16 days to Inauguration

 I just started reading “The Splendid and The Vile” about Churchill and the Blitz. It opens with this quote which is so appropriate for last year and this - probably for all the time but especially now.

“It is not given to human beings - happily for them, for otherwise life would be intolerable - to foresee or to predict to any large extent the unfolding course of events.” 

- Winston Churchill, eulogy for Neville Chamberlain, November 12, 1940

Be adaptable, find solutions, help each other and don’t forget to be thankful and find joy in being alive.

I’m thinking of doing occasional Money Monday posts so thought I’d give it a try today. 

I mentioned that our year end financial review pointed out that we will need to reinvest most of the money we have in CDs at some time this year. No surprise here but our year end review showed an increase in the grocery category (food, toiletries, household supplies, alcohol) and decreases in eating out, entertainment, travel, haircuts, gasoline. I expect this year will be essentially the same although we are increasing our donations and contributions to granddaughter’s college fund. 

In addition, since our taxes are simple we are thinking of going back to doing them ourselves. The tax preparer charged $350 last year so anything less is a savings. Any easy to use tax software to recommend?

Weekend reading you might enjoy including about pies!

My favorite news article in recent memory - This pie chart is delicious & statistically sound

A most interesting blog focused on trying out a different self-help book's recommendations each month - Help Me! Blog

If you find you don't like cleaning your home
- The lazy person's guide to a happy home - I especially like tips 5 and 6
- 10 Tips & Tricks for Keeping a Small Space Clean - I especially like the one day a week for regular cleaning and one a month/quarter for deeper cleaning as I feel like each day I am reminded of things that need cleaning in our not-so-small-space.

This is on a federal employee focused website but most of the advice is good for anyone wondering about how to financially prepare for soon to arrive retirement - What to do and when to prepare for retirement

Weekend reading

Some sites to explore and enjoy this weekend.

The myth of ownership - Courtney Carver does it again!

The Guardian's no food waste challenge - I have to admit I love reading the comments

6 easy ways to save money by getting organized - The comment about finding duplicates is right on in my experience. When I corralled all of my scissors together I had so many that I got rid of 2 or 3. Then I redistributed the remainders to their most used place.

10 alternatives to clingfilm - The idea of using leftover glass jars goes into the "Why didn't I think of that?" category for me. I'm going to start saving some.

3 ways to fix your stuff - I activated the "spare parts" strategy this week when I went back to the place that made our shower door and asked if they could sell me a new slide in piece of plastic flange for the bottom of the door. Seven years of wear and the original was warped and not working right. Well they don't currently have the exact one I need in stock but they are ordering it. Win!

Could you do this? For a year they only bought used except for food, toiletries, shoes for the kids and underwear. Alongside this, they made the decision that if something broke, and buying a new part meant that it could be fixed, then they could do that. This woman bought nothing new for a year

Friday gratitude

I am feeling very grateful right now and thought I would note a few of the reasons.

1. My vision in the eye that had cataract surgery is quite good. Reading is a bit of a struggle even with reading glasses but I can drive without glasses and that is great. All will be even better when the other eye is fixed. The entire team who treated me was very nice, kind and competent. My Hubby sat for hours during the whole thing so he could drive me home. He also came home from work and drove me to the follow up appointment the next day. I am very grateful for such care and the outcome.

2. My son who just got married is in town on business and staying with us for the weekend as well as last night. We took him out for dinner and had a good time. He planned ahead and asked us if we would like to go to a baseball game on Saturday and bought the tickets. I am very grateful for such love..

3. "Hotlanta" hasn't yet arrived as we continue to have gloriously nice Spring weather. I took the poodle princess for a walk and we both that the day was pretty great. I am grateful to be able to enjoy the outdoors (and not to be dripping in sweat yet, LOL).

4.  We purchased plane tickets for a 10 day vacation in July that will include a nephew's wedding in N. CA and visits to sons and more family in S. CA. I am very grateful to have the means to do this.

I could go on but health, family, enjoying the outdoors and having plans for the future are all things that fill me with gratitude and I am enjoying them a lot. I hope you are also finding things in your life that bring you happiness.

Incremental effort and progress

"What can you do for 15 minutes a day that, by this time next year, will have added up to something remarkable?"

That is my horoscope for yesterday. Now I don't believe in horoscopes, but I found this question very interesting.

Want to feel more fit? Walk, stretch or workout 15 minutes a day.

Want to feel closer to your loved ones? Give them your undivided attention 15 minutes a day.

Want to save money? Fix your lunch to take to work - yup, 15 minutes a day.

Interested in eating healthier meals? Spend 15 minutes a day planning or cooking them.

Want to finish that book? Read for 15 minutes a day.

Have a task you hate to do? Mine is cleaning house and I can stand to do it 15 minutes a day.

So many things to accomplish and so little time to invest. What will you start doing with 15 minutes a day?