Welcome to today’s 1:5:10:365 Tip for becoming a better steward for our home and planet environment.

1:5:10:245 EcoTip: Keep your clothes dryer lint screen clean. I was just reviewing some of my past posts and realized I left this one out when I was posting about the clothes dryer duct needing to be kept clean (:071). This EcoTip may seem obvious, but I occasionally find someone that doesn’t know about this.  I am still working to confirm tomorrow’s 1:5:10:365 EcoTip which is also about the lint screen on your clothes dryer. See you tomorrow.

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 Additional Information:

Suggested Review: :071

Under most circumstances the lint screen is pulled out of the dryer and the lint peels off the screen easily. Check your owners manual for further instructions. If you don’t have an owners manual, the owner’s manual for your dryer is probably posted on the net.

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1) Don’t use post its

Post its initially where a great invention.  But people using them a lot tend to have them scattered all over their working place. The risk is high to overlook them as well as to lose them. Instead you better a nice notepad on your desk, where you will input all notes and reminders. You will go through the note from time to time and update your to-do list and other information and strike out your note.

If you really can’t live without the colorful post its you can also use an electronic version on your computer. It will keep your desk clean, it will be easy to carry them with you and the probability of getting lost is lower.

2) Reduce the number of pens

Did you ever compare the number of pens in and on your desk to the number of pens your really use on a daily basis? Throw away all the pens you don’t need or don’t like and keep 2 or 3 you really like. The same accounts for markers - in general two or maximum three colors will be sufficient.

3) How about photo frames:

Having photos from the people we care about on our desk is a nice thing, but the frames also requires previous space on your desk. Reduce the photos as much s possible or even ban them from your desk. You can have these photos on your mobile phone or on a website like Flickr, where you can arrange nice photoshows. This also has the advantage that you will be able to look at them when you are on business trip.

4) Take your books home:

Many people keep a large number of private books in their office. Most of the time these libraries seem to serve as an impresive demonstration of the potential knowledge of the owner rather than being regularly used.

Take those books you don’t use frequently at work home and free up your desk. If you want to keep certain knowledge with you make an extract of the best information for you and store it on the Internet or your PC.

5) Don’t collect magazines, newspapers, etc.

A lot piles I have seen in other people’s offices are from all kind of staff they want to read later. In fact these piles tend to become higher and higher and correlate to the feeling of desperation just thinking of getting through all that staff.

If you see an article you want to read later, take out or copy the page and don’t keep the entire magazine or newspaper. If you keep the whole thing you sometimes even don’t remember anymore what you found interesting.

Never keep daily newspapers. You can find most articles online and the really important things wil be covered for more than one day anyhow. If you have difficulties geeting through your daily newspaper I recommend reading a weekly. They focus on the summary and you can skip the daily events. 

6) Don’t print emails to read them

Don’t read emails to read them. This is waisting your time, printing costs and it is a very good source to keep your table scattered. If you feel that it is hard for you to read emails on the screan you shoudl consider purchasing a bigger screan. I am sure that this investment will pay off quickly.

Related articles:

• Objects allowed on your desk
• How to create a clear desk

Number Sixteen: Pets Simplified
DONE!! We gave our dog to one of the guys that works with James.
I know that my Honey really liked having a dog (as did Boo) - - and sometimes he would manage to stick to the deal whereby I take of what goes IN the dog and he takes care of what comes OUT of the dog - - it just boiled down to me not wanting the responsibility of pet ownership.

Number Seventeen: Moving Simplified
The author suggests these things to simplify moving: 1) De-Clutter (Exercise Number 1); 2) Pack no more than a week before you are to move; 3) Use this packing order: vases, art, books, linens, clothes, personal items, and finally the kitchen; 4) Make sure the new place move-in-ready; 5) Set up a color-coded system for labels on boxes; 6) If moving across town, move the last things (immediate kitchen items, changes of clothing) in the car with you; 7) Use wardrobe boxes to pack clothing; When packing books, start with the top shelf and move left-to-right all the way down. Put books directly in boxes, label the boxes by bookcase and number. It uses more boxes – but, is easier; 9) Purchase used boxes if possible or use a mover that will buy back your used boxes; 10) Board pets and young children for the day; 11) draw a rough sketch of the new p lace and list where you want things to go - - makes organizing easier.

We have moved a LOT - - here are our tips: 1) De-Cluttering is SO valuable - - but, usually it is most effective WHILE you are packing. I like the FlyLady system (www.flylady.net); 2) If you are prone to moving, invest in plastic boxes - - it is far easier to stack - - and it protects your stuff better than cardboard; 3) If you can’t board the kids, have them help out whenever possible (cleaning the boxes, folding/packing clothes, etc.).
We have discussed moving around the country to just “see the sights” - - if we would do that, our moving would be even more simplified.

Number Eighteen: Recycling Simplified
The author points out that by using the methods of Simplifying Your Life (suggestions throughout the book), you will automatically be reducing your waste, which will be a major part of the solution. She doesn’t give much more advice. Our small town has a “traveling” recycling center that stops by weekly. We are able to recycle the following: newspapers, milk jugs, clear glass, brown glass, tin cans, aluminum cans, Number 2 Plastic, cardboard boxes and soda bottles.
I really like the coupon inserts in the Sunday paper; however, I usually forgot to pick up the paper - - and if I DID remember, it was an almost total waste of money, as I almost never used the rest of the paper. I talked to my neighbor who gets the paper everyday, then throwing it away - - and decided that I would kill three birds with one stone: I asked him to save the papers for us, which my girl picks up weekly (usually on Tuesday’s). I go through the papers, take out the coupon inserts and set aside a paper or two, if we need it for art. Whatever is left, we take to the recycling truck on Wednesday.
I burn all of our paper products - - and use the ash in our compost pile.
Our trash is picked up on Monday’s - - and usually we only have one kitchen sized bag per week. That’s good, right?

That ends the “Household” Section. Next up: “Your Life-Style”