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Entry bubble New Year's Resolutions

By: Colleen | December 31, 2007 | Category: General

So long to 2007, the year when Britney officially went bonkers. Bring on 2008 and whatever it has in store—I'm predicting many more Hollywood divorces and rehab stints.

For us everyday Joes and Janes, it's New Year's resolution time! Each year, millions of Americans resolve to make themselves or the world around them better. Here is a list of the most popular pledges for the next 365 days.

At the top of the heap: Lose weight. No big shocker here. As the holiday season comes to a close, we're all carrying around a little chub. Many thanks to all those cookies, second helpings of mashed potatoes, and the rounds of drinks with friends. The time has come to get back on track, or better yet—the treadmill.

Others hope to get their finances in order. With personal debt at an all-time high (student loans anyone? Years of credit card abuse?) now is the perfect time to sit down and take a hard look at your money. Get on a payment plan, stop spending what you don't have, and work your way to a desirable credit score.

Those living behind a computer screen 9-5 each day vow to take a trip. Most Americans to not even use the full vacation time they are allotted each year. Allow me to help rectify this by letting you in on a secret: the work will always be there, and the universe will remain intact should you not be in the office for a few days. A plug for a few of my favorite vacay destinations to give you some ideas: Key West, FL. Nassau, Bahamas. San Diego, CA. London, England. Places to avoid: Boston, MA. The entire state of Ohio.

Never one to be entirely conventional, here are some ideas for resolutions that stray slightly from the standard.

  • Use coupons more frequently
  • Drink more water
  • Make purchases from local businesses instead of large chain stores
  • TURN OFF THE BLACKBERRY

Best of luck with whatever resolution you chose this year!

| View Comments [4] | envelope E-mail This Entry | Tags: blackberry   britney   colleen   coupons   credit   destination   finances   loss   new   resoltions   vacation   water   weight   year  

 

Entry bubble Backyard Composting 101

By: Sommer | December 28, 2007 | Category: Home and Family

When I was talking to some neighbors the other night, one of them mentioned that she composts and a light went off in my head. It sounded like a perfect solution for all our yard waste, banana peels, potato skins, apple cores and more. Composting will also give us the perfect fertilizer to put on our lawn, flowerbeds and garden in addition to reducing waste we put into the local landfill.

Composting is basically a way to turn yard and kitchen waste into a nutrient rich, organic material you can use to improve your soil.

How to get started:

  1. Choose a location for a compost pile or bin.  If you choose to build or buy a bin be sure to install it 2 feet from any structure.
  2. Start adding “brown and green” materials by beginning with 4 – 6 inches of brown materials like chopped up twigs or other coarse waste.  Then, add a green layer of scraps, lawn clippings, and leaves.  Alternate layers every 4 – 6 inches.  Remember that smaller pieces of material break down faster.
  3. Now, its time for the bacteria and fungi to get to work.  Wait a week, and then turn your compost pile with a pitch fork or shovel.  As it breaks down the compost should have an earthy smell.  If your compost pile gets stinky something is probably off balance.  
  4. Use your compost to fertilize flower beds, sprinkle it on your lawn or use compost “tea” to water house plants.

Materials you CAN compost (examples):

  • Coffee grounds and filters
  • Dryer and vacuum cleaner lint
  • Eggshells
  • Fruits and vegetables
  • Grass clippings and leaves
  • Shredded newspaper
  • Tea bags
  • Yard trimmings
Materials you CAN’T compost (examples):
  • Dairy products (e.g., butter, egg yolks, milk, sour cream, yogurt)
  • Fats, grease, lard, or oils
  • Meat or fish bones and scraps
  • Pet wastes (e.g., dog or cat feces, soiled cat litter)
  • Yard trimmings treated with chemical pesticides
Check the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency website for a list of local composting resources.

| Post a Comment | View Comments [6] | envelope E-mail This Entry | Tags: compost   food   home   organic   sommer   yard  

 

Entry bubble Many Happy (Gift) Returns

By: Nancy | December 27, 2007 | Category: Money

cash registerWrong color.
It didn't fit.
I have two already.
I can't regift it.

There are a lot of reasons to head back to the mall this week to return the gifts that weren't quite right, and exchange them for something a little more "you." Before you go, here are some quick tips for making the trip successful.

First, double check to make sure you have all the packaging and instructions together if you're returning a boxed product and keep the tags attached if you're returning a piece of clothing. Stores are more apt to accept returns if the items look like they’re in unused condition.

Store return policies vary like crazy. Some will give only a store credit or a size or color exchange. Others are much more liberal in what they'll allow. To avoid surprises, check the store's return policy on their website before you go. If you have the sales receipt or gift receipt, you'll be in a better position to get a cash refund or store credit for the amount your gift giver paid. Without proof of the price actually paid for the item, you may just be able to get a refund or store credit for the amount the item is currently selling for. And if it's part of an after-holiday sale, that means you may be getting less than it was originally worth.

Unless your gift was purchased months ago, you don't even need to head out into the crowds this week to exchange the items you want to return. Most traditional stores allow you at least a few weeks to return things. If your gift was purchased online though, you may need to return or exchange items more quickly. Many online stores allow only a week or two for returns or exchanges.  And more and more stores, online or traditional, charge restocking fees on returned electronics or appliances. That can really eat into your cash refund or store credit!

ugly sweaterIf you're not satisfied with your exchange or return experience, it can't hurt to contact the seller by phone or send a complaint letter.  And if all else fails, you can always try to sell your unwanted gift on an online auction site or donate it to a charity. Or, go ahead and stage an ugly sweater contest at work.

What’s the oddest or most return-worthy gift you received this year for the holidays?

| Post a Comment | View Comments [7] | envelope E-mail This Entry | Tags: money   nancy   shopping  

 

Entry bubble Post Holiday Recycling

By: Colleen | December 26, 2007 | Category: Home and Family

In the words of the great philosopher Charlie Brown, "Another Christmas, come and gone." It's the "day after" and everyone is busy returning that beautiful sweater from Aunt Bethany, or using their newly received gift cards to buy presents for those who may have been forgotten on the first round of shopping (oops!).

We may have won the battle, but we've not yet won the war. We've still got to deal with the post-Christmas clean up. If your home is anything like mine, I'm sure you have bags of wrapping paper sitting around, bows stuck to everything, and piles of holiday cards from friends and family in various locations.

The easy solution? Dump it all, throw it away—out of sight, out of mind. The not difficult and greener solution? Recycle! According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Americans throw away 25% more trash between Thanksgiving and New Years than during any other time of the year.

All that wrapping paper? Most of it is recyclable. USA.gov has tons of information regarding the best ways to dispose of holiday waste. Separate your party leftovers into paper, plastics, and glass. It's best if you use washable plates and utensils to cut down on waste while you eat, drink, and be merry.

As Joanne mentioned yesterday, you may be able to re-plant your tree. If not, many cities offer special recycling services and pick-up times for live trees.

How 'bout all those holiday cards? Quite popular, aren't you!? Cut off the front, and use the pictures as post cards for next year. Many churches and community centers also collect these for arts and crafts or greeting cards.

For more tips on recycling year-round check out Nancy's post.

Hey, you might even consider recycling Aunt Bethany's sweater—she'd love to see it on you next year!

| View Comments [0] | envelope E-mail This Entry | Tags: cards   christmas   colleen   holiday   paper   recycle   recycling   wrapping  

 

Entry bubble Treecycle – Recycle Your Christmas Tree

By: Joanne | December 25, 2007 | Category: General

It’s Christmas day and while you’re admiring your Christmas tree with its pretty lights and ornaments, I want you to take a moment image of a pine forest to consider fire safety and what you’re going to do with this tree when Christmas is over. Think before you pitch that tree! Do you want it to be just another big, bulky thing taking up space in the landfill, or do you want it to move on to a higher purpose? Go forth and treecycle, or use your Christmas tree to GreenScape your yard.

If you’ve got a cut tree, you’ve got options. Trees are biodegradable and recyclable, and there are many options for recycling and re-using trees. Your local waste authority probably has a Christmas tree recycling program. In many areas, Christmas trees are picked up, mulched, and then free mulch is offered back to the community. This kind of seasonal program keeps holiday trees out of the landfills and helps municipalities save money by reducing disposal fees. Tree collection is usually offered early in January, so if you don’t know about your community’s Christmas tree recycling program, it’s not too late to find out.

Besides mulching, you can burn a tree in your fireplace or wood stove, chop it up and add it to your compost pile, use it as wildlife habitat and even use the needles to make a nice potpourri. The University of Wisconsin Extension Service has an article with lots of ideas for reusing your Christmas tree.

We always buy a live tree (roots and all), so disposal’s not an issue at my house. It’s really pretty easy to care for a live Christmas tree. Before the ground freezes in the winter, my husband prepares a hole for our Christmas tree and then we plant it in the yard the week after Christmas. I never thought a tree would live if you planted it in the winter, but since they’re dormant when they’re dug up and dormant when they’re planted they seem perfectly happy when they wake up in the spring. If you’ve got somewhere to plant a tree and a strong back, I highly recommend a live tree – just be sure to buy a variety that will thrive where you live.

| View Comments [0] | envelope E-mail This Entry | Tags: christmas   fire   greenscape   holiday   joanne   recycle   safety   tree   treecycle  

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