Amanda and Patrick

Today’s Resolution: Walk the Walk

In making efforts to squeeze in some kind of daily exercise, walking is often an overlooked form of healthy activity that we do without thinking.  From household chores to meandering from one room to the next at the office, we are engaged in movement. Try to guess how much mileage you are actually accumulating each day and how many calories you are burning. Get yourself a pedometer and calculate your marathon steps. Even a 20 minute walk with the dog for a 175 lb. man can burn at least 75 calories (that could translate to a couple of cookies!).

Today’s Resolution: Go Treasure Hunting!

Technology has brought a plethora of multi-player activities to our doorstep without ever having to meet other participants. Popular games like Words with Friends (of Alec Baldwin fame), World of Warcraft, even classic Scrabble have invited complete strangers to our cyber game tables. For something that combines physical contact and cyberspace, try GeoCaching (www.geocaching.com).  It utilizes GPS-enabled devices to help you find physical “treasures” at locations all over the world. Don’t count on getting rich, but you might have fun!

Today’s Resolution: Get Canned

Today's Resolution: Get Canned
This is typically the time of year when many community-based groups organize canned food drives. Often the Boy Scouts are out placing bags at residences going door-to-door for a collection a week later. Schools will often request donations for local groups in need too. Even if no one has knocked on your door yet with this type of request, be prepared. Start going through your pantry now, and set aside non-perishable food items for the benefit of others. And if the Boy Scouts don’t come knocking, seek out organizations who would welcome your donation.

Today’s Resolution: Make It a Wrap

Today's Resolution: Make It a Wrap

Looking for a healthy staple to add to your grocery list that still allows for a variety of tastes? Tortillas can be a healthy alternative to standard sandwiches. Dietary needs and tastes are covered whether you try a whole wheat one or sun-dried tomato tortilla. Cheeses, vegetables, deli meat, even peanut butter can be rolled up to make a delicious wrap. Experimenting with these can also be a fun way to include children in making their own lunches too.

Today’s Resolution: Get Down to the Nuts & Bolts

Every so often you may find yourself in need of a solo nut, bolt, or nail. If you decide to go to the hardware store, you end up buying more than you need and unnecessarily paying a dollar or two. The alternative is hunting around your junk drawers in the kitchen or seeking something out in the garage. Put all of your “spares” in one convenient spot.  A tool box (this makes the most sense) is convenient or even a small baby food jar can do the trick.

Today’s Resolution: Rid Yourself of the Seven Year Itch

Today's Resolution: Rid Yourself of the Seven Year Itch

Stop holding on to those clothes that you never wear! It’s a good time to go through closets, drawers, and bins and start a pile of clothes you have not worn in 7 or more years. Many people keep a stash of “fat” and “thin” clothes for when weight is gained or lost. Force yourself to maintain an ideal weight. Take away that safety net. Look to see if the styles you have in your closet are tragically outdated. Avoid keeping clothes for sentimental reasons. If you are not wearing them, they serve no purpose. Donate or discard. If anything, it will give you an incentive to stay trim and reward yourself with some new outfits!

Today’s Daily Resolution: Get To Know Mr. October

October marks the seasonal culmination of America’s favorite past-time. Whether you are a fan of baseball or not, learn a few facts about the sport. Chances are you will run into someone who will bring up the World Series this time of year. Study up on easy to remember facts or statistics on classic ballplayers like Babe Ruth, Joe DiMaggio, or Mickey Mantle. Dig a little deeper for interesting trivia on lesser known ballplayers. Read about a controversial issue in baseball. And by the way, do you know who was nicknamed “Mr. October”? Better yet, why?

Today’s Daily Resolution: Wield Some Words of Wisdom

Sound advice and words of encouragement can come from many places: celebrities, historic figures, writers, our family, etc. Some we have heard so often they become cliché. Find a quote or two that personifies your personal mantra or outlook on life. Choose something easy to remember, but not something overused. Add it to your signature in emails; post it on your refrigerator; say it to your friends and family (at the appropriate times).  Be clever and create your own. And remember, in the profound words of Mike Brady (yes, the father of The Brady Bunch fame), “Wherever you go, there you are.”

Today’s Daily Resolution: Check your Perks

Credit cards, phones, computers…all of these items and more are perk-friendly. Take some time to make sure you are taking full advantage of the perks some of your purchases offer. Credit cards offer a variety of items ranging from travel opportunities (flights, train fare, gas cards) to apparel. Phones offer airtime and upgrades. Computers provide access to freebies in the form of software and online memberships. There is nothing worse than discovering you could have had a free flight somewhere, but the promotion you were entitled to is now expired. Check those perks now; you might be able to plan a trip for next to nothing!

Ps. One of our BuzzFarmers clients is Swipely and we’d be jerks if we didn’t mention their awesome cash-back shopping and dining rewards here. Amanda just checked her perks there, and she had $50 in cash-back rewards in her Swipely account!

Today’s Resolution: Avoid Asking “Where’s my—-?”

Can’t find your keys? glasses? cell phone? Resolve to find some permanent spots in your home or office where you will make an effort to set commonly used items. Or maybe the items are too camouflaged. Add something noticeable to them like a colorful lanyard or keychain for the keys. Put your glasses in a bright case or add a chain where they can reside around your neck when not in use. At least with a cell phone you can call yourself from another phone and follow the ring (only if it is not on mute!).