Using Time Wisely

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Archives for June 2011

Personal: Spouse’s Documents

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Photograph Credit: Microsoft Images

How is your document organization going? Are you getting energized or overwhelmed? Hopefully, the step-by-step explanations of each category, file, and item is a help to you as you use your time wisely and get organized.

Last week, I completed the fourth file slot housing some of our personal documents in Box 1 of the filing system. Today, let’s progress to the fifth file slot in the accordion folder. In this slot, I have placed the following personal documents pertaining to my husband:

  1. Computer certifications. All Paul’s computer certification documents with scores, certificates, and contact information are organized by the date completed. When he needs his identification numbers for work, program upgrades, etc., I can easily access the information since I have all the paperwork filed together.
  2. Transcripts. Copies of his undergraduate and graduate transcripts are housed in this file. Since most employers do not require transcripts, I have not obtained certified copies or his high school transcript. If I hear that one of the schools is closing or if he needs certified copies, then I will contact the appropriate school and pay for the transcripts.
  3. Letters of Recommendation. When Paul was job searching and interviewing, he included letters of recommendation with his resume. The remaining copies of those letters are housed in this file, just in case he needs them.

When Paul obtains other rewards, recommendations, or certifications, I will add those documents to this fifth file slot. Currently, this file is complete.

Next week, I will continue the personal documents category and share the contents of my sixth file slot. In the meantime, keep energized and happy organizing!

Lowering my Electric Bill

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Photograph Credit: MorgueFile (Earl53)

Our power company continues to increase pricing on the electricity. With the upward trend of gas prices and the increase in the electricity, our family is making choices to keep our out-of-pocket expenses as low as possible. To get low gas prices, we use fuelperks!, gasbuddy.com, and coupons. Since we do not have any programs, other competitors, or coupons for our electric bill, the only way we know to keep our power bill low is to use less electricity.

We accomplished this by keeping our ceiling fans running, spending time at the pool, and leaving the air conditioner turned off for the entire month of May. Some days were nice and breezy, but other days were extremely warm. Now that June has arrived, our air conditioner has been activated. The thermostat is set to 80 degrees with the fans still running. Hopefully, we will be able to stretch our dollars and keep our electricity bills reasonable for the summer.

What about you? How are you using your time wisely to stretch your hard earned dollars during the summer with hot temperatures, high gas prices, and increasing electricity bills? I welcome your input.

Reminder: Free Doughnuts Today

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Photograph Credit: LaMar's

Happy Doughnut Day! If you are near a LaMar’s or Krispy Kreme, sure to pick up your free doughnut.

Since last week’s post, I learned that Dunkin’ Donuts is also offering a free donut with a beverage purchase, except a cooler beverage, and only at participating locations.

My kids are looking forwarding to our stop at Krispy Kreme today to celebrate Doughnut Day. Hope you get to enjoy a doughnut, too.

Summer Reading: Half Price Books

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Another summer reading program for students 14 years and younger is offered by Half Price Books. With all these summer reading programs, your student can enjoy many rewards for his/her efforts. Using time wisely working toward the reading goal will result in wonderful rewards when the goal is reached. Keep aiming for the goal!

Photograph Credit: Half Price Books

Here’s how kids 14 and under can participate:

  1. Get a Feed Your Brain Reading Log and set a goal to read each day for at least 15 minutes or more throughout June and July. Grown-ups may read aloud for kids who are still learning.
  2. Join us for our Feed Your Brain kick off on Sunday, June 5 at 2 pm for the Biggest Storytime of the Summer at your local Half Price Books.
  3. Add up your minutes and have your parent or guardian initial at the end of each week.
  4. Check-in at your local Half Price Books store to find more great books to Feed Your Brain throughout the summer!
  5. Did you read 600 minutes or more? Turn in your completed reading log at Half Price Books July 25 – August 7 to receive your $5 Back-to-School Bucks summer reading reward!
  6. Do you think you’re a Top Reader this summer? We’ll award one top reader per age group with a TOP READER prize, a $20 HPB Gift Card!

Finding something to read for 15 minutes each day amay seem difficult if you are looking for individual books. If you choose to read each day, try to start a series. For my little ones, I read a chapter of a Nancy Drew book or a Hardy Boy book each night. Sometimes, I will read more than one chapter if they ask or need a little more time to fall asleep. We enjoy the adventures and look forward to the resolution to the mystery. These mystery books have been enjoyable for my family. I hope you will find books or a series that works for your family. Happy reading!

Summer Reading: Borders

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Photograph Credit: Borders

The Double-Dog Dare Challenge by Borders is a summer reading program for students under 12 years old. When you read 10 books, record those titles on the coupon form, and take that coupon form to a Borders, Borders Express, or Waldenbooks, you can trade your form for one of the remaining books available. This program runs from June 1 through September 5 only while supplies last. Here is a link to the available titles. Since these books are in a limited supply, you might want to use your time wisely and act on this program quickly.