2. Buy energy efficient appliances – This is obvious, but making sure all of your appliances are energy efficient can make a strong impact. Do research on your model refrigerator and cooking stove to make sure you aren’t using more energy than you need. Always maintain your appliances to keep them in top shape and avoid carbon monoxide poisoning.

3. Washing Dishes by Hand – This topic is somewhat controversial, as some people aren’t sure whether washing dishes by hand or with a dish washer are more environmentally sound. My father, however, fills up the sink with soapy water and uses just that to wash his dishes in a certain order (greasy pans last). It seems to work well, and we have no need to refill the sink usually. If you are feeling extra frisky, you can dish out this water to use in outdoor plants. Be wary though, it may attract critters.

4. Homemade or Organic Cleaners – I clean my counter tops religiously, due to using them for food preparation. One of my favorite cleaners is just apple cider vinegar in a bottle of water that I use to spray over the counter. I let it sit for a few minutes then wipe away any mess for a fresh clean counter. The vinegar also acts as an absorbent to odors. I also use Seventh Generation soap for my washing of dishes.

5. Composting – Many places sell small counter top composting bins now for kitchens. Just throw your scraps in and let nature take its course.

6. Cabinets – Many modern kitchens are built with toxic materials and paints, especially the cabinets. When these are hit with so much heat from cooking, they start to break down into the air. Opt for low-VOC paints, finishes and sealants and void products and materials that contain formaldehyde and PVC. These compounds have carcinogenic properties and are detrimental to the environment.

7. Ventilation – Proper ventilation help keep the air fresh in your kitchen and prevent mold from all of the food preparation. Make sure you have proper fans and or windows to allow air to flow freely.

8 Buy Organic and Local – As always, buying organic local produce and wholesome foods is a great way to support your local economy and your body. Free your kitchen of pesticides, herbicides, and any other contaminants and know where your food came from.

However, for me it is absolutely critical to have an easy way to make notations and document information, otherwise short-term memory loss sets in, and the task at hand is forgotten for weeks, maybe even months. (And I’m only 27!). So what do you do to end the paper clutter yet still retain the ability to quickly keep track of your notations?

Fortunately 2008 promises to be the epitome of digitalized euphoria And for this, I am very grateful.

1. Eliminating the Datebook. Who wants to lug around a datebook all the time anyway? What happens if you forget it? Are you completely lost without it? Google Calendar is my savior when it comes to keeping track of my schedule. Not only does it eliminate the possibility of forgetting my datebook, but also having to carry it around with me everywhere. You can also set tasks and dates to email you reminders several days before so you don’t forget.

2. Eliminating the Check Registry. I’ve never used a check registry in my life. I think I tried when I was 16, and it lasted about a week before I’d forget to put purchases in there anyway. Instead, when I make a purchase I put the receipt in my wallet, and when I get home I put the transaction in MS Money. That way I always know exactly how much I am spending, I have a list of upcoming bills, I can calculate income vs expenses and view pie charts of my transactions easily.

The problem with using MS Money is you are unable to access your transactions outside of your computer. However there are other alternatives such as Wesabe, Buddhi, Clear Checkbook, and the recently popular Mint that let you keep track of your transactions online. Not to mention most banking sites also allow you to login to see you recent transactions in a pinch.

3. Optimize your Blog Reading Time. There are several blogs I read on a daily basis, but visiting all of them can be a hassle when I’m in a bind. Instead I use Google Reader to keep track of all of them in one tightly wrapped package. Not many people take advantage of RSS feeds yet, but they are invaluable for blog enthusiasts. They are like your very own “Buddy List” of blogs.

4. Eliminating the Post-It Notes. I still carry a small pad of paper in my purse for when I’m in the car or don’t have access to a computer. But I no longer keep post-it notes pasted around my monitor. Instead I use a program called Sticky Pad, which lets me create color-coded post-it notes and have them display over my documents, or remain on my taskbar for later. Having easy accessibility is crucial for me, otherwise I will forget things quickly. A few other sticky note programs include, ATnotes and Stickies.

5. Eliminate paper Todo Lists. These tend to pile up, and like post-it notes, are just unattractive. Keeping your Todo list online, like the others, allows you to access it from anywhere. Programs like Todoist and Remember the Milk are great ways to keep track of everything you wanted to do today or this week. Remember the Milk even recently developed seamless Google integration, though rumor has it that Google is creating their own todo list application.

6. Eliminate the Diet Journal. Keeping any form of paper journal is a task in itself. Being able to keep track and calculate calories on your computer is far easier. Fitday.com lets you keep track of what you eat online. Whether I’m at work or at home, I can easily put in the foods I eat on a daily basis and get a calculation of calories eaten as well as burned in my daily activity.

7. Creating Documents Online. I don’t really create many documents, everything I write up is usually posted in a blog of some kind. But I can’t ignore the usefulness of Google Docs. You can create .pdf’s of your documents by just clicking and saving, with an easy-to-use interface and the best part, online storage.

8. Eliminating Stamps and Envelopes. Obviously e-mail is a fantastic way to communicate and help eliminate the need for stamps and envelops, but ING takes it a step further. When you sign up for an ING Orange Checking account, they will mail off your bills for you for free as a part of their east-to-use Web Billpay service. (If you need an ING referral, don’t hesitate to email us!).

9. Online Subscriptions. Many magazines and catalogs are offering online subscriptions now. Don’t forget to check out your favorite magazine’s website to make sure you can eliminate even more paper clutter by reading electronically!

In an epiphany while talking to my 13 year old sister, I realized that many children these days are not taught basic life skills that they need to get by in life, which I think contributes to the general lazyness and fast-paced environment we have now. People forget to eat, get overly stressed, rush around constantly, and essentially harm themselves needlessly because they just don’t know any better.

Essential Things We Aren’t Teaching Our Children:

1. How to cook. One thing I was given when I got married at 18, was a bin of index cards with family recipes on them from my mom, and various aunts and other female members of the family. This was a wedding gift, and a very cherished one.

My sister is now 13 and knows little about cooking good wholesome meals. It’s not surprising given the microwavable mac n’ cheese, hamburger helper, hotpockets and other such unhealthy and pre-packed foods. I try to involve her in cooking when she comes over my house, so she can at least learn the basics. Even just basic recipes and cooking techniques like how to cook steak, how to make cheap crock-pot dishes are a great skill to learn.

2. How to eat. Going along with #1, we aren’t teaching our children how to eat. Burgers, fries and a Milkshake are the norm. Quick breakfasts bars and sugary cereals are daily sustenance. Sugar and red meat are the worst things we are doing to our children, and needlessly. No wonder obesity and diabetes are epidemics.

The best thing we can do is make a conscious decision to change how we eat and what food we keep in the house. No sodas, but instead sugar-free drinks (Safeway’s generic brand of sugar-free drinks are AMAZING). No sugar-filled cereals and quick breakfasts and instead cook up a scrambled egg on wheat toast with butter. It only takes a moment, and is much healthier and will keep them awake longer during the day. Keep re-heatable soups and stews from the crock-pot that they can heat up on their own instead of the quick hotpocket meals.

3. How to clean properly and without chemicals. The fact that we disinfect everything using bleach and anti-bacterial soaps is doing more harm than good. Our children’s immune systems aren’t as strong because we’re protecting them so harshly. In addition to that, we are exposing them to harmful chemicals by using commercial cleaners rather than cheap eco-friendly alternatives.

By teaching our children to use vinegar and water with a newspaper instead of windex and paper-towels, we are allowing them to save money, be kind to the earth, and responsible cleaning habits. Most natural cleaning solutions are much cheaper, healthier, and obviously more environmentally friendly, so why not switch while they are young? When they move out on their own, make a basket of natural cleaning products as a housewarming gift.

4. How to manage money. I always thought this should be something taught in school, but I was never taught how to manage my money properly. In fact I remember specifically in 6th grade I was taught how to write a check, but that was it. So essentially I was taught how to -spend- money, but never how to -manage- it.

I’m a strong believer in teaching financial habits at a young age. Setting up chores for children to complete and in return receive a small allowance. Make a deal that they can spend a certain amount of their allowance, and deposit the other portion into a high interest savings account for when they get older. Sit down with them each month and let them see the interest they gain on the account, and make a list of things they want to buy and how they can budget to save up for it. Make sure they understand what is a need versus a want, and how to be frugal with their decisions.

I think the United States especially would be in a better place if the people who are in so much debt were more educated when they were younger about their financial decisions.

5. How to spend money (frugality). Going with #4, I think even just a few basic frugal skills are good to teach our children, even if you aren’t a frugal person yourself. Going through and purging toys and clothes regularly and not purchasing a toy every time you go to the store. Using actual lunchboxes instead of brown paper bags, and reusable utensils. Even using a small container for their sandwiches instead of disposable plastic baggies is a beneficial habit for them to learn, and good for the environment.

6. Basic auto maintenance. I know of a girl who had her transmission slip for well over a month before deciding to tell her husband about it in which case it was already too late. There are also people that don’t know how to check their oil, change a tire or even the fluid in their radiator to make sure they are going to make it to their destination. The other day I saw a family of 3 sitting on the side of the road with a flat tire, no doubt waiting for someone to come and help rather than being prepared.  Since an automobile will enter almost everyone’s life at some point, and is such a necessary for so many people, it makes sense that we teach our children how to maintain such an expensive investment. Even if it’s just the basics.

7. How to take care of their hair and makeup. Yes, this will generally only apply to the female population, but given the amount of make-up, dye, and hairspray I see on today’s youth, I had to mention it. Hair is generally important to most females, but we’re constantly teasing, applying chemical, and doing more damage than good. Girls are now inspired by Britney and Bratz, instead of how to look/dress appropriate.

When I was younger, I always combed my hair while wet and used those horrible rubberbands in my hair, not to mention dyed it blonde for many years. I had no idea until recently that this sort of routine is what caused my hair to be come so dry, have so many split ends, and why I am now struggling to get it to grow further than the middle of my back. I feel cheated.

Bad breath results from two key issues: oral hygiene and gastrointestinal health. Basically this means that breath odors originate not just inside the mouth but also from your digestive tract. The culprit in both cases is largely bacteria. Doctors will tell you that if you have bad breath, you should first make sure you are eating right (getting a balanced diet of protein, carbs, lots of fruits and veggies and plenty of fluids to keep the GI tract healthy) and brushing and flossing after every meal. But that still doesn’t mean you might not be offending your friends and co-workers after lunch at the new Italian place. Here are some things you can ingest (or chew) that can help.

And they are mostly natural and most people have easy access to them:
1. Chew on this. Move over parsley, there are some new halitosis-fighting herbs in town. “Coriander, spearmint, tarragon, eucalyptus, rosemary and cardamom are all good for fighting bad breath,” says Dr. Christine Gerbstadt, who has lectured on oral health. You can chew on fresh herbs or make tonics by steeping them in hot water (as a tea). These herbs make an excellent digestive as well—doubling the benefits of ending a meal this way.

2. Get some active culture. No, not Cirque de Soleil, but yogurt. A recent study found that a serving of yogurt each day reduces the level of odor-causing hydrogen sulfide in the mouth. Apparently it also cuts back on bacteria in the mouth—plaque and gum disease were reduced in the study’s yogurt eaters as well. Plus, the American Dietetic Association (ADA) recommends getting enough vitamin D from yogurt, cheese and milk if you’re worried about halitosis because this vitamin creates an inhospitable environment for bacteria growth. Be sure to get the kind of yogurt with active cultures—not overly processed or sugar-added varieties.

3. Crunchy types. Apples, carrots, celery—basically any fiber-rich fruit or vegetable is your friend when it comes to fighting halitosis. “Inside your mouth, plaque build-up causes odors,” explains Cynthia Sass, ADA spokeswoman and registered dietician. “Eating foods that increase saliva production keep the mouth moist—and rinsed out. Also, many carbs and proteins can get stuck in your teeth—even healthy foods like whole grain cereal or chicken breast.” So follow a meal with a Granny Smith (feel the saliva kick in at the mention of it?) to cleanse the mouth.

4. Masking techniques. Sugarless gum shouldn’t replace brushing your teeth after a meal, but in a pinch it can freshen breath (masking odors) and is another way to increase saliva production to rinse away plaque and bacteria. Mints can mask as well, but only briefly—and go for sugarless. Sugar creates plaque, and no one wants a mint that makes breath worse.

5. High C’s. Eating berries, citrus fruits, melons and other vitamin C-rich foods create an inhospitable environment for bacteria growth. A diet rich in vitamin C is also is important for preventing gum disease and gingivitis—both major causes of halitosis. Get your C in foods, not supplements, which can cause gastrointestinal upset in some, according to Sass, and exacerbate bad breath.

I put obvious items in, automotive titles, diploma, birth certificates, some court documents, external hard drive backup of all digital files. But I wanted to have an idea of anything else I should keep in there. Here’s what I found:

• Papers or records that prove ownership (such as real estate deeds, automobile titles and stock and bond certificates)
• Birth, marriage and death certificates
• Legal papers (such as divorce and property settlement papers)
• Contracts
• Household inventory
• Wills
• Advance Directives such as Living Wills or Durable Powers of Attorney for Health Care
• Anything else that would be expensive or difficult to replace.

Some other notations I found:

In general, bank account registers, canceled checks, transcripts, medical histories, employment records, tax returns and insurance policies do not need to be kept in a safe deposit box or fireproof home storage.

Some basic records should be carried with you at all times. Your wallet, billfold or purse is a small record system. Keep identification with you, including your driver’s license, name of person to notify in case of an emergency, credit cards, social security card and organization membership cards.

Health, accident and auto insurance information, and information on allergies, health problems and blood type should also be carried with you.

Thoughts

I haven’t done a household inventory yet, but it’s on my list of things to do. I may be able to do this with my digital camera as well, since it takes video. I can burn that on a disk and keep it in the safe, as well as a printed inventory.

I will mention that I created a database of my library already and keep it in digital format, should I ever need to replace all of my books. Movies is another story, but will be another task at some point. I also intend to keep some of my major software (Win XP especially) in the safe.

I’ve also been working on creating digital backups of all of our old pictures (this is a pain in the ass though, let me tell you), so that should I ever need to have them reprinted, I can (these are kept on the external hard drive as well).

I have $30k worth of renters insurance on our place here, which has an additional $3k coverage for my computer. I’m starting to wonder if $30k is enough, because I have no way to place a value on our belongings. We don’t really have many items that are worth much money. All of our furniture is hand-me-downs, -all- of it was free, and I’d be fine with replacing with other free stuff later. We have tons of antique oil lamps, but they are more for the memories than anything.

Next is finding out how long I need to keep certain papers. I’ve done a lot of research on this already, it’s a matter of posting it.

Fundamentals of Personal Finance – The University of California, Irvine provides an online introductory course to Personal Finance.

Working Woman’s Guide to Finanicial Security – The University of Illinois offers quite a few resources on financial information, this is just one of them. Others include tips for thrifty living, credit card smarts, and consumer and family economics.

How to avoid getting ripped off by a Mechanic – These should all be obvious, but we all know people who have no idea what to do about automobiles. Fortunately I do most of my own maintenance myself, so I don’t particularly have to worry about mine.

7 Secrets of the Super Organized. Though, they don’t really seem like secrets, just things we tend to put off.

Turn a C Battery into a D Battery with Quarters – Now if they could just turn AAA to AA, I’d be golden.

40 ways to reduce your monthly required spending – Several easy tips and ideas that people just don’t seem to think of for the most part.