Missing Mittens: How to Organize Gear for Winter Fun

Community Manager — Mon, 28 Jan 2013 22:17:00 GMT

Nothing derails the fun of a snowy, winter day faster than a missing mitten. And arriving at the mountain with one ski pole instead of two? Big bummer. Take time to organize yourself for maximum winter fun.

Winter Staples: Cold winter weather means wintry ailments like the flu, chapped lips and runny noses. Stock up essentials like chapsticks and tissues online. And be sure to stockpile necessary meds such as fever reducers, sore throat lozenges and cough syrups before illness strikes; dragging your feverish self to the pharmacy is never fun. Consider purchasing travel sizes of chapsticks, hand cream and tissues to keep in your hand bags or the car so you're never caught unprotected.

Winter Bag: If your family skies (or ice skates, sleds, etc,) create a designated to-go bag for every member of the family. Store hats, scarves, gloves and ski or skate passes and other must-have items here. Don't forget the sunblock! Sun exposure during skiing and skating can take a toll on unprotected skin. Take time to restock the bag after each use, so when you get an unexpected snowfall, you're ready to hit the slopes, confident that all your needs are close at hand.

Winter Swap: Makeover your hall closet or mudroom into your winter command central. Swap out the off-season gear and create a caddy that houses tissues, extra gloves, chapsticks, etc. so family members can help themselves. Task hanging sweater organizers or bins with storing rolled up ski pants, hats, gloves, etc.

Winter Wet: Winter means dripping boots and bulky gear. Designate a metal tray to capture wet boots and shoes near your door and use a coat rack protected with outdoor paint for hanging sodden snow suits and accessories to dry. Apartment dwellers may want to place an attractive rattan hamper near the front door to capture wet items.

Winter Savings: Ski trips and skating outings can all add up quickly. Ward off empty-wallet syndrome by clipping coupons and taking advantage of promotions. Designate a small wallet or pouch to keep savings offers close at hand. Your bank account will thank you.

Waning Winter: When the cold weather draws to a close, evaluate what gear and apparel need to be replaced, and stock up on sale items for the following season. If kids will have outgrown items by the following winter, don't store the bulky items during the warmer months. Arrange to pass along the unneeded items to friends or relatives or donate them to charity.

Scaling Back: Keeping Your Hard-Earned Dollars During Recessionary Times

Community Manager — Tue, 05 Oct 2010 12:50:00 GMT

The numbers aren't pretty. More than half of working Americans have experienced a job loss, pay cut, or a reduction in hours since the 2007 recession began. As a result, the spending boom days of the early 2000's have subsided, with 62 percent of adults saying they've reduced spending.

The upside of the downside

The good news? Total debt balances have contracted by $690 billion, or 6 percent since 2008. Americans are now being more cautious with their money. Will savings trump spending in the future?

No one has a crystal ball but if you're interested in taking stock and scaling back today to save for tomorrow, we've assembled some resources that may be useful:

5 ways to get your retirement back on track - CNN Money.com: Yes, you can retire but that nest egg needs some tending after a few tough years. Consider downsizing your home now, rather than later and think about opting for a phased retirement, working part-time, before leaving work altogether.

How to Save Money on Groceries - Oprah.com: Food is the biggest expense for most people after housing. Cut costs at the grocery store with tips ranging from commonsense advice such as sticking to a list to avoid costly impulse buys to cutting costs with coupons from sites such as cuponmom.com.

Money101 Lesson 11: Saving for College: The early bird is better off; get started as soon as possible with 529s and investing in the markets and study up on tax-credits for tuition and breaks for grads repaying loans. Finally, read a first-hand account of how to get a debt-free education from a college student: Yes, College Without Loans Is Possible: The Math of Debt-Free U.

25 Ways to Save Money on Healthcare: Provides advice on comparison shopping for health plans as well as money-saving tips such as using generic medicines versus costly name-brands and taking advantage of sample medicines.

Save Money on Practically Everything: Tips on how to stretch your hard-earned dollars in practically every aspect of life from baby-sitting swaps to using a gas rebate credit card.

Does the recession have you cutting corners? How do you save? Share your thoughts here and on the Beyond Folders Community's Facebook and Twitter pages.

by Bradley Eggers

Beyond Folders : saving money

Missing Mittens: How to Organize Gear for Winter Fun

Scaling Back: Keeping Your Hard-Earned Dollars During Recessionary Times