Mark Twain once said: “It is better to give than receive—especially advice!” I am following his advice today. Last week’s blog was entitled “Practical Advice: Part 1.”  Today I offer a sequel creatively entitled “Practical Advice: Part 2.” I make no claims of originality, only of practicality. Here we go again:

• Use your phone to take a picture of your children or grandchildren before you go out for quick distribution if one becomes lost.
• Use sunscreen liberally, and make sure your children do the same.
• Run hot water in the kitchen sink before turning on the dish washer.
• Place a wet paper towel in a “George Foreman” type grill after unplugging it. The steam makes cleanup MUCH easier.
• “Burp” Tupperware for a better seal.
• Citrus peels freshen up a garbage disposal with a clean fragrance.
• Clothes pins make great “chip clips” along with sealing cereal, flour, and more.
• Preheat a mug with hot water to keep coffee warm longer.
• Baking soda and vinegar will dissolve most plumbing clogs. Follow with boiling water.
• Tear dryer sheets into halves for separate dryer loads.
• Fitted sheets can be folded by tucking the elastic corners under one another; but why waste time folding sheets?!?
• Put pillows in a freezer for twenty-four hours to kill microscopic mites and other critters. (And, yes, your pillow has them).
• Rubbing your hands on stainless steel (a sink works) will remove an onion’s odor.
• Clean the lint trap in a dryer often. Built up lint is a real fire hazard. Boy scouts stuff it in toilet paper tubes and use it for fire starter. It works!
• Kitty litter soaks up oil spills in garages.
• Replace fire detector batteries when Daylight Saving Time begins and ends.
• When winding up an electrical cord, plug the two ends together before looping the doubled line.
• Wear earplugs while cutting the grass and operating noisy machinery.
• Leaves of three, let them be.
• Rub a stubborn key with pencil lead. The graphite serves as a dry lubricant.
• NEVER mix bleach and ammonia. The resulting fumes are toxic. The mixture was used during World War I trench warfare as poison gas.
• If something is in your eye, fill a bowl with water and immerse your face. Oftentimes the irritant will float out.
• Never mess with electricity, natural gas, strange dogs, or snakes.
• Don’t take a shower during a thunder storm. Lighting and water don’t mix.
• Replace a toothbrush after recovering from a cold or the flu.
• When it comes to perfume and cologne, less is more. A little is more than plenty.
• If it sounds too good to be true, then it’s probably too good to be true.
• Computer passwords should contain both numbers, letters, and symbols. Remember there are only 10 numbers but 26 letters in the English language.
• Use an address book to keep up with passwords and PINs.
• Dry a razor thoroughly after use—it will stay sharp longer.
• Salt on a restaurant coaster prevents the bottom of a glass from sticking.
• In public restrooms, use elbows or feet rather than hands for opening doors and flushing commodes.
• Carry hand sanitizer in your car or purse.
• Washing hands should take about the same amount of time as singing “Happy Birthday to You.”
• Walk a minimum of 7,000 steps a day. If in doubt, wear a pedometer.
• Drink more water and less soft drinks. Some colas contain more sugar than a candy bar.
• Learn to touch type—regardless of age. Keyboards provide a portal into the electronic world. However, never forget that virtual reality is a poor excuse for reality.
• Listen to other people’s advice, but make up your own mind.

The philosopher, Publilius Syrus, observed: “Many receive advice, few profit by it.” People love to give counsel but few enjoy receiving it; and those who need it most like it the least.

Despite the inherent danger of being ignored, today’s blog shares some practical advice that I have found handy. I hope you find it helpful.

• Don’t cut what can be untied.
• Measure twice and cut once.
• Seduction begins with flirtation, and the thought precedes the deed.
• Actions really do speak louder than words.
• Eat to live, don’t live to eat.
• Taste food before adding salt.
• Check your cars oil and air pressure regularly.
• Don’t let the fuel gauge go below a quarter of a tank.
• Don’t drink and drive. Don’t text message and drive. Don’t apply makeup and drive. In fact, just drive.
• Touch the car before handling a gas pump. Static electricity can ignite petroleum fumes.
• Look both ways after the light turns green for someone running a “yellow” light. Sooner or later this simple habit will save your life.
• Where there’s a ball, there’s a boy. If a ball bounces into the street, hit the brakes immediately.
• Don’t swerve off the road to avoid an animal. Ditches, trees, and power poles are unforgiving obstacles. Instead, brake quickly but safely.
• When backing a trailer, put one hand at the bottom of the steering wheel. Whichever way your hand goes, the trailer will follow.
• Have car keys in hand when approaching your vehicle in a parking lot. If accosted by a stranger who wants your car, toss the keys under a car.
• Don’t spend more than you make.
• If you can live without it today, then you can live without it.
• Give 10%. Save 10%. Live on 80%.
• “Make all you can, save all you can, give all you can.” (John Wesley)
• Even the baby Jesus only received three Christmas gifts. Sometimes we give our children too much.
• Shred loan and credit applications.
• Finances are a crock pot reality in a microwave world. (Dave Ramsey)
• Use cash whenever possible. A study by bankrate.com discovered that consumers spend 30% MORE at restaurants when using credit rather than cash.
• Credit cards should be a convenience and not a necessity. Don’t charge more than can be paid off at month’s end.
• The power of compounding interest works for us with savings and against us with loans.
• Insurance is a balancing act between benefit and cost. Insure the things you cannot afford to lose.
• Consider higher deductibles on insurance policies for premium savings.
• Make a current will—especially if you have children. Do NOT put it in a safety deposit box.
• Add a working day to your week by eliminating an hour of television or the Internet each day.
• Use words liberally like “Please,” “Thank you,” “I’m sorry,” and “I forgive you.”
• Say “I love you” to family and friends daily. Say it especially when you don’t feel like it.
• Wear clean underwear in case you’re in an accident. Actually, I advise wearing clean underwear on general principles.
• Practice moderation in everything—including moderation.
• Only one person in the history of the world was perfect, and neither of us is him. Be eager to forgive and seek forgiveness.

Finally, listen to other people’s advice, but make up your own mind!