Use the library- it's free (well, paid for by your property taxes so you SHOULD use it). I am so surprised by how many of my friends buy the new hardcover books and then throw them out/give them away. Start a book swapping club instead! You'll have less clutter on the shelves yet still have more to read.
I do more with less by growing my own kitchen garden in the back yard! We live in a suburban area but I still have room for a small garden and nothing beats fresh veggies!
I also compost my yard clippings and peelings for fertilizer.
Turkey Fajitas are amazing. A bag of frozen bell peppers, a thick sliced onion, a package of fajita seasoning, and some leftover shredded turkey and you have a hearty dinner on the table in less than 10 minutes.
I know this comment is old but I couldn't let this go uncorrected. Your radiator's temperature doesn't matter, the water in your car bypasses the radiator until the thermostat (basically a little temperature sensitive "valve" set to a specific temp by the manufacturer) springs open at operating temperature, letting the coolant circulate in the radiator.
By driving the car you're putting it under load, which is more than just running high RPMs while in park/neutral, and causes more heat to build up in the engine, which is captured by the coolant, etc. Most modern cars need less than 1-2 minutes (30 seconds, even) of idling in 0F conditions for the oil to circulate and coat the necessary parts.
Once your windows are clear and you've let the car idle for about 30-60 seconds, you're perfectly ready to go unless you plan on hauling ass (like immediately entering a freeway at speeds).
Our budget doesn't allow us to go out to eat as often as we used to, do now my daughter and I have "gourmet" night- we pick out a fancy recipe, make it together, and have a special evening. It's usually a lot better than restaurant food! There is also the added bonus that it's really fun to try new recipes and techniques.
Whenever I think I have to have something, I think will do I really need this or do I just want it. If I just want it, I have to challenge my intentions, my heart. I don't want to collect stuff, I rather be purposeful in my giving and living. When we die we leave a bunch of stuff anyhow and a casket can only carry so much. So I try to recycle and reuse, donate, give to needy families, join web sites that offer points and discounts and then I can be generous with others including giving then gift certificates and gift cards. This is what I do so I can sleep peaceful at night.
Instead of buying gifts for holidays i give services. for instance I will give a free housecleaning coupon or free date night baby sitting service to my loved ones.
I do more with less by always asking "can I use this again?" when I drag out foil, plastic, or waxed paper over the holidays to cover all that food. If not, I try to find another way. The easiest is simply stacking bowls in the fridge so they cover the one beneath. Thanksgiving is a great do more with less holiday. The initial investment in oven time and cook's time pays off with multiple delicious meal for lots of people.
if your old clothes are too torn and cannot be donated, cut them into more appropriate sizes for dusting. Make sure they're washed first so you don't spread dirt, sweat, and other germs
We have six kids, so doing more for less is mandatory. we buy generic, or use coupons, and stock up when things are on sale. We reduce, reuse and recycle.
I could do more in less time with a new phone like this. I just have a plain old cheap cell phone. I would like one with apps that helps keep me more organized.
This may not be exactly what you had in mind but I have found I can do so much more for my health by eating less! I can eat smaller portions (healthier food of course) and be able to be healthier and ultimately, weigh less. There is nothing more rewarding you can do for yourself and your health than weighing less!!!
I also have high-speed internet and an iPod Nano, I have a modern stereo Mini-System, a 52-inch 1080p HDTV, DVD Recorder and Blue-Ray Player, all sleek and modern black plastic and fake chrome buttons and green digital displays. And at the bottom is a 25-pound, bulky, "12:00" Flashing Zenith VCR from 1986 that sticks out of my modern AV rack like a sore thumb.
I refuse to get rid of this VCR and the shelves of VHS tapes that are next to it. I am to attached to them, I have around 300 VHS tapes and there are to many memories invested in the tapes to toss them and its a major bummer when the VCR occasionally eats one of the tapes.
I don't think that VHS looks to bad, as long as you clean and demagnetize the head of your VCR every 3-months. In fact, I find the analog noise and defects and the feedback distortion at the beginning of blank tapes to be quite endearing to the format. VHS is like a Vinyl LP, analog is better and the minor imperfections add to the watching experience.
I like to record using VHS because when your using a VCR to record a movie or TV show, you see the little red circle and can look inside the VCR and see the little spools of tape slowly turning and you KNOW Your show is being recorded. With a DVD Recorder, your never sure, you can record a show on a blank DVD and then try to watch it and ITS STILL A BLANK DISC!!! Not to mention, unless you use a re-writable disk, you can only record once, whereas on a VHS tape, I've never reached a limit on my tapes of how many times you can re-record them.
Not to mention that magnetic tape recordings can last 150 years under ideal storage conditions, where as a DVD movie could be in the garbage in about 50-60 years and a burned or recorded DVD in as little as 25 or 30.
Calendars are a huge help. And the Outlook Quickstep is a great shortcut tool that helps me quickly create some of my common tasks, appointments, and emails while on the go. The win phone 7 will be a great mobile tool to aid in this
I love how the newer phones are getting more and more powerful. It wasn't too long ago that I had a cell phone, a PDA, a camera, and a laptop for work. Even now, I have a 'dumb' phone, an iPod touch for my action lists, and the laptop for projects. I want to do more with fewer gadgets: a desktop for main work, a smart phone/tablet to keep it with me.
I gave up cable TV! Laptop with special cord attached to TV enables me to watch movies, TV shows from websites, etc. and I also check out DVDs - movies and instructional to fill the void - and SAVE!!!
Two tips for doing more with less: I water down my liquid hand soap and dish soap (about 1/3 water). It cleans just as well, and makes it last longer. I also use vinegar in place of liquid fabric softener, and it leaves my clothes nice and soft as well as rinses the soap residue.
Instead of a throw away cup I reuse a plastic cup for my daily commute drink.
We take virtual vacations by setting aside time to read good books, rather than spending hundreds we may not have to travel.
Use the library- it's free (well, paid for by your property taxes so you SHOULD use it). I am so surprised by how many of my friends buy the new hardcover books and then throw them out/give them away. Start a book swapping club instead! You'll have less clutter on the shelves yet still have more to read.
I do more with less by growing my own kitchen garden in the back yard! We live in a suburban area but I still have room for a small garden and nothing beats fresh veggies!
I also compost my yard clippings and peelings for fertilizer.
I’ll be able to get more done with less by consolidating my devices when I get a Windows Phone.
Turkey Fajitas are amazing. A bag of frozen bell peppers, a thick sliced onion, a package of fajita seasoning, and some leftover shredded turkey and you have a hearty dinner on the table in less than 10 minutes.
I know this comment is old but I couldn't let this go uncorrected. Your radiator's temperature doesn't matter, the water in your car bypasses the radiator until the thermostat (basically a little temperature sensitive "valve" set to a specific temp by the manufacturer) springs open at operating temperature, letting the coolant circulate in the radiator.
By driving the car you're putting it under load, which is more than just running high RPMs while in park/neutral, and causes more heat to build up in the engine, which is captured by the coolant, etc. Most modern cars need less than 1-2 minutes (30 seconds, even) of idling in 0F conditions for the oil to circulate and coat the necessary parts.
Once your windows are clear and you've let the car idle for about 30-60 seconds, you're perfectly ready to go unless you plan on hauling ass (like immediately entering a freeway at speeds).
Our budget doesn't allow us to go out to eat as often as we used to, do now my daughter and I have "gourmet" night- we pick out a fancy recipe, make it together, and have a special evening. It's usually a lot better than restaurant food! There is also the added bonus that it's really fun to try new recipes and techniques.
Whenever I think I have to have something, I think will do I really need this or do I just want it. If I just want it, I have to challenge my intentions, my heart. I don't want to collect stuff, I rather be purposeful in my giving and living. When we die we leave a bunch of stuff anyhow and a casket can only carry so much. So I try to recycle and reuse, donate, give to needy families, join web sites that offer points and discounts and then I can be generous with others including giving then gift certificates and gift cards. This is what I do so I can sleep peaceful at night.
Instead of buying gifts for holidays i give services. for instance I will give a free housecleaning coupon or free date night baby sitting service to my loved ones.
retire
I like to hear that young moms either kick down their baby stuff to someone they know thats having a baby or save the baby items for the nect baby.
Thank You!!
do more with less by serving mini desserts - less waste since eyes are bigger than stomachs!
I do more with less by always asking "can I use this again?" when I drag out foil, plastic, or waxed paper over the holidays to cover all that food. If not, I try to find another way. The easiest is simply stacking bowls in the fridge so they cover the one beneath. Thanksgiving is a great do more with less holiday. The initial investment in oven time and cook's time pays off with multiple delicious meal for lots of people.
if your old clothes are too torn and cannot be donated, cut them into more appropriate sizes for dusting. Make sure they're washed first so you don't spread dirt, sweat, and other germs
I been a long time reader of wisebread. Very informative stuff..
We have six kids, so doing more for less is mandatory. we buy generic, or use coupons, and stock up when things are on sale. We reduce, reuse and recycle.
I could do more in less time with a new phone like this. I just have a plain old cheap cell phone. I would like one with apps that helps keep me more organized.
This may not be exactly what you had in mind but I have found I can do so much more for my health by eating less! I can eat smaller portions (healthier food of course) and be able to be healthier and ultimately, weigh less. There is nothing more rewarding you can do for yourself and your health than weighing less!!!
I also have high-speed internet and an iPod Nano, I have a modern stereo Mini-System, a 52-inch 1080p HDTV, DVD Recorder and Blue-Ray Player, all sleek and modern black plastic and fake chrome buttons and green digital displays. And at the bottom is a 25-pound, bulky, "12:00" Flashing Zenith VCR from 1986 that sticks out of my modern AV rack like a sore thumb.
I refuse to get rid of this VCR and the shelves of VHS tapes that are next to it. I am to attached to them, I have around 300 VHS tapes and there are to many memories invested in the tapes to toss them and its a major bummer when the VCR occasionally eats one of the tapes.
I don't think that VHS looks to bad, as long as you clean and demagnetize the head of your VCR every 3-months. In fact, I find the analog noise and defects and the feedback distortion at the beginning of blank tapes to be quite endearing to the format. VHS is like a Vinyl LP, analog is better and the minor imperfections add to the watching experience.
I like to record using VHS because when your using a VCR to record a movie or TV show, you see the little red circle and can look inside the VCR and see the little spools of tape slowly turning and you KNOW Your show is being recorded. With a DVD Recorder, your never sure, you can record a show on a blank DVD and then try to watch it and ITS STILL A BLANK DISC!!! Not to mention, unless you use a re-writable disk, you can only record once, whereas on a VHS tape, I've never reached a limit on my tapes of how many times you can re-record them.
Not to mention that magnetic tape recordings can last 150 years under ideal storage conditions, where as a DVD movie could be in the garbage in about 50-60 years and a burned or recorded DVD in as little as 25 or 30.
Calendars are a huge help. And the Outlook Quickstep is a great shortcut tool that helps me quickly create some of my common tasks, appointments, and emails while on the go. The win phone 7 will be a great mobile tool to aid in this
I love how the newer phones are getting more and more powerful. It wasn't too long ago that I had a cell phone, a PDA, a camera, and a laptop for work. Even now, I have a 'dumb' phone, an iPod touch for my action lists, and the laptop for projects. I want to do more with fewer gadgets: a desktop for main work, a smart phone/tablet to keep it with me.
I prioritize my tasks to do more with little time.
I gave up cable TV! Laptop with special cord attached to TV enables me to watch movies, TV shows from websites, etc. and I also check out DVDs - movies and instructional to fill the void - and SAVE!!!
Two tips for doing more with less: I water down my liquid hand soap and dish soap (about 1/3 water). It cleans just as well, and makes it last longer. I also use vinegar in place of liquid fabric softener, and it leaves my clothes nice and soft as well as rinses the soap residue.
Thanks for entering me in the contest!