Getting older should mean getting wiser, and for me, the most valuable forms of wisdom that come with age are being more confident in yourself, taking care of your body and home, and loving yourself and others just the way you (and they) are!

All of those forms of wisdom are well represented in the list I’ve put together to share to day. It’s a list of fifteen things that I think every woman should know by the time she turns fifty. (And if you’re over fifty and there are things on this list you haven’t conquered yet, there’s no time like the present!)

15 Things Every Woman Should Know How to Do by 50

1. Say “No” Without Feeling Guilty

This is number one for a reason! If you always prioritize other people’s needs over yours, your productivity will suffer and resentment will mount.

2. Laugh At Yourself

Laughter is the best medicine, and learning to laugh at yourself is a surprisingly effective way to deal with negative circumstances. Studies have shown that being able to laugh at yourself is linked to better mental health.

3. Whip Up a Signature Dish

Having a recipe that you can whip up for get-togethers or family dinners is valuable skill for any homemaker. And keep in mind that your “signature dish” doesn’t have to be fancy, it just has to be yours!

4. Take Yourself Out to Dinner or a Movie

Going out alone means having time to enjoy yourself and do exactly what you want (or see the movie you really want to see) without feeling like you need to defer to what others want. Give it a try—it can be quite freeing!

5. Look Good in Photos

It’s time to stop shying away from the camera! There are plenty of resources online that are full of great tips about flattering poses and positions that can help you look and feel your best in every shot.

6. Defend Yourself

You don’t have to be a black belt to defend yourself—there are many simple moves that can help you get away from an attacker. Look for a self-defense class near you, or look up self-defense moves online (and don’t forget to practice!) Here’s a resource to get you started.

7. Operate Your TV

Easier said than done? Maybe, but it’s empowering to do this yourself. Dig out that manual, search online, call the technical support line, or whatever you need to do to figure it out. You’ll be glad you did!

8. Light a Grill and Cook on It

Don’t leave all the fun to the men! You can cook an incredible meal on the grill with no pans to scrub, and cooking on the grill isn’t difficult once you master the basics.

9. Find a Bra That Fits Correctly

If you’ve never had an expert bra fitting, you may be in for a shock. Most women are wearing the wrong size — I was too! Wearing the wrong size bra can make it hard to look or feel your best, so it’s worth taking the time to get expert advice.

10. Examine Your Own Breasts

At any age, self breast exams can save your life. According to the 2003 National Health Interview Survey, 57% of breast cancer survivors found their own cancer. If you don’t already do so, start examining your breasts every month.

11. Sew (at Least a Little!)

Sewing is practical and a great way to save money — and mending things makes you appreciate them more. Knowing how to sew on a button and do up a hem can get you through any number of “wardrobe malfunctions”.

12. Graciously Accept a Compliment

A smile and a sincere “thank you” when someone gives you a compliment can make their day. Instead of shying away, accept compliments and bask in your achievements.

13. Strategize for Retirement

Make sure you understand your financial future — get involved, ask questions. Your bank or brokerage firm has a lot of resources you can use.

14. Walk Away From a Bad Situation or Relationship

This is a tough one, but so important. You are in control of your life, and you set the terms for what is allowed and acceptable. There comes a time when giving someone or some situation the benefit of the doubt starts to do more harm than good, and that’s when it’s time to walk away.

15. Exercise in a Way You Don’t Hate

Exercise doesn’t have to be all about losing weight. Regular exercise can help you sleep better, improve your mental health, and help you get stronger and live longer. You don’t have to turn into a fitness buff overnight, but you should at least have an exercise routine that you can and do stick to.

What would you add to this list?

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When I think back to my days as a young mother, I realize how much I relied on our local thrift store. As a stay-at-home mom, I don’t know how else I would have kept our four rapidly growing kids clothed on our one-income budget!

And even though I’m in a much different situation now, I still love thrift stores and secondhand shops. Shopping at these places is a great way to save money and cut down on waste, no matter your financial situation!

This post is an ode to buying used. Check out 8 things you should consider buying used below, along with explanations as to how they can save you money.

8 Things You Should Buy Used to Save Money

1. Baby Clothes

As parents, we want the very best for our kids, right down to the clothes we dress them in! But babies grow so fast that you won’t get much mileage out of brand-new baby clothes.

Look for gently used baby clothes at local thrift stores, garage sales, and resell shops like Kid to Kid. You shouldn’t have any trouble finding great deals on used baby clothes in like-new condition!

2. Cars

There’s nothing wrong with wanting a reliable car in good condition, but that doesn’t mean you have to limit your search to new cars! A car that is slightly used (like last year’s model, or one that has a few thousand miles on it) may be thousands of dollars cheaper than its brand-new counterpart.

To learn more, check out this Money Crashers article about the pros and cons of buying a slightly used car.

3. Hand Tools

Whether you’re replacing one of your hand tools or you’re starting your first collection, buying them used can be a great way to save money. There’s no reason to pay more for new ones when a used hammer, wrench, or screwdriver works just as well! (However, motorized and powered tools do wear out over time, so you’re probably better off buying those new.)

4. Furniture

You’d be surprised at how many nice pieces of barely-used furniture I’ve snagged at our local thrift store over the years! It can take time and effort to find the right piece of used furniture, but it could easily save you hundreds of dollars over buying it new!

And even if something isn’t exactly your style, there are plenty of options for customizing the look of your furniture. Try painting old laminate furniture, or cover a dated-looking sofa with an attractive slipcover!

5. Gift Cards

Buying pre-owned gift cards at a discount (even if it’s a small one) is an easy way to save money on purchases you were already planning on making. For instance, say you planned to go get a few new things at Old Navy.

On a site like Raise, you could buy a pre-owned $25 Old Navy gift card for around $20 to use on that shopping trip, saving you $5 instantly!

6. Books

It isn’t just college students who can save money by buying their books used! Used bookstores are a great place to get the most bang for your buck on new-to-you reading material.

You can also find used books on Amazon and eBay. And when you’re done reading them, you can always resell them to make some money back to buy another used book!

7. Sports Equipment

Leave the premium prices of top-of-the-line sports equipment to the pros! Whether it’s for you or the kids, you can save a small fortune by buying used sports equipment instead of the new stuff.

8. Jewelry

Cars aren’t the only items that rapidly depreciate — jewelry does too! You can find great used jewelry pieces at pawn shops, auctions, and on eBay. Take any used piece to a jeweler for a thorough cleaning and it’s sure to look good as new! :-)

What do you buy used to save money?

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Tackling a few spring cleaning projects in the coming weeks? Not only does spring cleaning make your home a healthier place to live, it also provides an opportunity to get more organized and refresh your state of mind.

However, spring cleaning can also be a surprisingly dangerous affair. Unintentional injuries result in around 21 million medical visits each year, and I don’t want you to be part of that statistic!

For the benefit of all of our personal safety, today I’m sharing 7 spring cleaning mistakes that can pose a risk or threat to your wellbeing. As you clean and organize your home, take care to avoid these potentially dangerous situations!

Related: 13 Spring Home Decor Ideas & Ways to Freshen Up Your Home

7 Dangerous Spring Cleaning Mistakes to Avoid

1. Heavy Lifting

Lifting heavy furniture is a common cause of back injuries, so take care when moving or lifting anything heavy! When lifting, do some stretching beforehand and use proper technique to protect your back. (Or better yet, get yourself a set of furniture sliders to make moving furniture quick and easy.)

But if you must lift something heavy, don’t forget to ask for help—many hands make light work! :-)

2. Climbing Ladders

If cleaning your windows or gutters is on your spring cleaning to-do list, be extra cautious when climbing your ladder! Falling off of ladders is a common cleaning-related injury, and those falls can have dire consequences.

And it’s not just extension ladders that can be dangerous—accidents can happen on step ladders too! No matter what kind of ladder you’re using, it’s not a bad idea to have someone else there to spot you.

3. Skipping Protective Gear

No cleaning kit is complete without protective gear! A good pair of cleaning gloves will help protect your hands from caustic chemicals, abrasive cleansers, and hot water.

And depending on what you’re cleaning, a mask and goggles may also be a good idea! A mask that covers your nose and mouth (or even a bandana wrapped around your face) will help prevent chemicals from irritating your respiratory tract, while goggles will keep harmful fumes out of your eyes.

4. Running a Dirty Humidifier

If you use a humidifier at home to keep the air moist, don’t forget to clean it thoroughly during your spring cleaning efforts! Grimy humidifier tanks are an ideal breeding ground for bacteria, viruses, and even mold, which can get pushed into the air if the humidifier continues to be used.

These airborne pathogens can be especially harmful to those with allergies and asthma, so it’s important to clean your humidifier regularly! Learn how to clean out your humidifier here.

5. Mixing Cleaners

Many chemical reactions produce toxic fumes, which is why mixing cleaning solutions is never a good idea. These fumes can cause headaches, coughing, eye irritation, or worse!

But these fumes don’t just occur when solutions are mixed—they can even form if you use one cleaner after another on the same surface. If you’ve tried one cleaner and aren’t satisfied with the results, wipe the area down with soapy water before trying another cleaner.

6. Working in Poorly Ventilated Areas

No matter what you’re cleaning or what products you’re using to do it, it’s important to keep your area well ventilated. Using windows, doors, and fans to keep the air moving will help protect you from potentially harmful fumes.

Fragrances in cleaners can also be harmful, especially if you have any respiratory conditions like asthma, bronchitis, or allergies. Choose fragrance-free cleaners (or make your own at home) to avoid irritating your lungs and throat.

7. Handling Animal Waste

When cleaning up around the outside of your house, be extra careful around animal droppings! Droppings from raccoons and mice can harbor all sorts of nasty stuff, including roundworm larvae and viruses, that can be accidentally ingested during cleanup efforts.

To clean up animal droppings safely, wear protective coverings like a mask and gloves. Spray the droppings with a diluted bleach mixture (1 part bleach to 10 parts water) and let it sit for 5 minutes, then pick up the droppings with a paper towel and throw them away.

When you’re done, be sure to clean and disinfect any items that may have come into contact with animal urine or droppings.

What’s on your spring cleaning to-do list this year?

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Here on my blog, I strive to share simple, everyday tips and tricks that can help make life a little bit easier. But sometimes, the tips that I want to share aren’t something I can write a whole blog post about. And since I simply cannot waste a good idea, I tuck them away to use at a later date. Today I’ll be sharing some of those tips and tricks with you in the eleventh edition of my ongoing series “Why Didn’t I Think Of That?”

1. Key Ring Helper

Having trouble keeping a key ring open long enough to slip a key onto it? Use a staple remover! Clamp the teeth of the staple remover between the rings near the opening. The teeth of the staple remover will keep the ring open, making it much easier to slip your new key onto the ring!

2. Color Coded Eggs

If you store hard-boiled eggs in their shells, it can be hard to tell them apart from your raw eggs once you put them in the fridge. Here’s simple tip to help you mark your hard-boiled eggs! When you’re boiling the eggs, just add a splash of balsamic vinegar to the water. The dark-colored vinegar will tint the outside of the eggshells slightly. (But don’t worry, it won’t affect how they taste). Once you put your eggs back in the fridge, you’ll know that the slightly darker eggs are the hard-boiled ones!

3. Light Candles With Spaghetti

Regular matches often burn up before you can manage to light the wick of a stubborn or deep candle. In these cases, a raw spaghetti noodle can help! Light one end of a piece of spaghetti, and it will burn long enough to light all your tallest or most stubborn candles.

4. Save Water for Watering

Your house plants, potted plants, and garden need water, but they’re not picky about where it comes from. So save the water you use to boil or steam vegetables, pasta, eggs, and more, and use it to water your plants! (Allow the water to cool to room temperature first, so you don’t accidentally scald your plants.) Reusing your cooking water is a great way to save water overall!

5. More Popped Popcorn

Tired of all the unpopped kernels at the bottom of your homemade popcorn? Try soaking the kernels in water for a few minutes before you make your popcorn! The water encourages faster popping, so you’ll end up with fewer unpopped kernels after cooking!

Related: How to Make Amazing Homemade Popcorn in Your Microwave

6. Drip-Free Cones

The next time you’re making ice cream cones for yourself or your kids, stick a marshmallow in the bottom of the cone before adding any ice cream. The marshmallow will help stop any ice cream drips from leaking out the bottom of the cone! Plus it’s an extra treat you get to enjoy once you’re finished with the ice cream. :-)

7. Crystal Clear Mirrors

Use a brown paper bag or a piece of newspaper for cleaning windows and mirrors, rather than using paper towels. Paper bags and newspaper won’t leave behind any lint, and your mirrors and windows will be left clean and streak-free!

Related: 9 Unexpectedly Useful Things You Can Do With a Paper Bag

VIDEO: No More Mirror or Window Streaks!

8. Easier Taco Assembly

Use a fork to help keep your taco shell in place while you fill it! Just slide the edges of the taco shell between the prongs of a fork, and set the fork down on a flat surface. You’ll be able to scoop your taco fixings into it much more easily!

9. Toasted Sandwich Tip

In my opinion, the best BLTs have bread that is nicely toasted on the outside but soft on the inside. An easy way to achieve this at home is to toast two pieces of bread in the same toaster slot! The outsides of the bread with get nicely toasted, while the inside stays soft and delicious.

VIDEO: Toasted on the Outside, But Soft on the Inside

10. Quickly Cool Drinks

Need to cool a drink down quickly? Wrap a damp paper towel around the bottle or can, then place the drink in your freezer for a few minutes. Your drink will be cool and ready to sip in a hurry! (Just don’t forget it’s in there, or you run the risk of having to clean up a soda explosion!)

VIDEO: How to Quick Chill a Can Of Soda

11. Cleaner Bath Toys

Most bath toys have a hole in the bottom that allows water to get inside. If soapy water gets inside bath toys and stays there, it can get grimy in there over time! An easy way to avoid this is to use a dot of hot glue to seal up the hole. They’ll still float, but you won’t have any issues with mold and mildew growing inside them. (Just make sure your little ones won’t miss the squeaky effect first!)

Love the Tips in This Post?

Then you’re really going to love my new perpetual daily tips calendar — “Why Didn’t I Think of That? 365 Tips & Tricks to Solve Life’s Little Problems. It’s a bit like my blog in miniature because it features “one good thing” every day!

The daily tips in this calendar cover just about every aspect of life at home, from cleaning and laundry to beauty and organization. I’ve poured all my first-hand experience and research into these pages, so you can trust that every tip has received my OGT Seal of Approval!

But you might be wondering, “Why would I buy a calendar in April?” And that’s a great question! One of my favorite things about this calendar is that it’s perpetual. At the end of every year, you can flip the pages back over and start again! So it’s a calendar you can start using any time of year.

OGT readers are loving it so far:

I’ve had this calendar for a few weeks now, and I’ve learned or been reminded of something valuable each day. My rule is not to take sneak peeks ahead! It’s well-constructed on heavy stock, designed beautifully, and sits unobtrusively on my desk next to my computer. What a clever idea—thank you so much for coming up with yet another brilliant idea, Jillee!

Carol O.

I love my new perpetual calendar! Every day, I look forward to turning the page to read a new daily tip. Thanks for providing a new idea each day of the year. I’m looking forward to using it year after year.

Kathy

I just love this perpetual calendar. It’s so colorful and handy. I look forward to Jillee’s emails every day because she always has such helpful tips for things I never would have thought of. Now I can look at these different tips daily, and the calendar will never expire. Thank you for another great idea!

Kristin

CLICK HERE TO SHOP

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A Natural Alternative You Can Use Instead of Bleach

I first came up with this natural bleach substitute several years ago, after receiving an email from a reader who couldn’t use my miracle whitening solution because the bleach could harm her septic system. (Apparently, bleach can kill the enzymes and bacteria in septic systems that break down and treat waste. I had no idea!)

This bleach alternative uses just two natural ingredients, both of which have whitening and stain removal powers. And while I personally have no problem using bleach, I know that lots of you do, for a variety of reasons, so a natural bleach alternative is a mighty handy thing to have on hand!

I was happy to take on the challenge of finding a feasible bleach alternative, both for the reader who requested it and anyone else who might benefit! After some research and experimentation, I discovered that a combination of two versatile brightening agents — hydrogen peroxide and lemon essential oil — made a great bleach substitute!

This “homemade bleach” can whiten whites and brighten colors too, and it’s also highly affordable. I wouldn’t attempt to make a large batch ahead of time, though, as the hydrogen peroxide will start to break down once out of its dark-colored bottle. (But I figure that since there are only two ingredients, mixing them in advance wouldn’t save you much time anyway!)

How to Make a Natural Bleach Alternative

Ingredients:

• 2-4 Tbsp hydrogen peroxide
• 1 drop lemon essential oil (optional)

How to Use This Bleach Substitute Instead of Bleach

Add the hydrogen peroxide and the lemon essential oil (if using) directly to your washing machine’s bleach dispenser, where it will be diluted with water and added to the wash cycle. (No bleach dispenser? Add the peroxide and lemon oil to 3 cups of water and pour it into the wash drum, either while the drum is filling or before adding your clothes.)

(One more note about bleach dispensers: the dispensers in older, top-loading washers sometimes don’t get flushed out very well. If you have an older top-loader, flush the bleach dispenser out manually with water after using it.)

Is This Bleach Alternative Safe for Colors?

Yes, you can use this bleach alternative to brighten colored clothing, as well as whiten whites. Avoid pouring undiluted hydrogen peroxide directly onto colored clothes though, as it could result in permanent bleaching.

Instead, dilute the hydrogen peroxide (and lemon oil, if using) in 3 cups of water as described above and add it to the wash basin. When used in wash loads of colored clothes, this bleach substitute can help brighten colors and dissolve residues that may be clinging to the fabric.

Does This Bleach Alternative Really Work?

My daughter-in-law Kaitlyn offered up one of her bathroom towels as a test subject for this bleach alternative. She was eager to see if it could handle stubborn makeup stains, and as you can see, it was more than up to the task!

Overall, I’m very satisfied with how well my natural bleach alternative works. Whether you have septic system or just want to avoid using chlorine bleach in your laundry, I’m positive you’ll be happy with it too!

Do you have any tips for whitening or brightening laundry?

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It can be tricky to keep a stainless steel sink looking truly clean, but I have a brilliant tip to share that makes it much easier. This tip will not only leave your stainless steel sink looking cleaner than ever, but it’ll be shinier than you ever thought possible!

All it takes to shine up a stainless steel sink is a handful of simple supplies, and one of them is likely already in your pantry!

The Secret to a Shiny Kitchen Sink

The secret to keeping almost any sink clean, stainless steel included, is to give it a good scrub with Bar Keepers Friend every few weeks. Regardless of whether your sink is made from porcelain or stainless steel, using Bar Keepers Friend is the easiest way to remove gunk, grime, and marks of all sorts.

Related: 14 Things You Can Clean With Bar Keepers Friend That Will Amaze You

But for stainless steel sinks specifically, adding one extra step can take your sink from clean to ultra-shiny!

As strange as it might sound, that extra step involves flour. Yep, the same flour you use to make your favorite baked goods also happens to be the key to a super shiny stainless steel sink!

Think of it this way—if Bar Keepers Friend is like coarse-grit sandpaper in the way that it scours away messes and marks, then flour is like fine-grit sandpaper. It’s the last little finishing touch that gives your project a professional-looking finish, and you’ll love how it finishes shining your stainless steel sink! Read on to learn how it’s done.

How to Clean and Shine Your Kitchen Sink

You’ll need:

• Cleaning cloths
• All-purpose cleaner (like my homemade all-purpose cleaning spray!)
• Bar Keepers Friend
• Sponge
• Flour

Step 1 – Wipe It Out

After emptying your sink, wipe it out with a cloth and your favorite all-purpose cleaner. After all, you probably don’t want to shine up a dirty sink!

Step 2 – Scrub With Bar Keepers Friend

Sprinkle some Bar Keepers Friend into the bottom of your sink and scrub with a damp sponge. (If you’re using the soft cleanser variety of BKF, squeeze it onto a damp sponge first and then scrub.)

Make sure to scrub the sides of your sink in addition to the bottom, and give the drain a good scrub too.

After scrubbing, rinse out your sink thoroughly. (It’s important to rinse surfaces well after scrubbing them with Bar Keepers Friend!)

Once you’ve ensured that all the residue has been rinsed away, dry your sink thoroughly with a clean cloth or a paper towel.

Note: If you have a porcelain sink, you’ll be finished at this point, so step back and admire your handiwork! If you have a stainless steel sink, proceed to Step 3.

Step 3 – Shine With Flour

After double-checking that your sink is completely dry, sprinkle a handful of flour into the bottom of your sink. Use a dry cloth to buff the flour onto the sides and bottom of the sink using small, circular motions.

Once you’ve buffed the whole sink, wipe out any remaining flour.

Then stand back and admire your handiwork! Impressive, right? Who would have thought that flour of all things would be the secret to a sparkling clean stainless steel sink? What a world. :-)

How do you keep your kitchen sink looking clean?

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But over time, I realized that being good with money isn’t a talent you’re born with. It’s a skill, and like any skill, it’s something you improve by establishing good habits and practicing them consistently. And the inverse is true as well—poor money management is usually the result of consistently practicing bad habits!

And that’s what we’ll be looking at in today’s post — 7 bad habits that can cost you money, drain your budget, and undermine your efforts to save. By avoiding these 7 pitfalls, you can help ensure that you’re making the most of your hard-earned money.

7 Bad Habits That Are Costing You Money

1. Your Spending Isn’t Necessary

A lot of expenses are necessary, like paying your mortgage or buying groceries. It’s the expenses that aren’t necessary you should be worried about. Things like buying bottled water, paying for a gym membership you never use, and getting parking tickets are good examples of unnecessary expenses that can cost you a lot over time.

For more examples of unnecessary expenses that are hurting your budget, check out this post.

2. Your Tires Aren’t Properly Inflated

The amount of air in your car’s tires can have a surprisingly big impact on your gas mileage! According to FuelEconomy.gov, keeping your tires properly inflated can improve your gas mileage by over 3% and keep more money in your pocket.

Use a tire pressure gauge regularly to check the amount of air in your tires, and make sure it matches the tire pressure recommendations that are listed in your car’s manual.

3. You Don’t Keep Track Of Change

Getting change after paying with cash can be cumbersome, but you should resist the temptation to just leave it lying around. If you hang onto it, that change can add up over time and save you hundreds of dollars a year!

Pick a cup or container to use as a coin bank, and make sure that all of your loose change ends up there. (To make it even easier on yourself, get a coin bank that keeps track of how much you’ve saved or a coin sorter that will sort and roll your coins for you!)

4. You Throw Out Food

Food waste is not only an expensive habit, but it’s bad for the environment too. You can cut back on food waste in your home by only buying as much fresh produce as you can realistically consume. Make sure to keep track of expiration dates as well, so you can make a plan to eat your produce before it expires.

5. You Don’t Bother With Rebates

Many products come with mail-in rebate offers, which companies offer because few people take advantage of them. If you have a mail-in rebate offer, it’s definitely worth a few minutes of your time to send it in.

There are also plenty of money-saving opportunities for those who prefer to shop online. Using a service like Rakuten can be an easy way to earn cash back on your online purchases.

6. You Only Buy Name Brands

Many of us are “brand loyalists” when we shop for groceries, sometimes for no particular reason. But since generic items and store brands are often cheaper than their name brand counterparts, it’s worth giving them a try to see how you like them!

If you try the generic version and can’t really tell the difference, buying the cheaper option can can help you save. To find out which store brand products OGT readers swear by, check out the list here.

7. You Neglect Your Car

Skipping oil changes and other vehicle maintenance can save you a few dollars in the short term, but it may lead to expensive repairs down the road. You’ll save yourself a lot of money in the long run by taking your car in for regular oil changes, tire rotations, and inspections.

What’s one good habit of yours that saves you money?

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