Problem Solved! The Secret To Spot-Free Dishes

How to protect yourself from gift card schemes, a tip that prevents post-holiday clutter, and more. December 13, 2021 [View Online]( Good morning! When we’re stressed, depressed, or simply not feeling our best, solving a minor problem can provide a much needed boost. Water spots and mineral deposits on dishes definitely qualify as a minor problem, but that won’t make eliminating them with the tip in Today’s Good Thing any less sweet. Today’s newsletter has plenty more useful solutions too, from a tip that can help prevent clutter buildup after the holidays to a strategy for rethinking how you spend your time and energy. Not bad for a Monday morning! Jillee DAYS UNTIL 🎄 Christmas: 12 🎊 New Year's Day: 19 TODAY'S GOOD THING Problem Solved! The Secret To Spot-Free Dishes [A photo of vinegar being poured into a dish in the top rack of a dishwasher.]( This dishwasher hack makes it easy to get rid of hard water spots on your glasses and other dishes. Estimates suggest that up to 85% of water across the US has a high enough mineral content to qualify as “hard water.” To me, that says most Americans have likely experienced the frustration of unloading clean dishes from their dishwasher, only to realize they’re covered in a cloudy film or unsightly water spots. After struggling with this problem myself for years, I did eventually come across a solution to the vexing problem of hard water spots on my glasses and cloudy films on my plastic utensils. And not only did it turn out to be an easy fix, but it was also more affordable than I ever could have hoped for. To prevent hard water spots from forming on your dishes, just place a small ramekin in the center of the top rack of your dishwasher, then pour about 6 ounces of white vinegar into the ramekin. After running your dishwasher, your dishes will come out sparkling clean. So how does it work? As the dishes are sprayed off during the wash cycle, the vinegar gradually spills out of the ramekin and onto the dishes, helping to prevent minerals from adhering to and building up on your dishes. It’s a simple and cost-effective solution to a perpetually irritating problem, and now I use it in every load of dishes I do. While this solution isn’t entirely risk-free (which I’ve gone into detail about at the link below), in my opinion, the rewards outweigh the risks by a significant margin. [Continue Reading ➜]( Related • [The "Problem Solved!" Series]( • [How To Clean A Dishwasher (And Fix Most Dishwasher Problems)]( ⚡️QUICK TIPS⚡️ • Looking for a craft project or DIY gift idea? “Mug rugs” check both boxes, and this list features ideas for all skill levels. [Read more ➜]( • From untying stubborn knots to soothing sunburns, these 25 tips highlight just how useful cornstarch can really be. [Read more ➜]( • The next time you have mac and cheese, mix it up with one (or more) of these 5 flavorful upgrades and variations. [Read more ➜]( CLEANING Prevent A Pileup Of Post-Holiday Clutter [A photo of a box with ]( Once the presents have been opened, help keep clutter to a minimum with this simple tip. Like gasses inside of containers, our possessions expand to fill the volume of our storage space. Alright, that’s not actually true, but it sure feels that way, right? And if your storage space is already maxed out (or close to) the way mine currently is, any new items we unwrap on Christmas could quickly create a clutter problem. But post-holiday clutter doesn’t have to be inevitable. In fact, there’s a simple tip that can give you some breathing room while you figure out where to put your new stuff and what you may no longer need. Just set up a “donation station,” which could be anything from a large basket to a cardboard box. The benefit of having a donation station during and after Christmas is that it gives you somewhere to put things you either no longer have room for or no longer need. It’s an easy way to prevent clutter from piling up in the first place, and it will make it easier to take everything out to the car to donate later on. STAY SAFE OUT THERE Guard Against Gift Card Schemes [A photo of gift cards.]( As you get or give gift cards this year, use these tips to avoid getting ripped off in a gift card scheme. Around 1 in 4 people who report getting ripped off to the FTC gave up money in the form of a gift card. That’s because con artists love gift cards—they’re nearly as untraceable as cash and even more versatile, because you can access the money without having the actual card in your possession. One of the most common ways that cons get their hands on gift cards is through gift card payment schemes. In these situations, someone may contact you pretending to represent a business, organization, or government agency, and claim you owe a debt or need to pay for a service. They’ll insist you pay using a gift card, either by reading aloud, emailing, or texting the card’s serial number and PIN. But once you give them that information, they can spend or transfer the money off the card in a flash, and you’ll be left with nothing to show for it. If you’re ever told to pay for something using a gift card, consider it a red flag. Keep in mind that legitimate organizations will never force or ask you to pay with a gift card. (The same goes for anyone online saying they need help and it's an “emergency”—if they ask for money on a gift card, you’re likely talking to a crook.) JILLEE'S PICK The Perfect Red Lipstick For The Holidays And Beyond [A photo of Mac Retro Matte Lipstick in Ruby Woo.]( I like to take advantage of seasonal opportunities while they last, whether that means planting dozens of annuals in the springtime or going overboard on decorative gourds in the fall. And if there’s one time of year that’s ideal for sporting bright red lipstick, it’s the holidays, so I try to make the most of it! I’m not normally a “bright red lipstick” kind of gal, so I initially had a hard time finding the kind of shade I was looking for. But I decided to try [MAC Retro Matte Lipstick in Ruby Woo]( after reading several reviews online that claimed it “looks great on everyone,” and now I’m so glad I did! Ruby Woo is the best selling red lipstick from MAC Cosmetics, and [according to Vogue]( 7 tubes of it are bought around the world every minute. It has the most luxurious matte finish, and the blue tones in the red give it a vibrant, dynamic appearance. And most importantly, it’s highly festive and makes a perfect addition to any holiday outfit. [See MAC Retro Matte Lipstick on MAC Cosmetics ➜]( MONDAY MOTIVATION The Basics Of Budgeting Your Time And Energy A couple of weeks ago, my Monday Motivation message was about the importance of giving ourselves a break from being perfect. But I recognize that for people who are used to trying to be perfect 24/7, saying “give yourself a break” may be about as useful as telling someone with insomnia to "get more sleep!" So today, I want to share a tool that can help you negotiate where you’re spending your physical and mental energy. After all, knowing how to fix a problem won't get you very far if you don’t have the tools to do the work. Those of us with perfectionist tendencies often burn ourselves out by trying to excel at absolutely everything. We need to realize that it's possible to excel at some things, but only if we're able and willing to lower our standards and put less of our energy toward other things. I suggest sitting down and listing out all of the things you put energy into, like your job, hobbies, running your household, church activities, etc. Pick a couple of them to prioritize for now, and then brainstorm some ways you can streamline your efforts (or, in other words, relax your standards from "only the best" to "good enough") in the other areas. Maybe that looks like leaving the dishes in the sink for another day, or getting help around the house so you have more time for a hobby that fulfills you. This exercise is all about treating your energy like the finite resource it is, so you can start working toward excelling in positive and sustainable ways. A FEW MORE THINGS... Meteor Shower: The king of all meteor showers, [the Geminids]( will be at its peak late tonight and early tomorrow, though it will continue until the 17th if you're waiting for clear skies. The best viewing conditions will be after midnight, and while meteors will tend to radiate from the [Gemini]( constellation in the southeastern sky, they may appear anywhere. Year In Search: Google recently published its [Year in Search 2021]( their annual roundup of the most frequently searched terms from around the world. Check it out to explore a variety of content inspired by this year’s search activity, including a 2-minute video, a digital magazine, top trends by country, and more. What did you think of today's email? [Not good]( | [Just okay]( | [Loved it!]( 🏠[Visit the By Jillee Shop]( 🤗 [Join OGT Free]( Let's connect! [facebook]( [instagram]( [pinterest]( [youtube]( If you have thoughts, comments, questions or a tip or trick you'd like to share, I'd love to hear from you! My inbox is always open, so just hit "reply" and let me know what's on your mind. See you tomorrow! Sending you bright ideas and simple solutions to help you create a home and life you love. My mailing address is: One Good Thing by Jillee 841 S. Main St. Heber City, UT 84032 If you're not happy please reply to this email to tell me why, or you can [update your preferences]( or break my heart and unsubscribe [here](. View our privacy policy [here](.