When I was in the 5th, 6th, 7th, and 8th grades I had Mrs. Blasienz for a teacher. She would not let us throw away paper. From her I learned to be economical in my use of school supplies. I save or reuse almost everything.
We all get trash mail, and we want to immediately throw it in the waste basket. Those companies that want you to get a new credit card or try their service or product often send you a clean envelope so you can respond in it.
If the envelope is reusable, I put a small label on the printed address and reuse it myself. If not, I don't throw it away. I glue it shut and then after it dries I cut it into four pieces. The inside of the envelope is clean. I cut the envelope into four pieces. Voila, I now have four note sheets. I can use them to write my grocery lists on them or use them as reminders.
Whatever. Those small pieces of paper are useful; they are just for me and don't have to be beautiful with little colored flowers on the corners.
And just think...if you do this enough times, you might be helping to save a tree.
Tuesday, July 29, 2014
Tuesday, February 4, 2014
Recycling
Several years ago we purchased a paper shredder. We wanted to get rid of private papers without throwing them in the garbage where dumpster diving might occur.
After we shredded the paper...what to do with it? At about the same time a friend of mine told me about putting shredded paper in flower beds. She said you can put the pieces of paper where you don't want weeds to grow and then you can cover up the shredded paper with soil.
We did that. We have a rose garden with paper under the soil. Same for our oval garden. By now it has decayed along with the saw dust. I have dug in the rose garden to take out the invasive clover, and all I can find is crumbly soil. After all paper is organic so that it should enrich the soil, and that will make our plants thrive.
After we shredded the paper...what to do with it? At about the same time a friend of mine told me about putting shredded paper in flower beds. She said you can put the pieces of paper where you don't want weeds to grow and then you can cover up the shredded paper with soil.
We did that. We have a rose garden with paper under the soil. Same for our oval garden. By now it has decayed along with the saw dust. I have dug in the rose garden to take out the invasive clover, and all I can find is crumbly soil. After all paper is organic so that it should enrich the soil, and that will make our plants thrive.
Wednesday, January 22, 2014
Negotiate
I read an inspirational book by Herb Cohen, You Can Negotiate Anything.
In the book Cohen says that we negotiate daily: babies cry to get what they want; some women nag to get what they desire, etc.
He spoke of negotiations between countries, also. I found the book to be fascinating, informative, and certainly of use to anyone and everyone.
Therefore, we-I-you- can do the same thing. We may use more sophisticated means, but we can get what we want. After I finished the book I decided to try my skills. I went to a store, not a high end department store, but a good store nonetheless. This was in March-and I saw two winter jackets, which would fit my boys. I told the clerk to allow me to speak to her supervisor.
I said something like this to the supervisor: "Winter is over and you are not likely to sell these coats for the $15 you are asking. (This was 30 years ago.) Why don't I buy them from you for $10 each?"
The supervisor said, "Great!" And I walked off having saved $10, and my boys had new coats. You can do the same thing. First of all, read the book because it is important you understand several approaches and positions you must take, and, above all, you need to know the other person's position.
A very important component of Negotiating is realizing that each party must get something out of the negotiating. Both parties must end up happy, not cheated. If you cheat someone that person will never deal with you again, so what have you gained?
In the book Cohen says that we negotiate daily: babies cry to get what they want; some women nag to get what they desire, etc.
He spoke of negotiations between countries, also. I found the book to be fascinating, informative, and certainly of use to anyone and everyone.
Therefore, we-I-you- can do the same thing. We may use more sophisticated means, but we can get what we want. After I finished the book I decided to try my skills. I went to a store, not a high end department store, but a good store nonetheless. This was in March-and I saw two winter jackets, which would fit my boys. I told the clerk to allow me to speak to her supervisor.
I said something like this to the supervisor: "Winter is over and you are not likely to sell these coats for the $15 you are asking. (This was 30 years ago.) Why don't I buy them from you for $10 each?"
The supervisor said, "Great!" And I walked off having saved $10, and my boys had new coats. You can do the same thing. First of all, read the book because it is important you understand several approaches and positions you must take, and, above all, you need to know the other person's position.
A very important component of Negotiating is realizing that each party must get something out of the negotiating. Both parties must end up happy, not cheated. If you cheat someone that person will never deal with you again, so what have you gained?
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