LivSimpl

When I got home from work tonight I found a pile of clothes on my bed. My wife informed me that they were old and I should go through them and decide which should be donated and which I wanted to keep.

After sorting through some of the clothes ("I haven't seen you wear that since we've been married!") I put most of them in the donate pile and walked to the closet to hang the rest. When I slid open the door I was greeted with all my dress shirts hanging, evenly spaced, color-coordinated and ironed.

Knowing how frustrated I can get when I have to iron a shirt in the morning (it's just one more thing to do before getting out the door), my wife took a good portion of her day to not only iron my shirts, but to clean out the closet so there would be room to hang them so they wouldn't be wrinkled.

She'd even sewed a missing button back on one of the shirts.

I turned around and looked at her. She was looking back with a smile on her face and a look in her eyes that simply said, "I love you."

It meant the world to me.

This wasn't a present, it was a gift, one that would seem so small to so many people. In fact, you may be reading this right now thinking, "So...?" and if I were to describe it to someone at work tomorrow they might say something like, "Oh, that was nice of her." But it means so much more to me.

It's not that I don't have to iron those shirts this week. It's not that I no longer have to get around to sewing that button back on. It's that she knew something she could do for me that would make me happy and she went out of her way to do it.

Whether it be in a marriage, a work environment or to a stranger on the street, the way we treat others is very, very important to our happiness. It's the simple, seemingly little things we do for each other on a day-to-day basis that develop relationships, show appreciation and reflect who we really are.

Personally, I hope I can be more like my wife.

LivSimpl

P.S. Share the love! Do you have any similar stories? What are some little things people have done that made you feel like a million bucks? Leave word in the comments.

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Posted in: Gratitude, Holidays, Home, Simple Pleasures on Wednesday, January 30, 2008 at 10 comments  

I've been tossing the idea around of starting a LivSimpl Twitter feed. The idea behind it would be to post short thoughts, links to relevant articles, new post notifications and maybe even provide an opportunity for readers to get to know me a bit better and vice-versa. (I'm currently available on IM via GTalk - username LivSimpl.)

On the downside, do we really need one more thing popping up on our desktops throughout the day? Of course, one can always choose not to subscribe...

Please sound off in the comments and vote in the poll in the upper-right corner of the site.

Thanks!

LivSimpl

Posted in: on Tuesday, January 29, 2008 at 7 comments  

Locked into a contract with a carrier you're unhappy with, with a phone that's out-dated and falling apart with 11 months left to go? Paying significantly more than the advertised $39.99 per month? Well, if you happen to be AT&T or Verizon Wireless I have some good news for you. Both companies recently upped their text messaging rates.

That's good news? Yes. Because it constitutes an "adverse material change" in your contract which means you can get out without paying the hefty $175-ish early termination fee.

Of course, your other options in carriers might not be much better than what you already have. But if you've been looking to jump ship, now is the time to do it.

There are a few steps you'll have to take, including remaining firm when the customer service reps try to make you feel dumb for canceling over a something so small as a ten cent increase in texting costs. ("If it's not a big deal, why are you changing a legal contract to charge the extra money?") For more details check out articles on the subject here (AT&T) and here (Verizon).

And if anybody has any success bailing on their carrier, please drop me a note and let me know how it went. Good luck!

LivSimpl

Posted in: Finances, Tech on Monday, January 28, 2008 at 4 comments  

UPDATED: As it turns out, this just flat-out isn't accurate. Even Snopes has debunked it (although I admit it would never have occurred to me to check Snopes for something so trivial). Who'da thought my mother in-law could have been so wrong when her daughter turned out so right? :) Thanks for keeping me on my toes.

This is a quickie, and in the overall scheme of things fairly insignificant, but I found it interesting nonetheless.

You know that little gas pump icon on your fuel gauge? As it turns out if the hose and handle in the little icon on on the right side (as pictured above) the gas tank is on the right side of the car. If the hose and handle are on the left side of the pump (not pictured above) the gas tank is on the left side of the car.

So the next time you're driving someone else's car (whether it be a friend's or a rental), or if you're on an awkward date and there's nothing good on the radio, keep this in mind. Maybe it'll save you from either embarrassing yourself by walking around your car only to pull away from the pump without filling up, or from saying something stupid like, "So...did you ever wear head gear?"


LivSimpl



The image for this light-hearted post, as well as the original idea came from my in-laws.

Posted in: Transportation on Saturday, January 26, 2008 at 6 comments  

Contrary to popular belief, you don't have to wait until April to get your taxes done. In fact, the sooner you can get them done, the better.

I realize that it's piling one more thing on your already full plate, and April seems so blissfully far away...why worry about it? True, it may seem like a bit of an inconvenience now but four months passing isn't going to make it more convenient. In fact, it can make it more difficult and stressful. Here are some benefits of doing your taxes early:

• It's easier to make an appointment. The closer it gets to April 15, the harder it will be come to find a time that works for both you and your accountant. And it's likely that you're going to be the one inconvenienced by having to rearrange your schedule to make it work.

Don't have your tax forms yet? Go ahead and schedule an appointment with your accountant, or block off the time on your calendar when you're going to work on them, now.

• More attention to detail. I'm willing to bet that whoever is doing your taxes will be able and willing to give you more attention if he or she isn't feeling the pressure of knowing there are a few dozen more people to see that day. By having a little time to answer questions, you can be better prepared for next year (possible deductions, upcoming changes in tax law, etc.). This has the potential to save you quite a bit of money.

• If you run into any problems, it will be easier to get help. If you do your taxes yourself and run into trouble, or realize you forgot a form or need to request some kind of document, it's best to have a little cushion. This will help you from stressing out over getting the mystery form in time, or having to pay extra fees to expedite the process.

• You'll get your refund sooner (assuming you're going to get a refund). Ah, the joys of a tax return. The possibilities seem endless as we tend to think of the "free money" we'll be receiving in a few week's time. Instead of splurging, I suggest considering putting at least half away in a rainy-day fund, paying off debt or investing it. It's not quite as sexy an idea as going on a trip or buying an expensive toy for the house, but it can be a real benefit in the long run.

What other benefits are there to getting a head-start on your taxes? Leave word in the comments.

LivSimpl

Pessimistic photo courtesy of here.

Posted in: Finances, Work on Thursday, January 24, 2008 at 3 comments  

After getting feedback from readers about my recent reminder post to make your plans for Valentine's Day I decided I needed to sit back and think about their comments. They have some good points. And while I didn't intend for that post to be taken the way it was, I can certainly see why it was. Here's my response.

First of all, thank you to everyone for commenting on the site. I sincerely welcome and appreciate the feedback - it's the only way LivSimpl is going to improve and grow.

Second, my apologies if the post came across as sexist. I addressed the post to "guys" because I've noticed (and perhaps this is more revealing about me than anything) that men tend to need a little more help in planning ahead.

Third, a confession. I realize I wasn't true to myself, or the site. I happen to also be one of those people who sees Valentine's Day as more commercial than anything, but the post in question didn't really reflect that. While the thinking behind it was fine (help people prepare now for Valentine's Day) I see now that the higher road would have been ways to make Valentine's Day more simple and meaningful.

I'm sorry.

I hope you'll be patient with me (and forgiving) as I venture on with LivSimpl.

Thanks,

David

Image courtesy of here.

Posted in: Holidays on Wednesday, January 23, 2008 at 3 comments  

With the presidential primaries in full swing and all the politicking and media coverage that comes with it, it's easy to feel overwhelmed and a bit uncertain about the actual issues the candidates claim to stand by.

Fortunately, 2decide.com has compiled a simple grid illustrating the candidates' positions on just about every conceivable topic (including breaking "Iraq War" into three separate subcategories). While I obviously haven't researched each of these points to determine if they're accurate, I believe it's a good-faith effort and could, at the very least, serve as a starting point for more in-depth research.

Hopefully this will save you some time in your quest for the perfect candidate. Or at least one who's pretty good. :)

On a side note, a plug to please get out there and vote. We live in a country where we have a lot of rights - people always seem to be touting and defending their rights. Lest we forget, we also have responsibilities. Instead of looking at voting as a right, maybe look at it as a responsibility. Just a thought.

LivSimpl

Posted in: Politics on at 5 comments  

Guys, trust me. Your life is going to be a lot simpler come the week of February 14th if you make a few phone calls now and get a reservation at that restaurant she's been hinting about.

While I doubt many florists will let you pay for flowers now (at lower prices) and pick them up in three weeks, make a game plan of what you need and where you're going to get it. If possible, pick up gifts early. Remember, it's important to look like you haven't been scrambling to get things done last minute. For example, how much greater is the impact of having flowers waiting for her on her nightstand when she wakes up in the morning compared to bringing them home after work?

Or so I'm told.

Good luck.


LivSimpl

Image courtesy of here.

Posted in: Holidays on Tuesday, January 22, 2008 at 6 comments  

Few things can complicate your life faster, and endure longer, than having your identity stolen. Not only can you be out any initial money that may be taken from your accounts, but your credit can be ruined making it impossible to make big future purchases you'd been saving for such as a car or home.

I've been doing a little research and there is an enormous amount of information out there on this subject. This is in no way a comprehensive list but hopefully it will get you started on the right foot and thinking about other ways you can take proactive measures to protect your identity. Of course, if you have other suggestions I'd love to hear them.

1. Don't carry your Social Security card in your wallet. If you lose your wallet or someone takes it, not only do they have a lot of what they need to create an identity around you, you DON'T have it anymore making it more difficult to replace your stolen items.

2. Health care companies don't need to use your SSN as your account number. Call your insurance company and request a new one. This is important considering how much mail they send to you after a trip to the doctor - such mail can become an easy target for identity thieves.

It should also be noted that many of the companies that ask for a Social Security Number to open an account don't really need it. From a TIME article on the subject:

Requests to provide our Social Security numbers have become so common that many people just assume they have no choice but to hand it over. That's actually not true, but having that knowledge is only half the battle. The real challenge is convincing the people who automatically request such information that you really don't have to give it to them.

It's a fairy quick article and worth the read.

3. Be smart about discarding old credit cards. When you throw away an old credit/debit card, cut it up into several pieces. But don't just dump the pieces in the trash can. It's too easy to fit the pieces together to get your credit card number which can be useful to identity thieves even after it's expired.

A simple way to ensure your credit card info isn't pieced back together is to discard it at different times in different locations.

For example, put half of the pieces in your lunch bag so you can throw them away when you get to work. Put the other half in that huge serving dish you only use once a year. Next time you make potato salad you can simply toss the other half of your card.

4. Request a credit report at least twice a year. You can contact these agencies directly and it is important to do so because someone may have opened a credit card in your name and there would be no way for you to know about it otherwise. If you think your identity has been stolen, you may consider contacting them more frequently.

5. Know your credit card company's policy regarding unauthorized use of your card. A little digging can reveal a lot about your credit card company's attitude regarding what happens when your card and/or identity is stolen. Become familiar with the steps you need to take should your identity be stolen as well as what you're liable for.

I'd also suggest doing a little competitive research and see what other companies offer to make sure you're not getting the short end of the stick. This information should be very easy to find as everyone is trying to promote their products and services as secure. Also, don't forget to review online policies as well.

For more reading visit the FTC's website. And as I mentioned before, if you have any other suggestions on how to protect your identity, please feel free to e-mail me at LivSimpl at the gmail.

Thanks for reading!

LivSimpl

Social Security Card image courtesy of here.

Posted in: Finances on Friday, January 18, 2008 at 1 comments  

Sure, stain sticks and sprays can be used to get stains out of clothes, but they can also be used to keep ring-around-the-collar-type stains from appearing in the first place.

Use a stain stick or spray on your collar as soon as your take your shirt off, each and every time. Don't wait until it's time to do laundry! It's much more time-efficient to do it when you remove the shirt and you won't be giving the stain time to set in between loads.

You can do the same thing to help prevent pit stains which are far more noticeable then ring around the collar and can quickly make a shirt look aged and worn. (I know this from spending a couple of very hot summers walking around New Mexico in a shirt and tie.)

To help yourself get in the habit, put the container of stain remover either where you change clothes or perhaps on top of the hamper so it serves as a reminder. A few quick swipes or sprays is all it takes to keep your clothes looking new.

Of course, the inevitable drip of spaghetti sauce or other food stain will eventually come along. Should you be caught without a stain stick-type solution, or if you don't want a huge wet spot on your clothes for the rest of the day, try putting a dab of dish soap (not hand soap) on the spot to help prevent it from setting.

While not the most appetizing of topics (or visuals, for that matter), helping your clothes last longer can save you money as well as the time you'd have to carve out to go buy them.

LivSimpl

Image courtesy of here.

Posted in: Clothing on Thursday, January 17, 2008 at 2 comments  

A while back my check engine light came on. Actually, it wasn't the red check engine light that makes one's stomach lurch at the thought of some impending, and inevitably expensive, repair. It was the amber colored, and much less threatening "service engine soon" light."

I called the local dealership and asked what they could do for me. They replied that running a diagnostic scan would be $89. And that was without fixing anything! Having heard stories about check engine lights appearing for things as simple as a loose gas cap, I was hesitant to lay down that kind of cash. I mentioned this to a coworker who told me that AutoZone would be able to tell me why my light was on - for free.

So I headed down to my local AutoZone. Sure enough, a friendly employee came out, plugged a little orange hand-held computer into my car and informed my that my O2 sensor was out. She was also able to specify which sensor it was, where it was located and my options for fixing it including some basic instructions. And, what do you know, they had the part in stock for about $50. Not too shabby considering I'd have spent nearly twice that at the dealership just to find out what was wrong.

In addition, AutoZone will lend you the tools you'll need if you're going to take on a project yourself. They charge you the full price of the tool and you get your money back when you return it. This is an excellent option for a person like me who'd like to take a more active role in maintaining my car, but don't have the money or space to dedicate to purchasing tools.

There you have it. A simple, cheap way to find out why your check engine (or "service engine soon") light to help keep your car running smoothly.


LivSimpl

Logo courtesy of here. Image courtesy of here.

Posted in: Finances, Transportation on Tuesday, January 15, 2008 at 8 comments  

The simple act of "Brown-bagging" your lunch (bringing lunch to work instead of eating out) can yield some fairly significant benefits.

Simplify your mornings
My wife and I usually try to pack leftovers from dinner the night before so they're ready to go the next morning - it's one less thing I have to do before leaving for work and a simple morning is a good morning. Just put them in an old plastic grocery sack (way to reuse!) and you're set.

Eat healthier
Food at restaurants tend to be focused more on taste than health benefits. So depending on how healthy you eat at home, it can be much better for you than eating out.

A more efficient work day
You don't have to worry about finding the time to go out and get lunch if you're super busy. Just eat at your desk. Of course, I'm a believer that you should try and take a break during work even if it's just to step outside for a minute or two, give your eyes some natural light and take a breath of fresh air. So if you do work through lunch, be sure to try to get a break a little later.

Less gas, less searching for parking
If you tend to drive to local restaurants, you won't be spending money on gas and you won't have to worry about parking either at the restaurant or finding a spot when you get back to work.

Financial perks
Of course, there's also the financial side of things. Let's say you're in the habit of eating out every day. While it's not unreasonable to spend a good deal more than this, I'll use $7 as an example - enough to get you a full meal at Subway.

$7 x 5 work days x 4 weeks in a month = $140. I can think of a LOT of things I could do with an extra $140 a month! For you home owners out there (I'm still an apartment dweller) that money could go toward the principle on your mortgage, seriously reducing the amount of time it takes to pay off your home. And even if you only brought your lunch every other day the savings would probably cover most of your cell phone bill.

Or, if you want to hang onto your money for a while, it comes out to $1,680 a year. I just went to Travelocity's website and the main deal on their homepage is a six-night stay in Mexico, including airfare, starting at $822. Think of it as a free, week-long vacation in Mexico for two each year because you bring your lunch to work! And if you're married and your spouse works, you could go every six months. ;)

What do you think? Is it worth it to bring your lunch to work? Do you think the savings could be realized? Let me know in the comments.

LivSimpl

Bag image courtesy of here.

Posted in: Finances, Work on Friday, January 11, 2008 at 3 comments  

I've learned it's hard to change behavior if you don't know exactly how you want to change it.

For a while now I've felt there was a lot I wanted to get done during the day and I was becoming frustrated that I wasn't fitting it all in. I knew I could get everything done, I just hadn't fully thought through how I should go about it. Here's what I realized:

• I needed a concrete goal. To simply say "I'll get up earlier" wasn't cutting it.
• I needed to specify what I was going to so I didn't fritter away my time.
• I needed to visualize myself doing the things I wanted to accomplish.

Concrete Goal
I pulled out my trusty, always-with-me Moleskine notebook and wrote down my ideal schedule. I say ideal because when I showed it to my wife she had to stifle a laugh. My day started at 5 am and culminated with me getting into bed at 9:30 pm and lights out at 10:00. Far fetched? Perhaps initially. But it was something I could work toward.

Schedule it out
My ideal schedule had everything on it that I want to accomplish during the course of a day and when I could accomplish it. Now I'm very aware that the "there just isn't enough time in the day" excuse is no longer valid. There is time. I just have to discipline myself to use it properly. I should note that I didn't go into detail about my work day, except to block out the hours I'm there.

Visualize yourself doing it
For years I've heard about how athletes are trained to visualize themselves making the free throw, completing the pass or acing the serve. And to be quite honest, it seemed a bit hokey to me.

I've had a change of heart.

Let me switch gears for a moment.

When I hear about people doing things I admire, like getting in shape for a triathlon (which my wife did before our son was born), I have a lot of respect for them. Their "cool" factor goes up a few notches in my mind. I think, "Yeah. Yeah! I want to be like that!"

So if I can visualize myself doing those same things, having that same discipline I admire so much in others, I am much more likely to do it myself. In fact, before I go to bed at night I picture myself getting up the next morning and going to the gym. It may sound weird, but it works.

Once you've laid out the first two things, all that is left is to do it. Of course, it's easier said than done, but by visualizing yourself doing things and knowing what it is you want to do you'll have the satisfaction of accomplishing the things you set out to do.

Please share your thoughts and comments!

LivSimpl

Photo courtesy of here.

Posted in: Efficiency, Exercise, Goals on Tuesday, January 8, 2008 at 6 comments  

This is one of those things that when it was pointed out to me it was truly a "smack myself on the forehead, why didn't I think of that?" moment. It's a small thing (a very small thing) but the less time I can spend cleaning the kitchen the better.

Here it is: when wiping down the counters after a meal, instead of brushing crumbs/stuff into your hand (which, if you're like me, results in most of it ending up on the floor) or futilely trying to maneuver it up and over the raised lip around the kitchen sink, just brush it into the dishwasher.

Done!

I told you it was a small thing.

Of course, my first thought was that I'd probably brush all the junk into a dishwasher full of clean dishes, so be sure they're dirty before you go sliding in crumbs and food chunks.

Oh. And credit goes to my mother in-law for this gem, who is brilliant and lovely and who didn't even pay me to say that.

If anybody else has tips for speeding up or simplifying tasks in the kitchen or around the house, please send me an e-mail at LivSimpl at the gmail.


LivSimpl


Dishwasher photo courtesy of here.

Posted in: Home on Monday, January 7, 2008 at 2 comments  

I'm curious about how many people logged into their work e-mail during any time off they may have had around the holidays.

If you wouldn't mind, after you vote please leave word in the comments about why you checked it. Do you feel pressure to? Do you like to keep tabs on what's going on in the office? Were you bored?

Thanks!


LivSimpl

Image courtesy of here.

Posted in: Holidays, Work on Thursday, January 3, 2008 at 8 comments  

Costco has a deal here in Utah where you can pay $39 and get a $50 gift card to the movies. I'm not sure if the warehouse giant has similar arrangements in other areas, but it might be worth looking into if you're are a frequenter of the silver screen or planning on going to the movies with a large group.

Can anybody confirm/deny such a deal in other areas? Please leave word in the comments or send me an e-mail.


LivSimpl

Posted in: Finances on Wednesday, January 2, 2008 at 3 comments