Cutting the Crap at Work

In an effort to be more efficient around here, upper management has decided that we need to cut out as many afternoon meetings as possible.  This, they say, will allow project teams to work uninterrupted through the afternoon, and hopefully they will be more productive.  I say HUZZAH to this new cutting-of-the-meetings edict.  After all, Rome did not create a great empire by having meetings… They did it by killing all those who opposed them.  Just sayin’…

So that made me contemplate how I can cut the crap at work.  I probably shouldn’t be looking at Facebook or writing for my blog… Those two are givens.  But I think I can actually make a difference by really sharpening my meeting agendas and making sure only the necessary people attend.   I also think I can be more efficient in my email writing strategies.  I need to make them information dense.  I can do that.  I think.  I’m sure there are a TON of other ways to make things better.  I’m going to look into that more. 

Last year I started reading a book entitled Managing Workplace Chaos by Patricia Hutchings.  It’s a pretty good book that advocated the idea of speed reading to get the info we need.  I think I need to pick up this book again and re-read it.  Do any of you have good reading suggestions?  Or ideas?  Tricks? Tips?  Anything on cutting the crap at work to become more productive?  Talk to me!

Cutting the Crap: Cable TV Edition

Today we severed our cable and phone ties with Comcast, and we are now Netflix subscribers.  We aren’t really saving a lot, since we had a bundled package that included cable, internet, and phone.  We’re keeping internet, because frankly, we use it for work.  When we canceled the other two services, Comcast wanted to charge us $150 for getting out of our contract.  Rob got that negotiated to NOTHING, AND they gave us our internet at $24.95/mo for the next 6 months.  It CAN be done, People.  We went from a $130/mo bill to $24.95 for internet and about $10 for Netflix per month.  I’d say we really cut the crap.  Here’s the kicker: because I use my internet for work, my company reimburses me $50/mo.  You do the math.  Even after the promotional period ends, I’ll be paying next to nothing. 

I’m almost giddy now that we’re getting rid of all those useless cable channels that we don’t watch.  You know, those channels that are thrown into the package but provide no value whatsoever?  No more wading through sports and foreign language channels (which numbered in the hundreds).  Now we can look at the Netflix library and say, “I feel like an action movie.” And find that.  Much more simple.  Less expensive.  This also gives us a GREAT deal of control over what our children watch.  More than the savings, more than the simplicity, to me that is the best thing.  I mean, have you guys checked out the content on Cartoon Network lately?  OMG.  It’s AWFUL. 

I’m learning that we’re not the only ones getting rid of cable these days.  My best friend cut cable last year and hasn’t looked back.  My brother doesn’t use it.  His best friend never had it.  The one thing these three families have in common is Netflix.  They pay about $10/month to stream and/or get dvds in the mail.  That’s all they need.  And you know what? They’re happy with that.  I think we will be, as well.

My internet research suggests that many people are going down the cable-free path as well.  Here’s another blog that explores this idea and offers some pretty good links to boot.  The comments show a good discussion as well.  http://www.tvonthecheap.com/ has some interesting ideas.  Take a look if you’re interested.   This article at Lifehacker.com lists some of the other services (like HULU) that are available to people willing to cut the cable.   

Overall, I think our cutbacks are necessary for our family to enjoy other things (Megan has been begging for dance lessons), and really.  We don’t need all the crap that’s on TV anyway.  I encourage you to have a look and really decide if you can live without cable.  It might be the best thing you’ve ever done. 

How do you travel light when children are coming along? HELP!

I’ve missed two whole weeks writing here!  There are good reasons for that, most of them are health issues.  I’m going to condense these issues as succinctly as possible.  More tummy issues occurred, and we figured out that our fridge filter was bad.  Fixed that, and we’re fine tummy-wise.  Rob took anti-inflammatory drugs to help with his injured heel.  Those drugs decimated his immune system, and now he’s got a raging cold… and he gave it to X.  Lord, PLEASE let us all be well before we travel to CA on the 14^th!

Speaking of CA, we finally reserved our flights and rental car online.  That was a huge undertaking, but it got made.  We have procured lodging for at least the last half of our week… still working on the rest… so the topic of this post is to solicit advice from all of you regarding how to travel light.  We are only checking one big bag.  The rest will be carry-on.  So tell me, Fellow Travelers, what’s the best stuff to pack for a week-long trip?  Keep in mind that I have children, one of which is a toddler!  I’m hoping for a lively discussion!  Help me out!