Some grocery stores are now allowing customers to pre-load their member cards with coupons before they even step out the door. For those who hate to clip coupons, this is a great way to add to your grocery savings. If you don’t have a member card for your local grocery store, get one. Check the website for additional savings programs. Many sites also offer bonuses to customers who fill out a simple survey.
Changing the oil on a car, unclogging a toilet, tiling a bathroom…what do these have in common? They are Do It Yourself activities that may or may not come easily to you. Paying an expert to do a job effectively is worth it to many, but sometimes stepping out of your comfort zone to learn to do something handy yourself can be very satisfying. Decide on a DIY task; don’t be a dummy.
When people get greeting cards (for many occasions), many will hold on to them especially if they are particularly sentimental or humorous. Recycle them in a nontraditional way by re-sending them. Share that funny commentary with the one who originally gave it to you or spread the humor to someone new. Don’t try to hide that it is re-used either. Add commentary to previous remarks and even sign it again.
Even if you do not eat out much, having a menu on hand for your favorite food haunts is helpful when you are craving that certain something. Hard copies of menus can be kept in an envelope or electronic copies from restaurant websites can be bookmarked or kept in a folder on your computer desktop. It’s also a helpful way to make decisions when you have out of town guests and you are planning to go out for a meal. Each time you go out for a meal, grab a copy of the menu to add to your collection.
Chores around the house and yard can be daunting if they are put off for any amount of time. It can be easier than we would like to think to ignore things that can be done, especially if they are not urgent. Choose one task to do when you move from one room to the next on another errand. Is the laundry room on your way to the bathroom (we know what needs to be done there!)? Pick up any stray items that could go in the washer: socks, dish towels, a t-shirt and start a load of laundry. Then go do your business!
Many shopping websites have registers or wish-lists. Hop on one of these and create your earmarked set of items you would like. The next time you have a birthday or gift-giving occasion where you could be the recipient, let family and friends know you have pre-selected items to get you just what you want. Encourage others to create these carts too so you don’t spend hours shopping for a sweater they do not like!
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!).
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!
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.