Only 85 posts last year

This year, i shall strive to be more chatty.

Helpful hints as you start your New Year!

Use your camera phone!!

Huh?

How many times have you wished you could remember where you parked your car, what that bottle of wine was, what an address was, the license number of a car that dinged your door, some book you want to read - nearly anything!

TAKE A PHOTO WITH YOUR PHONE!

No note paper. No pens necessary. No misplaced notes. No more "where did I put that?"

This trick will, however, not solve the problem of walking into a room and not remembering why you did so.

Lower your energy bills!!

It's easy. Simple. Really.

My last two electric bills have been under $35.00, which includes more than $12 each on pass through charges.

How do I do it?

By refraining from trying to change the environment.

Oh, in English? I leave the A/C and furnace OFF most of the time. If it feels a bit cool, I put on more clothing. If it feels a bit warm-ish, I wear fewer items of clothing and turn on the ceiling fans.

It's insanity to try to heat the house to above 75 when a few weeks ago (in Houston, anyway) you were trying to cool it below 70. This is a mind game you're playing with yourself, and the cost of the game is reflected in your utility bills.

Cold while you're sleeping? Extra blanket. Warm while sleeping? Take the covers off.

Of course, you can rant at me all you want and tell me that you HAVE to sleep with covers, so you HAVE to make the house cold so you can wear your flannel jammies and socks and two blankets in the summer.

M'kay.

Save on your wireless bill - BIG time

Use Google Voice or Skype from your compatible wireless phone. They use data traffic for VoIP (internet) phone connections, and you can dump your unlimited or 2,000 minutes/month plan.

Also, CHECK your wireless plan - many carriers have dropped their monthly charges, and you could save 20% or more on your monthly costs. If you don't use your phone very often, get a pre-paid phone that charges you only when you use the thing.

Okay, that's enough - I realize that most people have already drifted off, humanoids having the attention span of a hamster and all.