Monday, January 26, 2004
Amazon.com: Books: Making Peace with the Things in Your Life : Why Your Papers, Books, Clothes, and Other Possessions Keep Overwhelming You and What to Do About It
Today I am going to read a book entitled, “Making Peace with the Things in Your Life” by Cindy Glovinsky.
The Good:
This book is a great read for people who are chronically disorganized. The author breaks it down with examples of the chronically disorganized and compulsive organizers. She delves into the psychology of why you may be disorganized, or over organized, (or compulsive). She gives an extensive description of how to attempt to conquer these problems.
The Bad:
If you are NOT interested in the psychological aspects of your disorganization or compulsiveness this book is not for you. She describes symptoms throughout most of the book, teasing you by not telling you how to “fix it” until near the end of the book. Thus, it makes it difficult to stay focused on the writing with the way she laid out the book.
The bottom line:
This is a great read that will take you a while to get through. This is not the fast, perceptive read of, ‘Clear your clutter with feng shui” by Karen Kingston. However, it is worth the slow read.
Today I am going to read a book entitled, “Making Peace with the Things in Your Life” by Cindy Glovinsky.
The Good:
This book is a great read for people who are chronically disorganized. The author breaks it down with examples of the chronically disorganized and compulsive organizers. She delves into the psychology of why you may be disorganized, or over organized, (or compulsive). She gives an extensive description of how to attempt to conquer these problems.
The Bad:
If you are NOT interested in the psychological aspects of your disorganization or compulsiveness this book is not for you. She describes symptoms throughout most of the book, teasing you by not telling you how to “fix it” until near the end of the book. Thus, it makes it difficult to stay focused on the writing with the way she laid out the book.
The bottom line:
This is a great read that will take you a while to get through. This is not the fast, perceptive read of, ‘Clear your clutter with feng shui” by Karen Kingston. However, it is worth the slow read.
Monday, January 19, 2004
Personworks
Tax season is upon us and I would like to share with you 5 tips to making the tax process go smoother, and save you money!
1. Make your appointment ASAP to get it over and done with, so your tax refund gets back to you faster!
2. Gather up your receipts and add the amounts together for your tax deductions – this will save money that would normally go to your appointed CPA.
3. Collect all donation receipts and add those together. If you are confused about how to rate the deductions, I highly recommend ItsDecductible. Go to www.itsDeductible.com for details. You would be surprised how fast the money adds up!
4. Ask your accountant of other deductions you may add to your tax records, they always have new information each year on ways to save.
5. If you are your own business, add up donated hours, and reduced rates and present this to your accountant as well.
Ps the year is 2004 which means we get to throw away 1997 tax documents!! (Unless you are a non-profit, you need to hang onto yours for 15 years.)
Tax season is upon us and I would like to share with you 5 tips to making the tax process go smoother, and save you money!
1. Make your appointment ASAP to get it over and done with, so your tax refund gets back to you faster!
2. Gather up your receipts and add the amounts together for your tax deductions – this will save money that would normally go to your appointed CPA.
3. Collect all donation receipts and add those together. If you are confused about how to rate the deductions, I highly recommend ItsDecductible. Go to www.itsDeductible.com for details. You would be surprised how fast the money adds up!
4. Ask your accountant of other deductions you may add to your tax records, they always have new information each year on ways to save.
5. If you are your own business, add up donated hours, and reduced rates and present this to your accountant as well.
Ps the year is 2004 which means we get to throw away 1997 tax documents!! (Unless you are a non-profit, you need to hang onto yours for 15 years.)
Monday, January 12, 2004
Textual - home
Anagram – for those of you out there who are into new technology for your organizational needs this is a great read. For those of you who are sketchy about modern technology, read on and see what this great product to do for you daily life.
The good:
This is a great product to utilize to get the following more organized daily:
• Microsoft office & Palm pilot – helps get appointments, contact information into outlook and palms and most PDAs in no time
• Online service – assists with recognizing online services through text recognition, plus assists with making a more legible online calendar or contact list with quicklink• Enhancing software – good for extracting data in bulk, such as resumes, research papers and other large docs.
• Data mining solutions – this will help find any data you need, such as bulk contact information, and other information for statistics you may need on the job or for you own business
You can get a free trial offer to see if you really like it, and find it useful.
The bad:
With any new technology there is a learning curve. This may take some time for you to get used to and utilize efficiently.
The bottom line:
I think this project is a great investment for those of you who have a ton of contacts to manage in your palm and outlook. It is also good for managing your website and pertinent data. Here is what Pc Magazine had to say:
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,4149,1096694,00.asp
Anagram – for those of you out there who are into new technology for your organizational needs this is a great read. For those of you who are sketchy about modern technology, read on and see what this great product to do for you daily life.
The good:
This is a great product to utilize to get the following more organized daily:
• Microsoft office & Palm pilot – helps get appointments, contact information into outlook and palms and most PDAs in no time
• Online service – assists with recognizing online services through text recognition, plus assists with making a more legible online calendar or contact list with quicklink• Enhancing software – good for extracting data in bulk, such as resumes, research papers and other large docs.
• Data mining solutions – this will help find any data you need, such as bulk contact information, and other information for statistics you may need on the job or for you own business
You can get a free trial offer to see if you really like it, and find it useful.
The bad:
With any new technology there is a learning curve. This may take some time for you to get used to and utilize efficiently.
The bottom line:
I think this project is a great investment for those of you who have a ton of contacts to manage in your palm and outlook. It is also good for managing your website and pertinent data. Here is what Pc Magazine had to say:
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,4149,1096694,00.asp
Wednesday, January 07, 2004
National Do Not Call Registry
A quick tip on how to save extra time every day:
Go to this website and register for the do not call registry. This will keep telemarketers from calling your home/work place from breaking your concentration. The benefits are endless:
• less wasted time on the phone
• save money by ridding of call waiting
• sleeping a few minutes later, without be disrupted by early morning solicitors
Take charge and get rid of this annoyance!
A quick tip on how to save extra time every day:
Go to this website and register for the do not call registry. This will keep telemarketers from calling your home/work place from breaking your concentration. The benefits are endless:
• less wasted time on the phone
• save money by ridding of call waiting
• sleeping a few minutes later, without be disrupted by early morning solicitors
Take charge and get rid of this annoyance!
Tuesday, January 06, 2004
Tax deductions - ItsDeductible
ItsDeductible
Today I am going to review a great product called ItsDeductible.
This product is great for people who are ready to get organized! It is perfect, because it helps you to start with the three most important things to do before you can get organized:
1. sort
2. toss
3. donate
When you have finished sorting out that closet or garage, you are going to have a great deal to donate. (At least you should if you are being honest with yourself when you sort the items!) The quandary is always, should I sell it or donate it. You begin to think of all of the money you spent, and you want to make it back. While this is sensible with some of the items, it isn’t always with others. For example:
A good idea is a desk – this is a great item to re-sell. People are always looking for better deals than stores can offer
A bad idea is toys, (unless they are antiques or things that can be re-used, like a battery operated life size car or something of that nature)- there are always needy children out there longing for toys. Think of all the precious time you will save not attempting to sell it for a quarter at a garage sale or eBay.
The good:
You will get money back on your taxes! I have read great reviews on this product. It is easy to use and very affordable.
The bad:
You need to be organized to use the program wisely.
The bottom line:
This is a great product that would be a great incentive to getting you on your way to getting organized!
Here is what an epinion customer had to say of this product:
http://www.epinions.com/content_94530866820
ItsDeductible
Today I am going to review a great product called ItsDeductible.
This product is great for people who are ready to get organized! It is perfect, because it helps you to start with the three most important things to do before you can get organized:
1. sort
2. toss
3. donate
When you have finished sorting out that closet or garage, you are going to have a great deal to donate. (At least you should if you are being honest with yourself when you sort the items!) The quandary is always, should I sell it or donate it. You begin to think of all of the money you spent, and you want to make it back. While this is sensible with some of the items, it isn’t always with others. For example:
A good idea is a desk – this is a great item to re-sell. People are always looking for better deals than stores can offer
A bad idea is toys, (unless they are antiques or things that can be re-used, like a battery operated life size car or something of that nature)- there are always needy children out there longing for toys. Think of all the precious time you will save not attempting to sell it for a quarter at a garage sale or eBay.
The good:
You will get money back on your taxes! I have read great reviews on this product. It is easy to use and very affordable.
The bad:
You need to be organized to use the program wisely.
The bottom line:
This is a great product that would be a great incentive to getting you on your way to getting organized!
Here is what an epinion customer had to say of this product:
http://www.epinions.com/content_94530866820
Monday, January 05, 2004
TurboNote+ -- How TurboNote+ Stacks Up
Turbo Note
The good:
This is a great idea for people who have problems with cluttering up their desk and computer monitor with post it notes. If used properly it can help you with the following:
• No more post it notes get thrown away accidentally
• No more losing important phone numbers
• No more forgetting important appointments
• No more post is note messes all over you desk and computer
The bad:
If you have a problem with post it notes, this may help for awhile, but you will definitely have to retrain yourself to using technology, instead of paper. This is a HUGE process to go through.
You could still have the following occur:
• Accidentally throwing away an important note
• Your computer crashing and perhaps losing important notes
• Neglecting to write down important dates and phone numbers
The bottom line:
If you are willing to commit yourself to changing a particularly bad habit, then this is a great product to go with. The price is reasonable, the company has a good review and it could help you with this particular problem. Go to http://cnet.search.com/search?timeout=3&chkpt=astg.cnet.sr.srch.cnet&q=turbonote+%2B to read a review
Turbo Note
The good:
This is a great idea for people who have problems with cluttering up their desk and computer monitor with post it notes. If used properly it can help you with the following:
• No more post it notes get thrown away accidentally
• No more losing important phone numbers
• No more forgetting important appointments
• No more post is note messes all over you desk and computer
The bad:
If you have a problem with post it notes, this may help for awhile, but you will definitely have to retrain yourself to using technology, instead of paper. This is a HUGE process to go through.
You could still have the following occur:
• Accidentally throwing away an important note
• Your computer crashing and perhaps losing important notes
• Neglecting to write down important dates and phone numbers
The bottom line:
If you are willing to commit yourself to changing a particularly bad habit, then this is a great product to go with. The price is reasonable, the company has a good review and it could help you with this particular problem. Go to http://cnet.search.com/search?timeout=3&chkpt=astg.cnet.sr.srch.cnet&q=turbonote+%2B to read a review
Saturday, January 03, 2004
Hope you had a great New Year's!
OK, this is an expensive one to start with, but here's the deal - Weber gas grills never go on sale - except today. Finding this just doesn't happen - everybody sells them for the same price. $100 off a Weber today. This will end, so start your year off right, buy the grill you already should have (if you don't have it), and have it arrive at your house for free.
Weber Genesis Gold C - $100 off
This one is a big winner--it really is $100 cheaper than almost everywhere else. We have a Weber Silver C, and it's fantastic. Consumer Reports gives Weber absolutely top marks too, since they rarely break down and do a great job of cooking. TIP: Get two old, rusty, used propane cylinders . Exchange them at Home Depot for full ones--they'll give you two tanks in great shape full of gas for about $20 each. Once you have nice tanks, fill them up instead of exchanging them--it costs half as much!
Today's special kitchen item: high-quality, low-price service for 8. Oneida's a great brand, the reviews are excellent, and they're 50% off normal price today.
Satin Sand Dune Service for 8
Continuing on the kitchen - Calphalon's now putting hard-anodized sets on sale.Includes three sizes of nonstick omelet pans, chef's pan, and two saucepans. This could replace much of your current pots & pans without significant expense. (The commercial sets are better quality, but as these prices go down, their value goes up!) This, plus a new commercial saucepot with pasta insert.
Calphalon Professional Cookware Set
Commercial 6 1/2-Quart Saucepot
Regular readers will know that we LOVE our Calphalon commercial hard anodized pots and highly recommend them to everyone. The only catch is that you can't put them in the dishwasher. They clean up easily with a quick soak, though.
Small version of the George Foreman grill. We'll stop listing it when it stops going on sale. The description even says it cooks tofu dogs. Mmmmm.
George Foreman Champ Grill
Friday only has a huge sale on a whole number of Orion products. Start looking at them beginning with the two great deals - high-quality binoculars at a really reasonable price and a great starter telescope.
8x42 Waterproof Binoculars
StarSeeker Refractor Telescope
This is a classic thing to sit around, taking up space, never to be used again. If you have a child who's interested in the skies, start out by showing them pictures like these and reading them books. If they love it and get excited, THEN bring out the telescope.
There have been a lot of deals lately on high-end electric shavers. I can't really imagine spending more than $100 on that, so I've been ignoring them - if you are willing to do so, look around. This is the first top-shelf cordless shaver under $100 I've seen - wet/dry, cordless, etc. I still use manual, but if I was thinking of changing, I'd buy this.
Panasonic Wet 'N Dry Men's Cordless Shaver
We generally avoid tools - I don't know why, probably because they're expensive - and in Seattle, it isn't exactly mowing season. (Well, I don't much like mowing anyway.) This is a great deal on a cordless (there's that word again) rear bag lawn mower - on sale an extra 5% today.
Black & Decker Cordless Lawn Mower
Remember that these only work well for smaller yards; they're not powerful enough to mow a big yard.
Finally - courtesy of one of my coworkers, who bought this for a friend - Extraordinary Chickens 2004 Wall Calendar. You need this calendar!
Those Chickens Ain't Ordinary
OK, this is an expensive one to start with, but here's the deal - Weber gas grills never go on sale - except today. Finding this just doesn't happen - everybody sells them for the same price. $100 off a Weber today. This will end, so start your year off right, buy the grill you already should have (if you don't have it), and have it arrive at your house for free.
Weber Genesis Gold C - $100 off
This one is a big winner--it really is $100 cheaper than almost everywhere else. We have a Weber Silver C, and it's fantastic. Consumer Reports gives Weber absolutely top marks too, since they rarely break down and do a great job of cooking. TIP: Get two old, rusty, used propane cylinders . Exchange them at Home Depot for full ones--they'll give you two tanks in great shape full of gas for about $20 each. Once you have nice tanks, fill them up instead of exchanging them--it costs half as much!
Today's special kitchen item: high-quality, low-price service for 8. Oneida's a great brand, the reviews are excellent, and they're 50% off normal price today.
Satin Sand Dune Service for 8
Continuing on the kitchen - Calphalon's now putting hard-anodized sets on sale.Includes three sizes of nonstick omelet pans, chef's pan, and two saucepans. This could replace much of your current pots & pans without significant expense. (The commercial sets are better quality, but as these prices go down, their value goes up!) This, plus a new commercial saucepot with pasta insert.
Calphalon Professional Cookware Set
Commercial 6 1/2-Quart Saucepot
Regular readers will know that we LOVE our Calphalon commercial hard anodized pots and highly recommend them to everyone. The only catch is that you can't put them in the dishwasher. They clean up easily with a quick soak, though.
Small version of the George Foreman grill. We'll stop listing it when it stops going on sale. The description even says it cooks tofu dogs. Mmmmm.
George Foreman Champ Grill
Friday only has a huge sale on a whole number of Orion products. Start looking at them beginning with the two great deals - high-quality binoculars at a really reasonable price and a great starter telescope.
8x42 Waterproof Binoculars
StarSeeker Refractor Telescope
This is a classic thing to sit around, taking up space, never to be used again. If you have a child who's interested in the skies, start out by showing them pictures like these and reading them books. If they love it and get excited, THEN bring out the telescope.
There have been a lot of deals lately on high-end electric shavers. I can't really imagine spending more than $100 on that, so I've been ignoring them - if you are willing to do so, look around. This is the first top-shelf cordless shaver under $100 I've seen - wet/dry, cordless, etc. I still use manual, but if I was thinking of changing, I'd buy this.
Panasonic Wet 'N Dry Men's Cordless Shaver
We generally avoid tools - I don't know why, probably because they're expensive - and in Seattle, it isn't exactly mowing season. (Well, I don't much like mowing anyway.) This is a great deal on a cordless (there's that word again) rear bag lawn mower - on sale an extra 5% today.
Black & Decker Cordless Lawn Mower
Remember that these only work well for smaller yards; they're not powerful enough to mow a big yard.
Finally - courtesy of one of my coworkers, who bought this for a friend - Extraordinary Chickens 2004 Wall Calendar. You need this calendar!
Those Chickens Ain't Ordinary
