Saftey Tips for Buying or Selling Using Craig's List

Saving money by buying or selling using Craig's list? Here are some tips directly from Craig's list so you don't get scammed:

"When meeting someone for the first time, please remember to:

• Insist on a public meeting place like a cafe
• Tell a friend or family member where you're going
• Take your cell phone along if you have one
• Consider having a friend accompany you
• Trust your instincts

You can sidestep would-be scammers by following these common-sense rules:

• DEAL LOCALLY WITH FOLKS YOU CAN MEET IN PERSON - follow this one simple rule and you will avoid 99% of the scam attempts on craigslist.
• NEVER WIRE FUNDS VIA WESTERN UNION, MONEYGRAM or any other wire service - anyone who asks you to do so is a scammer.
• FAKE CASHIER CHECKS & MONEY ORDERS ARE COMMON, and BANKS WILL CASH THEM AND THEN HOLD YOU RESPONSIBLE when the fake is discovered weeks later.
• CRAIGSLIST IS NOT INVOLVED IN ANY TRANSACTION, and does not handle payments, guarantee transactions, provide escrow services, or offer "buyer protection" or "seller certification"
• NEVER GIVE OUT FINANCIAL INFORMATION (bank account number, social security number, eBay/PayPal info, etc.)
• AVOID DEALS INVOLVING SHIPPING OR ESCROW SERVICES and know that ONLY A SCAMMER WILL "GUARANTEE" YOUR TRANSACTION.

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Who should I notify about fraud or scam attempts?

• FTC toll free hotline: 877-FTC-HELP (877-382-4357)
• FTC online complaint form
• Canadian PhoneBusters hotline: 888-495-8501
• Competition Bureau Canada: 800-348-5358
• Internet Fraud Complaint Center
• Software Piracy (http://www.siia.net/piracy/report.asp)
• Non-emergency number for your local police department.

If you suspect that an item posted for sale on craigslist may be part of a scam, please email the details to "abuse@craigslist.org". Be sure to include the URL (or 10-digit post ID number) in your message.

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Recognizing scams

Most scams involve one or more of the following:

• inquiry from someone far away, often in another country
• Western Union, Money Gram, cashier's check, money order, shipping, escrow service, or a "guarantee"
• inability or refusal to meet face-to-face before consummating transaction."

Hoarding - There Are No Easy Answers!

I did some pro bono work recently for someone who is about to lose her apartment because it is so disheveled. Even though she didn't feel well enough for us to work on her apartment, I left her with a list of things to do to organize her apartment as well as a list to maintain the systems we set up. The sad part is, if she is like other hoarders I've worked with, it will be back to disarray shortly.

Hoarding is not just a matter of clutter - the problem goes far deeper. There are usually psychological issues that relate to the hoarding.

Not only is hoarding a health and safety risk to the individual, but to those who live with and around him/her. I've read numerous articles over the winter of hoarders dying as a result of their jam-packed homes catching fire or because fire-fighters couldn't find them. Merely navigating through a hoarder's residence is a safety issue as well.

If you have a hoarder in the family, you may want to read this thought-provoking Wall Street Journal article by Melinda Beck. There are no easy answers!

More on similar topics
Get Organized Month 2009 - Some Words from Peter Walsh, Organizing Guru
Creating Routines and Systems
Your Priorities, Passions, and Gifts Create Context for Your Clutter

Tickets as Bookmarks

During this season you may be going to some special events. Keep the memory alive with this tip:

"For a great keepsake from a concert or show, turn the ticket stub into a bookmark. Just laminate, punch a hole in the top and add a ribbon." (M. Clark, Ft. Myers, FL Family Cricle November 1, 2009, p. 20)

More on memories:
Making it a Priority to Create Memories
Organizing Your Keepsakes into Bins
Getting Organized for School - Organizing Your Child's Artwork and School Papers

Letting Go

I'm sitting here looking at our beautiful Christmas tree with piles of presents underneath for our foster daughters. A little dusting of snow is visible outside the wall of windows behind our tree. A picture of perfection? Out of all those presents, I wrapped nine and my husband has wrapped the rest! I have to admit, I'm a bit overwhelmed this year and I'm so thankful for his help!

My husband is very creative and artistic and has done a lovely job on the presents. But they are not how I would have done them. He didn't notice that some bags have matching tissue paper. He didn't remember that some bags and boxes have traditionally been earmarked for our own daughters over the years. He put together combinations that I wouldn't necessarily have put together. Okay - breathe - let go!

But they are lovely! And he wrapped them! And he has relieved so much of my stress! And I'm thankful he wants to participate in making Christmas wonderful for our foster daughters! And again - breathe - let go!

I'm a bit obsessive about matching - can you tell? When we had a red and white living room a few years back, I only bought red and white wrapping paper, tissue, ribbons, and bags! When we were given gifts that were not in red and white, I put them in the back of the tree! And most of the tree decorations were red. I've already let go of that. Woohoo!

The point is - accept help during this season, even if it is not done how you would do it. Enjoy the process, even if your kids make a mess while decorating sugar cookies. Everything doesn't need to be perfect for it to be good.

I'm trying to let go of my perfectionist expectations. It doesn't always have to be done how I think it should be done. We now have people in our home from four backgrounds - Christmas needs to represent all of us. Okay - I'm going to be hyperventilating with all this breathing I need to do. And maybe twitching a little, too!

What have you let go?

More on perspective:
Priorities and Perspective from a Ninety-Year-Old
Savoring the Significance of the Season
5-Minute Stress Relievers - Spiritual Refocusing

Finals Survival Kits for College Students

Do you have a special college student in your life? Brighten up his/her life during finals week by sending a Finals Survival Kit. We've done this with our own children and other college students in our lives over the years. Things to include:

Healthy snacks: pistachios or other nuts, beef jerky, trail mix, popcorn

Drinks: hot chocolate, teas, coffee mixes, juices

Fun snacks: cookies, chocolate, candy

Encouraging words: write a note for each day (5-7) or use the following proverbs -

- Careful planning puts you ahead in the long run; hurry and scurry puts you further behind.

- Become wise by walking with the wise; hang out with fools and watch your life fall to pieces.

- Knowledge flows like spring water from the wise; fools are leaky faucets, dripping nonsense.

- Easy come, easy go, but steady diligence pays off.

- A person without self-control is like a house with its doors and windows knocked out.

- Wise men and women are always learning, always listening for fresh insights.

Mail it or take it by and brighten up finals for your college student!

More on college:
Review - AgendaWorks Planner
More Resources for Present and Future College Students
Check out CampusCalmU

How to Buy Some Extra Time

I was motivated! I had a foster parent meeting this morning, and I wanted to be able to cross stitch the girls' names on their Christmas stockings while sitting in that meeting (with permission of course!). But before that could happen I needed to construct the stockings (I had already cut them out from fabric they chose. And I needed to attach the cross stitch material to the stocking (I had already cross stitched a little border on each).

So I got up early and did some of the sewing before anyone was up. And I did the rest while they were eating and getting ready.

And I knew one of the girls wanted to go shopping this afternoon. So I made a tuna, broccoli, tomato pasta salad after finishing the stockings.

I was going grocery shopping right after the meeting, so I checked off the things I needed on my grocery list.

All this by 8 am!

Now if you are not a morning person, this may be depressing to you, as my husband often reminds me. :) But he turns it around and gets his stuff done after we have all gone to bed. Nap time is another golden time, if you don't need a nap yourself.

Getting up a little early or staying up a little late can work in the short term, but if you are sacrificing your sleep on a consistent basis, it's harmful to your health. So make sure to plan in enough sleep. The point is, that time when no one needs you is prime time when you can accomplish so much!

More on time:
Functioning at Peak Performance by Planning Quiet Moments
10 Ways to Streamline Your Shopping Time
6 Ways to Reduce Stress by Getting Organized

Getting a Jump on Christmas Cookies

I've done Christmas cookies in various ways over the years. Sometimes I've made them as we've needed them or wanted them. But two of my favorite ways to get a jump start on cookies are:

1. My friend Pam and I came up with a great way to get a jump on Christmas cookies. We originally set aside a day in December to make Christmas cookies all day, split them and stock our freezers. But that was pretty exhausting.

2. Then one year, we couldn't find a date in December, and that changed our Christmas cookie baking from then on. We decided to get together in November and just make the dough, freeze it in small batches, and cook as needed. It's so easy to just thaw a small amount, form into cookies, and bake! All the work and mess is over with and you have fresh baked cookies in a jiffy when you need them.

Plus we got to spend the day together! I miss it. Now that we live in Ohio and she lives in Maryland, it doesn't quite work! I need to mention that we did this when our children were in college or on their own. If making memories with your children is part of the equation, you may want to disregard our "mass production" mindset! :)

If you need to find a cookie recipe, my daughter Sara sent me a list (Cookies, Cookies, Cookies) of every possible cookie recipe known to man.


More on cookies:
How Coffee Filters Can Help You Declutter Holiday Baking
Making it a Priority to Create Memories

Destressing Christmas, Part 10, 2009 - Doubling Recipes

Happy December! Can you believe it's already here?

A stress reliever for me during the holidays is to double recipes. It may take a little extra time now, but it's a big pay-off later! It's a comfort to me to know that I have some meals in the freezer on those crazy-busy days or on disaster days when things don't go as I planned.

Yesterday I was hoping to double spaghetti sauce, but I didn't have enough meat. I even had us eat our salads and bread first, hoping everyone would get full on that and we'd have enough left for another meal. But teenage girls and spaghetti is not an economical combination! We have three girls now, too, which bumps up the amount as well. Oh, well!

I'm making chicken tortilla soup tonight, using my leftover turkey, and I'll double that - a wonderful meal on cold winter evenings! Other meals that lend themselves to doubling: meatloaf, taco meat, baked ziti, chili, other soups, and lasagna. Sometimes when I make lasagna, I'll just double the meat sauce and freeze it. At least it saves one step in that long process!

What recipes do you like to double and freeze?


More on destressing dinner:
Chicken Tortilla Soup for the Super Bowl - Quick, Easy, and Different
Three Steps to Planning Dinner
Hassle Free Dinners

How Coffee Filters Can Help You Declutter Holiday Baking

I came across this clever tip for reducing the mess and clutter when doing holiday baking:

"Sprinkles can be so messy when decorating cupcakes or cookies. Eliminate the mess by pouring your sprinkles, chocolate chips or red hots into coffee filters. Dip your cupcakes or cookies into the toppings. Then funnel leftover toppings back into their original containers."
(Source: Connie Lufriu from Brandon, FL June 2009 Family Circle magazine, p. 18)

More Clever Cleaning Tips:
The Cleverness of Coffee Filters
Spring Cleaning Using Household Items - Salt, Newspaper, Coffee Filters, and Olive Oil
Spring Cleaning Using Household Items - Lemons
Three Steps to Clever Cleaning

A Quick Meal from Thanksgiving Leftovers

I'm enjoying the view from our wall of windows - a dusting of snow. How peaceful! I've been waiting for it to snow ever since we moved, as our view is so beautiful. It will be spectacular when we get a big snow!

We had a wonderful day yesterday - hope you did, too! We had ten for lunch, including one of our daughters, one of our foster daughters, a former foster daughter, our pastor, his wife and their three boys. Afterwards, we enjoyed a wii competition, other games, chatting, basketball, and turkey sandwiches. :)


Here's a quick meal to use up (and disguise) your Thanksgiving leftovers:

Cranberry Orange Turkey

Leftover turkey
Leftover cranberry sauce (preferably whole berry sauce)
Canned mandarin oranges, drained
Red pepper flakes

Mix the cranberry sauce and mandarin oranges in a saucepan or microwavable bowl. Add red pepper flakes to your taste - a little goes a long way! Heat until warm. Heat turkey until warm. Serve sauce over the turkey or on the side. So easy!

More ways to use leftovers:
Cook It Once, Serve It Twice
Six Ways to Save Money on Food by Planning Ahead
Chicken Tortilla Soup for the Super Bowl - Quick, Easy, and Different

Destressing Christmas, Part 9, 2009 - Efficient Shopping on Black Friday

Want to get a jump on Black Friday shopping? Here are a few websites that already have Black Friday ads up - so you can plan your strategy or sit at home shopping in your pajamas!

Black Friday Ads
The Black Friday
Black Friday Info


Online Shopping Tips

1. If you google the name of your store followed by "free shipping and handling", you may find coupons for free shipping and handling. I googled "jcpenneys free shipping and handling" and came up with: http://www.freeshipping.org/category/jc-penney-free-shipping-code/, which offered some free shipping and handling codes plus some discount coupons.

2. Kohl's honors their discount store coupons when you shop online. And you can shop the early bird specials online rather than having to go to the store.

3. My suggestion: to protect your identity when you shop online, use a credit card that is not attached to your bank account.


More on efficient shopping:
10 Ways to Streamline Your Shopping Time
Destressing Christmas, Part 3, 2009 - Smart Gift-Giving

A Green Shopping Option

Clever Cleaning: Lamp Shades

I found this hint for cleaning lamp shades in the November 1, 2009 Family Circle magazine (p. 20): "I run a lint roller over all of my lamp shades every few weeks. It's a simple, affordable way to prevent dust buildup." from Mary A. Lee, Ocala, FL

I tried it, and it works! Love it!

Other clever cleaning tips:
Spring Cleaning Using Household Items - Lemons
Spring Cleaning Using Household Items - Vinegar
Spring Cleaning Using Household Items - Salt, Newspaper, Coffee Filters, and Olive Oil

Using Your Cell Phone as a Kitchen Gadget

Who would ever thought that cell phones would become our latest kitchen gadget? Here are some ways to use your cell phone in the kitchen:

- Instead of writing a grocery list, text it to yourself.
- Use your phone's timer to remind yourself to start dinner or take a dish out of the oven.
- Take a picture of your culinary masterpiece to impress your friends and family.
- If you are doubling a recipe, use your calculator to make sure you're figuring correctly.
- Call mom or your favorite chef for advice.
- If you have internet, you can look up a recipe - or a nearby restaurant if disaster happens!

How do you use your cell phone to cook dinner?


More on dinner:
Six Ways to Save Money on Food by Planning Ahead
Getting the Maximum Mileage out of Your Veggies
Cook It Once, Serve It Twice

Organizing Holiday Meals with Safety in Mind

As we prepare for holiday meals, we need to organize with safety in mind. I found an article on food safety and a couple on safety practices in the kitchen. I had not considered some of these suggestions before - they are definitely ones to practice! By putting these tips into practice, you'll help create wonderful memories, not ones that include the emergency room!

"Thanksgiving is upon us and with it comes the traditional turkey dinner. However, the improper storing, cooking, and serving of roast turkey can lead to the growth of harmful bacteria like salmonella, which can cause foodborne illness.

The DuPage County Health Department advises consumers that safe food handling of turkey and other holiday foods is essential in preventing foodborne illness. Here are some tips to share with your family for preparing a Thanksgiving bird safely.

• Thaw the frozen turkey in the refrigerator. Allow one day for each five pounds of turkey. A twenty-pound turkey will take about four days to thaw. Hint: Remove neck & giblets from inside the bird as soon as possible to hasten thawing.

• Do not thaw on the kitchen counter. If you do not have time to thaw in the refrigerator, you may thaw it in cold water, provided that the turkey is in a leak-proof packaging, it is submerged, and the water is changed every half-hour. Allow 30 minutes per pound of turkey to thaw in cold water.

• Cook fresh turkeys within two days, thawed ones within four days.

• Wash your hands with hot, soapy water before and after handling raw poultry. Wash all knives, cutting boards and utensils also after using for raw poultry.

• Read and follow the cooking directions on the label. Cook turkey until it is done (165°F). Do not slow cook overnight at low temperatures or partially cook. Some turkeys come with pop-up thermometers. They are to be used only as a guide to doneness. Take the temperature with a meat thermometer to be sure the temperature is over 165°F.

• Stuffing should not be prepared a day ahead and the turkey should not be stuffed until ready to cook. A quicker, safer method is to cook the stuffing separately in a casserole, using some of the pan juices to flavor and moisten the stuffing.

• Eat the meal as soon as it is prepared. Do not leave leftovers out on the counter or table after dinner. Cut the meat off the bones and put it in shallow containers in the refrigerator.

• Reheat all leftovers to 165°F. (Use your meat thermometer.) Gravy should be brought to a rolling boil."

Source: DuPage Health

5 Thanksgiving Safety Lessons for Holiday Hosts by Catherine Jones

"It's your turn to host Thanksgiving dinner. Your house is filled with family and friends, many of whom are "helping" you in your suddenly cramped kitchen. There are dishes everywhere, open drawers and cupboards, steam rising from boiling pots, and where did you put that carving knife?

For those who work in food preparation, this chaos is all too familiar. And so are the hazards. So here's some advice from the food service industry to help you and your guests stay injury-free in your kitchen this Thanksgiving-and throughout the year.

The Hazards and Safety Practices of a Busy Kitchen

The food service industry is not the most hazardous, but it does have its dangers. Here's how to handle five common food service hazards that can also be found in many kitchens on holiday weekends.

1. Slips, trips and falls. Dress for cooking with safety in mind. Choose low-heeled, secure shoes with a non-skid sole and an enclosed toe. (A falling measuring cup can inflict as much damage on your toes as a falling hammer if it lands the wrong way.)Don't hurry; take short steps to prevent slips.Pick up trash and food scraps that fall to the floor, and wipe up spills promptly to prevent slipping accidents.

2. Collisions. Be alert for potential collisions with others, especially at doorways and around the stove.When passing someone who may not see you, say, "Behind you."

3. Burns and scalds.

• Never wear loose clothing or baggy sleeves while cooking.
• Don't reach across fryers, stoves and other hot surfaces and materials.
• Use potholders when handling pots.
• Use caution around steam and boiling water. Protect your face and arms when lifting pot lids. When removing the cover from a boiling pot, expose the far side of the pot first, to release steam.
• Never leave oil under heat unattended.
• Never overfill a fryer with oil or food.
• Cool oil before moving it.
• Turn pan handles aside so they don't get bumped or snag on clothing, but keep them clear of other burners.
• Before microwaving food, vent the container by lifting the edge of the cover.
• Use caution when opening covered containers that have been in the microwave, and open them away from your face.

4. Heat illness. Kitchen workers are at risk for heat illness as well, so drink plenty of water and make sure you take an occasional break from your hot kitchen.

5. Cuts from knives or other sharp kitchen tools.

• Unplug the food processor when loading, emptying or changing blades.
• Keep knives sharp. Dull knives require too much force to operate; they can slip and cause cuts.
• Use the right knife for the job.
• When cutting, slice down and away from your hand and body.
• Keep your fingers and thumbs out of the cutting line.
• Carry knives with the cutting edge angled slightly away from your body and the tip pointed down.
• Don't hand a knife to someone. Instead, place it down on a clean surface and the let the other person pick it up.
• Don't place knives near the edge of a countertop.
• Don't use a knife while distracted.
• If you drop something, let it fall. You can receive serious cuts if you try to catch falling knives or glassware.

Conclusion: It's a lot of work preparing a holiday meal, but it doesn't have to be dangerous. With care and attention, you can stay safe and injury-free, and able to enjoy the blessings of a special meal with your loved ones. Happy Thanksgiving everybody!"


Here's another article by ABC on safety in the kitchen.

Stay safe during the holidays!

More on food safety:
Decluttering Plastics - Which Ones are Safe?
Get Organized Month 2009 - Organizing Your Fridge to Keep Foods Fresh
Demystifying Food Expiration Dates

Destressing Christmas, Part 8, 2009 - An Online Tool to Consolidate Wishlists

Getting tired of buying gift cards because you don't know what someone wants? Wishpot takes the guess and stress out of shopping. According to their website: "Wishpot makes it easy for you to shop anywhere, keep all your finds in one place, connect with friends, and discover the hottest deals."

What you do is shop all over the internet, consolidate your wishlist at Wishpot, and you can share your list with others! Take some stress out of your life and request your family members to join Wishpot (it's free)! Join yourself, so others know what you want. Why not pass the destressing around? :-)

More on Christmas shopping:
Destressing Christmas, Part 3, 2009 - Smart Gift-Giving
10 Ways to Streamline Your Shopping Time
Christmas Shopping Ideas from 1-2-3...Get Organized Plus a 10% Discount