Have you ever been a little strapped for cash? I know I have! Here are some easy ways to find cash and save money to get through the lean times.
1. Use your gift cards. Were you saving those Christmas and birthday gift cards for a rainy day? Use them now! Buy necessities, or use them to cover expenses of gifts for others. Or, trade them in for other gift cards at website like www.plasticjungle.com.
2. Request the checks. It may be the perfect time to cash out your Paypal account, or to request the checks for your credit card’s dividend dollars and other money-back incentives. Also, follow up with your employer about business reimbursements, and call in those loans to friends.
3. Collect the change. Now is the time to cash in your change jar, and to look for loose change around the house. Don’t forget your car, couch, and coat pockets!
4. Contact your insurance company. Many insurance companies offer refunds for programs like health club memberships, smoking cessation, and maternity expenses. Research your insurance company’s programs online, and call them to see if you qualify.
5. Clean out your pantry. I’ve found that most people have enough food in their kitchens to feed a small army. If you’re short on cash, try using up all of the food you have in stock, buying only perishable items like milk and eggs. It’s a chance to assess the items you want to replace, as well as to be a creative chef!
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Friday, October 30, 2009
Turn Your Clocks Back
Don't forget to turn your clocks back an hour before bed Saturday night (October 31) or first thing in the morning on Sunday (November 1)!
Monday, October 19, 2009
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Find Your Calendar
Looking for the "perfect" calendar? Here are some ideas.
Personal/portable calendars:
Taylor Calendar
At-a-Glance
Day-Timer
Franklin Covey
Artalendar
Family/wall calendars:
Pottery Barn's Daily System
BusyBodyBook® Fridge Grid Pad
Magnetic Dry-erase Wall Calendar
I’m FLYing Calendar
Personal/portable calendars:
Family/wall calendars:
Choosing a Calendar
This is the time of year when we start to think about next year’s calendar. If your calendar isn’t working or if you’re looking for a change next year, here are some ideas.
1. Find what works for you. Fancy calendars and electronic organizers may seem impressive, but they may not fit your needs. If you’re having trouble finding a calendar, I suggest starting simply. Buy a pocket month-by-month paper calendar, and use a small notebook for your “to do” list and other lists. These small items fit easily in your purse or pockets. If you find you need more space on each date, try a week-by-week paper calendar. If that isn’t working for you either, try a customizable, three-ring binder calendar with inserts like the systems from Franklin-Covey or Day-Timer. If you are very techno-savvy, try a personal digital assistant (PDA) like a Blackberry or iPhone. They are great because you can sync the information and have an electronic back-up, but they can be annoying because it takes more time to find your information. Also, they can run out of power or break just when you need them. There are also online calendars like Google and Plaxo, but you have to be around a computer a lot to make them worthwhile.
2. Don’t have too many calendars. You’ll want to get in the habit of looking at your calendar every morning. Looking at three or four calendars will become cumbersome and will throw a wrench into your system. Try to have one personal calendar (for your work and home lives) that you carry all the time. Then have a big family wall calendar, if you need one.
3. “Garbage in, garbage out.” You may have heard this saying about accounting, databases, or software. It means that the system is only as good as the information you put into it, and it applies to calendars as well. If you want to get a handle on your schedule, commit to writing all of your appointments in it. Include the start time, end time, name of event, brief location, and phone number (in case you have to cancel).
4. Give it a chance. A new system will take several weeks to get used to. I suggest giving a calendar at least two months. If you’re having problems, analyze why it’s not working, and consider buying a new calendar that fits your needs. There are hundreds of options out there, so I’m sure you’ll be able to find exactly what you need!
1. Find what works for you. Fancy calendars and electronic organizers may seem impressive, but they may not fit your needs. If you’re having trouble finding a calendar, I suggest starting simply. Buy a pocket month-by-month paper calendar, and use a small notebook for your “to do” list and other lists. These small items fit easily in your purse or pockets. If you find you need more space on each date, try a week-by-week paper calendar. If that isn’t working for you either, try a customizable, three-ring binder calendar with inserts like the systems from Franklin-Covey or Day-Timer. If you are very techno-savvy, try a personal digital assistant (PDA) like a Blackberry or iPhone. They are great because you can sync the information and have an electronic back-up, but they can be annoying because it takes more time to find your information. Also, they can run out of power or break just when you need them. There are also online calendars like Google and Plaxo, but you have to be around a computer a lot to make them worthwhile.
2. Don’t have too many calendars. You’ll want to get in the habit of looking at your calendar every morning. Looking at three or four calendars will become cumbersome and will throw a wrench into your system. Try to have one personal calendar (for your work and home lives) that you carry all the time. Then have a big family wall calendar, if you need one.
3. “Garbage in, garbage out.” You may have heard this saying about accounting, databases, or software. It means that the system is only as good as the information you put into it, and it applies to calendars as well. If you want to get a handle on your schedule, commit to writing all of your appointments in it. Include the start time, end time, name of event, brief location, and phone number (in case you have to cancel).
4. Give it a chance. A new system will take several weeks to get used to. I suggest giving a calendar at least two months. If you’re having problems, analyze why it’s not working, and consider buying a new calendar that fits your needs. There are hundreds of options out there, so I’m sure you’ll be able to find exactly what you need!
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