Everyone has a local food bank, homeless shelter, or another charity that is always looking for food. Just think of all the food you throw away when you start a diet, or while cleaning out cupboards. A box of macaroni and cheese here, a can of pea soup there, it all adds up. If you have an abundance of sale items you overstocked on back when you were extreme-couponing, now’s the time to “pay it forward”.
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Check with your local church, shelter or community center for residents and neighbors who are in need and come to their rescue. Often you can get a specific list of items for particular families or individuals who may be in need of things like blankets, or toys for children, diapers, hygiene products, coats, etc. Volunteer some time with hospital patients who cannot be home for the holidays. Bring in a group of carolers to lighten the atmosphere. It does not take much effort to be an angel, and you may even earn your wings!
Whether you have lived in an area for 10 days or 10 years, you can likely discover some interesting and sometimes frightening urban legends if you inquire about the local area. An urban legend does not actually refer to an urban environment but rather implies local stories and folklore that have been handed down without much documentation. Older children seem to be aware of these tales and often recant them around campfires or sleepovers. Many of these stories involve bridges, murders, woods, or strange creatures. Challenge yourself to discover an urban legend of your locale. If you know some, then share a few.
Patrick and I got hit with the cold bug all of last week and spent most days driving around buying tissues and various promises of cold cures.
Before the winter cold and flu season starts to really hit, go through your medicine cabinet and check out your arsenal of counterattacks to coughs , sore throats, and fevers. If you are like most people, medicine only becomes important when we need it, and then we feel too unwell to get what we need. It might not even be too late for that flu shot. Stock up on things like hand sanitizer, tissues, regular aspirin, throat lozenges, and even some chicken soup and a good movie! Check up on just how many sick days you have to use, just in case.
So often when we purchase items we do not give a second thought to the warranty. Why would we? After all, our product is new. Somehow in the excitement to open our new item, direction manuals and warranty paperwork get lost in the shuffle or thrown away. Then 6 months down the road when you need troubleshooting information or free replacement of the defective item, you are stuck. Find a place to keep all such paperwork for times of need. If you don’t want the clutter, see if you can find some of your manuals online as pdf files and save in a well-marked file. Take the time to learn to what extent you are covered under warranties for major purchases.
Endeavor to find a more economical way to get to work or school for a day. Coordinate transportation to and from practices for your children. Arrange a car pool once a week for work. Take public transportation. Walk. Ride a bike. Telecommute! Taking the day off would conserve energy and time, but don’t tell your boss!
If you have ever watched the Iron Chef, you know about a “secret ingredient”. For those of you who are not familiar with the popular cooking show, the premise is for chefs to creatively and competitively use a selection of secret ingredients to create a delicious meal. Be your own Iron Chef for a day or even a week. Choose some food item you have never used in a meal before. Follow a recipe or create something impromptu. Check out this list of secret ingredients, too! “Allez Cuisine!”
Take an inventory of personal valuables (especially jewelry), and be sure you have insurance coverage on any items that have more than sentimental value. Consider inconspicuous hiding places for your jewelry when you are not home for extended periods of time. There are many items on the market to help “hide” things such as fake ice cubes! Just don’t forget where you have put things! Read more about the best and worst places to hide your valuables.
Plan ahead and brainstorm a timeline for yourself now, so the world does not come crashing down one week before the holidays. Pay particular attention to things you can do early. If you are traveling for the holidays, get your arrangements squared away: accommodations, tickets, and any other reservations. Brainstorm gift lists. Get gift wrapping items. Buy baking ingredients for holiday goodies. Taking care of small things early will help you and others to enjoy the holidays more later.
Find yourself a free and fun screensaver to protect your screen when you are not working on your computer. There are many free ones to be found online and programs to create your own. Change it from time to time especially if it can be seen by others. Explore what the computer already might have stored for your use.