We’re both a little subpar with colds, thankfully not COVID. Peeped in a shoebox and realized it contained six weeks of snail mail I hadn’t reviewed since returning from my travels in early April. Nothing required my attention, so everything went to recycling, some via the shredder. At least I did something useful today!
Category: Simplify
Minimizing Paper Mail
Picked up a week’s worth of mail from the mailroom downstairs. We’ve minimized snail mail to the point we don’t stop mail delivery when we travel. We’ve used DMAchoice, PaperKarma, CatalogChoice, and OptOutPreScreen. We’ve contacted senders directly to cancel mail and we give anonymously. The online USPS Informed Delivery service let’s us preview mail and… Continue reading Minimizing Paper Mail
Empty Boxes
Realized storing empty electronics boxes was no longer serving us. We’ve been storing the elaborate boxes in our “basement”—a storage cage two floors down. Since we hold onto electronics long past their prime resale value, keeping the boxes serves little practical purpose.
I’m Married to a Cactus Whisperer
Over the years, our stash of dental freebies from hygienist appointments has grown. Today, Dwight announced he’s found a new use for them: cleaning between the spines of cacti at the greenhouse where he volunteers. I couldn’t resist speculating if he’d be talking to the cacti during his prickly procedures.
Decluttering Our Travel Tech
Emptied out our bulging travel tech box, Marie Kondo-style. Discarded half the contents, including earphones dating back to Continental Airlines and a GPS from 2001. Thanked the GPS for its service, but it was time to let it go. Retained the phone as a backup for solo travel.
55-Bin System for Hobbies and Home
Started setting up a 55-bin system to organize parts for our hobbies and home maintenance, replacing dozens of plastic shoeboxes. About a quarter of the bins will hold bulk and bulky LEGO Technic parts. The bins are easily subdivided, making parts more available.
Minimizing Waste
Cycled to Repowered with a load of old electronics. The nonprofit employs people facing barriers to employment to refurbish and sell as much as possible. Recycling is performed in the USA.
Sort, Sell, Recycle
Went through a large plastic tub of stuff I’ve been saving to sell on eBay. Listed a set of vintage (1980’s) Cannondale cycle bags hoping to make $80 for Doctors Without Borders. I’ll recycle the remaining items shown here: they’re worth so little, it’s just not worth the effort selling them.
No Big Deal
Today, I realized I’d probably left my Amex card in a restaurant that’s closed today. A couple taps in the Amex app delivered an immediate digital replacement to Google Wallet. A physical card will arrive tomorrow morning. Pretty neat, I thought.
I Never Knew That…
We’d been doing this wrong for 35 years! While making coffee this morning, used a tip we recently learned: add one drop of water before grinding. This reduces static which causes coffee grounds to clump and stick to the grinder. The grinder only needs a quick wipe with a sponge.