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You are here: Home / Archives for 2012

Archives for 2012

What Do You Think?: Children Writing Thank You Notes

July 24, 2012 by Tracy

Free Printable Thank you notes
Free Printable Thank you notes

Photograph Credit: Life Your Way

Around the blogosphere, many bloggers share their perspective on life. As I contemplate these many ideas (and some are really out there), sometimes I’m not sure what I think.

During this week of What Do You Think?, I will share a topic and give you my 2¢. Please share your opinion.

The topics chosen will follow the posting schedule.

Thanks in advance for your contributions on this journey to Using Time Wisely!

What Do You Think about Children Writing Thank You Notes?

Tracy’s 2¢: Yes, children can and should write thank you notes. Growing up in a home where my mom taught my brother and I gratitude for tokens of kindness, I learned to write thank you. After Christmas and birthdays, mom would sit down with me and help me compose my own notes.

My children are at different stages, but they all help write their thank you notes:

Toddler: I write the thank you note, and she “signs” it. Her signature is in the form of lines and scribbles, but she sits down and signs them all at the same time. She then delivers or puts the notes in envelopes to mail.

Preschooler: Again, I write the thank you note, and she writes her name. Depending on the length of her friend’s name, she may write her name on the envelope or top of the note. She also hand delivers the notes or helps address the notes for mailing.

Elementary student: Though simple, he writes his own notes making sure to include something personal. His notes are not long, but he writes them. I help him compose his notes, and we usually have 2 to 3 sessions since he tires easily.

As my children grow, they continue to develop their writing skills. A great way for them to practice is by showing their gratitude via writing thank you notes.

The free printable thank you note templates offered by Mandi at Life Your Way are perfect for children. Even beginning with a simple picture drawn to show their gratitude will encourage children to write thank you notes.

Question: Do your children write thank you notes? What do you think?

Filed Under: What Do You Think?, Event Planning, Learning, Uncategorized Tagged With: thanks

What Do You Think?: Washing Clothes Periodically

July 23, 2012 by Tracy

Periodically washing clothes
Periodically washing clothes

Photograph Credit: Flickr (Casey Fleser)

Around the blogosphere, many bloggers share their perspective on life. As I contemplate these many ideas (and some are really out there), sometimes I’m not sure what I think.

During this week of What Do You Think?, I share a topic and give you my 2¢. Please share your opinion.

The topics chosen will follow the posting schedule. Thanks in advance for your contributions on this journey to Using Time Wisely!

What Do You Think about Washing Clothes Periodically?

Tracy’s 2¢: As you know, I’m all about saving money, energy, and time, but this article about being a chronic over-washer was a bit funny to me partly because I do both. Since I am not an all-or-nothing type of person, I adjust to the situation.

For example, if the outfit I wore today did not get dirty, then I will put the outfit aside and wear it another day. On the other hand, I will gather all the clothes on laundry day to wash, even if that pajama set was worn for the first time last night.

During the school year, my kids go through two outfits every week day since I have them change out of their school uniforms into play clothes. I do not worry about whether their clothes are clean or dirty; all their clothes go into the hamper. So, I wash my kids’ clothes after every wear.

Towels are another story. I like to wash our towels once a week. We do reuse our towels unless it gets left on the floor. When that happens, that family member gets a new towel. Since our visits to the water park come once or twice a week, I choose to wash towels when we arrive home from the water park. This option eliminates wet items on the floors.

On a side note, I do wash wet disposable swim diapers one or two times before tossing them in the trash. Of course, *dirty* diapers get tossed immediately. But, if my toddler only wets the swimmy, then I toss it in the laundry. I do save money, but I weigh the situation.

Do you wash clothes after every wear, evaluate the outfit to see if it needs cleaning, or launder periodically? What about disposable swim diapers? Does that gross you out? What do you think?

Filed Under: What Do You Think?, Cleaning, Household, Uncategorized Tagged With: What do you think?

What Do You Think?: On-line Bill Managing Tool

July 22, 2012 by Tracy

What Do You Think: Manilla.com, on-line bill managing tool
What Do You Think: Manilla.com, on-line bill managing tool

Photograph Credit: Manilla

Around the blogosphere, many bloggers share their perspective on life. As I contemplate these many ideas (and some are really out there), sometimes I’m not sure what I think.

During this week of What Do You Think?, I will share a topic and give you my 2¢. Please share your opinion.

The topics chosen will follow the posting schedule. Thanks in advance for your contributions on this journey to Using Time Wisely!

What Do You Think about Using an On-line Bill Managing Tool?

Tracy’s 2¢: My bill paying routine consist of logging due dates on a calendar and sending the balance due amount via on-line transactions. I only have two set payments setup on bill pay through our credit union. Every other payment is made manually.

Hearing and reading reviews of Manilla.com, I wonder if this tool would save time and energy. Do you use it? Would you recommend it? What do you think?

Filed Under: What Do You Think?, Document Organization, Uncategorized Tagged With: What do you think?

JCP: Free Haircuts in August for K-6th Grade Students

July 21, 2012 by Tracy

J C Penney free kids haircut 2012
J C Penney free kids haircut 2012

Photograph Credit: J. C. Penney

J. C. Penney is partnering with parents to ease the cost of back-to-school preparations. With physical exams, eye appointments, books, supplies, and uniforms, getting ready for school takes money, energy, and time.

To assist parents in stretching their dollars while getting those last-minute items checked off their to do list, J. C. Penney will offer free haircuts to students from Kindergarten to 6th grade.

J. C. Penney free haircuts 2012

Photograph Credit: J. C. Penney

In using time wisely, call your local J. C. Penney salon to schedule your child’s free haircut. You will need to make an appointment. These slots will fill up quickly, so book your appointment now.

If your J. C. Penney salon is booked, then consider these 6 ways to cut the price of a haircut. Happy savings while stretching your dollars!

Question: How are you stretching your dollars this back-to-school season? 

Filed Under: Services, Stretching Your Dollars Tagged With: haircut

McAlister’s Deli: Free Tea Day – July 26, 2012

July 20, 2012 by Tracy

Free tea at McAlister's Deli on Thursday, July 26, 2012
Free tea at McAlister's Deli on Thursday, July 26, 2012

Photograph Credit: McAlister’s Deli

As a tea drinker for over 30 years, I have my favorite ice tea establishments. Though my children are only 7, 5, and 2, they are extremely picky about their sweet tea. Of course, mom’s tea is always best, but I do expose them to other tea makers. Unfortunately, their taste buds are stuck on the tea brewed at home. 😉

Last year, I took my kiddos to McAlister’s Deli for a free refreshing sweet tea on Tea Day. Knowing how picky they are, I took the chance.

Though they were not ready for McAlister’s tea, I didn’t mind it. The tea was not my favorite brew. I would prefer Chick-fil-A or Wendy’s, but I liked McAlister’s tea.

If you enjoy sweet or unsweetened tea or just want to try it, then mark your calendar for Thursday, July 26 for a visit to McAlister’s Deli and enjoy your free tea.

Note: Our McAlister’s Deli had a separate line on Tea Day last year. Our family did not waste time standing in line. We were ushered right up to the counter and received our free tea.

Question: What is your favorite choice of beverage? 

Filed Under: Going Out, Free Outings, Family Activities Tagged With: free, family activity

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