No time to read another self help book? FIFTEEN simple tips for an easier life…

Life is good when it is easy.  No one making demands on you, no appointments to remember, no honey-do list.  Yeah, right.  When does THAT happen?  Maybe a few seconds in the bathroom before Fido, leash in mouth, discovers the door is closed.

While there is no relief regarding Fido’s need for…well, relief, here are some quick life tips to save you some time, money and stress:

1. Wash your hands after going to the bathroom and before eating.  You will avoid a whole lot of colds, stomach flu’s and other nasty sicknesses by making this a rule, not an option.
2.  Always lock your car door and keep any valuables out of sight.  This is true even if you are pumping gas or running into the Quick Mart for a roller dog.  You will save yourself a whole lot of time and money if you avoid a thief looking for an easy buck.
3. Get outside and take a walk whenever you can, preferably every day.  Not only is this a good thing to do from an exercise perspective, but a quick walk in the fresh air will also help your brain reset and think more clearly.  No time?  Park further from your office door, grocery store, etc.  and use that time to breath and let your mind wander a little.
4. Make sure to change the oil in your car on a regular schedule.  Also get your tires rotated.  These two tips will save you a whole lot of green on future repairs.
5. Choose what is right over what it easy.  You may lose out in the short term, but you will sleep better at night.
6. When you are worried, think about what is the worst that can happen and what is the best.  Nine times out of ten you will realize that the worst is unlikely to happen anyway.
7. Keep a pen and paper next to your bed.  When you wake up with your list of to-do’s swirling around in your head, write them down.  You will go right back to sleep.
8. Consistently brush your teeth, once in the morning and once at night.  Use an electric toothbrush like a Sonicare for the best results, floss before you go to bed and brush your tongue!  Fillings, root canals, and caps on teeth are ding danged expensive, and dentures are uncomfortable and wicked expensive.  Be proactive here.
9. Listen more than you talk.  Avoid the word “I” as much as possible.  Ask questions and look people in the eye.  You will learn more and people will like you better.
10. Save money through your 401K program at work, plus keep six month’s salary in a savings account.  Buy a couple of no load mutual funds on your own and get a small amount taken out of your bank account each month to continually buy more (Google ‘dollar cost averaging’).  Over time you will have a good cushion for short term emergencies, job changes, unexpected medical costs, etc.
11. Spend wisely.  When you get the “want to” for a purchase, give yourself a two day cooling off period to see if you really want to buy or are just caught up in the moment. Read a lot of online reviews before making major purchases.
12. Spend less than you make.  Don’t fall into the trap of trying to impress anyone else.  Remember that a large percentage of people are just $1,000 away from bankruptcy.
13. Be grateful.  Its hard to be angry, depressed or anxious if you focus on all the good stuff going on in your life.
14. Tip your servers.  They are responsible for feeding you.  And they are human beings just like you with feelings and problems.
15. Enjoy your life.  Make a point to spend time with your family and friends, judge and worry less, and just be in the moment.  Put down the cell phone when you are with other humans.

Go forth and prosper.  And do wash your hands after you walk the dog.