A timely and inspirational birthday gift arrived in the wee hours this morning.  The giver does not know me, but the present hit home accurately enough to incite goosebumps (though admittedly, the bumps could be a result of the thermostat wars that rage in our abode). 

The gift?  February 19^th’s post on zenhabits.net: “Achieve Your Dreams Despite Pressures of Work and Family.”  The thread of simplicity running throughout the post was two-fold: ya gotta have passion and excitement swirling about your dreams, and they must be made a priority.  Excruciatingly simple, yet endlessly challenging to execute. 

The timing of this message was darn near perfection.  I am beyond blessed to have an amazing, healthy, phenomenal family bringing me joy throughout each and every day.  Though perfection is a goal I have no interest in seeking, gratitude abounds for my solid marriage, terrific kiddos, and strong community involvement.

With these blessings noted and cherished, I perch before multiple roads of dreams more personal in nature.  Which path to take?  The unique and quirky me would guarantee my road was that less traveled, making all the difference (apologies to Robert Frost).  Thus, it was with great surprise the zenhabits post concluded like this:

Whether your dream is writing a book or starting a new business or creating your own blog or taking photography or pursuing a graduate degree … don’t always keep your eye on the destination. Enjoy the journey, right here, right now, and appreciate what a gift it is to be able to follow your dreams.

Okay, either author Leo Babauta has a window directly into my brain, or my dreams are fairly universal.  The blog?  Yup, working on that.  Photography?  I received a beautiful, intimidating Nikon at last night’s birthday party – a secret wish granted.  Book?  Have begun outlines for a few titles.  New business?  Got two – a boutique PR one-woman-shop focusing on nonprofits, and a series of workshop offerings on frugality/finances/simple living/work-life balance.  Event the graduate degree – have one, but contemplating another.

Turns out I am passionate about all of this stuff, a revelation a long time coming, after years of second guessing, overanalyzing, and losing touch with the authentic me.  So on this, the first day of my 34^th year, I commit to grabbing my dreams…

* Write, write, and then write a bit more – for fun, for free, for the good of local organizations, for fame + fortune (scratch the fame – just the fortune bit would be helpful in achieving financial peace)

* Clearly + concisely define business dreams, then set about going above and beyond the wildest versions imaginable

* The Nikon – attack the gathering of photog knowledge with zeal, get confident behind the lens, and enjoy the ride

Okay, identification of passions/dreams – check!  Making these passions/dreams a priority – in process…

There are three main time sucks to be milked for extra dream-oriented minutes: taming the e-mail beast, streamlining habits/routines/schedule, and improving home organization.     

My family takes first priority, always.  But in this 34^th year, my other dreams and passions will also be priorities.  Less e-mail checking, more writing.  Less time wasted re-washing clothes because they sat too long in the washer and got stinky, more time behind the lens.  Less time searching for that other boot, the missing library books, or our kids’ water bottles; more time spent exceeding business goals.

This 34^th year is going to rock…

A Radon-Free Abode…from basement to countertops

While flipping through the January 2009 issue of Money, I was intrigued by the article: “Does Your House Make You Sick?”  Truthfully, there was a smug feeling welling in my belly, convinced was I that we had created an uber-healthy home (After all, had we not spent $50K just last year to remove any traces of lead paint?  And what about the nearly $5K we dropped for green, organic mattresses?). 

My smugness dissipated instantly upon reading the Radon section, cleverly marked with four charming skulls and crossbones (denoting a high danger level – for a sense of comparison, Mold only garnered two skulls and crossbones).  Okay, I was wrong.  Really…truly…wrong. 

For some reason unbeknownst to me (wait…I do know…it was misinformation from my husband, who is supposed to be the expert on all things home maintenance), I thought radon was a non-issue if one lived in an old house with a drafty basement.  I had visions of any potential radon just seeping merrily on its way between our granite blocks.

Ummmm…so that was a pretty ridiculous assumption, or no one advised radon that is how it is supposed to behave, but regardless, leaky basements are no protection from this second-leading cause of lung cancer (behind smoking). 

Ideally, our house is free of radon.  However, you can be darn certain one of my errands today is a stop at the hardware store for a radon test kit; at only $10-20 a pop, the peace of mind will be money exceptionally well spent.

On the good-thing-we-have-not-yet-finished-the-kitchen-remodel front…did you know granite countertops can be a source of radon in your home?  Apparently 5-10% of granite countertops out there include uranium which is capable of emitting radon gas.  Never checked your basement and recently installed granite countertops?  Better add two radon test kits to your list!

Take good care,

Kim

Fourth time’s a charm?

At a recent family birthday party, a gaggle of female relatives was situated around the kitchen table, as oftentimes happens on such occasions.  The topic of pets arose, and I shared Monster Minot’s inability to make #1 come out.  One of my aunts reminded me of the funny irony that our first kitten could not make #2 (ha!  ha!). 

This particular kitten was cute, as kittens tend to be, but its arse was literally upside down.  Apparently, the mother cat had been “helping” the kitten work its poo out, but with no mama kitten around, the issue became apparent, and the vet bills began mounting.  The kitty, named Tuckerman, received a twice daily dose of 2 types of laxatives for months, if not years. 

By the time we lost Tucker, his arse had developed a functionality no longer requiring assistance.  By “lost”, I really do mean lost.  He escaped from the carrier (well, from the cardboard box I had taped closed – he was too big for the cat carrier) in the vet’s parking lot.  We searched for hours, put up posters, checked back at the vet daily, and put an ad in the paper, but no dice.  We like to think Tucker is whooping it up as an old lady’s love bug, where he is the center of attention, with no little ones around to distract from his cuteness.

Our next cat was acquired full-grown from the shelter, and soon after joining our home, began vomiting yellow frothy bile.  Initially, it appeared the kids had slopped yellow paint onto the kitchen floor (a fairly common occurrence).  As soon as it was determined the concoction emanated from the cat’s mouth, to the vet we went. 

The vet had no idea what ushered in the bile vomit, so tests were ordered, funds were exchanged, and ultimately I was informed whatever ailment was impacting the feline might be contracted by our children, and it was necessary to determine my priority (i.e. my kiddos or the cat).  Hmmmm….it took about a nanosecond to decide my children’s health trumped that of any other creature, so back to the shelter Silliness (named by our then 4-year-old) went, with tears and apologies all around.

And now Monster Minot.  And his lack of urine output.  Perhaps our next pet should be a goat.  I hear they can eat anything, and imagine it all works itself out properly in the end.

The Healthy, Wealthy, + Wise Adventure Continues…Meow!

Okay, first things first – counting the days of this adventure is stressful – each morning upon waking I am already behind my goal of daily posting.  Hence, no more counting.

Speaking of stress, apparently our cat needs to have less.  As if excessive talk of his penile region, urine crystals, and enormously enlarged bladder was not enough, the vet helpfully advised elimination of any stress to prevent further urinary blockages. 

I am all for prevention, having just dropped nearly $300 on an overnight stay, muscle relaxants, pain meds, and a prescription only available at the one compounding pharmacy in town.  Amusing to me (though, oddly, not to the pharmacy staff), was the requirement I sign a HIPPA privacy notification on behalf of the cat.  I am sure he appreciates it.

But returning to this stress issue, how exactly does one make a cat’s life more peaceful and zen-like?  The cat sleeps.  Most of the day.  His water and meals are provided regularly.  He has no dishes to wash.  Someone scoops up his poop and urine.  He moves his fat self from our new King-sized SavvyRest, to the couch, to the ottoman, to the kids’ pillow-filled “submarine” beneath the climbing wall, to the comfy chair in the kitchen, and sometimes to a towel on the bathroom floor.  I am failing to recognize a significant source of stress.

Must now dish out a dollop of the super-premium canned cat food from the vet and assure the feline is feeling well-rested and satisfied with his life… 

Take good care,

Kim

The Healthy, Wealthy, + Wise Adventure – Day 30

For reasons entirely unknown to me, I am taking inspiration from the powder room this morning.  A little brain candy for your next visit…

Healthy:  Ear Wax…

There are Q-Tips in my bathroom.  They are not for make-up application, not for cleaning that hard-to-reach space in between the faucet and backsplash, and not for cleaning up over-aggressive application of polish to the tootsies.  Nope, these would all be fine and noble uses of a Q-Tip. 

Unfortunately, our Q-Tips travel straight from the package into my ears.  This is very bad.  Potentially ear parts damaging.  I possess this knowledge, yet my desire for squeaky-clean feeling ears overrides any sense of reason. 

Heed my warning.  Buy ear drops.  They are rumored to work well.  Someday I might even try them.

Wealthy:  Floss…

Some of us are lucky enough to have dental insurance.  However, I would venture a completely unscientific guess that very few of us with dental have policies covering 100% of procedure costs (aside from those regular cleanings).  From a cost savings perspective, regular brushing and flossing can easily save thousands, if not tens of thousands, of dollars over a lifetime. 

Now, the brushing part – no problem there.  My brushing habit has been ingrained for more than three decades.  The flossing habit has proven a wee bit more elusive.  Oh, sometimes floss visits my teeth twice daily, but only when a dental cleaning is looming on the calendar.

Without fail, once settled in the chair, reclined in my bib attire, the inquiry will come: “Are you flossing daily?”  It seems this is more an opportunity for scolding rather than a question emanating from genuine curiosity.  Come on now, see how my gums are all cut up and bleeding from where I have been attacking with floss in an effort to make up for lost time?  Is it now obvious I am not a daily, careful flosser?  Let’s just hand over my new toothbrush and be done with this.

Perhaps considering the economic impact of regular flossing will spur me to solidify that regular flossing habit…if that doesn’t work, could always watch root canal videos on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cs0RIh3hPAM

Wise:  Drugs…

Lots of things have a rightful home in the bathroom.  Bubble bath.  Facial masks.  Deodorant.  Soap.  Toilet paper.  Good reading material. 

One class of items with no business residing in the powder room is medicine.  The tropical climate accompanying those daily showers wreaks havoc on meds, whose natural habitat is cool, dry climes.  So if you have a pharmacy taking up residence in your bathroom, consider relocating it to another locale.  You can use that extra space for floss.  And ear cleaning drops.

Take good care,

Kim

The Healthy, Wealthy, + Wise Adventure – Day 29

Healthy:  Got Worms?

The NY Times had a little ditty in the Personal Health section on the astonishing health benefits of worms.  Not in your compost, not in your garden, not in a Mason jar as pets (my children are so hankering for a dog, and I fear the worm pets will not assuage them much longer).  Anyway, the article speaks to the benefits of worms IN YOU.  Fascinated by the science, but horrified by the prospect:

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/27/health/27brod.html?_r=1&scp=1&sq=babies%20&%20worms&st=cse

Wealthy:  Memory Game on the Cheap…

Cannot recall where, but saw an ingenious little idea for a Memory-style game to keep in your purse, car, or diaper bag.  Home Depot carries paint samples in the shape of Mickey Mouse’s head (in the Disney Color by BEHR section).  Pick up a bunch of paint sample in 2’s, then keep on hand for Memory when the urge strikes.  If any of your kiddos are hip to reading and letter recognition, it will be imperative to cover the tiny section on the reverse of the card where the paint color name is displayed. 

Speaking of paint color names, anyone else have a burning curiosity about the folks who brainstorm these hues?  Okay, the Disney line is fairly predictable: Three Cheers for Pooh (aka Red), Bouncy Bouncy (Orange), Gamma Sector Green, Laser Beam (Yellow), and Happily Ever After (bright pink – if I opted to paint our bedroom this color I guarantee the result would be anything but happily ever after). 

After a little research, I determined the paint color creators fall into a few distinct camps:

Sensible (cannot believe this is really their job and just want to get the pain over with as quickly as possible): Light Blue, Ocean Deep, Designer Studio White, and Brown Bag.

Repressed: Tender Bud, Magical Moonlight, Deep Desire, Cherry Divine, and Cigar.

Devotees of Spirits/Caffeine: Old Burgundy, Merlot, Cider Toddy, and Deep Mocha.

Frustrated Poets: Elusive Blue, Stormy Weather, Forget-Me-Not, and Whispering Violet.

Hungry: Fragrant Cloves, Grape Leaves, Sauteed Mushroom, Crème Brulee, Brandied Pears, Yellow Lettuce, and Green Grapes.

Travel Wannabes: Rocky Mountain Sky, Costa Rica Blue, Bonjour Beige, Key Largo, Jamaican Green, Big Sur Blue, Mediterranean Blue, and Tibetan Jasmine.

The Travel Wannabes represent the largest proportion of my highly scientific paint sample analysis.  This result necessitates recognition of a striking commentary about our desire as a culture for constant escape, dissatisfaction even within our own homes, and yearning to be someplace MORE – more tropical, more exotic, more relaxing, more romantic, … I could go on, but suddenly have the most bizarre craving for crème brulee.

Wise:  Denture Cleaner Magic…

Picked up this little gem reading an old issue of Real Simple while enjoying a brief respite of “me time” in the bathroom.  Apparently, dentures are made of porcelain, just like my sink and claw foot tub.  It would appear based on the claims in Real Simple (though I have yet to attempt), tossing a few denture cleaning tablets into standing water will remove stubborn stains with zero effort.  I so love that last bit, about no effort, especially when it involves cleaning.

Take good care,

Kim 

The Healthy, Wealthy, + Wise Adventure – Day 28

Healthy:  Poo…

Recently, I was perusing an online debate on raw food diets.  Though the topic was interesting, my eyes skimmed quickly down the page, as the reality of my life and cravings currently negates the possibility of fully eliminating scrumptious baked goods (Come on, what’s a birthday party without cake?  And how does one support a niece’s dedication to scouting without purchasing cookies?  And wouldn’t it be downright rude to purchase said cookies and then fail to consume them?)

Anyhoo, I digress.  The most intriguing element of this debate was a sub-argument centered on what frequency of poo constitutes as “normal”.  One raw-food-advocate insisted three times per day was ideal.  Another participant claimed if you were perched on the porcelain with that frequency, it is imperative to get thee to a GI specialist (as once every few days was much more “normal”).

This poo debate led me to Google, as we have poo frequencies on both ends of that spectrum in our home.  Thankfully, it would appear we are all “normal”, as color and consistency are more meaningful markers than frequency.

If your interest is piqued, you can get the 411 on poo here:

http://health.msn.com/health-topics/digestive-health/ibd-and-crohns/articlepage.aspx?cp-documentid=100098792

If you are looking to supplement the powder room library, consider adding What’s Your Poo Telling You?     

Wealthy:  Shop Alone…    

Dora Popsicles.  Organic animal crackers.  Chocolate ice cream.  Fig Newmans.  Annie’s Honey Bunnies cereal. 

What does this bunch o’ edibles have in common?  They all manage to wind their way into our grocery cart when I ignore the money-saving grocery mantra: shop alone.  Granted, ignoring the other popular mantra, don’t shop hungry, immediately results in a stream of ginger snaps, Breyers vanilla bean ice cream, and Pirate’s Booty appearing like magic.

Shop smart.  Go alone.  Eat first. 

(If you are scoffing right now about the absurdity of wasting any precious “me time” trolling aisles shoving a huge groaning metal behemoth, all I can say is, I hear you.)

Wise:  Avoidance – Not Such a Beautiful Thing…

That late night cup of vanilla bean with smashed ginger snaps seemed like a good idea at the time.  Half an hour post-consumption, I felt like a nervous cow (thanks to sugar overload stimulating a visual of calories cheerfully migrating to my thighs).

Now get ready to leap, as this is a bit of a stretch.  Much like the late night snack habit is a bad idea, so too is my tendency toward avoidance.  The availability of Caller ID on the iPhone has enabled me to nurse this avoidance addiction. 

Oh, look, someone who is unpalatable or is looking to discuss something unpleasant is calling right now.  Hmmmm, really not a great time to chat – too busy concentrating on waiting in this line, tidying up the post-its on my desk, or getting zen in this traffic jam.  Oh, I will just call **** back later today after solving the current Israeli/Palestinian snafu and tidying up this danged dog economy.

What you already know, and I am still learning, is that pretty much without exception, the best course of action is to deal with the distasteful now.  Avoiding and delaying simply prolong the potential unpleasantness.  Happily, most of the time, dealing with “it” (whatever your “it” may be) right here and right now – makes “it” not so bad after all.      

Take good care,

Kim

The Healthy, Wealthy, + Wise Adventure – Day 27

Healthy:  Aim for NINE…

For those truly desiring an uber-healthful lifestyle, a great step is to eschew the 5-A-Day guidelines and opt instead to aim for NINE servings of fruits/vegetables per day.  If you look at the USDA’s serving size guidelines, the prospect of cramming in 9-A-Day is much less daunting:

(1) Fruit/Vegetable Serving per USDA is equal to…

¾ cup (6 oz.) 100% fruit or vegetable juice

(1) medium piece fruit (apple, orange, banana, pear…)

½ cup raw/cooked/frozen fruit or vegetable (size resembles scoop of ice cream)

1 cup raw leafy greens (think dark salads – size resembles fist or tennis ball)

¼ cup dried fruit (this amount would fit in a golf ball)

½ cup cooked/canned/frozen peas or beans

Feeling hungry yet?

Wealthy:  “Is that the best you can do?”…

These seven simple words have the power to save you enormous caches of coin.  Over the years, I have learned “Is that the best you can do?” is not a phrase limited to the stereotypical barter locales (i.e. car dealerships and real estate purchases).  The most challenging element of posing this question for me has been to ask, then shut up and wait.

Next time you buy a mattress, ask the question (I just saved 8% with free shipping thrown in on our yummy SavvyRest).  Going on vacation?  Ask the question before confirming accommodations.  Making a purchase on Craigslist?  Definitely ask the question! 

Before you whip out the cash or debit card, consider asking “Is that the best you can do?” first.    

Wise:  Try Something New – Challenge Yourself – Repeat Daily…

Without exception, all of the latest research on brain health indicates using your melon in new and creative ways helps to maintain functionality as the rest of you goes to pot.  Now if you are actively working to keep the other parts functional too, imagine the fun to be had well into your swinging 90’s!

So, when is the last time you tried something new?  Taken a belly dancing class lately?  Learning to speak Chinese?  Joined a women’s hockey pick-up game?  Tried a new route to get somewhere, leaving the GPS off and Mapquest dark?

Ideally, I would like to try something new each and every day.  Let’s see…yesterday, I faced down deep powder the likes of which I have not seen since Big Sky more than 5 years ago.  At the end of the day, my legs were burning, my mind tired from trying to recall how to ski the stuff, and my mood excited.  Later this week, I will plunge into the Atlantic Ocean (yes, in February, and yes, in New Hampshire) to support our Special Olympics team.  My mind will be actively working, attempting to communicate with my legs and remind them how to function.  Nearly as much fun, I will soon be tackling our annual tax return and super fun schedules. 

Whether a puzzle or class, language or activity, experience or physical feat, make the choice to keep that big beautiful brain of yours young!

Take good care,

Kim

The Healthy, Wealthy, + Wise Adventure – Days 25 + 26

Our theme for this latest 2-for is “Get Something Started – TODAY!”…with just 15 minutes and any item off the following list, you will get something started to feel good about.  Something good is brewing…can you feel it?  What are you waiting for?

Healthy:  Researching + Writing…

Okay, so you already knew high fructose corn syrup (HFCS) was not a must-have on your family’s regular diet.  However, did you also know HFCS might contain mercury?

According to Reuters (http://uk.reuters.com/article/healthNews/idUKTRE50Q5IA20090127) :

“In one study, published in the journal Environmental Health, former Food and Drug Administration scientist Renee Dufault and colleagues tested 20 samples of high fructose corn syrup and found detectable mercury in nine of the 20 samples.

Dufault said in a statement that she told the FDA about her findings but the agency did not follow up.”

What the heck?  Instead of just seething with anger, disgust, and incredulousness at the failure of individuals and organizations to do the right thing, how about seizing the opportunity and working for positive change? 

Lucky for me, our circle of friends includes a terrific scientist who already penned this letter urging the new guard to impart strong leadership at the FDA.  Please consider copying or rewriting a similar letter, and shooting it off to your representation in Washington – today!

Find contact information here:

http://www.senate.gov/

http://www.house.gov/

Dear Senator Shaheen,

I am writing this letter to bring to your attention the recent
publication in Environmental Health finding mercury in high fructose
corn syrup (HFCS).

According to the study, samples were collected directly from
manufacturers in 2005, after a 2003 report by the EPA noted that
nearly seven tons of mercury were missing from each of eight U.S.
chlor-alkali plants. These plants produce the chemicals that process
HFCS. The gap in time between the discovery of potential mercury
contamination in HFCS and the publication of a this study implies that
the current leadership and culture of the FDA is no longer working
with the goal of public health and safety as its primary responsibility.

The FDA’s own mission statement: “The FDA is responsible for
protecting the public health by assuring the safety, efficacy, and
security of human and veterinary drugs, biological products, medical
devices, our nation’s food supply, cosmetics, and products that emit
radiation. The FDA is also responsible for advancing the public health
by helping to speed innovations that make medicines and foods more
effective, safer, and more affordable; and helping the public get the
accurate, science-based information they need to use medicines and
foods to improve their health.”

I strongly urge Congress and the new Administration to put in place
strong leadership at the FDA so the agency can fulfill its public
safety mission, and I urge Congress to pass needed reforms of the
agency to keep my family safe. I also urge the FDA to adequately test
for chemical contaminants in infant formula and all foods and food
products, to inform the public when they find these kinds of results,
and to recall products to prevent any unnecessary risks to our
children and families.

The published findings in the Environmental Health article Mercury
from chlor-alkali plants: measured concentrations in food product
sugar clearly show the need for immediate action and further research.
From the study: “Clearly the sample size of this preliminary trial is
too small but there was no support to collect additional samples for
analyses. When university researchers outside of the government
attempted to obtain additional HFCS samples direct from the
manufacturer they were unable to get them. However, with 45% of the
HFCS samples containing mercury in this small study, it would be
prudent and perhaps essential for public health that additional
research be conducted by the FDA or some other public health agency to
determine if products containing HFCS also contain mercury. In 2004,
several member states of the European Union reported finding mercury
concentrations in beverages, cereals and bakery ware, and sweeteners
[14] – all of which may contain HFCS. FDA does not currently have a
mercury surveillance program for food ingredients such as added sugars
or preservatives
manufactured with mercury grade chlor-alkali products.”

Due to the already known heath risks associated with mercury
consumption and exposure, pregnant women and children are already
advised to limit the amount of fish consumed. Fish become
contaminated with mercury due to the multiple inputs of mercury into
the environment, which is a decidedly harder contamination to control.
The contamination of HFCS occurs during an industrial process that
already has mercury free alternative: a membrane chlor-alkali plant
rather than a mercury cell chlor-alkali plant.

Missing mercury from the chlor-alkali industry is unacceptable as
mercury is a known and harmful neurotoxin. Based on these recent
findings HFCS should not be labeled as GRAS (generally recognized as
safe) and should be subject to further scrutiny.

I urge the Administration and Congress to instill strong leadership at
the agency that will fulfill its public-safety mission. I also urge
you to make needed changes like tougher laws, better enforcement, and
more funding a priority, so American families can have faith in the
safety of the food and products we consume each day. Please to move
forward and pass Bill S.1818: Missing Mercury in Manufacturing and
Mitigation Act sponsored by Barack Obama, Joseph Biden, Benjamin
Cardin, Russ Feingold, John Kerry and Robert Menendez.

Sincerely,

Wealthy:  Asking + Monitoring…

Asking…Got debt?  Any of it credit card debt?  Unless all of your credit card debt is at 0%, pick up the phone.  I know you have heard this before, but so few people actually follow through, which is a money-wasting-shame!  Make a list of all your credit card debts, including amount owed, current rate, and phone number for customer service.  Then start calling. 

Ask and you shall receive.  Very, very often, just politely asking for a lower rate will result in beaucoup bucks saved.  There is no need to be dishonest and threaten to close your card (though if that is a possibility, certainly voice the option).  A simple, “I just received an offer for 12 months at 0% interest” (or whatever your latest offer was – check bankrate.com if you don’t have a pile of credit card offers onhand waiting to be shredded) or “I am looking to streamline my bills, and will be putting all credit card debt on the card with the best terms – can you offer 0% for 12 months?”  Never hesitate to ask for a supervisor if the representative is less-than-helpful.

Monitoring…Identity theft sucks.  At least twice a year, we receive notification from some financial institution that our private financial information has been compromised.  Then you wait.  Thankfully, knock on wood (and I just did), our identities have not yet been snatched.

An alternative to sitting around, twiddling one’s thumbs, and waiting for those “compromised information” notices is to be proactive and regularly check the ol’ credit report.  If, like me, you have an aversion to paying for anything that can be had free, by all means use (ONLY) the Federal Trade Commission monitored free credit check website: www.annualcreditreport.com – there are lots of other websites that sound similar and are decidedly un-free, so be sure to hit the right one.  The same information can also be obtained by calling 1-877-322-8228.

You are entitled to one free credit report per annum from each of the three major bureaus: Equifax, TransUnion, and Experian.  Since the information from each bureau is generally the same, we opt to check with one source every 4 months.  Using this approach, we see our credit information, free, three times over the course of an entire year, versus just getting reports from all three sources simultaneously once per year.  Whatever your approach, check your credit report today!  (This report will contain all credit history, but a nominal fee applies to get the actual number score – we skip the score.)

Wise:  Thanking + Complimenting…

Thanking…Gratitude is an exceptionally cool habit to develop.  Try it.  Say thank you today.  You can thank God, thank another higher power, thank the grocery store clerk, thank your mate, thank your kids, thank a stranger.  Carry thank you cards in your bag, and use free minutes to jot notes to a former teacher, grandparent, or to the supervisor of someone who provided great service.  Pen a letter to your local newspaper very publicly recognizing the great work of an individual, organization, representative, or business.  We are all presented with opportunities to say “thank you” each and every day – try it!

Complimenting…Everyone wins when you offer an honest compliment.  It is difficult to know what struggles those around us are facing, particularly given the current economic times.  One thing is for sure – receiving a compliment is a surefire way to put a spring in your recipient’s step. 

If you opt to be on the lookout for opportunities to compliment, do not be alarmed if a rose-colored hue comes across your glasses.  Try going about your day on the prowl for good works, cool stuff, and thoughtful people.  Amazing artwork!  Bodacious brownies!  Charming cat!  Delightful demeanor!  You get the picture.  Come on, make someone happy…

Take good care,

Kim

The Healthy, Wealthy, + Wise Adventure – Day 24

Healthy:  Pressed for time while running around with hungry kiddos in tow?  My all-time favorite stop for healthful, quick, ready-to-eat food is…the hospital cafeteria.  Our local hospital cafeteria was part of a recent renovation, and is resplendent with ginormous fish tanks, a palette of funky colors, and comfy booths.  Situated adjacent to a main entrance, the cafeteria offers a quick in/out without having to traipse through the hospital proper.   

In addition to the décor and convenience, the focus on healthful fare and below-cost prices seal the deal.  Our entire family can eat dinner (usually in a rush, right before music class) for under $10.  Typically, our trays contain soup, whole wheat pizza, veggie burgers, Stonyfield yogurt, wild rice, steamed veggies, some meat for my husband, pudding for the kids (okay, and for me), and fresh berries. 

Contrary to the long-held misconception, at least in our town, hospital food rocks!

Wealthy:  Protect Your Investments.  Just a day after politely declining the wool mattress protector for our new, green, organic SavvyRest King-size bed (ooooh, I am uber excited about the prospect of a King, having only enjoyed the opulence in hotels, and being one to appreciate a little snoozing space), our son threw up in our current bed.  Repeatedly.  It was a sign.  Note to self: Must order mattress protector prior to delivery of new yummy bed.  

Wise:  Remember that hospital cafeteria I mentioned a few moments ago?  Not only is there lots of cheap, healthful yumminess (and plenty of decadent not so healthful stuff too – forgot to mention the Coldstone Creamery-style ice cream bar, but I digress), the cafeteria also offers…get this…super-fast and free wireless.  It does not get much better than this for a freelance-writing mama frequently trying to grab a couple hours of quiet work time.  Especially if this mama’s lovely home office, even when Daddy is on duty, is constantly besieged by requests, pleadings, tattles, and stories from small children. 

Ahhhh, a little peace, mostly quiet, super-fast wireless, and pudding…the perfect combination for productivity!

Take good care,

Kim