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Category: Wealth
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Why I hate Meta
I have a love hate relationship with Meta. Mostly hate. Time and time again, the company just keeps giving me reasons to sever my ties with them.
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Read an eBook Week 2025
Smashwords’ 16th Annual Read an eBook Week 2025 Super Sale is here!
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Saving not Spending
Christmas is over, the January sales are over, and credit card bills are starting to arrive. It’s time to start thinking about saving not spending.
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5 ways to help save the environment
You may hold the opinion that it’s not your responsibility. But what serious effort have you seen Government or Business make to help save the environment?
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Small Business Saturday
Small Business Saturday is an event in November which takes place between the Black Friday and Cyber Monday Sales to encourage people to shop locally.
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Quitting
Lately I’ve been thinking about quitting. In general, I’m the kind of person that just keeps moving on until the job is done.
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Taking a Short Break
I wish I could say we’re taking a short break vacation, but sadly, I’m just taking care of a crap-tonne of pre-renovation stuff behind the scenes.
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Reciprocity, Relationships, and Power
I’ve been thinking more about respect, relationships, and reciprocity. Mainly, as I mentioned, because we’ve started looking at updating the house.
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Freak Situations
In one of a number of freak situations, we recently endured a major power outage/failure/interruption caused by wild weather. Fingers are pointing, accusations are flying, and we’re ducking recriminations all round. More than half the state of Victoria was affected.
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Iceberg Dead Ahead
Do you sometimes think about what’s coming. Perhaps with a mixed feeling of excitement and dread, all the time thinking there’s an iceberg dead ahead.
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Health Goals for 2024
You might remember, I believe “wealth” is more than just money. Health goals can help you make sure you’re healthy enough, to spend the time doing all the things you want to do.
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Thoughtless Shopping and Life
Recently I’ve been thinking that shopping can be a metaphor for life. Not so much the shopping itself, but why we are so thoughtless about the shopping. And living.
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Making Quality Connections
Moving on from energy, I’m considering one of the biggest energy penny expenditures, the relentless pressure to form connections with others. Connections through social media, in person, and with friends you haven’t met you.
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Using and Losing Energy
I’m tired. I’m looking at all the stuff that needs doing, and I’m thinking I just don’t have the energy for this right now. Which would be fine if is was just a day or two, but it’s been weeks!
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To mastectomy or not
While I don’t need to explain or justify my mastectomy decision, it makes a good opportunity to talk about how (and why) I made my choice, as well planning and long-term thinking can be useful.
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The Problems of #GirlMaths
I recently heard about #girlmaths, and it doesn’t make me happy. It involves specious calculations to reduce the cost of clothes/shoes/accessories to free…
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Change is Good or Better
As it turns out June 2023 sucked so much I’m not even going to write about it, just let its memory slip into oblivion. I’m going to talk about change instead, because change is hard, but necessary.
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More on Labour Exchange
Aside from redeveloping the new look site, I’ve been thinking about labour exchange again. In Holistic Personal Finance, I posited a direct relationship between time, money and health. Creating an abundance of any one, depletes the others.
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More Morning Routine
I’m not sure whether it’s because this is already an unusual year, but I’ve been thinking more about my morning routine. Perhaps because there’s been so little else to pin the days on, and the lazy, langourous, sleepy sense of nothing much happening lasts for about 87 hours per day.
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The Smell of Woodsmoke
The other day, we took Clever girl for a walk around the neighbourhood. There was a beautiful blue sky, and the temperature was warm, but not too warm, with just a lazy wind. And the smell of woodsmoke.
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Christmas is coming
I saw my first Christmas decorations recently, and I suddenly realised Christmas is coming. It came as quite a surprise.
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There’s been a Data Breach!
“There’s been a Data Breach!” (please imagine the grizzled voice of Taggart’s Detective Chief Inspector Burke).
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Inflation and You
I’ve been watching the inflation rate with interest. The local commercial tv stations running around like headless chickens talking about how disastrous inflation is
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Time, Time, Time!
Did you ever wonder how it is that time seemed to last forever when you were young but now you’re old it’s gone before you know it?
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Money, Time, and Health
As far as I am concerned, there are three aspects to wealth: money, time and health. As I say in Holistic Personal Finance, the value of money
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Revisiting Just-in-Time Delivery
The concept of just-in-time delivery is essentially having ZERO stock on hand, ordering it when when you need it. In 2015, when I was long-term unemployed, I wrote a post about developing the virtue of Wealth. Essentially, it involved: But, times are changing… In the good old pre-Covid days, it was possible to buy as…
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Time and Tide Wait for No One
Time and tide bring to mind the story of King Canute commanding the tide to be still. But tide is also an Old English word, meaning a period of time, such as Yuletide, (good) tidings and (woe) betide for example.
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Thankful and Grateful
Despite the way it looks, this is a time to be thankful and grateful.
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Developments in my Lifetime
I started thinking about the scientific and medical developments I’ve seen in my lifetime. How very fortunate I am, and how grateful I am for that.
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Dating Spending Plan
I heard the divorce rate has skyrocketed, so it’s the perfect time to set up a dating spending plan
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The Cost of Money
Wealth is worth more than the cost of money. Wealth is an abundance of something, whether that’s time, money or physical wellbeing.
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Product Price v Quality
Continuing the theme of choice, and gratitude, today I’m talking a bit more about choice. Only this time, more about things than people. Both in terms of price, v quality. And why it’s sometimes better to pay a bit more.
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Is the Old or New Normal Better For You?
Politicians have “won” the war on Covid, and are talking “getting back to normal,” even though we don’t have a normal to go back to. We have a “new normal.”
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How to Set up a Giving Programme
About a hundred years ago (February 2020), I suggested we think about setting up a giving programme.
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In Memoriam Pretty Girl; Maidenbelle Snow Lily (2004 – 2020)
Little pretty girl, playful and so very sweet, goodbye, yu good dog
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Wealthy is as Wealthy Does
There’s a proverb of sorts, Beauty is as Beauty does And according to Walt Disney (video has sound) at any rate, it means being kind and doing something nice for someone who feels down. Every single day. Because beauty is about what’s on your inside, not the outside. You can Google to your heart’s content,…
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Pleasure and Pain of Healthy Habits
My last Transplant Clinic appointment was less pleasant than I’d hoped, and now I’m back to contemplating the nature of choice and healthy habits.
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What, Why, and How of Pleasure
When times get tough, one of the first expenses cut is pleasure. In the face of all other considerations, it becomes frivolous and wasteful. And yet, without pleasure, life can look and feel very grim.
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How to Solve the Time Management Mystery
I was chatting about the Time Management Mystery with some creative friends the other day. Actually, we were whining about how we have so much to do, and not enough time to do it in. And speculating how some of the creatives we’re inspired by manage their time.
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Thank You Mrs Sparkle
Mrs Sparkle is the most selflessly loving person I know. She’s always making and doing things for other people, and no one ever says thank you.
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Alice ‘mid the Starships
When I first saw this image I was intrigued because it’s a Victorian glass lantern slide titled ” Oh there, ‘mid the starships, Alice, I know a”. And I was really curious about the starships.
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Joyful Memories from Gifts of Love
I’ve already talked about realia; the stuff used by historic figures or at historic events and therefore worthy of collection. But as it turns out, we leave us day-to-day reminders of themselves as well – Gifts of Love.
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Creating a Happy and Healthy Home
Recently there have been a lot of changes in the Blaelock Household, with the aim of creating a happy and healthy home.
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Electricity Humbug
The other day, our electricity went out, and I was a little surprised about how dependent on it we’ve become. Even though I’ve written about that before.
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How to Mind the Beeswax of Business
I’ve been thinking about minding the beeswax of business. It started when I was happily watching a period drama.
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How to Choose What To Do First
It’s been a busy couple of weeks. I have so much to do that I’m not sure what to do first. Or second. Or last for that matter.
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How to Plan a Bright Future
I’ve been reading Any Ordinary Day and thinking about what makes a bright future. In the book, Leigh Sales interviews people about their first-hand experiences.
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House Deposit Spending Plan
It’s “The Great Australian Dream” to own a house on a quarter acre block. And for this, you’d save a house deposit, and take out a mortgage for the rest.
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The Benefit of a Good Night’s Sleep
We recently replaced our old worn out mattresses. Not before time, because you can’t beat a good night’s sleep.
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How to celebrate your 100th birthday
A few days ago, Mary Beard asked; “How do you celebrate your 100th birthday?” Like her, I don’t have a fond hope for reaching 100 years.
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On My Way Back Home
Whenever I come back home, I see a version of this scene. At that point, I feel myself starting to relax. I even feel relaxed just looking at this image!
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How to Win in the Sales Season
It’s sales season again – that time of year when it seems everyone is trying to get their hands in your wallet. Preferably to empty it, leaving you (and their competitors) with nothing.
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How To Care For Your Best Rooms
In days gone by, houses were much smaller. They generally consisted of Best Rooms like the parlour, where you received guests during designated visiting hours, and everywhere else.
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About the March of Progress
A harbinger of the March of Progress knocked on my door the other day. She’s a Real Estate agent, and apparently, she’s “very good friends” with my neighbours, though she didn’t specify which ones.
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Housekeeping Standard Practices
I’m hard at work on Minimally Viable Housekeeping, and now it’s time for a quick introduction to housekeeping standard practices.
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How to do a Holistic Personal Finance Annual Review
Here in Australia, there’s only three weeks to lodge our tax returns, so it seems good idea to talk about the annual review.
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In the Quiet Time
My most favourite time of the day is first thing, with my coffee. The quiet time. Before anything happens.
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In Memoriam Pretty Boy: Maidenbelle Snow Tsar (2004 – 2018)
My pretty boy’s gone, chasing rabbits in the sky – neve forgotten
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Debt Reduction Spending Plan
Increasing adding to increasing credit card debt mean it’s time to think seriously about debt reduction.
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Housework Survey Says: What You Really Think About It
A while back, I asked if there was such a thing as minimally viable housework? Well, housework survey says maybe.
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Start a New Business Spending Plan
It’s tax time here in Australia. Often people seeing their numbers in black and white on their returns start wondering about starting a new business.
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Your Role as Purchasing Agent
Have you ever thought about your role as a Purchasing Agent? Or are you like most people who just buy stuff?
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We Can’t All be Cats With Nine Lives
After a transplant rejection scare,we waited dismally for the results. Feeling like we were running out of time. We can’t all be cats with nine lives.
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How to Create a Savings Plan
While I’ve talked about Spending Plans, and how to rearrange them to accommodate your goals, I’ve not mentioned how to create a Savings Plan.
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The Sun Shines Brightly
I had my second cataract surgery not long ago. When the bandage came off, I was surprised (again) that the sun shines brightly.
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The Happiness of Housekeeping Habits and Routines
I think that I’m a little more on top of the houskeeping because in the meantime, I’ve developed some housekeeping habits.
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How to Recognise and Take Advantage of Opportunities
You’re only a few steps from losing or winning it all. You just need the ability to recognise and take advantage of opportunities that come your way.
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Life Is All Too Short
Life is a finite thing. It has a beginning, a middle, and an end. Sometimes life is all too short, and sometimes it’s way too long.
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How to Make Good Purchasing Decisions
Here in Australia, the Banking Royal Commission is well underway. And you may wonder what this has to do with good purchasing decisions, but at some point, we all chose to buy their services, and some of us chose to invest in them, and all of our superannuation funds invest and bank with them.
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Unbearable Silence
Sometimes, when you are waiting for something, the wait feels unendurable. A never-ending unbearable silence. Especially when you think that something is really important.
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Doing the Damn Housework; Downton Abbey and You
It seems to me that the problem with doing the Damn Housework is that we’re all amateurs acting like professionals.
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Alexandria’s Adventures in Asgård
Well, not literally Asgård; but the Vikings: Beyond the Legend exhibition at the Melbourne Museum.
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Get Moving! Holistic Spending Plan
Around now, when life settles back into its usual rut, many of us cry out “I wish I could just get moving again.”
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Changing Seasons Bring the Smell of Smoke in the Wind
Once again it’s the time of changing seasons. The weather is cooling, and the morning air has a definite chill.
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A Short Soapbox about Fat Old White Guys and Doing the Housework
I’ve been thinking about modern life. And how fat old white guys still run the world. And that they believe they know what is best for everyone else.
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Quit Smoking Holistic Spending Plan
Sooner or later, some smokers will decide it’s time to quit smoking. It’s not a snap decision; it’s something most of us think about for many years, and take several attempts to do.
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Life Takes the Back Seat
I received some disturbing news this week that suggests I’ve lost focus on what really matters. Life goes on regardless, and we think we are making the best of it, but being alive is not the same thing as living a life that’s worth living.
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Alexandria’s Adventures in Cataract Surgery
I had cataract surgery a few days ago, and it went really well. But I find reading, writing, and watching quite tiring, and it makes my operated eye hot and scratchy.
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Read More Books Spending Plan
I am quite often told, “I wish I had the time to read more books.” And I understand that because I wish it too!
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5 Tips for Surviving Renovations
We’ve been renovating our bathroo; it’s been what you might call interesting… With that in mind, here are my top 5 tips for surviving renovations.
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Christmas Spending Plan
With Christmas 2017 over, you may be wondering why you spent so much. The easiest way to get 2018 under control is with a Christmas Spending Plan
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Stay in Touch Holistic Spending Plan
Every year almost everyone forms an intention to spend more time with their friends, so this month I’m looking at a Stay in Touch Holistic Spending Plan.
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Make New Friends Spending Plan
Something that’s been on my list for a while is meeting new people, and I know others do too. So let’s look at a Make New Friends Spending Plan.
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Holistic Pet Ownership Spending Plan
My poor Pretty Boy’s been ill for the last few weeks. Fortunately, he’s recovered, so let’s look at a Holistic Pet Ownership Spending Plan.
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Holistic Weight Loss Spending Plan
So many of us decide to lose weight as if it’s something without cost – but we’re all wrong! Today, we’ll examine a Weight Loss Holistic Spending Plan.
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Holistic Overseas Vacation Spending Plan
With Holistic Personal Finance about ready for release, it’s time to start sharing it with you. Starting with a Holistic Overseas Vacation Spending Plan.
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What is Your Home’s Purpose?
Your Home’s Purpose is not something you generally think about day-to-day.
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How to Cope When Monotasking Goes Bad
I confess I am a monotasker, but right now, I’m struggling to cope as my monotasking goes bad. I prefer to do one thing at a time, generally until it’s done.
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Why You Should be Grateful for Your Life
Thanks to a whiny conversation overheard on a train, I’ve been thinking about how you (and I) should be more grateful for your life, and that you (or I) aren’t living someone else’s.
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Pride and Vulnerability
my desire for financial independence entails a reluctance to depend on my husband. I’ve been thinking a lot about pride and vulnerability since then.
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Will HARD, SMART or Better Goals Make You Happier?
I think that one of the essential components of a happy life is setting and achieving goals. Many others agree, that’s why the planet is awash with exhortations to set goals for 2017.
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How to Eat Well and Save Money on Food
As I mentioned for my 2016 Transplantiversary, I’m hoping to make some significant lifestyle changes to get down to the hospital recommended weight. I’ve ordered new cookbooks to help! During my cookbook shopping, I found a review of Jamie Oliver’s Everyday Super Food, which dismissed it (1 star) because if you made the dishes as described…
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Wealth Management for a Happy Retirement
The tender “winners” are an older couple in their sixties who can’t afford to retire, so they have started an office cleaning business. Instead of the happy retirement life of sun-seeking travel, relaxation, and comfort they had fondly imagined.
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Deliberations on Luxury
With the research for my new book Holistic Personal Finance progressing nicely, I’ve been thinking about luxury. Partly inspired by the old guy who just paid $55 for a packet of cigarettes (I believe they were about $15 when I quit), but more particularly luxury in food.
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Alexandria’s Adventures in Morning Routine
Following my brush with the collapse of control, I’ve been noticing a lot of chat about “morning routine” in my podcasts and webinars lately, and there has been one thing that stood out for me.
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House Cleaning Outfit
As you know, I have been trying (for a long time) to lift my game on cleaning house. Aside from clothes that are loose, with elbow length sleeves I haven’t thought about a House Cleaning Outfit to wear while doing it.
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The Surprising Benefits of Home Ergonomics
In case you don’t know, Ergonomics, sometimes called Human Factors, is the science of arranging spaces, products and systems to fit people. Not just workplaces, but things like car dashboards and wheeled suitcases too.
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The Happy Benefits of Old Fashioned Budgeting
I’m researching a book on Holistic Personal Finance, and finding the difference between modern and old fashioned budgeting amusing, confusing and a disquieting indicator of the change in our values.
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A Short History of Attitudes Towards Household Expenditure
I am intrigued in particular about how the attitudes towards household expenditure I’ve been reading about have changed.