Works for me Wednesday - Gift Card Solution

Today's tip is about those abandoned gift cards that are sitting around in your wallet collecting dust.  You know the one's I am talking about.  Those with balances under $5 that you will most likely never use again.  

Well instead of letting the bank slowly drain the fees right out of them or they go dormant, why not donate them to a worthy cause of your choice.  

This is exactly what I have done with a few that have been in my wallet for 2 years way too long.

I did a google search for ways I could donate my old gift cards and found this site.  It was very easy to create an account, add my card information online, print out the form, and mail my old cards to the company.  And the best part was that I could choose which charity I wanted a percentage of the card to go to.  What a great opportunity - plus there could be tax write-off benefits, not much if you have a small balance, but every bit adds up.

(Another cool thing about this site is that you can purchase gift cards at a discount.  I have not done this yet, but I am sure I will check it out when the need arises.)

So don't let those cards dwindle away in your wallet - give them up for a good cause!

That works for me.  For other WFMW tips click here.

Works for me Wednesday - Hiccup Remedy

It's been awhile since I have had a case of the hiccups.  In the past I would normally follow this remedy which was pretty fool proof.

I have also tried holding my breath, taking deep breaths, eating a spoon full of sugar (which never got rid of the hiccups but did give me a bit of a sugar high), and having someone try and scare them out of me.

But the newest method that a friend told me about is to drink water through a straw while plugging your ears.  It seriously works!  

I was going to post a video demonstration, but when I started recording, my hiccups went away.  So there is yet another way to clear up your hiccups - videotape yourself!

That works for me.

For more WFMW head on over to the new location at We Are THAT Family.

Works for me Wednesday - Oven Preheat

I can honestly say I have never (officially) participated in a WFMW (Works For Me Wednesday) post.  Sure, I have done my fair share of offering some tips and tricks, but to actually join the online community for the whole world to see has not occurred.  

Yet.  

But today I change all that and take a step forward with my brilliant subpar knowledge.  

And although this tip may not be earth shattering, it can shave a few minutes off your dinner preparation time.  

Let's say you have a regular conventional oven that may be a few years old, or maybe older.  If it's anything like mine it takes way too long to preheat, which drives me crazy.  Now if I was a bit better prepared I would remember to start the preheat cycle when I start getting dinner prepared, but remember folks, I have 3 boys, enough said.

Therefore, when it's time to cook my meal I have to sit around and wait for my oven to warm up to the appropriate temperature, and I am not a patient waiter.  

But here comes the tip, are you still with me here?  Bless your hearts.  

Instead of preheating it to the temperature you need to cook with, preheat on the broil option.  It takes much less time and you can have your dinner cooking sooner than later.  

One more tip - don't forget to change the temperature back down to the appropriate level before placing your dinner in the oven, otherwise you'll end up with some char-broiled chow.

And if that happens, my next tip is to have your local pizza delivery chain programed on speed dial.