Take, for instance, studies from the past decade examining the impacts of exercise on daily routines. When people start habitually exercising, even as infrequently as once a week, they start changing other, unrelated patterns in their lives, often unknowingly. Typically, people who exercise start eating better and becoming more productive at work. They smoke less and show more patience with colleagues and family. They use their credit cards less frequently and say they feel less stressed. It's not completely clear why. But for may people, exercise is a keystone habit that triggers widespread change. "Exercise spills over," said James Prochaska, a University of Rhode Island researcher. "There's something about it that makes other good habits easier."
Studies have documented that families who habitually eat dinner together seem to raise children with better homework skills, higher grades, greater emotional control, and more confidence. Making your bed every morning is correlated with better productivity, a greater sense of well-being, and stronger skills at sticking with a budget. It's not that a family meal or a tidy bed causes better grades or less frivolous spending. But somehow those initial shifts start chain reactions that help other good habits take hold.
If you focus on changing or cultivating keystone habits, you can cause widespread shifts. However, identifying keystone habits is tricky. To find them, you have to know where to look. Detecting keystone habits means searching out certain characteristics. Keystone habits offer what is known within academic literature as "small wins." They help other habits flourish by creating new structures, and they establish new cultures where change becomes contagious.
Small wins are exactly what they sound like, and are part of how keystone habits create widespread changes. A huge body of research has shown that small wins have enormous power, an influence disproportionate to the accomplishments of the victories themselves. "Small wins are steady application of small advantage," one Cornell professor wrote in 1984. "Once a small win has been accomplished, forces are set in motion that favor another small win." Small wins fuel transformative changes by leveraging tiny advantages into patterns that convince people that bigger achievements are within reach.
"Small wins do not combine in a neat, linear, serial form, with each step being a demonstrable step closer to some predetermined goal," wrote Karl Weick, a prominent organizational psychologist. "More common is the circumstance where small wins are scattered. . . .like miniature experiments that test implicit theories about resistance and opportunity and uncover both resources and barriers that were invisible before the situation was stirred up."
Showing posts with label shopping. Show all posts
Showing posts with label shopping. Show all posts
Wednesday, September 13, 2017
Wednesday, July 20, 2016
The Bargain Hunter via Better Homes and Gardens
Kate Jackson knows how to stretch her decorating dollars. Here are some of her favorite shopping spots and money-saving tips:
1. Hardware stores brim with good stuff--seriously! What to look for: cutting boards, simple glassware, door knockers, and cabinet hardware.
2. Shop consignment stores for dressers and beds that are well-made, well-designed, and dirt cheap. If it's ugly, paint it. But use good paint.
3. You don't need a whole set of expensive bedding to make a statement. Shop retail outlet stores for decorative Euro shams, then dress the rest of the bed in white. (It's classic and inexpensive).
4. Always carry your key measurements with you, so you don't waste time or money on something that won't fit.
5. Be an equal-opportunity consumer. Shop everywhere--outlet stores, estate and yard sales, eBay, online--and always negotiate.
6. What's totally splurge-worthy? Custom window treatments. "They have a huge impact on any room," Kate says.
1. Hardware stores brim with good stuff--seriously! What to look for: cutting boards, simple glassware, door knockers, and cabinet hardware.
2. Shop consignment stores for dressers and beds that are well-made, well-designed, and dirt cheap. If it's ugly, paint it. But use good paint.
3. You don't need a whole set of expensive bedding to make a statement. Shop retail outlet stores for decorative Euro shams, then dress the rest of the bed in white. (It's classic and inexpensive).
4. Always carry your key measurements with you, so you don't waste time or money on something that won't fit.
5. Be an equal-opportunity consumer. Shop everywhere--outlet stores, estate and yard sales, eBay, online--and always negotiate.
6. What's totally splurge-worthy? Custom window treatments. "They have a huge impact on any room," Kate says.
How to Buy Clothes Online via Allure
What to Buy On Sale
Stay ahead of the curve
You actually have a good chance of scoring fashion-forward pieces before they hit the mainstream. We've sold jumpsuits at markdowns for a couple seasons, but only now are they everywhere.
Keep and open mind
You might not find the quintessential Burberry trench on sale, but you can find one in a modified style or color at a discount. You'll have a staple, and it wont look like everyone else's.
Go big
Evening gowns are great to buy on sale, since they're less trend-driven and start out being expensive.
Skip the small stuff
Bags, belts, and wallets stick around from season to season and rarely go on sale.
What to Spring for at Full Price
Think long term
If you see beautiful, classic pieces--the perfect cashmere scarf in oatmeal or black; simple ankle boots or oxford shoes--get them. Those rarely show up on sale later.
Make a statement
On the flip side, I spring for that single, standout piece that will inspire the way I dress for an entire season. Recently we had a right yellow, off-the-shoulder sweater by Thakoon that flew out of the store. People went crazy for the unusual color and easy, drapey silhouette. When you see something like that, you have to act.
Track it down
The Internet is a great tool for locating that bag you love but can't find in a certain color. You'll usually see a full range of hues online, but probably at full price.
What to Buy at a Flash Sale
Be prepared
Flash sales are great for designers you love whose clothes might ordinarily be out of your price range. Check a site's calendar so you know what's coming. Use themed sales--such as "casual Fridays" or "the statement necklace"--to discover new designers, but focus on silhouettes that you know work for you.
Know yourself
Don't buy something just because it's in style or drastically reduced in price--it should always be something you'll really use. If you're the kind of person who carries your life in your bag, go for roomy, sturdy totes, not delicate clutches.
When in doubt, click
If there's an item you're debating, stick it in your cart while you mull it over. If you see something you want in someone else's cart, keep refreshing your screen in case it resurfaces.
Stay ahead of the curve
You actually have a good chance of scoring fashion-forward pieces before they hit the mainstream. We've sold jumpsuits at markdowns for a couple seasons, but only now are they everywhere.
Keep and open mind
You might not find the quintessential Burberry trench on sale, but you can find one in a modified style or color at a discount. You'll have a staple, and it wont look like everyone else's.
Go big
Evening gowns are great to buy on sale, since they're less trend-driven and start out being expensive.
Skip the small stuff
Bags, belts, and wallets stick around from season to season and rarely go on sale.
What to Spring for at Full Price
Think long term
If you see beautiful, classic pieces--the perfect cashmere scarf in oatmeal or black; simple ankle boots or oxford shoes--get them. Those rarely show up on sale later.
Make a statement
On the flip side, I spring for that single, standout piece that will inspire the way I dress for an entire season. Recently we had a right yellow, off-the-shoulder sweater by Thakoon that flew out of the store. People went crazy for the unusual color and easy, drapey silhouette. When you see something like that, you have to act.
Track it down
The Internet is a great tool for locating that bag you love but can't find in a certain color. You'll usually see a full range of hues online, but probably at full price.
What to Buy at a Flash Sale
Be prepared
Flash sales are great for designers you love whose clothes might ordinarily be out of your price range. Check a site's calendar so you know what's coming. Use themed sales--such as "casual Fridays" or "the statement necklace"--to discover new designers, but focus on silhouettes that you know work for you.
Know yourself
Don't buy something just because it's in style or drastically reduced in price--it should always be something you'll really use. If you're the kind of person who carries your life in your bag, go for roomy, sturdy totes, not delicate clutches.
When in doubt, click
If there's an item you're debating, stick it in your cart while you mull it over. If you see something you want in someone else's cart, keep refreshing your screen in case it resurfaces.
Friday, January 1, 2016
Notes on Dressing Your Truth: Type 4
Type 4's Gift:
- Perfecting the world
- "Here's how we can make it better!"
- Downside: stall because nothing is ever good enough
- Critiques can be viewed at criticisms
Type 4's Thoughts and Feelings:
- Mentally organized
- Analyze/overanalyze
- View the world intellectually
- Share deep feelings only in people they have let in
- Know themselves
Words that describe Type 4 energy:
- Reflective
- Bold
- Still
- Constant
- Precise
- Straightforward
- Black and white
Type 4 Personality:
- Focused, structured, linear
- Stillness - level inner quality
- Need times of solitude
- "Perfectionist" but used honorably
- Ability to focus and tune out other things
- They are the authority on their own lives
- Can be hard on themselves
- "All or nothing" nature
- Can be reserved or bold in their opinions, but generally have hard opinions on things
Type 4 Body Language:
- Poised walk
- Sit upright and can sit still for the longest of any type
- Pure and clear voices
- Speak and process literally, speak concisely
- Common words: "exactly," "perfect"
- Least likely to doodle
- Take care of their possessions - like things to be put away
- Like simplicity in their homes
Physical Features of Type 4's:
- Striking
- Symmetrical
- Smooth lines
- Elongated ovals present in face
Shopping Tendencies of Type 4 Women:
- Want to be unique
- Tend to view their own look as too boring, try to branch out
- Unnecessary to try new things as their look is essentially simple
- Trying to blend, soften, and mute their look will only age them
- Greys can age as well
Shopping and Dressing Tips for Type 4 Women:
- Bold, striking colors are flattering
- Bold jewelry, clear colors
- Black works best of all for Type 4 women
- Large pattern, high contrast
- Black and white together
- Still fabrics, not a lot of movement
- Smooth textures
- Stripes
- Not dressing your truth makes you look/feel more heavy and frumpy
Dressing Your Truth General Notes:
How do you know which types you are? (all notes that applied to me)
- Type 1:
- Possibilities, open to change
- Bright, bubbly imagery
- Polka dots
- Type 2:
- Feeling overlooked and not receiving credit where credit is due
- Connection to memories and sentimental objects
- Worry about things "too much"
- Detail oriented
- Connect past-present-future
- Type 4:
- Deep thinker, analyze to the point of obsession
- Feel deeply but share only with those close to you
- Take time to reflect alone
- Always seeing ways to improve things
- Impossible for you to fake how you feel
- You are your own authority
- You heard "lighten up" or "you're so mature" a lot as a child
- Being loose is a chore
- Imagery - mountains, still waters, snow, architecture, moonlight, grass, high contrasting images
- Key words: clean, bold, still
The Five Essential Elements of Dressing Your Truth:
- Design line - What shapes do I see?
- Texture - How does it feel?
- Fabrication - How does it fall?
- Pattern - What level of contrast do I see? What shapes? How loud, large, busy, etc?
- Color - Tints, tones, shades, or hues (type 4's are hues)
Monday, October 26, 2015
Teaching Children About Money
- Children need to understand delayed gratification and the concept of fleeting joy vs. lasting joy
- Teach them about needs vs. wants and the importance of priorities
- Children need to learn the importance of work, which will help them better understand the value of money
- Help them understand debt the the toll it can take on them and their futures
- Make sure you model charitable giving for your children and let them participate
- Three savings systems - saving, spending, and giving
- Make allowances consistent, monitor what they're doing and what you're paying
- Use media messages and ads as teaching opportunities
- Be good money-managing parents and let them see parts of your budgeting
- Let them see you being frugal by involving them with saving, comparison shopping, and bargain shopping. You can't teach your child to save if you don't save or give if you don't give.
- Children also need to be familiarized with the concept of contentment. Keeping your child's desires and expectations in check is key. The culture of America is "bigger and better," but that is not how living frugally looks. Children will want to compare their lives and possessions to their friends'. Advertising also creates discontentment. Most importantly, your own impulse buying and complaining will be what they see and model the most.
Spend Less, Give More via Good Housekeeping
We all would like to give lavish presents to the people we love. However, gift-giving is a touchy and pricey prospect for many of us living on a budget.
1. Everyone gets a price tag
Make a simple budget char before you start shopping. Determine how much you have to spend in total and write that number at the top of the page, so it's always in view. Then decide whom you will be buying for, and list their names down the left side of the page. Put dollar limits in the next column and the gift you'd like to purchase in a third column. Finally, leave a fourth column to record what you actually spent. This method gives you targets to stick to, increasing your likelihood of success. You can also shop knowing that if you overspend on someone, it will have to come out of someone else's budgeted amount.
Carry your budget with you when you shop in stores, and keep it in view when you shop online. You can also use an app like Envelopes to keep track of your budget for you.
2. Secret Santa is a frugal woman's best friend
All the budgeting in the world won't help if there are simply too many people on your list. Secret Santa and similar traditions allow family members (or co-workers, or friends) to buy just one gift while infusing the gift-giving with an element of surprise and fun.
3. Sweat the small stuff
Over a third of our holiday shopping is spent on non-gift items, such as food, decorations, and greeting cards. Shipping also takes a huge bite out of the gift-giving budget. Consider all these factors, as well as wrapping, into your budget.
4. Stop giving (to some people)
Don't give just because you feel guilty or think you owe someone. Tipping mail carriers, child-care providers, etc. can be a huge undertaking, and sometimes you can't afford everyone. Consider giving those tips at another time in the year, when money is less tight. Other gifts can include services you can offer.
5. Get creative
Don't underestimate the power of a homemade gift, such as a neat arrangement of your own recipes. Redeeming points from rewards cards or credit cards can also make good gifts in a bind.
6. Let a "thank you" be enough
What do you do if you receive an unexpected gift? Trying to keep up with others is fiscally irresponsible and unnecessary. Your ego can be your biggest enemy. You can reciprocate with handmade cards or a homecooked meal, not necessarily in kind to what your gift was.
7. Start next year's planning now
The best way to get a handle on next year is to realize that time is on your side. Stock up on seasonal items after the holidays. Shop for affordable gifts throughout the year. Assemble your purchases in December and determine what you have left to buy. Earmark special savings throughout the year to go toward holiday spending when the time comes.
If you bust your budget, figure out where you went wrong. Was it overspending across the board? On one particular person? Give yourself a vision of what you want your holiday season to be like and remind yourself throughout the year to prepare for it.
1. Everyone gets a price tag
Make a simple budget char before you start shopping. Determine how much you have to spend in total and write that number at the top of the page, so it's always in view. Then decide whom you will be buying for, and list their names down the left side of the page. Put dollar limits in the next column and the gift you'd like to purchase in a third column. Finally, leave a fourth column to record what you actually spent. This method gives you targets to stick to, increasing your likelihood of success. You can also shop knowing that if you overspend on someone, it will have to come out of someone else's budgeted amount.
Carry your budget with you when you shop in stores, and keep it in view when you shop online. You can also use an app like Envelopes to keep track of your budget for you.
2. Secret Santa is a frugal woman's best friend
All the budgeting in the world won't help if there are simply too many people on your list. Secret Santa and similar traditions allow family members (or co-workers, or friends) to buy just one gift while infusing the gift-giving with an element of surprise and fun.
3. Sweat the small stuff
Over a third of our holiday shopping is spent on non-gift items, such as food, decorations, and greeting cards. Shipping also takes a huge bite out of the gift-giving budget. Consider all these factors, as well as wrapping, into your budget.
4. Stop giving (to some people)
Don't give just because you feel guilty or think you owe someone. Tipping mail carriers, child-care providers, etc. can be a huge undertaking, and sometimes you can't afford everyone. Consider giving those tips at another time in the year, when money is less tight. Other gifts can include services you can offer.
5. Get creative
Don't underestimate the power of a homemade gift, such as a neat arrangement of your own recipes. Redeeming points from rewards cards or credit cards can also make good gifts in a bind.
6. Let a "thank you" be enough
What do you do if you receive an unexpected gift? Trying to keep up with others is fiscally irresponsible and unnecessary. Your ego can be your biggest enemy. You can reciprocate with handmade cards or a homecooked meal, not necessarily in kind to what your gift was.
7. Start next year's planning now
The best way to get a handle on next year is to realize that time is on your side. Stock up on seasonal items after the holidays. Shop for affordable gifts throughout the year. Assemble your purchases in December and determine what you have left to buy. Earmark special savings throughout the year to go toward holiday spending when the time comes.
If you bust your budget, figure out where you went wrong. Was it overspending across the board? On one particular person? Give yourself a vision of what you want your holiday season to be like and remind yourself throughout the year to prepare for it.
Me, Only Better via Ladies' Home Journal
Sandy M. Fernandez chose a few of her most disagreeable habits and devoted a week to improving each. The goal was to achieve a nicer, more livable Sandy.
1. Be more grateful
Humans tend to keep the negative things with us more than the positives. The best antidote is to keep a gratitude journal or writing gratitude letters.
Sandy used a nightly list, and soon she started to feel more lucky, humble, and happy. It also jolted her appreciation for her husband. Setting up habits for yourself in the area also help your children become more grateful.
2. Curbing spending
"Everyone thinks that having more money will make them happier," says Tom Rath, coauthor of Wellbeing: The Five Essential Elements. "If fact, it's feeling in control of your finances that does it." Modest indulgences add up over time. Try checking your balance before you make an electronic purchase.
3. Get organized
Sandy started a family calendar, created a landing pad for mail near her front door, tackled a mounting pile of old clothes, and made lunches for the week: all in a weekend. The key is carving out time in your schedule to let yourself catch up (or get ahead) on your own organization. She also entered a day-long organization binge every six weeks on her calendar.
4. Gossip less
Gossiping is a social staple; trading dirt is as reciprocal as gang initiation. People who don't gossip are often seen as distrustful. Sandy tried extending people the benefit of the doubt in gossip circles, opting to spend less time bringing others down.
5. Make time for me
While every mom does it, the droughts of "me time" can often result in angry lashing out or needless shopping sprees. The most beneficial "me time" activities are those that help you learn, connect with others, or contribute to the community.
1. Be more grateful
Humans tend to keep the negative things with us more than the positives. The best antidote is to keep a gratitude journal or writing gratitude letters.
Sandy used a nightly list, and soon she started to feel more lucky, humble, and happy. It also jolted her appreciation for her husband. Setting up habits for yourself in the area also help your children become more grateful.
2. Curbing spending
"Everyone thinks that having more money will make them happier," says Tom Rath, coauthor of Wellbeing: The Five Essential Elements. "If fact, it's feeling in control of your finances that does it." Modest indulgences add up over time. Try checking your balance before you make an electronic purchase.
3. Get organized
Sandy started a family calendar, created a landing pad for mail near her front door, tackled a mounting pile of old clothes, and made lunches for the week: all in a weekend. The key is carving out time in your schedule to let yourself catch up (or get ahead) on your own organization. She also entered a day-long organization binge every six weeks on her calendar.
4. Gossip less
Gossiping is a social staple; trading dirt is as reciprocal as gang initiation. People who don't gossip are often seen as distrustful. Sandy tried extending people the benefit of the doubt in gossip circles, opting to spend less time bringing others down.
5. Make time for me
While every mom does it, the droughts of "me time" can often result in angry lashing out or needless shopping sprees. The most beneficial "me time" activities are those that help you learn, connect with others, or contribute to the community.
Shop Smarter This Season via Good Housekeeping
Money saving strategies for getting all the perfect gifts on your list.
1. Buy when the price is right
Multi-tasking sites, like shoppingnotes.com and shopittome.com, send alerts when the price of items you're interested in are reduced. How it works: you sign up with your e-mail address and note the brands and/or items you want to track. Then you will get the e-mail messages when the goods go on sale. Shoppingnotes.com also offers benefits for referrals.
Use Amazon's Price Check app. Scan a barcode, snap a picture, or say or type in a product name. The app will find the lowest available price from Amazon and its online merchants.
2. Cash in on old electronics
Trade in anything used at Best Buy (whether or not you bought it there). Go to bestbuy.com/tradin to see what your item is worth, then ship your merchandise to the company with a prepaid label or bring it to a participating store. Choose either a rebate gift card or a check (which will be a smaller value).
3. Stay local
Stop by places you pass everyday to see what the local market has to offer, saving time, gas, and stress. Go to shoplocal.com.
4. Pick a secondhand Apple
Refurbished iPads and other elecronics go for much less than buying the products brand-new. Apple tests and certifies pre-owned items and offers warranties and free shipping. Go to apple.com and search for Special Deals.
5. Scope out free shipping
Freeshipping.com is a website that cagalogs sites and coupons that will get you free shipping. Sticking to gift cards will also reduce the cost of getting an item to you.
6. Get two gifts for the price of one
Bookperk.com is a website that ties in promotions to book published by Harper Collins. Bundled gifts usually ship at no charge.
1. Buy when the price is right
Multi-tasking sites, like shoppingnotes.com and shopittome.com, send alerts when the price of items you're interested in are reduced. How it works: you sign up with your e-mail address and note the brands and/or items you want to track. Then you will get the e-mail messages when the goods go on sale. Shoppingnotes.com also offers benefits for referrals.
Use Amazon's Price Check app. Scan a barcode, snap a picture, or say or type in a product name. The app will find the lowest available price from Amazon and its online merchants.
2. Cash in on old electronics
Trade in anything used at Best Buy (whether or not you bought it there). Go to bestbuy.com/tradin to see what your item is worth, then ship your merchandise to the company with a prepaid label or bring it to a participating store. Choose either a rebate gift card or a check (which will be a smaller value).
3. Stay local
Stop by places you pass everyday to see what the local market has to offer, saving time, gas, and stress. Go to shoplocal.com.
4. Pick a secondhand Apple
Refurbished iPads and other elecronics go for much less than buying the products brand-new. Apple tests and certifies pre-owned items and offers warranties and free shipping. Go to apple.com and search for Special Deals.
5. Scope out free shipping
Freeshipping.com is a website that cagalogs sites and coupons that will get you free shipping. Sticking to gift cards will also reduce the cost of getting an item to you.
6. Get two gifts for the price of one
Bookperk.com is a website that ties in promotions to book published by Harper Collins. Bundled gifts usually ship at no charge.
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