Writer Wednesday
So you call yourself a writer. Just how serious are you with your writing? Do you jot down a few words whenever you have time? Do you play scenes through your head while in the shower or driving to work? Do you rip articles or photos from magazines as you envision a scene or character?
These are not necessarily signs of a serious writer. These are more the habits of a hobby writer. In order to be considered a serious writer, you need to set time aside every day or week that is exclusively for writing. You must close yourself away, turn off the phones, ignore your email, and just write, write, write.
Your chances of getting published are greater as a serious writer with routines. Once you set aside that time, you are telling yourself and the world that this is your career. You are a writer. As you continue to write, you will start to see that over time, you will begin to do some editing also. Use your time to write, polish your writing, then write some more, until you have a completed project that is ready for an editor.
You can't turn in your magazine clippings, scraps of paper or imaginings to an editor. So stop being a hobbyist and start being a writer.
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
Paring Down Your Mailbox
Tips for Tuesday
We all want less clutter in our lives. Maybe it's mental clutter from all we have to keep track of. Maybe it's clutter from our children growing up and growing out of their clothes and toys. And maybe it's all those papers and catalogs that find their way to our mailboxes.
What would you say if I told you there are ways to keep your mailbox from getting cluttered? And thus keeping your kitchen counter from getting just as cluttered? I don't know about you, but I'm all for having less to sort through and make decisions on on a daily basis. I have enough to do without determining whether or not I should open and envelope or keep a letter.
So here are some things I've done that have helped curb the clutter in my mailbox.
• Go paperless. Many companies offer e-statements and payment options online now. Rather than getting a piece of paper in the mail, you get an email, reminding you to pay your bill. You can sign in to your account, then set up automatic withdrawal from your checking account, or pay it manually every month. No paper ever comes in or goes out. Most offer this service for free since it costs them less to process the bill and payment.
• Opt out of mailing lists. Watch when you sign up for new offers or visit a new web site. There is often a little box at the end, in small print, that asks you to check if you DON'T want to receive offers from complimentary companies. Many people miss seeing the box, so they are automatically added to the mailing lists of yet more companies.
• Opt out of catalog lists. Once you start receiving mail order catalogs, your name is shared with marketing lists. And once you order from one, the list gets longer. You can opt out of mailing lists through web sites like DMAChoice.org. Just add your name/address to the list, and you will be taken off junk mail lists.
And to curb your mail once it gets in the house, always open it over the recycle bin, and immediately file what you need to keep. Handle each piece of mail only once when it arrives. The next time you touch it should be when you have to act on it.
We all want less clutter in our lives. Maybe it's mental clutter from all we have to keep track of. Maybe it's clutter from our children growing up and growing out of their clothes and toys. And maybe it's all those papers and catalogs that find their way to our mailboxes.
What would you say if I told you there are ways to keep your mailbox from getting cluttered? And thus keeping your kitchen counter from getting just as cluttered? I don't know about you, but I'm all for having less to sort through and make decisions on on a daily basis. I have enough to do without determining whether or not I should open and envelope or keep a letter.
So here are some things I've done that have helped curb the clutter in my mailbox.
• Go paperless. Many companies offer e-statements and payment options online now. Rather than getting a piece of paper in the mail, you get an email, reminding you to pay your bill. You can sign in to your account, then set up automatic withdrawal from your checking account, or pay it manually every month. No paper ever comes in or goes out. Most offer this service for free since it costs them less to process the bill and payment.
• Opt out of mailing lists. Watch when you sign up for new offers or visit a new web site. There is often a little box at the end, in small print, that asks you to check if you DON'T want to receive offers from complimentary companies. Many people miss seeing the box, so they are automatically added to the mailing lists of yet more companies.
• Opt out of catalog lists. Once you start receiving mail order catalogs, your name is shared with marketing lists. And once you order from one, the list gets longer. You can opt out of mailing lists through web sites like DMAChoice.org. Just add your name/address to the list, and you will be taken off junk mail lists.
And to curb your mail once it gets in the house, always open it over the recycle bin, and immediately file what you need to keep. Handle each piece of mail only once when it arrives. The next time you touch it should be when you have to act on it.
Monday, January 9, 2012
Is Offsite Storage Worth the Cost?
Moving on Mondays
When your house is on the market, you are advised to make the rooms look as large as possible. This might involve moving some furniture and items out of the house. If you're lucky, you have a friend or family member who can house your stuff. Most aren't that lucky. Their only option is off-site storage. And the down side to that of course, is the cost.
So, is it really worth the cost? Some units can cost upwards of $200/month if you have a lot of belongings. And if your house is on the market for over a year, the cost really adds up.
Before you decide on a storage unit, ask yourself the following:
• Do you need everything you are putting in there?
• Will everything fit into the new home?
• Will you use it once it gets into the new house?
• Can you afford the extra cost every month?
• Would a smaller unit suffice?
Answer these questions honestly. It may turn out you don't need half of what you are packing away. And if you don't need all that, you may be able to keep the items in your home while it is on the market.
It isn't worth paying for storage for things you will never use or don't need.
When your house is on the market, you are advised to make the rooms look as large as possible. This might involve moving some furniture and items out of the house. If you're lucky, you have a friend or family member who can house your stuff. Most aren't that lucky. Their only option is off-site storage. And the down side to that of course, is the cost.
So, is it really worth the cost? Some units can cost upwards of $200/month if you have a lot of belongings. And if your house is on the market for over a year, the cost really adds up.
Before you decide on a storage unit, ask yourself the following:
• Do you need everything you are putting in there?
• Will everything fit into the new home?
• Will you use it once it gets into the new house?
• Can you afford the extra cost every month?
• Would a smaller unit suffice?
Answer these questions honestly. It may turn out you don't need half of what you are packing away. And if you don't need all that, you may be able to keep the items in your home while it is on the market.
It isn't worth paying for storage for things you will never use or don't need.
Friday, January 6, 2012
Saving Money on Eating Out
Frugal Friday
The holidays are over. We've shopped and wrapped and visited and entertained. And now, we're tired! The last thing we want to do is cook dinner, right? Wouldn't it be nice to go out to dinner instead of creating yet another masterpiece in the kitchen? But we've probably drained our pocketbooks on gifts and groceries these past weeks. So how can we afford to eat out?
Here are some ways to save money, but still enjoy a meal that you didn't have to slave over.
• Go out to lunch instead of dinner. Menu items are often less expensive at lunch time.
• Ask if you can split an entrée. Sometimes you may be required to pay a nominal sharing fee, but it would still be less than the cost of another dinner.
• Order appetizers as your meal. Depending on the restaurant and your appetite, some appetizers are a meal in themselves. If you aren't that hungry, and don't need a salad or soup with dinner, then choose an appetizer instead.
• Have dessert at home. Eating out is a treat itself, but you can save money by not ordering that piece of cake.
• Don't order alcoholic beverages. The mark-up on drinks is much higher than on sodas or tea/coffee.
• Ask if the restaurant offers half portions.
• Find out if local culinary schools offer student-cooked meals. You can get a gourmet dinner for much less. It may not be the same high quality, but it's cheaper than visiting a gourmet restaurant.
• Take advantage of happy hour even if you don't drink because the appetizers are often less expensive.
• If you order a full meal, take the leftovers home. It will be another meal for you that you don't have to cook.
The holidays are over. We've shopped and wrapped and visited and entertained. And now, we're tired! The last thing we want to do is cook dinner, right? Wouldn't it be nice to go out to dinner instead of creating yet another masterpiece in the kitchen? But we've probably drained our pocketbooks on gifts and groceries these past weeks. So how can we afford to eat out?
Here are some ways to save money, but still enjoy a meal that you didn't have to slave over.
• Go out to lunch instead of dinner. Menu items are often less expensive at lunch time.
• Ask if you can split an entrée. Sometimes you may be required to pay a nominal sharing fee, but it would still be less than the cost of another dinner.
• Order appetizers as your meal. Depending on the restaurant and your appetite, some appetizers are a meal in themselves. If you aren't that hungry, and don't need a salad or soup with dinner, then choose an appetizer instead.
• Have dessert at home. Eating out is a treat itself, but you can save money by not ordering that piece of cake.
• Don't order alcoholic beverages. The mark-up on drinks is much higher than on sodas or tea/coffee.
• Ask if the restaurant offers half portions.
• Find out if local culinary schools offer student-cooked meals. You can get a gourmet dinner for much less. It may not be the same high quality, but it's cheaper than visiting a gourmet restaurant.
• Take advantage of happy hour even if you don't drink because the appetizers are often less expensive.
• If you order a full meal, take the leftovers home. It will be another meal for you that you don't have to cook.
What Not to Wear for Seniors--A Matter of Taste
Senior Thursday
As we age, it's tempting to dress to look younger. But there is a fine line between taste and class. Taste, you can buy. Class, you can not. While it's tempting to buy the latest fashion trends to look like a twenty-something, that isn't the best of taste. You can still look fashionable dressing your age. This is class.
Items like little black dresses and simple lines will always be in style. Platform shoes and padded shoulders will not. When cleaning out your closet, keep the timeless items, but get rid of these:
• Mini-skirts and short shorts
• Thigh-high boots
• Sweatpants with words on the rear end
• Low-rise pants
• Anything see-through
• Anything from your high school or college days
• Pajama pants and slippers outside your house
• Sweaters and tops with plunging necklines
Class is timeless. You will look younger by NOT dressing younger.
As we age, it's tempting to dress to look younger. But there is a fine line between taste and class. Taste, you can buy. Class, you can not. While it's tempting to buy the latest fashion trends to look like a twenty-something, that isn't the best of taste. You can still look fashionable dressing your age. This is class.
Items like little black dresses and simple lines will always be in style. Platform shoes and padded shoulders will not. When cleaning out your closet, keep the timeless items, but get rid of these:
• Mini-skirts and short shorts
• Thigh-high boots
• Sweatpants with words on the rear end
• Low-rise pants
• Anything see-through
• Anything from your high school or college days
• Pajama pants and slippers outside your house
• Sweaters and tops with plunging necklines
Class is timeless. You will look younger by NOT dressing younger.
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
To Tell or Not to Tell?
Writer Wednesday
Being a writer is a solitary profession. You don't get in a car and drive to an office and sit at a desk to get paid all day. You probably never have to leave your house, unless you are doing research. There is so much that can be done online and over the internet now.
So if your family and friends know you never leave the house to go to 'work', then the question becomes, should you tell them what you do? Do you tell them you are a writer?
While sharing this information is certainly helpful when marketing your books, or networking for freelance work, it opens you up to risk of criticism. Not everyone is supportive of your career. Some may laugh at your attempts to be published. Others may continually interrupt you because they don't consider writing a serious profession.
While nothing is predictable, you know your family best. How do you THINK they will react? If you think they will be supportive, then by all means, tell them early on. If not, then hold off until it's absolutely necessary to tell them.
Whichever you decide, be prepared for the worst case scenario. That way you won't be disappointed if they react unfavorably, and you will be surprised when they are accepting.
Being a writer is a solitary profession. You don't get in a car and drive to an office and sit at a desk to get paid all day. You probably never have to leave your house, unless you are doing research. There is so much that can be done online and over the internet now.
So if your family and friends know you never leave the house to go to 'work', then the question becomes, should you tell them what you do? Do you tell them you are a writer?
While sharing this information is certainly helpful when marketing your books, or networking for freelance work, it opens you up to risk of criticism. Not everyone is supportive of your career. Some may laugh at your attempts to be published. Others may continually interrupt you because they don't consider writing a serious profession.
While nothing is predictable, you know your family best. How do you THINK they will react? If you think they will be supportive, then by all means, tell them early on. If not, then hold off until it's absolutely necessary to tell them.
Whichever you decide, be prepared for the worst case scenario. That way you won't be disappointed if they react unfavorably, and you will be surprised when they are accepting.
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
Getting Organized as a New Year's Resolution
Tips for Tuesday
It's the beginning of a new year. We start making resolutions, most of which we probably won't keep. They may be to stop smoking, lose weight or find a new job. Perhaps one of the most popular these days is getting organized. But how do you keep that resolution?
Smoking cessation and losing weight are easily defined. But what does "Get Organized" really mean?
Being organized isn't about perfection. It doesn't mean that everything has to be put away, and all your surfaces are pristine bordering on sterile.
What it does mean is that you are able to find things when you need them because they have been put away where they belong. This mean you have a system in place for handling items as they come into your home. It may be in a holding spot for a while (like bills), or it may get put away immediately, like groceries.
It also means that there are times you may fall behind a bit because of life's intrusions. And that's okay. As long as there is a place for something to be put away, and you make the time to take care of it when you can, then you are on your way to being organized.
Finally, don't stress yourself out if you can't get it all done in a day or weekend. It probably took years to get you there. So reward yourself when a room or area gets done. You deserve it.
It's the beginning of a new year. We start making resolutions, most of which we probably won't keep. They may be to stop smoking, lose weight or find a new job. Perhaps one of the most popular these days is getting organized. But how do you keep that resolution?
Smoking cessation and losing weight are easily defined. But what does "Get Organized" really mean?
Being organized isn't about perfection. It doesn't mean that everything has to be put away, and all your surfaces are pristine bordering on sterile.
What it does mean is that you are able to find things when you need them because they have been put away where they belong. This mean you have a system in place for handling items as they come into your home. It may be in a holding spot for a while (like bills), or it may get put away immediately, like groceries.
It also means that there are times you may fall behind a bit because of life's intrusions. And that's okay. As long as there is a place for something to be put away, and you make the time to take care of it when you can, then you are on your way to being organized.
Finally, don't stress yourself out if you can't get it all done in a day or weekend. It probably took years to get you there. So reward yourself when a room or area gets done. You deserve it.
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