calculator app: tons, yards and truckloads on your phone (2026)
What a gravel calculator app needs to get tons right, the yards-to-tons formula with an example, and the free options for Android, iPhone and the web.
5 min read
Deck calculator app: boards, framing and cost on your phone (2026)
What a deck calculator app should count, a 12x16 worked example to check any app against, and the free options for Android, iPhone and the web.
6 min read
Best flag quiz app (2026): what to look for, and how to learn every flag
What makes a good flag quiz or geography quiz app, a three-week plan to learn all 197 flags, and our free Geography Quiz Arcade for Android and iPhone.
5 min read
Brain training app guide (2026): what works and what to look for
The best brain training apps compared: Lumosity, Elevate, BrainHQ, Peak, CogniFit, NeuroNation and Mind Skills Arcade, and how each one charges.
6 min readBest bill organizer app (2026): reminders without linking your bank
What a bill organizer app should do, bank-linked vs manual trackers, and a ten-minute setup. Includes our free Bill Organizer & Tracker for Android and iPhone.
6 min read
How to use your phone as a PC remote: 4 free ways compared (2026)
Remote desktop, KDE Connect, Phone Link or a phone button deck: which free tool turns your phone into a remote for your Windows PC or Mac, and how to set one up.
6 min read
Drywall calculator app: free sheet, mud and tape estimator (2026)
What a drywall calculator app should count, a worked 12×12 room to check it against, and free drywall estimators for Android, iPhone and the browser.
5 min read
Fence calculator app: free fence estimator for Android, iPhone and web (2026)
What a fence calculator app should count (posts, pickets, rails, gates, concrete), the math to check it against, and free options for Android, iPhone and the web.
6 min read
Best free roofing calculator app (2026): app vs web vs spreadsheet
What a free roofing calculator app should do, how it compares with web calculators and spreadsheets, and a worked example from footprint and pitch to bundles.
6 min read
Roof pitch app: measure pitch with your phone (free, 2026)
How a roof pitch app reads slope with your phone's sensors, how it compares with the iPhone Level, and a free app that turns the pitch into bundles.
6 min readBest side hustle app: gig apps vs planners, and what you keep
Gig apps pay you; planner apps help you pick and track a hustle. What each asks of you, the 15.3% self-employment tax, and a free planner app.
6 min read
Best currency calculator app: offline rates and real fees (2026)
What a currency calculator app should do, where its rates come from, and a free offline app for Android and iPhone that shows card and ATM fees too.
6 min readGames to play when bored: free picks for 1 minute to a whole evening
Games to play when bored, sorted by how much time you have: 1-minute browser games, 5-minute puzzles, evening card games, and games to play with friends or on paper. All free, no signup.
8 min readContractor estimate app for iPhone: deck, fence and drywall
Estimate a deck, a fence and a room of drywall on your iPhone: the takeoff, the cost and a PDF quote, with worked numbers and two free apps.
6 min readBest construction calculator app for iPhone (2026)
What a construction calculator app for iPhone should do, and how one free offline app covers roofs, decks, fences, drywall, tile and gravel.
6 min read
Free money and business calculators: 11 new tools for bills, pay and small business
11 free money calculators: gas bill, cash envelopes, invest vs pay off debt, 401(k), HSA, tip pooling, cleaning quotes, food cost and surcharges.
5 min readFree home-project calculators for fall: 15 new tools for the jobs before winter
15 free calculators for fall home projects: attic insulation, hurricane ties, metal roof screws, deck joist tape, gates, pine straw and more.
5 min read
What to wear in 50 degree weather (with wind, sun and rain adjustments)
What to wear when it's 50°F: the two-layer formula, how wind chill changes it (NWS formula), sun and rain tweaks, and three outfit ideas from your forecast.
5 min read
How to remove a stripped screw (and find the right replacement)
Remove a stripped screw step by step — better bit, rubber band, pliers, glue, then a cut slot — and find the exact replacement size for laptops and M.2 SSDs.
6 min read
FHA vs conventional loan: costs, mortgage insurance and a side-by-side example
FHA vs conventional loans compared: down payment, credit score, MIP vs PMI and when each ends, with a worked $350,000 example you can rerun in a free calculator.
6 min read
Travel itinerary template: a layout that works, with a filled-in example
A free travel itinerary template you can paste into Docs, Word or a spreadsheet, what to put in it, and a filled-in three-night example built with a free trip planner.
6 min readStream Deck on Mac: hardware, Stream Deck Mobile or a free phone deck
Three ways to use a Stream Deck on a Mac: Elgato's hardware, the Stream Deck Mobile app, or a free phone deck — with the macOS permissions each one needs.
5 min read
Construction calculator API: add roofing and material estimates to your app
65 JSON endpoints for roofing, decking, fencing, drywall, insulation, tile, gravel and concrete quantities, imperial or metric. Examples and a free key.
5 min read
Image downloader extension for Chrome: save any image as JPG, PNG or WebP
Why Chrome saves pictures as WebP, what a good image downloader extension does, the privacy check to make, and how to save one image or a whole page as JPG.
5 min read
Free apps from Dixon App Studio
Every free Dixon App Studio app on the App Store and Google Play, plus our free web tools — with this week's updates and download links. Updated October 1, 2026.
4 min readGame recommendations: how to find games like the ones you love
Better game recommendations start with what you loved. A six-step method for finding similar games you will finish, with examples and head-to-heads.
6 min read
How much grout do I need? Formula, coverage and examples
Work out grout in pounds and bags from tile size, joint width and depth — with worked examples for a floor, a shower and a mosaic, plus a coverage guide.
6 min readWhat R-value insulation do I need? R-value by climate zone
Code-minimum R-values by climate zone for attics, walls, floors, crawl spaces and basements — 2021 vs older IECC editions, and what each means in inches.
6 min readWhat game should I play? Three questions that pick one
Can't decide what game to play? Answer three questions (time, energy, who you're playing with), then find games like the ones you loved.
6 min readHow much tile do I need? Boxes, waste, thinset and grout
Work out how much tile you need: area, the right waste percentage for your pattern, boxes, thinset and grout — with a worked 10 × 12 ft bathroom floor.
6 min readHow much insulation do I need? R-value, depth and bag count
The IECC R-value for your climate zone, the insulation depth that reaches it, and how many bags or batts you need, with a worked 1,000 sq ft attic.
7 min readHow many tons of gravel do I need? Formula and examples
Convert area and depth into cubic yards and tons of gravel, with densities for #57, pea gravel and crusher run, and worked driveway and path examples.
6 min read
How much sod do I need? Rolls, slabs and pallets explained
Measure your lawn, add waste and convert square feet into sod rolls, slabs and pallets — plus topsoil, delivery weight and watering, with a worked example.
6 min readHow much drywall do I need? Sheets, mud, tape and screws
Work out how many drywall sheets you need for a room, plus joint compound, tape and screws — with a worked 12 × 12 ft example and the rules pros use.
6 min readHow to organize bills: a simple 5-step system that stops late fees
How to organize bills and due dates: list every bill, group by category, put due dates on one calendar, set reminders and do a 10-minute weekly check.
6 min readHow to learn every world flag (and ace any flag quiz)
A study method for world flags: flag families, lookalike pairs (Chad vs Romania, Monaco vs Indonesia), memory hooks and a 2-week flag quiz plan.
6 min read
Best free mileage tracker app: what to look for in 2026
The best free mileage tracker app for Android or iPhone keeps an IRS-ready log: unlimited GPS trips, trip categories, receipts and CSV export. What to look for, and what paid apps add.
6 min readFree brain games for adults: 6 types worth playing daily
The six kinds of free brain games for adults — memory, attention, logic, maths, words and spatial — what each trains, and a 10-minute daily routine.
7 min readNew free tools and buying guides — October 2026
New across Dixon App Studio sites: a GIF resizer, COGS, safety stock and commission calculators, roofing and gaming buying guides, and Prime Day deals.
4 min readHow to export and import Shopify collections with CSV
Shopify has no CSV export for collections. Here's how to back up, edit, import and copy collections between stores, keeping smart rules, product order and SEO.
7 min readShopify wholesale pricing: 4 ways to set it up
Four ways to offer wholesale pricing on Shopify: B2B catalogs, a separate wholesale store, segment-limited discount codes, and automatic tiers by customer tag.
6 min readHow to limit order quantity in Shopify (min, max and multiples)
Set a minimum or maximum order quantity in Shopify: what inventory settings and B2B quantity rules do, why theme tweaks aren't enough, and how checkout rules enforce limits.
6 min readHow to set up quantity breaks (tiered pricing) in Shopify
Set up quantity breaks and tiered volume discounts in Shopify with native automatic discounts, see where they fall short, and add a tier table and cart nudges.
7 min readShopify bulk editor guide: bulk edit products, variants and tags
How to bulk edit products in Shopify with bulk actions, the built-in bulk editor and CSV import, what each can't do, and when a bulk editor app with undo is worth it.
6 min readHow to bulk edit prices in Shopify (3 ways)
Three ways to change many Shopify prices at once: the built-in bulk editor, CSV export with spreadsheet formulas, and a bulk price editor app with preview and undo.
6 min read
How to play Crazy Eights: rules, scoring and house rules
Standard Crazy Eights rules for 2–7 players: dealing, wild 8s, drawing, scoring (8s = 50), popular house rules, strategy and where to play free online.
5 min readBest free geography quiz games (countries, capitals, flags & maps)
Why geography quizzes are addictive, the 4 quiz formats worth playing, and tips to actually get better at countries, capitals, flags, and world maps.
4 min readDeck cost calculator: estimate boards, joists & total price
How to estimate deck materials, framing, concrete, and total cost — formulas plus US average pricing for wood and composite decking in 2026.
5 min read
How many grams in a cup? Complete kitchen conversion chart
Free chart for converting grams to cups for flour, sugar, butter, and more — plus the math behind why ingredient density matters.
5 min readRoofing calculator: how to estimate shingles, squares & cost
Step-by-step guide to estimating roofing materials and cost — pitch factor, waste, squares, bundles, and the math contractors use.
6 min readFence cost calculator: estimate posts, panels & materials
How to estimate fence materials, posts, concrete, and total cost — formulas and US average pricing for every fence type.
5 min readHow to convert WebP to JPG (free, no upload)
The fastest way to convert WebP images to JPG — in-browser, private, no signup. Plus quality tips and when to keep WebP instead.
4 min readCurrency conversion guide for travelers in 2026
Get the best exchange rates while traveling — ATMs, cards, fees to avoid, and how to do quick mental math at the counter.
5 min readMileage deduction 2026: IRS rate, rules & how to track
How the 2026 IRS standard mileage rate works, who can claim it, what counts as a business mile, and how to track it without losing your mind.
5 min read
How to write a contractor quote (free template)
What every contractor quote needs — scope, line items, payment terms, and exclusions. Free template structure included.
5 min readBest free bill tracker apps for Android (2026)
What to look for in a bill tracker app — and the simplest setup that actually keeps you on top of every bill.
4 min read
Pitching analytics 101: pitch counts, velo & spin
What every modern pitching metric means — velo, spin rate, vertical break, command — and which ones actually matter for development.
5 min read
Basketball stats explained: PER, TS%, eFG% and more
Plain-English guide to the basketball advanced stats that actually matter — TS%, eFG%, PER, usage rate, and how to use them.
5 min read12 ways to boost monthly income in 2026 (realistic)
Twelve realistic ways to add $200–$2,000/month — sorted by effort. No hype, no get-rich-quick — just honest side income ideas.
6 min read
Best free spreadsheet templates for small business
The eight spreadsheet templates every small business actually needs — budget, cash flow, invoice tracker, mileage, and more.
5 min readFree business tools every freelancer should bookmark
A focused stack of free web tools for freelancers — quoting, invoicing, conversions, calculators, and admin — without monthly fees.
4 min read10 best brain training games to sharpen focus
Ten brain game types that actually train specific cognitive skills — memory, reaction, attention, and logic — and how to use them.
5 min readBest free browser games (no download, no signup)
What makes a great browser game in 2026, the genres worth playing, and why instant-play browser games beat app-store games for short breaks.
4 min read
Honest pet product reviews: how we test
Our review method for pet food, treats, and accessories — plus how to spot fake reviews and trust the right ones.
4 min read
Columbia SC science news roundup
What science news to follow in Columbia, South Carolina — from USC research to environmental data — plus how to read science critically.
4 min readRoofing calculator app vs spreadsheet: which is faster?
A real comparison of roofing estimation methods — spreadsheet, calculator app, pen & paper — plus the hybrid approach pros actually use.
4 min readBest free unit converter apps for Android (2026)
What to look for in a unit converter app — offline support, unit coverage, calculator integration — and the red flags to avoid.
4 min readQuote maker vs invoice software: what small contractors actually need
Honest comparison of quote makers vs full invoicing software for small contractors — when to upgrade and when to keep it simple.
5 min readHow Dixon App Studio ships small, useful apps
How an indie software studio operates — what we ship, how we ship it, what we don't do, and why small + useful beats big + complicated.
5 min readWhy we don't use subscriptions
Why Dixon App Studio doesn't use subscriptions for utility apps — when subscriptions make sense, when they don't, and what we do instead.
4 min readWhat these guides cover
The guides answer the questions people ask before and after they pick a tool: which calculator fits a job, how to check an estimate before paying for materials, how to compare apps in a crowded category, and how to get the most out of the free versions. Each one links to the website or app it is about, so you can try the numbers as you read.
We write them from the same data the tools use and say where a figure comes from. If a guide is out of date or a number looks wrong, tell us through support and we will correct it. For the tools themselves, start at all apps and tools.