'Buy Shoes on Wednesday': 10 tips on when best to accomplish everyday tasks

Is there a best month to buy stocks? Does it matter which day of the week you buy your bread? Writer Mark Di Vincenzo researched the best times of year, week, or day to complete all kinds of household tasks and personal purchases. In 'Buy Shoes on Wednesday and Tweet at 4:00,' he offers advice on everything from travel to grocery-store shopping. Here are 10 tips from Di Vincenzo's book

1. When should you buy a cell phone?

Di Vincenzo says there are two months to choose from when deciding to purchase a cell phone: June or December. Both are now popular months to make such a purchase because June is high school graduation month and December means the holidays. High demand during either of these months, says Di Vincenzo, will lead to cheaper cell phones.

2. When should you post something on Facebook?

If you want something you're posting on Facebook to be read by the maximum amount of people, Di Vincenzo recommends three times: 7 a.m., 5 p.m. and 10 p.m. Most people leave for work later than 7 a.m., head out of the office shortly after 5 p.m., and go to bed sometime after 10 p.m.

3. When is the best day to go golfing?

Wednesday, says Di Vincenzo. There are fewer people playing in the middle of the week, so golf courses often give discounts on those days to try to lure customers. But, Di Vincenzo says, the discounts usually don't bring the price down enough to lure people away from work, so you'll get a discount and it'll still be less crowded.

4. When should you get your car washed?

When you're looking to spruce up your vehicle, Di Vincenzo says to head over as soon as possible in the morning. The car wash itself is cleaner and the employees aren't tired from a day of work, so they'll be alert when washing your car.

5. When should you get your hair cut?

Di Vincenzo says it's best to get your hair trimmed on Tuesday. It's usually a slow day, so less waiting time, and your stylist won't feel rushed. He suggests avoiding Saturday, which is often the busiest time for a shop.

6. When should you go to an ATM in a dangerous neighborhood?

Di Vincenzo says the safest time is between 5 a.m. and 9 a.m., when statistically the least amount of crimes occur. Most people who would commit crimes, he says, have been out late and would probably be asleep.

7. When should you go for a quick doctor's appointment?

The best month to go to the doctor is May, Di Vincenzo says, because the flu is gone and parents haven't booked appointments for exams for camp yet, or for physicals for school in the autumn.

8. What's the best day for getting something done at work?

Tuesday is the most productive day of work during the week, says Di Vincenzo. A survey of workers chose that day overwhelmingly as the day they would be most productive, with Monday trailing far behind to come in second, Wednesday and Thursday tying for third and Friday placing last.

9. When is the best time to call a lawyer?

Di Vincenzo suggests calling lawyers in the afternoon – they often arrange sit-downs with clients or are in court during the morning. However, if you get in there early, Di Vincenzo says, 9 a.m. can also be a good time because even if the lawyer isn't there, they may start calling people back in the order in which they called, so you'll be at the top of the list.

10. When is the best time to vacuum?

Try vacuuming in the late afternoon, suggests Di Vincenzo – around, say, 4 p.m. Humans experience a boost of energy and an increase in their mood in the late afternoon, so you'll be happier when you start the task and be more inclined to do it.

Source: Christian Science Monitor

10 Smart Rules for Giving Negative Feedback

Praising good performance is easy, but what about those times when someone on your team needs a kick in the butt more than a pat on the back?

In that case, you’ll need to give some negative feedback–and do it without demotivating or demoralizing the other person. This post explains exactly how to do this.

Before we get started, though, it’s important to remember that the goal of feedback isnot to tell people what to do or how to do it. That’s mistaking the process for the goal.

The actual goal of feedback–even negative feedback–is to improve the behavior of the other person to bring out the best in your entire organization.

With that in mind, here are the 10 rules:

1. Make negative feedback unusual.

When a work environment becomes filled with criticism and complaint, people stop caring, because they know that–whatever they do–they’ll get raked over the coals. “I try to give seven positive reinforcements for every negative comment,” says Dan Cerutti, a general manager at IBM.

2. Don’t stockpile negative feedback.

Changes in behavior are more easily achieved when negative feedback is administered in small doses. When managers stockpile problems, waiting for the “right moment,” employees can easily become overwhelmed.

“Feedback is best given real time, or immediately after the fact,” explains management coach Kate Ludeman.

3. Never use feedback to vent.

Sure, your job is frustrating–but although it might make you feel better to get your own worries and insecurities off your chest, venting a string of criticisms seldom produces improved behavior. In fact, it usually creates resentment and passive resistance.

4. Don’t email negative feedback.

People who avoid confrontation are often tempted use email as a vehicle for negative feedback. Don’t.

“That’s like lobbing hand grenades over a wall,” says legendary electronic publishing guru Jonathan Seybold. “Email is more easily misconstrued, and when messages are copied, it brings other people into the fray.”

5. Start with an honest compliment.

Compliments start a feedback session on the right footing, according to according to management consultant Sally Narodick and current board member at the supercomputer company Cray. ”Effective feedback focuses on the positive while still identifying areas for further growth and better outcomes.”

6. Uncover the root of the problem.

You can give better feedback if you understand how the other person perceives the original situation. Asking questions such as, “Why do you approach this situation in this way?” or “What was your thought process?” not only provides you perspective, but it can lead other people to discover their own solutions and their own insights.

7. Listen before you speak.

Most people can’t learn unless they first feel that they’ve been heard out. Effective feedback “means paying attention and giving high-quality feedback from an empathic place, stepping into the other person’s shoes, appreciating his or her experience, and helping to move that person into a learning mode,” says Ludeman.

8. Ask questions that drive self-evaluation.

Much of the time, people know where they’re having problems and may even have good ideas about how to improve. Asking questions such as “How could we have done better?” and “What do you think could use improvement?” involves the other person in building a shared plan.

9. Coach the behaviors you would like to see.

Negative feedback is useless without a model for how to do better. But simply telling the other person what to do or how to do it is usually a waste of time.

Instead, use this tried-and-true coaching method, which is based upon what top sports coaches do.

10. Be willing to accept feedback, too.

If you truly believe that negative feedback can improve performance, then you should be willing to accept it as well as provide it. In fact, few things are more valuable to managers than honest feedback from employees. It’s to be treasured rather than discouraged or ignored.

Source: Time

10 Tips for Family Activities on a Budget

Times are hard financially for many. After paying for gas, groceries, mortgages and other essentials, there isn’t much left to play with. A lot of families are struggling with the ability to stay within their budget and still have the financial means to take their family out for fun activities. Luckily, we came up with some tips for parents who are on a tight budget but still want to find inexpensive ways to have fun with your kids.

1. Check your local newspaper: Here you can find out about local festivals, fairs and other upcoming community events.

2. Visit the library: Check your local library to see if they offer a free story time or a reading program.

3. Go bowling or roller skating: Both of these places offer discounts for family night. Roller skating is a fun way to get in a little exercise and bowling is fun for everyone. You can find a list of bowling alleys and register your kids for free bowling or you can find a skating rink near you.

4. Sign your kids up for free workshops: Various places like Lowe’s, Home Depot and Michael’s offer free workshops where kids can participate in different projects.

5. Check out your local zoo, aquarium or museum: Most of these places offer family discounts and offer seasonal passes if you live nearby and want to visit often. Some places also let you choose the option to set up a payment plan for seasonal passes. Visit the Association of Zoos and Aquariums or Museums in the USA for more information.

6. Plan a picnic for a day in the park: Packing a lunch is fast and inexpensive and your family will love the chance to run around and enjoy the fresh air. Also, you should bring old food like bread and crackers to feed the birds.

7. Head to the drive-in movies: An alternative to going to the movie theater with reasonable prices. The cost of the drive-in is inexpensive in comparison to the theater plus you can pack your own snacks. Check this link for a full list of drive-in theaters.

8. Take a bus trip: Go out with your family and be a tourist for a day. Visit historic locations and go sight-seeing.

9. Visit your local theater: If your child is interested in the arts (i.e. dance, drama) take them to see a live performance. Check out sites like Goldstar.com for family friendly attractions around town.

10. Go volunteer: Donating your time to help others is a great way to give back and an opportunity for your child to learn about others. You can take your family to volunteer at your local animal shelter or soup kitchen. Joining community service clubs like  Kiwanis International is a good idea as well.

Source: Black and Married with Kids