Can Optimism Make You Healthy?

In a study of first year law students at the University of California at Los Angeles, psychologists discovered students with positive attitudes and expectations had stronger immune systems and overall good health. Researchers drew blood from “declared optimists” and a control group. They then measured levels of key immune cells at the beginning of the semester. At that time there was no difference, but well into the stress-filled semester the optimists showed significantly higher levels of key immune cell activity than their less-than-positive counterparts. Keep smiling—you’ll live longer!

Ask for Help

Here are a few tips to keep in mind when you realize you need a little help but you’re still feeling uncomfortable asking for it. Figure out what you need help with. Be as specific as possible. You might be frustrated and just thinking, “I can’t figure this stupid project out”—but your helper will need to know exactly what the hurdle is if they’re to be of any use. Think about a piece of information, for instance, that might unlock a clear path to completion, and then seek out someone who can help provide that information. Skip “sorry.” When you apologize first, it sends the message that what you’re asking for is burdensome, when studies show most people genuinely want to help others. It may feel polite to start with “sorry,” but resist the urge. Think of “help” as a team effort. Asking for help usually isn’t about asking for someone to swoop in and rescue you—it’s about getting their help with something you’ll work on together. Collaborating on a solution often produces better results—a second set of eyes on a challenging problem can give you insights you’d never have reached alone. Say thank you. Gratitude is powerful stuff, so be sure to express yours when you’ve gotten someone’s help. Saying “thank you” verbally is a must, and it’s also extremely good practice to send a note to them later on with an update on the problem you sought their help with.

Scan Files With Your Phone

Put technology to work for you in overcoming the dreaded mountain of paperwork! Did you know you can scan and organize important documents with your smartphone or tablet? With an iPhone, open the Notes app, select the camera button, and “Scan Documents.” You can also open the Files app and choose “Scan Documents” from the three-dot menu. Then you can upload them directly to your iCloud account. With Android phones, open the Google Drive app, select the “Add” option, and then “Scan.” The files are automatically saved to your Google Drive. There are dozens of other scan-capable apps you can download, both paid and free. Microsoft’s Lens app (free) has a setting to scan business cards that pulls relevant contact information and adds it to your contacts. Adobe Scan (free) gives you the ability to not only scan documents as PDFs but also review, edit, and sign PDFs you receive. Apps like Expensify, QuickBooks, and Abukai let you scan receipts to cut down on the data entry you would otherwise need to do.

Anyone Can Meditate

Meditation has long been touted for reducing stress and increasing mental clarity, but it’s also been shown to help with physical ailments like fibromyalgia, inflammatory bowel disease, and rheumatoid arthritis. Making a conscious effort to clear your mind can be easier said than done, but even the unconvinced can start a meditation practice today.  You don’t have to sit still. If you feel restless when sitting, try walking while meditating. Take slow, calculated steps. Remain aware of the sensation in your feet each time you lift and set them back down.  You don’t need a silent location. If there are noises around you, then notice and acknowledge sounds you hear while meditating.  You don’t have to go it alone. Many apps help guide beginners through the meditation process. Headspace (headspace.com) and Calm (calm.com) lead users through a daily 10-minute sessions.

4 Ways to Save Money That Won't Hurt

Here are several easy ways to save money that you may not have considered: 1. Carpool to work. Sharing a ride with neighbors or colleagues is not only good for the environment, but it’s easy on the wallet as well. Ride-sharing even one day a week has been shown to save carpoolers 10%–20% of commuting costs. Bonus tip: If carpooling doesn’t work with your schedule, look into taking public transportation instead of driving. You’ll save money on gas, car maintenance, and parking. 2. Make a meal plan. Dining out takes a huge bite out of many family budgets because most people don’t plan ahead. Every weekend, draw up a meal plan for the week ahead and shop for the needed ingredients. The excuse that “there’s nothing to eat” won’t be an option when dinner time rolls around. Bonus tip: Take a detailed list to the grocery store so you won’t be tempted to buy items on an impulse. 3. Maintain your vehicle. Schedule oil changes and appropriate tune-ups when recommended. These have a financial cost upfront, but simple, ongoing maintenance work is far less expensive than major repairs that might be required if these are overlooked. Bonus tip: Learn how to change the oil in your car and perform basic maintenance yourself to avoid paying shop fees. Or, find a friend or neighbor who has these skills and make an exchange. An oil change for a week’s worth of dog walking only requires time! 4. Read e-books. Instead of buying new hard-copy editions, purchase digital books, which can be significantly less expensive. Bonus tip: Can’t give up the good ol’ ink-and-paper book? You can still save money by shopping at used bookstores or purchasing used books online. Alternatively, hold a book-swapping party with friends and you’ll all walk away with new-to-you books at no cost.

More Free Time

Where does the time go? Even if you work a normal schedule and get a full night’s sleep, you still have about 50 free hours during the week – but most people say they still can’t find free time for hobbies and passions. Take these steps to find more time for YOU this winter: 1. Map your current time use. First track how you use your time. Keep a log for a week or two to get a good representation of how you spend your time now. Try the app Chronos for Android and iPhone for an easy-to-use and comprehensive time log. 2. Create a list of things you really want to do. Try to come up with a list of 50-75 things. Make some of them easy one-day things (visit a museum) that you can quickly accomplish and others things you tend to put off (practicing guitar). 3. Cut out unnecessary time-wasters and replace with something from your list. Cut out the time spent watching TV, surfing the internet, or attending too many functions. Start a new schedule and prioritize things that make you happy instead of time-wasters.

Strong Family Bonds

Strong families spend lots of positive time working on family projects and playing together. 2. Appreciate One Other. Strong families appreciate each other’s unique qualities and contributions and express their feelings openly. Make a commitment to compliment each other at least once each day. 3. Foster Communication. Strong families listen to each other, respect each other’s opinions, and avoid interrupting. One of the most valuable ways to foster communication is by having at least one meal together each day. Do your best to set an example by putting away your phone or computer during meal time. 4. Strengthen Commitment. Strong families work together to solve their problems. They may not always agree, but they are willing and able to bring things out into the open and to talk about them. 5. Create Traditions. Strong families stay connected – another reason for having at least one meal together each day. Also, give your children the gift of friendship with their cousins, aunts, and uncles by keeping in touch regularly. 6. Set Rules and Expectations. Strong families set and put into practice clear guidelines and limitations. Family members take responsibility for their actions. Give grace and grace will follow.

Gas Leak?

Use these senses to recognize a gas leak: • SMELLING – If your house smells like rotten eggs, you may be in serious trouble. Natural gas suppliers add the scent to the gas as a warning that harmful vapors are leaking into the air. • HEARING – a leak may make a hissing sound or a loud roar. • SEEING – a leak may cause dust or debris to fly, create bubbling movement in water, or cause discoloration in green vegetation. Here’s how to respond to this deadly danger: • Get everyone out of the house, move a safe distance away, call 911 and your local gas company for help. To prevent electric sparks that could ignite an explosion, follow these tips: • Don’t turn on or off electrical switches. • Don’t start your car in the garage or use garage door openers. • Don’t strike a match.

Dress Your Home for Success

When selling your home, look at your home through a potential buyer’s eyes, and follow these steps to make it show well and receive a good offer: • Clean and repair. Your buyer’s first impression is from the street. Clean up the yard, the landscaping and check your exterior paint job. On the inside, shampoo the carpets, scrub the floors and clear off all the counters. Remove old wallpaper and paint the walls a neutral color. Fix things that need fixing, like squeaky doors, broken tiles etc. • De-Clutter. Get rid of all that “stuff” you’ve accumulated in the garage, the backyard and the basement. And don’t forget the closets! • “Stage” it to look like a model home. Put away your personal items and remove large pieces of furniture. Ask your REALTOR® for ways to “dress up” your home (candles, new linens etc.) to maximize your selling potential.

Fall Colors

A trip to New England to take in their amazing fall colors is out of the question but there is no reason you can’t make memories right here in the Seattle area. Here are a few ideas to explore on a nice fall day! • Washington Park Arboretum – The Arboretum is a welcome oasis on the shores of Lake Washington jointly managed by Seattle Parks and the UW. 230 Acres of trees and plants found nowhere else in the NW. • Kubota Gardens – A work of art that will awaken a feeling of serenity, humility, and gratitude. Largest Japanese Garden in the region. 20 acres, 9 ponds, 2 red bridges and 140 maple varieties. • Lake Wilderness Park – Lake Wilderness Park is the crown jewel of Maple Valley. Enjoy their 117 acres with two creek systems, three wetlands, extensive wildlife and outstanding views of Maple Tree forests. • Discovery Park – 534 acre park in Magnolia with a lighthouse on the westernmost point. Amazing views and lots of native trees with a 11.8 mile trail system.

Donate Old Clothes Season

It is time for a wardrobe facelift. Before hauling your old clothes away to the same secondhand store or tossing them in the trash, consider these options. Blue jeans: Old blue jeans donated through bluejeansgogreen.org will be turned into insulation in communities that need it most. Shoes: Both soles4souls.org and oneworldrunning.com accept gently worn shoes to donate to people in need around the world. Wedding and formal dresses: Most people only wear formal clothing a few times, so if your wedding dress or formal gowns are still in great condition, pass them on! Soon-to-be-military brides are on the receiving end at bridesacrossamerica.com, and Project G.L.A.M. (wgirls.org) provides teenage girls with prom dresses. Eyeglasses: If you’ve updated your prescription lately, donate old frames and lenses to new-eyes.org, where they’ll be passed on to someone who can’t afford new eyeglasses.

Be Ready In An Emergency

It’s always a good idea to have an emergency preparedness kit ready to grab at a moment’s notice. Some items are standard, regardless of who you are or where you live, such as a flashlight, first aid kit, and multi-purpose tool. Consider the specific needs of those in your family and geographical location as well. Find pre-made lists and help in building an emergency kit at ready.gov/kit and redcross.org.

Current Money Advise

Here are some words of so-called “wisdom” that still get trotted out from time to time but that it might be best for you to ignore. 1. “Cancel credit cards you’re not using.” Having a few credit cards isn’t necessarily bad for your credit score, and it can be good. If you’ve had a card for a long time with a history of on-time payments, consider keeping it even if you’re not using it anymore. Check your terms though, because some companies will cancel inactive cards. 2. “Don’t spend money on little luxuries.” Deprivation isn’t always the answer, even if you’re working hard to save money. Your time is worth something, too—paying someone to take care of things like mowing your lawn means you’ll have more time for, say, investment research or starting your own business. 3. “Get the most house your bank allows.” When you get pre-approved for a home loan, it may be tempting to buy a house for the maximum the bank will give you. But just because the bank will lend you the money doesn’t mean that’s within your budget. Calculate how much of your paycheck would go to your mortgage every month—and also how much more you’d have for other investments and expenses if you bought a less expensive house. 4. “Contribute the maximum to your 401(K) every year.” If you have an employer match on 401(K) contributions you make, you should definitely contribute that amount. Paying more than the amount your employer matches, however, may not be the best option if you could invest extra money elsewhere for things like an emergency fund.

Time For New Tires?

Take some time this month to walk around your car, paying special attention to the tires, to stay safe on the road. September is dry but just think in a few weeks we are into October and you want to have good tires this fall and into the winter months. • Tread: Take a penny with President Lincoln’s head facing down. Place it into each tire’s tread. If you can still see the top of his head, it’s time for new tires. If not, you’re good to go! • Pressure: Check your tire pressure regularly. If your tires are losing more than one pound per square inch (PSI) a month, it may be time to have them checked out.