Shortcuts for 10 Household Chores

• Dusting
  Try dusting cloth lampshades with a lint roller. It works quickly and effectively without the hassle of a vacuum.
  Slip an old unmatched sock on your hand and dust as you go.
  
• Windows and Mirrors
  Use old newspapers to clean mirrors and windows. You'll have a great disposable cleaning rag and be recycling at the same time.
  Vinegar is an inexpensive easy cleaner that can be used on windows and mirrors.
  To prevent streaking and extra rubbing, wait for an overcast day to clean your mirrors and windows.
  
• Cleaning Out the Microwave
  Bring a cup of water to boil in the microwave, the steam will help loosen dried on particles making them easily wiped away.
  
• Scrubbing the Toilet
  Put toilet cleaner in the toilet to soak while you wipe down the outside. The inside dirt and stains will be loosened and more easily cleaned.
  Buy a drop-in toilet cleaner dispenser, to increase the time between needed cleanings.
  
• Cleaning Out the Refrigerator.
  Briefly clean out trash and bad food each trash day morning. It only takes a few minutes to dump the stuff, and will clear out space to make cleaning easier.
  Use baking soda to wipe down the inside of the refrigerator. It scrubs and eliminates odors without damaging surfaces.
  
• Cleaning Out the Oven.
  On nights when you get take out, take a few moments and spray the inside of the oven with oven cleaner. Then after dinner, or the next morning if your stains are tough, you’ll be able to wipe away the dirt and grime easily, without missing the use of your oven.
  
• Filing Paperwork
  Make filing time coincide with a favorite show that you feel guilty for taking time to watch. Most filing can be done with little thinking, and you’ll get to watch your favorite show in the process. Sort the papers into categories based on your file names. Don’t forget to include trash. You’ll be surprised how much of the pile you won’t need to keep.
  
• Laundry
  Make each person responsible for washing, drying, and putting away their own clothing. Write and post some basic instructions in the laundry room. Have a trial period where your trainees assist you with their clothing.
  If you get truly overwhelmed by your laundry, check out a local Laundromat that will wash, dry, and fold your loads for you. These services frequently charge by the pound for laundry and aren’t inexpensive, but may save you time and energy when life starts to overwhelm.
  
• Washing Dishes
  Let the person who is in charge of washing the dishes, get to pick out dessert.
  When you begin cooking, run a sink of hot soapy water, and wash as you go. Food on dishes won’t have a chance to harden, and you’ll be that much ahead when the meal is done.
  Keep a supply of disposable plates, flatware, and cups. On nights when you’re overwhelmed by double-header Little League games on the same night as PTA, you won’t have to worry about dishes.
  Washing dishes can be a great time to have a parent interview with a child you need to reconnect with. The job may not go more quickly, but you'll be accomplishing a lot more than clean dishes.
  
• Clearing Clutter
  Find a local charity to donate items to prior to a clutter clearing session. Some charities may even be able to pick up your donations at a prearranged time, saving you a trip.
  Label various storage containers before you begin to sort your clutter. A label makes placing items in the right category a much easier task.
  Go through and grab obvious trash as the first step. Once the trash is gone, it makes it easier to see what you want to keep, and just how much stuff you’ll need to get rid of.

Barack Obama Victory Pics & Quotes

It took a lot of blood, sweat and tears to get to where we are today, but we have just begun. Today we begin in earnest the work of making sure that the world we leave our children is just a little bit better than the one we inhabit today. Barack Obama

With the changing economy, no one has lifetime employment. But community colleges provide lifetime employability. Barack Obama

My parents shared not only an improbable love, they shared an abiding faith in the possibilities of this nation. They would give me an African name, Barack, or blessed, believing that in a tolerant America your name is no barrier to success. Barack Obama

Money is not the only answer, but it makes a difference. Barack Obama

I've got two daughters. 9 years old and 6 years old. I am going to teach them first of all about values and morals. But if they make a mistake, I don't want them punished with a baby. Barack Obama

I know my country has not perfected itself. At times, we've struggled to keep the promise of liberty and equality for all of our people. We've made our share of mistakes, and there are times when our actions around the world have not lived up to our best intentions. Barack Obama

Focusing your life solely on making a buck shows a certain poverty of ambition. It asks too little of yourself. Because it's only when you hitch your wagon to something larger than yourself that you realize your true potential. Barack Obama

Change will not come if we wait for some other person or some other time. We are the ones we've been waiting for. We are the change that we seek. Barack Obama

Americans... still believe in an America where anything's possible - they just don't think their leaders do. Barack Obama

Savings Plan Checklist

FYI: *Pay down your debt. Concentrate on the balance with the highest annual percentage rate (APR), then move on to the next-highest rate.

*Pay your bills on time. Financial missteps—a late payment, a delinquent account—remain on your credit report for seven years and can prevent you from getting approved for a mortgage or loan.

*Open a savings account and contribute five to 10 percent of each paycheck to the account.

*Elect to put 10 percent of your paycheck into a 401(k) retirement program if your company offers one. The money comes directly out of your paycheck, you don’t pay taxes on it until you retire, and employers often match part of your contribution. If your employer doesn’t offer a 401(k), open an individual retirement account (IRA) at your bank or with a mutual-fund company.

*Once you’ve paid off your debt, consider investing in the stock market or in a mutual fund. If you can’t commit to tracking stocks regularly, opt for a mutual fund, an account managed by a professional aiming to increase the dollar amount by about eight percent each year.

*In the event you receive a windfall of money, allocate the funds with this hierarchy in mind: debt, savings, consumables. One formula: use at least half of it to pay off debt and split the rest between savings and consumables.