You may never truly love the chore, but this fun idea may make it more palatable! What if you paid yourself to do laundry? Here's how...
First decide what the payday is. What do you want in exchange for doing the laundry all the time? A night out at the movies every month? A manicure? A concert ticket? A new washing machine?
Next step is to get yourself a big jar, or an old tin or a piggy bank. Place it discreetly somewhere in your laundry room. I say discreetly, because you don't want anyone raiding the piggy bank if they stumble upon it looking for their favourite shirt of something.
Then, each time you throw a load of clothes in to the washer, throw a toonie into the jar for yourself. Think of it as your very own, in-house coin-operated laundromat. Any additional money you find in pockets is bonus money and should find itself in the jar as well. Before you know it, you'll have a nice stash of mad money for the movies or whatever you choose. Before long, laundry day won't seem like as much of a chore. You might even start to look forward to it. At the very least, you'll start to feel rewarded for your efforts.
Sunday, February 27, 2011
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Is it collecting or hoarding?
The television show, Hoarders, is debuting a new season next week and even their commercials have people talking. Hoarding is a very complicated issue, one that is more about an emotional response to items than it is a response to a need or want.
Collecting can be an exciting hobby. It's fantastic to finally get the hockey card, or the plate, or the coin that completes the collection. It's like a puzzle. Having all the pieces that were meant to be together, actually together, is a gratifying emotional situation.
The unfortunate part with collecting, is that your collection may only be valuable to you. Hockey cards, coins, vases, golf balls, pickle jars, boards games and such may never have a future value. Certainly not future value that would enable you to retire rich. It's like the lotto really. Maybe 1 in 5 million.
But lets say the collection is worth something... $100 or maybe even $1000. You still have to find a buyer for it. "Worth" is only truly determined when a buyer and seller can come to an agreed upon point of sale. Hopefully, it's a point where each feels that they "got a good deal."
At some point we all need to determine if what we are saving is COSTING us too much. Does holding onto it cause you stress or anxiety? Are you losing sleep, friends or even money over it? Are you using your money to add to your collection, rather than pay your bills, buy groceries or enjoy your free time?
If you are answering yes, your collection may be a problem. If you are collecting things so you can have them ALL, or to keep other people from having them, that's a problem too. If you are saving things constantly for other people... but never actually give them to people, you need to make changes.
If your collection doesn't take away from anything else in your life... perfect. It's a great hobby that brings you happiness. If your collection causes concern for your friends and family, or takes away from the things you truly NEED to succeed (housing, food, clean environment, friends) then it's time to ask for help.
Help can come in many forms. Turn on some music and resolve that today is the day to help yourself. Help can be turning to a counsellor or pastor. Help can be a professional organizing service. But know that there is no magic wand, no one hour made-for-tv solution. It's all about a shift in attitude and enthusiasm for making a change. Collecting should never, ever, cost you your health or your happiness.
Collecting can be an exciting hobby. It's fantastic to finally get the hockey card, or the plate, or the coin that completes the collection. It's like a puzzle. Having all the pieces that were meant to be together, actually together, is a gratifying emotional situation.
The unfortunate part with collecting, is that your collection may only be valuable to you. Hockey cards, coins, vases, golf balls, pickle jars, boards games and such may never have a future value. Certainly not future value that would enable you to retire rich. It's like the lotto really. Maybe 1 in 5 million.
But lets say the collection is worth something... $100 or maybe even $1000. You still have to find a buyer for it. "Worth" is only truly determined when a buyer and seller can come to an agreed upon point of sale. Hopefully, it's a point where each feels that they "got a good deal."
At some point we all need to determine if what we are saving is COSTING us too much. Does holding onto it cause you stress or anxiety? Are you losing sleep, friends or even money over it? Are you using your money to add to your collection, rather than pay your bills, buy groceries or enjoy your free time?
If you are answering yes, your collection may be a problem. If you are collecting things so you can have them ALL, or to keep other people from having them, that's a problem too. If you are saving things constantly for other people... but never actually give them to people, you need to make changes.
If your collection doesn't take away from anything else in your life... perfect. It's a great hobby that brings you happiness. If your collection causes concern for your friends and family, or takes away from the things you truly NEED to succeed (housing, food, clean environment, friends) then it's time to ask for help.
Help can come in many forms. Turn on some music and resolve that today is the day to help yourself. Help can be turning to a counsellor or pastor. Help can be a professional organizing service. But know that there is no magic wand, no one hour made-for-tv solution. It's all about a shift in attitude and enthusiasm for making a change. Collecting should never, ever, cost you your health or your happiness.
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Maui - Last minute bargain
Funny thing... I just finished writing about fare alerts, when I got one. Air Canada chimed my e-mail box to say that "my price" was reached. I had left an automated fare search on YWG to OGG, set for $249 each way. Sure enough, it came up.
YWG to OGG March 8th to 16th. It's a bit of a haul, with 2 stops each way. (connecting in Denver & LA) however, the total flight time is actually really good. You leave at 7:50AM, and land at 5:38 PM (Maui time). The return flight is overnight. Leaving about 10PM on the 15th and returning home about 4PM on the 16th
I can't go. But if you are flexible it might be the deal you've been waiting for. With taxes all in it is $618. An excellent price.
If you are a CAA member, the Maui Coast Hotel, which I definitely recommend, is about $155 a night. Happy hour by the pool is nice. Very nice.
YWG to OGG March 8th to 16th. It's a bit of a haul, with 2 stops each way. (connecting in Denver & LA) however, the total flight time is actually really good. You leave at 7:50AM, and land at 5:38 PM (Maui time). The return flight is overnight. Leaving about 10PM on the 15th and returning home about 4PM on the 16th
I can't go. But if you are flexible it might be the deal you've been waiting for. With taxes all in it is $618. An excellent price.
If you are a CAA member, the Maui Coast Hotel, which I definitely recommend, is about $155 a night. Happy hour by the pool is nice. Very nice.
Calgary to China
Westjet, Air Canada and Delta have been all over the map lately with their prices. Literally. Delta was running European specials last week. To go to Stockholm, Sweden from Grand Forks, ND was under $500 including all taxes and fees. Yesterday, Air Canada ran a special that went from Edmonton, AB to anywhere in Asia. Today, Feb 23rd, it's Calgary to Asia. For example, a one-way pre-tax fare from Calgary to Beijing is $260. Hmmm.
Westjet has been very quick to match Porter Airlines with their discounts of 30% on the east coast. Say a person wanted to go from Montreal to St. John's NFLD, from April 6th to 12th. It would be a very sweet $132.32 each way. That's $373.34 after taxes etc. Sure, I've flown from YWG to NAS for less than that, but it's still a good deal.
Delta currently has a promotion on travel to Spain. Seats are limited. A few weeks ago, it was Dublin, Ireland at a bargain.
Most airline deals last merely a day or two, but can be a great bargain if you're ready to pounce. The best deals, in general, can be found about 8 weeks out of when you want to travel. My suggestion is to know your price and your route and be patient. Keep checking. Also sign up for their automated fare reduction notifications. (See flightnetwork.ca) Once you mark a route, they will e-mail you each time the price drops, even if it's just $10.
I mention Delta, specifically for us in central Canada. Delta flies out of little airports, like Minot, Grand Forks and Fargo North Dakota. They are feeder planes that take you to Minneapolis in less than an hour. From Minneapolis (one of 3 main North American hubs for Delta). Delta, surprisingly, runs 5 daily flights to Minneapolis, from Minot. There really IS a convenient time every day to catch a flight.
I flew Delta this past Christmas, but out of Winnipeg. I'd do it again. But that's another story, for another day.
Westjet has been very quick to match Porter Airlines with their discounts of 30% on the east coast. Say a person wanted to go from Montreal to St. John's NFLD, from April 6th to 12th. It would be a very sweet $132.32 each way. That's $373.34 after taxes etc. Sure, I've flown from YWG to NAS for less than that, but it's still a good deal.
Delta currently has a promotion on travel to Spain. Seats are limited. A few weeks ago, it was Dublin, Ireland at a bargain.
Most airline deals last merely a day or two, but can be a great bargain if you're ready to pounce. The best deals, in general, can be found about 8 weeks out of when you want to travel. My suggestion is to know your price and your route and be patient. Keep checking. Also sign up for their automated fare reduction notifications. (See flightnetwork.ca) Once you mark a route, they will e-mail you each time the price drops, even if it's just $10.
I mention Delta, specifically for us in central Canada. Delta flies out of little airports, like Minot, Grand Forks and Fargo North Dakota. They are feeder planes that take you to Minneapolis in less than an hour. From Minneapolis (one of 3 main North American hubs for Delta). Delta, surprisingly, runs 5 daily flights to Minneapolis, from Minot. There really IS a convenient time every day to catch a flight.
I flew Delta this past Christmas, but out of Winnipeg. I'd do it again. But that's another story, for another day.
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Organizing with children
Organizing a home is a big job. Living with children now makes that job seem like the ocean tides... endlessly washing in and out. Clothes, toys, books in, and clothes, toys, books out. It can be overwhelming at times. Where do you start?
Today I'm going to tackle laundry in this blog. Whether your child is a teen or a toddler, I'm going to suggest a fashion show. When you propose the fashion show to your child, dangle a "carrot" at the end of the chore. Whether their reward is one NEW item to add to their closet, or a ticket to a movie, the reward in this case is important.
Secondly, you are going to give them a little talk about why donating clothes or giving them to a friend or cousin is important. The goal will be to take each category down by two, if possible. Meaning, if they have 8 sweaters, choose 2 to donate/sell/eliminate.
Before you move into action, clean off the bed and make it. You will use this as your sorting surface. The bed is nearby and big enough for this task. Also have a cardboard box as your "donation catcher."
Start with this question: Is there anything in this closet that you just don't like or don't want anymore? If yes, grab it quick and toss it in the donation bin. DON'T try to talk them out of this toss. It could de-rail the process. So even if you like the sweater they want to toss... bite your tongue. Anything damaged, stained or beyond repair should just get tossed out.
Next step... Ask them if they've outgrown anything? This is where the fashion show begins. Cue the music. This should be a fun activity. Seriously, cue the music.
The third step is to group like items and get them to select their favourites (jeans, sweaters, skirts etc) . Favourites get to go back to the closet. The 2 least favourites go to the donation bin. Think... "American Idol" elimination.
If you get into negotiations, ask them to put the item on. Then ask your (teen) what they would wear with it? Where would they wear it? When will they wear it? (This negotiating step doesn't work with toddlers, and we've likely exhausted their attention by this point anyway.)
Finally, look for places to donate items that add value for you. For example: Please Mum stores in Canada are offering store credit when you bring them clothes (clean, no damage). It's 50 cents or a dollar credit per item, but it can add up to new clothes from their store. For your teen, Warehouse One is offering $10 credit on a pair of new jeans when you give them your old ones. Until Feb 26th only, at participating stores.
Don't forget this method can be applied to your own closet. When was the last time you had a fashion show for yourself, or your spouse?
Today I'm going to tackle laundry in this blog. Whether your child is a teen or a toddler, I'm going to suggest a fashion show. When you propose the fashion show to your child, dangle a "carrot" at the end of the chore. Whether their reward is one NEW item to add to their closet, or a ticket to a movie, the reward in this case is important.
Secondly, you are going to give them a little talk about why donating clothes or giving them to a friend or cousin is important. The goal will be to take each category down by two, if possible. Meaning, if they have 8 sweaters, choose 2 to donate/sell/eliminate.
Before you move into action, clean off the bed and make it. You will use this as your sorting surface. The bed is nearby and big enough for this task. Also have a cardboard box as your "donation catcher."
Start with this question: Is there anything in this closet that you just don't like or don't want anymore? If yes, grab it quick and toss it in the donation bin. DON'T try to talk them out of this toss. It could de-rail the process. So even if you like the sweater they want to toss... bite your tongue. Anything damaged, stained or beyond repair should just get tossed out.
Next step... Ask them if they've outgrown anything? This is where the fashion show begins. Cue the music. This should be a fun activity. Seriously, cue the music.
The third step is to group like items and get them to select their favourites (jeans, sweaters, skirts etc) . Favourites get to go back to the closet. The 2 least favourites go to the donation bin. Think... "American Idol" elimination.
If you get into negotiations, ask them to put the item on. Then ask your (teen) what they would wear with it? Where would they wear it? When will they wear it? (This negotiating step doesn't work with toddlers, and we've likely exhausted their attention by this point anyway.)
Finally, look for places to donate items that add value for you. For example: Please Mum stores in Canada are offering store credit when you bring them clothes (clean, no damage). It's 50 cents or a dollar credit per item, but it can add up to new clothes from their store. For your teen, Warehouse One is offering $10 credit on a pair of new jeans when you give them your old ones. Until Feb 26th only, at participating stores.
Don't forget this method can be applied to your own closet. When was the last time you had a fashion show for yourself, or your spouse?
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Better than a garage sale
If it's sitting in your closet, or basement and it's just too good to throw out, but you don't have the interest or energy for a garage sale, Sort & Sell is your answer.
Garage sales invite people to come to your house, examine your life and offer you nickels for things that you purchased and have valued. It is the quickest way to de-value your life and your self-esteem.
It's an emotionally draining, challenging day to hold a garage sale. Nevermind the time commitment and safety issues that go along with it.
Sort & Sell is a convenient, safe way to have your "garage sale" on-line with better prices and a lot less stress. Bring the items to us at the Town Centre and we put them on-line for you, deal with shoppers, process the sale and send you a cheque. No on-line accounts to set up, no hassles for you.
It's a weight off your mind, and a few dollars in your pocket. You've also gained peace of mind, that you've finally done something with your stuff and you have freed up space in your home.
Find us on Facebook, like our page, and be the first to know what we have for sale. Scoop the best deals for yourself, or let US use our network to help you.
Garage sales invite people to come to your house, examine your life and offer you nickels for things that you purchased and have valued. It is the quickest way to de-value your life and your self-esteem.
It's an emotionally draining, challenging day to hold a garage sale. Nevermind the time commitment and safety issues that go along with it.
Sort & Sell is a convenient, safe way to have your "garage sale" on-line with better prices and a lot less stress. Bring the items to us at the Town Centre and we put them on-line for you, deal with shoppers, process the sale and send you a cheque. No on-line accounts to set up, no hassles for you.
It's a weight off your mind, and a few dollars in your pocket. You've also gained peace of mind, that you've finally done something with your stuff and you have freed up space in your home.
Find us on Facebook, like our page, and be the first to know what we have for sale. Scoop the best deals for yourself, or let US use our network to help you.
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Thinking at a new level
I have no more excuses to be slow. Our home internet access has finally gone from 1999 speed, to the year 2011. Wow. Finally. I no longer have to begrudge friends who send photos. No longer will downloading photos take 6 hours. Phew.
I can update my old software now. Yeah! And I can view web pages WITH photos. Yee ha!
Oh the things now, I will be able to see and do. Now, I just have to think a little faster and explore a little further. What does this big 'ol world have to offer?
I can update my old software now. Yeah! And I can view web pages WITH photos. Yee ha!
Oh the things now, I will be able to see and do. Now, I just have to think a little faster and explore a little further. What does this big 'ol world have to offer?
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