Have you heard of Dave Bruno's "100 Thing Challenge?" He challenges people to reduce their possessions to just 100 items. This may seem crazy to you, but it definitely makes you think about what is and isn't important to you.
http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1812048,00.html
Action Ideas:
1. Chat about it with a spouse, roommate, or friend. See what's important to them, and share your ideas.
2. Jot down what you would keep if you could only keep 100 things. Brainstorm and have fun with it.
3. When you go home, see if there's anything there that wouldn't even break the top 1,000 list! It's time for those items to go.
Thursday, October 9, 2008
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
Daylight Saving To-Do List
For those hard-to-remember semiannual chores, it may be helpful to create a "daylight saving" to do list. Here are some ideas from my list to get you started.
1. Right after you change your clocks, change your smoke detector batteries. It only costs a few dollars for new batteries, and it could save your life.
2. Replace air filters in your heating/air conditioning system. This should be done at least every six months, or more often if you have pets or run your system a lot. If you have central air, daylight saving time may also be a good time to schedule professional duct cleaning.
3. Check your credit report. The website annualcreditreport.com offers free, secure copies of your credit report from the three major companies once a year. You can also request reports by phone by calling 1-877-322-8228. I like to check one after new year's and the others at the two daylight saving times. I usually go alphabetically: Equifax in January, Experian in the spring, and TransUnion in the fall.
4. Replace your car's windshield wipers. It's best to replace your windshield wipers ever six months, or more often if you have a long commute or park outdoors. You can measure your wipers, buy replacements for about $5 to $15 each, and install them yourself. Or, ask your mechanic to do it, possibly in combination with an oil change or inspection.
5. Replace your car's air filter. Either ask your mechanic to do it, or do it yourself. Air filters cost about $10 to $50, and your auto parts store will have guides on which filter your car uses. Although the task can be a little dirty, it doesn't take a whole lot of know-how to change the filter. Just make sure you let your car's engine cool down before opening up the hood.
6. Add your own items to this list. For example, my vacuum cleaner needs a filter replaced every six months. There is no way I would remember to do that without my daylight saving list!
1. Right after you change your clocks, change your smoke detector batteries. It only costs a few dollars for new batteries, and it could save your life.
2. Replace air filters in your heating/air conditioning system. This should be done at least every six months, or more often if you have pets or run your system a lot. If you have central air, daylight saving time may also be a good time to schedule professional duct cleaning.
3. Check your credit report. The website annualcreditreport.com offers free, secure copies of your credit report from the three major companies once a year. You can also request reports by phone by calling 1-877-322-8228. I like to check one after new year's and the others at the two daylight saving times. I usually go alphabetically: Equifax in January, Experian in the spring, and TransUnion in the fall.
4. Replace your car's windshield wipers. It's best to replace your windshield wipers ever six months, or more often if you have a long commute or park outdoors. You can measure your wipers, buy replacements for about $5 to $15 each, and install them yourself. Or, ask your mechanic to do it, possibly in combination with an oil change or inspection.
5. Replace your car's air filter. Either ask your mechanic to do it, or do it yourself. Air filters cost about $10 to $50, and your auto parts store will have guides on which filter your car uses. Although the task can be a little dirty, it doesn't take a whole lot of know-how to change the filter. Just make sure you let your car's engine cool down before opening up the hood.
6. Add your own items to this list. For example, my vacuum cleaner needs a filter replaced every six months. There is no way I would remember to do that without my daylight saving list!
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Are You Prepared? National Preparedness Month
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's "Ready Campaign" has dedicated September as National Preparedness Month. There is a wealth of information about preparing for emergencies on their www.ready.gov website, but it can be overwhelming. If you don't know where to begin, here are a few ideas.
Compile an Emergency Numbers List
Gather a list of phone numbers of family, friends, doctors, insurance companies, lawyers, banks, credit cards, etc. If you choose to, include the last four digits of your account numbers next to financial phone numbers. This list will go into your safe, your emergency bag, and possibly with a trusted family member or friend.
Secure Your Original Documents
It will give you peace of mind if the original copies of your important documents are safe if there is a disaster at your house or even if you are in an accident away from home. Two good options to safeguard documents are 1) a waterproof, fireproof home safe, or 2) a safe deposit box. Safe deposit boxes may be more secure, but you are limited because you can only access them during certain hours. Visit http://www.personal-finance-hq.com/managing/safe-deposit-boxes.html to help decide which is best for you. Whichever one you choose, here are the items that you can store there: passport, birth certificate, Social Security card, deed, will, insurance policy with list/photos, computer back ups, a family portrait or important photos that you don't have digitally, and your emergency numbers list. Also store photocopies of your drivers license, medical card, and other IDs you carry in your wallet.
Make an Emergency Bag
The Ready Campaign website suggests creating a emergency kit that you can use if you are stuck in your house, or you can grab if you have to evacuate quickly. If you don't have the space to store big plastic tubs of supplies, at least start by creating a bag of that you can grab quickly. Your kit should at least include: water, food and can-opener, battery-powered or hand-crank radio, flashlight, extra batteries, first aid kit, whistle, dust mask, wet-wipes, garbage bags, wrench, local maps, and your emergency numbers list. To see the full list of items, go to www.ready.gov and click on "Get a Kit."
Clean Up Your Files
It is important to have organized files, both for your own use in an emergency and for use by family members in case something happens to you. It's uncomfortable to think about, but just imagine how stressful it would be if your family had to sort through your papers while they're taking care of you or grieving. Invest in a decent filing cabinet, filing box, or accordion file-case. Label file tabs clearly, and type an "index" that lists all of the file names for easy access. Keep up with your filing, assigning at least one hour a week to file. Go through all of your files once a year, and purge what you don't need to keep in paper form anymore. For help on how long to keep certain paperwork, see this website: www.bankrate.com/brm/news/mtg/20000518h.asp.
Compile an Emergency Numbers List
Gather a list of phone numbers of family, friends, doctors, insurance companies, lawyers, banks, credit cards, etc. If you choose to, include the last four digits of your account numbers next to financial phone numbers. This list will go into your safe, your emergency bag, and possibly with a trusted family member or friend.
Secure Your Original Documents
It will give you peace of mind if the original copies of your important documents are safe if there is a disaster at your house or even if you are in an accident away from home. Two good options to safeguard documents are 1) a waterproof, fireproof home safe, or 2) a safe deposit box. Safe deposit boxes may be more secure, but you are limited because you can only access them during certain hours. Visit http://www.personal-finance-hq.com/managing/safe-deposit-boxes.html to help decide which is best for you. Whichever one you choose, here are the items that you can store there: passport, birth certificate, Social Security card, deed, will, insurance policy with list/photos, computer back ups, a family portrait or important photos that you don't have digitally, and your emergency numbers list. Also store photocopies of your drivers license, medical card, and other IDs you carry in your wallet.
Make an Emergency Bag
The Ready Campaign website suggests creating a emergency kit that you can use if you are stuck in your house, or you can grab if you have to evacuate quickly. If you don't have the space to store big plastic tubs of supplies, at least start by creating a bag of that you can grab quickly. Your kit should at least include: water, food and can-opener, battery-powered or hand-crank radio, flashlight, extra batteries, first aid kit, whistle, dust mask, wet-wipes, garbage bags, wrench, local maps, and your emergency numbers list. To see the full list of items, go to www.ready.gov and click on "Get a Kit."
Clean Up Your Files
It is important to have organized files, both for your own use in an emergency and for use by family members in case something happens to you. It's uncomfortable to think about, but just imagine how stressful it would be if your family had to sort through your papers while they're taking care of you or grieving. Invest in a decent filing cabinet, filing box, or accordion file-case. Label file tabs clearly, and type an "index" that lists all of the file names for easy access. Keep up with your filing, assigning at least one hour a week to file. Go through all of your files once a year, and purge what you don't need to keep in paper form anymore. For help on how long to keep certain paperwork, see this website: www.bankrate.com/brm/news/mtg/20000518h.asp.
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
The Best of Times: Best Times to Do Things
We're all trying to get things done faster and cheaper these days. I was thinking about this, and wondering if there are standard better times than other to do regular tasks. I did a little research, and here are some ideas to make your life more efficient.
Best Time to Buy Gas
Studies show that the best time to fill up is mid-week (Tuesday through Thursday) mornings before 10 a.m. Why? Most people buy gas from Friday through Monday, so station managers follow the supply and demand principle, and raise their rates then. They also change their prices around 10 a.m. each morning.
Best Time to Buy Airline Tickets
Travel writer Peter Greenberg says that the best time to purchase airline tickets online is Tuesday night/Wednesday morning between 12:01 a.m. and dawn. Airlines often raise rates on Friday nights, and ticket price wars occur over the weekend through Monday. By the time Tuesday night comes around, the bidding wars and competition have lowered ticket prices, just in time to sell them and start the Friday cycle all over again. If you can stay up late or get up early, here's your chance!
Best Time to Go to the Post Office
Experts agree that the best time to go to your post office in about a half hour after they open. You will miss the early-morning people, and avoid the lunchtime rush. If your post office opens too late to get there on your way to work, consider using another post office near your home or near your office.
Best Time to Call Customer Service
Research shows that the best time to call company call centers is during workday hours, around 9:30 or 10 a.m. Even 24-hour services have more staff during regular working hours, so chances are better of getting a good agent or talking to a manager. Don't call them right at 8:30 or 9 a.m., though, they need a chance to get set up, answer messages from the day before, and get their coffee, too! And avoid Monday mornings, if possible.
Best Time to Wash Your Car
Auto detailing experts say the best time to wash your car is at sunset. The key is not to let the sun dry your car before you do. Wiping it dry with a cloth reduces the water droplet marks. Parking in the shade also helps.
Best Time to Buy Shoes
Have you ever bought a pair of shoes, just to find they didn't fit the next time you tried to wear them? This is why the best time to buy shoes is late afternoon/early evening, after you've been on your feet most of the day. You should try on shoes while your feet are a little swollen, so the shoes will fit you when you wear them next.
Best Time to Buy Gas
Studies show that the best time to fill up is mid-week (Tuesday through Thursday) mornings before 10 a.m. Why? Most people buy gas from Friday through Monday, so station managers follow the supply and demand principle, and raise their rates then. They also change their prices around 10 a.m. each morning.
Best Time to Buy Airline Tickets
Travel writer Peter Greenberg says that the best time to purchase airline tickets online is Tuesday night/Wednesday morning between 12:01 a.m. and dawn. Airlines often raise rates on Friday nights, and ticket price wars occur over the weekend through Monday. By the time Tuesday night comes around, the bidding wars and competition have lowered ticket prices, just in time to sell them and start the Friday cycle all over again. If you can stay up late or get up early, here's your chance!
Best Time to Go to the Post Office
Experts agree that the best time to go to your post office in about a half hour after they open. You will miss the early-morning people, and avoid the lunchtime rush. If your post office opens too late to get there on your way to work, consider using another post office near your home or near your office.
Best Time to Call Customer Service
Research shows that the best time to call company call centers is during workday hours, around 9:30 or 10 a.m. Even 24-hour services have more staff during regular working hours, so chances are better of getting a good agent or talking to a manager. Don't call them right at 8:30 or 9 a.m., though, they need a chance to get set up, answer messages from the day before, and get their coffee, too! And avoid Monday mornings, if possible.
Best Time to Wash Your Car
Auto detailing experts say the best time to wash your car is at sunset. The key is not to let the sun dry your car before you do. Wiping it dry with a cloth reduces the water droplet marks. Parking in the shade also helps.
Best Time to Buy Shoes
Have you ever bought a pair of shoes, just to find they didn't fit the next time you tried to wear them? This is why the best time to buy shoes is late afternoon/early evening, after you've been on your feet most of the day. You should try on shoes while your feet are a little swollen, so the shoes will fit you when you wear them next.
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
Pack It Faster and Easier
As we enter vacation season, I thought I'd propose some tips to make packing easier.
1. Make a list of items to pack about a week before you have to pack. As you do laundry, put the clothes you want to take in your bag, to avoid the last-minute laundry rush. If you go on the same or similar vacations every year, consider writing or typing a master packing list. For example, if you go to the beach for a week each summer, make a list of items such as "4 pairs of pants, 2 pairs of shorts, toiletries bag, camera, sun block," etc. You don't need to be specific, but be comprehensive.
2. Keep a great toiletries bag or Dopp kit. Instead of running around gathering supplies at the 11th hour, keep a small toiletries bag year-round. Check it a few weeks before traveling to see if anything expired. Most drug stores and supermarkets have travel-size toiletries, but visit Bed Bath & Beyond for a great selection. To find your absolutely favorite soap or shampoo in a travel size, try www.minimus.biz. If your toiletries bag is overflowing, consider removing anything you hardly use, anything that a hotel may provide, or anything you can easily buy in the hotel shop or drug store when you get there.
3. If you're flying, check the restrictions in advance. The airline rules for liquids change often, and airlines have their own size limits for carry-on bags. A few weeks before your trip, visit your airline's website for baggage guidelines. Most airlines request that you keep your liquid toiletries in bottles/tubes three ounces or less, and that they all fit together in a one-quart (sandwich-sized) plastic zip-top bag.
4. Bring extra plastic shopping bags. They are great for dirty clothes, shoes, wet swimsuits, food, etc.
5. Put heavier items at the bottom of the suitcase. Put shoes and your toiletries towards the bottom-where the wheels are on rolling cases-so the suitcase isn't top-heavy when transporting.
6. If you're traveling for more than a week, don't be afraid to plan to wear things twice. Skimp on packing extras of items you can wear twice, like pants, sweaters, shoes, etc. Don't skimp on underwear, socks, and undershirts. Pack basics that can be mixed-and-matched. Remember that most people who see you when you travel will not see you twice. Plus, unless you're going somewhere like the Hamptons, not many people will remember what you wear anyway. (Sorry!)
My mother and I went to Italy for a week with only two small carryon duffle bags. When everyone else was waiting at baggage claim and lugging big suitcases through the airport, we were onto our destination quickly and easily. We had more than enough to wear, and nobody was the wiser!
1. Make a list of items to pack about a week before you have to pack. As you do laundry, put the clothes you want to take in your bag, to avoid the last-minute laundry rush. If you go on the same or similar vacations every year, consider writing or typing a master packing list. For example, if you go to the beach for a week each summer, make a list of items such as "4 pairs of pants, 2 pairs of shorts, toiletries bag, camera, sun block," etc. You don't need to be specific, but be comprehensive.
2. Keep a great toiletries bag or Dopp kit. Instead of running around gathering supplies at the 11th hour, keep a small toiletries bag year-round. Check it a few weeks before traveling to see if anything expired. Most drug stores and supermarkets have travel-size toiletries, but visit Bed Bath & Beyond for a great selection. To find your absolutely favorite soap or shampoo in a travel size, try www.minimus.biz. If your toiletries bag is overflowing, consider removing anything you hardly use, anything that a hotel may provide, or anything you can easily buy in the hotel shop or drug store when you get there.
3. If you're flying, check the restrictions in advance. The airline rules for liquids change often, and airlines have their own size limits for carry-on bags. A few weeks before your trip, visit your airline's website for baggage guidelines. Most airlines request that you keep your liquid toiletries in bottles/tubes three ounces or less, and that they all fit together in a one-quart (sandwich-sized) plastic zip-top bag.
4. Bring extra plastic shopping bags. They are great for dirty clothes, shoes, wet swimsuits, food, etc.
5. Put heavier items at the bottom of the suitcase. Put shoes and your toiletries towards the bottom-where the wheels are on rolling cases-so the suitcase isn't top-heavy when transporting.
6. If you're traveling for more than a week, don't be afraid to plan to wear things twice. Skimp on packing extras of items you can wear twice, like pants, sweaters, shoes, etc. Don't skimp on underwear, socks, and undershirts. Pack basics that can be mixed-and-matched. Remember that most people who see you when you travel will not see you twice. Plus, unless you're going somewhere like the Hamptons, not many people will remember what you wear anyway. (Sorry!)
My mother and I went to Italy for a week with only two small carryon duffle bags. When everyone else was waiting at baggage claim and lugging big suitcases through the airport, we were onto our destination quickly and easily. We had more than enough to wear, and nobody was the wiser!
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