Bob was in trouble. The economy had done a number on his colleagues the last few years, but the latest edict from The Leader of the People of Earth came down like a guillotine: Do More with Less. He was a mid-level mushroom brush from the Inland Empire; he didn’t stand a chance.
That isn’t to say he didn’t try. He wasn’t a fan of politicking or networking, but Bob swallowed his pride and scheduled a meeting with some Fungi from another division. It didn’t go well. Bob’s existence implies that, as a class, mushrooms are dirty and in need of assistance. They felt an alliance would result in an imbalance of power and an unhealthy dependence on what is already a limited resource. Bob left disappointed. He expected that attitude from the lofty Morels, but not from a bunch of domestics.
But Bob wasn’t about to give up. Every day he showed up and did his job, trying his hardest to brush faster and more effectively than those perfectly moistened paper towels who, if you asked him, shouldn’t look so smug. He debated writing a letter to management and bringing to their attention the 544,000 trees they knocked off per household each year, but decided against it. “The suits” were rarely good at seeing the forest for the trees and Bob didn’t want to call attention to himself. The paper towels had been cross-trained to work in several departments and though Bob was a quick study, he was, in the end, a mushroom brush. Just a mushroom brush.
Sure enough, in January Bob received walking papers instructing him to report to The Land of Misfit Tools. At first he made the best of it and vowed it would be a cold day in produce before he ever brushed a mushroom again. With his new found freedom, he spent a lot of time at the lake sculling, something he hadn’t done since his days on the crew team at Yale.
This helped him keep his mind off things, but only for a little while. No matter how hard he worked out, the endorphins faded fast. He started feeling existential again.
He decided to take advantage of the group counseling program offered to those assigned to The Land of Misfit Tools. It was a mistake. Bob was down, but he refused to believe he belonged with these people. He may be just a mushroom brush, but he wasn’t superfluous. A dinosaur sandwich cutter? Really?
Bob started going on lots of interviews and decided to try a new field.
Despite not having the proper experience, many employers were interested. Thanks to the economy and new edict, however, competition was fierce. Bob kept getting passed up by brushes who better fit the mold.
Then, one day Bob received a text on his Windows Phone 7 (a gift from his father in-law). His friend Phil, a stand-alone PDA who had been in The Land of Misfit Tools for some time, heard about a brushing position at another company and thought Bob should interview for the spot.
Bob told Phil he would sleep on it, but he knew he would apply. According to the company website, management believed in more than brushing mushrooms. Besides, the benefits were incredible. He showed up for the interview early and waited in the lobby.
He couldn’t believe all the brushes.
When it was Bob’s turn, he put it all on the table. He let the hiring managers know that no one could brush a mushroom like Bob. If they hired him, he would show them what was going on, what was coming up, and what they had missed. Do more with less? Heck, if the last 18 months taught him anything, it was that he could be more with less. The last year of struggles and budgets and interviews and (gag) networking made Bob stronger and faster and smarter. Bob knew one thing and one thing only: he was more than just a mushroom brush.
The hiring team maintained their composure in the face of such an impassioned speech, but secretly the felt Bob had a good set of� bristles on his shoulders. They told Bob they would get back to him once they made their decision. Bob said, “You do that.” Actually, he said that in his head. Out loud he said something more along the lines of “Thank you for your time,” and “I can’t wait to hear from you.”
Less than 24 hours later, the hiring team called Bob and offered him a position on their brushing team. Bob said yes.
******************************
The teams at Windows and Federated Media contacted me about doing a giveaway for the new Windows Phone 7. There were no requirements for post content other than it reflect the spirit and theme of my blog. I’m pretty sure they were expecting a recipe. Maybe a craft.
Actually, that’s a lie. I just remembered they wanted me to say this:
This giveaway is brought to you by the new Windows Phone 7. Learn more about Windows Phone online and see it in person at local T-Mobile stores today.
From November 15 – November 29, you can enter to win a new Windows Phone 7 (just like Bob’s) by commenting on this post. One entry per person, per day. You don’t have to say anything in particular (maybe talk about how you’ve done more with less?), but do be sure to comply with the rules on content or your entry will not be eligible. In particular, please note that each comment requires 25-250 characters. Play it safe and review the Official Windows Phone 7 Giveaway Rules by clicking here. I will use Random.org to pick one winner on November 29, 2010.
Well, I certainly hope this means the mister has landed an awesome new job! Congrats! More with less has been the theme of our times as well. Chris’ current position is a contract without benefits but we are in the midst of working on the resume to secure permanent status and the opportunity to rebuild after the business fiasco. Though we have learned many lessons during these times, it will be nice to have some feeling of building for a more secure future. Thanks for such a creative story. I’m still smiling thinking of the pictures!
Ok – I just about died when I saw Bob sculling — awesome! What a wonderful story to start my week — it just left me smiling and wishing I had such a cute and confident brush :) Thanks for such a fun story :)
I know, right? I chuckle every time I see that picture of him sculling. ;)
Well that was just about the best story EVER! So happy for Bob …and I’d be quite happy for myself if I won the new phone! :)
A phone!!! I don’t want a phone! I wanted a mushroom brush!
I’m totally with Secret Agent Josephine! I want a mushroom brush! (Actually, I have a mushroom brush. Who doesn’t?)
Adorable story, super adorable photos, and I hope someone (not me) is very, very happy with her new phone!
Frances–thanks for knowing you can comment even though you don’t want the phone. :)
That goes for everyone, too. If you don’t want the phone but want to celebrate with me that The Mister got a new job (yay!) just tell me no thank you on the phone. :)
I keep saying I need a phone where I can actually download all the adorable pictures i take of my baby every day. My phone stinks. You can take photos but there is no way to get them off the phone. The only way I’m doing more with less these days is that I get more done on less sleep than I used to!
Hey, we have a dino sandwich cutter and I use it all the time! And a heart one.
I think I’m buying the wrong bread. Mine rarely works or leaves behind too much waste. :(
i love bob!
lovely story. great giveaway! seriously, one entry per day! that’s fab!
Land of misfit kitchen tools… I think I see a children’s book in your future. I use the train sandwich cutter (a W.S. relative of dino) all the time on pancakes, it never seems to work on bread.
Please let the Mister I said congrats on the new job! Very exciting news!
Ooh, I totally want a children’s book about the Land of Misfit Tools! But it must be illustrated with the same kind of hilarious and clever photographs that grace this post.
Dinosaur sandwiches seemed like such a great idea, but alas, my son is not impressed. Great story!
Congrats to Mister!! How exciting and scary at the same time.
Jules this is such great news! But enough about phones and new jobs, let’s talk about your creativity! I’m so inspired to try out different ways of telling stories. I’m with Josephine, would rather a mushroom brush than a phone.
Count me out for the giveaway but in for congratulating your family!
This was such a good start to my week! What a wonderful story and happy ending. I have recently started reading your blog so it wasn’t until I read the comments that I realized it was referring to your husband getting a job! Congratulations!!!
I have a train shaped muffin pan that would like to visit The Land of Misfit Tools!
Jules every time you post I think, “that’s my favorite post of all time”. But, then you have to go and one up yourself. EVERYTIME! I LOVE LOVE LOVE this post. This will be one of those that I go back and read over and over again. The story and the pics are just fantastic.
I can’t help but picture in my head you putting these pics together and that makes me giggle just as much as the story. I think you’re aces!
I LOVED this post :)
Oh, geezalou… Totally missed the character requirements… Opps!
Congrats to the Mister on the new job and selfish of me but it is a pretty phone and I’m sure I can record tons of videos of my babies!! Plus it is my bday this week…
I don’t have t-mobile, so I don’t know what I would do with the phone, but let me just say… this post was HILARIOUS. I really needed the laugh today, plus, its such a perfect explanation of what the job market looks like today. Also, kudos on the amount of time you spent setting up those pictures, super creative and so so funny!
Would I sound like an idiot if I told you that I had no idea that such a thing even existed. . .the mushroom brush, I mean. :) Love the photos and the story, Jules!
Yay for the Mister, and for Bob! (And hoorah for Jules – this story is flippin’ fantastic!) Nicely done.
Doing more with less is the story of my life…and most days I love that story. And I have to say, I love your mushroom story almost as much :)
Love reading your site! Thanks for all the great posts. And giveaways!!!
A woman who can take the time and energy to make me love her mushroom brush this much should really never worry about whether having long hair is age inappropriate.
Tell Bob I’m glad he never went through an Ed Hardy stoner phase during his unemployment – it probably helped him shine during the interview!
Congrats to the Mister! Very cool stuff! Can’t wait to celebrate when we are all together for the holidays :)
With less time and money these days, one would think we cant do more, but just spending any free moment together…real “quality time” as a family…makes me stay positive and always give me a feeling of “more” in my heart!
xo
I think that sentimental gifts are the most memorable way to do more with less. My favorite gifts are photo calendars, filled with memories. These are easy and affordable, and can be tailored for families and friends.
Lastly, don’t forget to spend a little something for those who can’t spend – whether it is adopting a family for a holiday or buying something small for a toy drive. When I was little, I was the recipient of a secret toys-for-tots gift (I had no idea where it came from, it was left at my doorstep), and it helped me continue believing in Santa although my family was not able to afford gifts that year!
I love, love, love this post. Congratulations to your hubby on the new job! I always love hearing stories about how the perfect thing comes along at just the right moment!
About doing more with less… My focus these days has been to pause and take note of all the things I have to be thankful about. It is hard to feel unsatisfied or want more when you realize what you already have.
Great story, Jules. It’s either tears or laughter with you. Sometimes both. Thank you.
Congrats to you and the Mr. on the new job! We know what that feels like over here too.
Oh, and no, thank you on the phone. ;)
Wonderful! I am so happy for you both and the new job.
And that was the best promotion for the phone that Windows could have received–have the right phone to get your important messages. Everyone looking for a job will want one.
Congrats, again, Jules.
Thanks, Erika! :) You know, Windows never told me to mention the phone. There was “no expectation of mention or review” (direct quote) probably because those sorts of things are often poorly received by savvy blog readers. But, for me, the idea of a mushroom brush receiving a text about a job opportunity is funny. I admit, my version of funny is arguably just plain quirky.
I think I love Bob. I do have a mushroom brush . . . wonder if it’s a relative of Bob’s. I liked it when he went beddy-bye. So cute, and an adorable blankie,too. Yeah, shoot the phone this way, by the way.
I’m in desperate need of a new phone. My boyfriend was mocking my slider only yesterday. BTW I love my mushroom brush and paper towels will never replace it!
Oh. My. This has got to be like, my favorite post. Ever. Forget the phone giveaway. This is hilarious. And adorable. And congratulations on the job!!
I really identify with Bob. In trying to better myself and prove I’m not just a one trick pony, I started college this past year. It’s hard to fit in and be confident. Because I live in small-town America, having a reliable phone is key, and this phone rocks! I’m currently in the age of the cookie cutter dinoaur and don’t have one, but this sure would fit the bill!
This is so great! I love the idea of the Land of Misfit Tools. You could do a ton of research on the weekly Unitasker post on the Unclutterer blog!
No, thanks, on the phone (I love my DROID!), but I wanted to make sure that I told you how much I loved Bob’s story and pictures.
Not a blog commenter usually, but I love your writing style and voice and lets be honest, my husband could use a new phone.;)
What a great story (and excellent imagination!). I found myself rooting for Bob the mushroom brush never once realizing you were talking about the Mister. Congratulations to the Mister!
Thank you, thank you, thank you for such wonderful story, Untill today I didn’t even know that mushroom burshes existed. And now I know at least one with a great personalit.
I’m inspired to clean out my kitchen junk drawer now, and instead of “Salvation Army” I’m going to label the box “Land of Misfit Tools”. I’m also inspired to buy a mushroom brush. You may have single-handedly revived the market. (no phone, I guess. I think I’m stuck with Verizon for awhile)
I’ve only posted here once before, but I do read your blog faithfully. Forget about NaNaiMo (did I spell this correctly?), you are very talented and you should write a real book! And congratulations to your husband!
Close. It’s NaNoWriMo. Thanks for giving me the warm and fuzzies. :)
Dear Bob,
Your plight has given my Mango Peeler new hope. Her lack of use had her despondent. Now thanks to you she is giving that paring knife a run for his money.
+300 points.
What a cute idea! Everyone should create or at least have simple little things that make us smile. Regards to Do More With Less organisers, well done!
Yay im so happy for you and the Mister. What great news. Loved the post and love the mushroom brush :) i agree though with the other commenter above you should write a book Jules you are super talented!!
Good story..to say the least……
I would love that phone. I could do so much with one gadget :)
Wow this is going in my favorites! You should really consider writing a book, or children’s books either way I would read them, you are very talented. Congrats to Your Hubby and you with his new job, and A new phone sounds great my keeps freezing up!!
that is such a cute and funny story about bob, makes me smile:) and i could probably do more with this new phone than i can with my current phone!!
What a great story! I love a happy ending :)
Do more with less? Well my husband and I reduced ourselves down to a 400 Sq ft (at best) apartment, that has a shower around the outside of the main house on the property. Its rough in the cold weather, but it has allowed us to do so much more with our education. Did I mention we have two kids under the age of 5 and we are both full time students? Right now I feel like the queen of do more with less (even though I am fully aware there are people who have done even more with even less)…
Oh to have a friend like Phil to alert me to a position that would use my unique brushing skills. Oh to have a Windows Phone 7 to receive that text on. Thanks for the opp to win.
Oh my, you are CREATIVE. :-)
I’m just envisioning you painstakingly standing all those mushrooms up on their stems for that first picture.
And snorting my milk.
Is that the mushroom brush I got you for your wedding?
Yup!
I want that phone! :o)
Then you’ll have to edit your comment to comply with the giveaway requirements. :)
lovely story! would love a new phone, too. so much love!
Love the story. I think smartphones make life easier. What a wonderful way to live with everything in your purse, until you lose the phone then everything is missing.:) Still would love to win the phone, thanks for the opportunity.
Loved the mushroom brush! +1000 points to friend who gave you a mushroom brush as a wedding gift. +2000 points to you for still having it, years later and PRICELESS–the story you just wrote.
Also love the kitchen color that made the veggies pop! and the veggie holder basket bowl.
Congrats on the job as well!!!
Oh, mushroom bush! Bob fared better than my spud scrubber. One day, my husband was cleaning the kitchen and completely at his wit’s end finding places for all the kitchen accessories we acquired from our recent wedding. I came home from the grocery store, and set to cleaning veggies for dinner. Lo and behold, DH had tossed the adorable spud scrubber shaped like a potato and with a pair of googly eyes, because he didn’t know what it was. sigh.
The mushroom brush is pretty sweet. But the phone would be pretty sweet too :)
I love the Windows 7 phone. The touch screen will be so much easier to use than the keypad. I think the picture resolution will be fantastic. can’t wait to own one.
How does Bob use the touch screen on the phone? I never win anything but I will enter anyway:)
Your blog is the best way to start my day! (It’s the first thing I read after getting to my office every day.)
this post rocked. seriously, if you’re going to do a giveaway, at least make it really entertaining. bob! the mushroom brush. i’ll never think of my mushroom brush as just a mushroom bush any more.
bless you. bless bob. here’s to creativity even when you’re giving away a fancy new phone.
What a wonderful story! I want to be like Bob! Please enter my name in the contest.
Loving the creative post, and the new phone. I’m jealous. hopefully, i’ll join the ranks of windows phone 7 owners soon.
A+ for creativity! Only you could make a story about Less is More with a mushroom brush! Love the pictures too! Move over kitchen tools……… my mushroom brush is first in line now!
To me… trying to reduce the stress in my life (less) …… means (more) time to spent with my family! Time is the best gift to give and it’s free!
Can’t wait to celebrate with “Bob”! and do some scrubbing!
Wow! Great giveaway! My phone is seriously a POS. I�d love to win a new phone!!!!
Lol, these photo’s are dynamite! The story?! inspired beyond belief, the sponsors may have been expecting something simple but what they got was creativity in spades!
Congratulations! I love the mushroom brush and was also hoping for one, but I think the phone would be pretty nice too :-)
Hmm, I save the lint from the dryer, leftover candle wax & empty egg cartons (cardboard) and make fire starters for our fire place.
Oh, and I save the crusts in the freezer from the sandwiches I pack for Hubby & Munchkin and make bread pudding!
I saw this phone last night and it’s truly spectacular. Hope I win!
There is always hope even if one needs to brush up on old skills!
Bob is a true inspiration. Sculling must do wonders for the spirits!
I think these photos and the story were an example of how to do more with a mushroom brush.
Lets see….giving up my income to stay home with our daughter makes us realize we don�t need a huge house to be happy; our little bungalow works perfectly for the three of us and I don�t have to spend all day cleaning it. I have a wonderful opportunity to teach our little one and give her all the love and time I can. I wouldn’t trade it for anything.
Loved reading this post, funny stuff! Thanks for the chance to win!
Londen
This post makes me realize I’m already doing more with less, since I don’t even own a simple mushroom brush! I can’t get over the guilt of the paper towels, so I just use the edge of a dish towel and rinse that bit out when I’m done.
I do more with less moolah by making the hubby his lunches. He misses all you can eat Mexican, but loves my sandwiches!
BEST POST EVER. I couldn’t figure out while reading why Bob had a “windows phone 7” until I got to the end. Thanks for a great pick-me-up after a hard day (in which I used no paper towels; rarely do.)
My boyfriend just got this phone yesterday from his work, and it. Is. Awesome.
I would very much like to have a phone to match his, ’cause then we can mix them up all the time ;p
congrats to the Mr.! i LOVE this story! i second that is should be a children’s book at the very least. i don’t need a new phone but had to say this story warmed my heart. will be reading it to the kids later :)
This is so cute! You have such a way of making the smallest thing fascinating.
LOVE this silly story! The pictures are beautiful! Now I want to make some ridiculous-fun posts of my own :D
Life is rough for a mushroom brush. Love the blog. I think you’re funny.
Did I miss a day already, you did say once per day right? Just making sure…
Yes, once per day.
Really nice blog here. Hoping to win the Windows phone. ;)
I read multiple blogs everyday and when they have cool promotions like this I enter at every site. I also am finding cool new blogs in the process. How’s that for doing more with less? Since the rules state that I can enter once a day, as long as my responses are not similar every day, I’ll be back tomorrow with a new answer!
I don’t want the phone, but just want to shout CONGRATULATIONS to the Mister! So glad for you!
Best wishes to Bob in his new position. Doing more with less, hmm…definitely using Groupon and Scoutmob for all datenight activities!
How do those work?
Yes, I get to preach the Gospel of Scoutmob! It’s only in certain cities (I’m in Atlanta), but they seem to be expanding a lot. Every day, they team up with a local restaurant/whatever and offer 50% off. If you want it, you click “get it” and they text the deal code to your phone. You go to the restaurant sometime in the next few months and show the waiter your code. It’s awesome.
Groupon is similar, but you pay up-front. Like, I bought my boyfriend Falcons tickets for $28 (usually $55). Groupon tends to have more event tickets like that.
What a lovely blog you have here! Bob’s adventures are too cute!
I’m doing more with less by budgeting and making my money go further. This allows me to do more!
I’m doing more with less by cleaning out my closet and donating a ton of stuff that I don’t wear and only buying from thrift shops!
Great giveaway! Would love to win this!
doing more with less is the trend now days, the one thing that i think that allows people to do more with less is a computer. it allows people to learn about something in an instant where as before people have to go to the library, it allows people to write without a pen or pencil, it allows people to watch tv, movies and just videos in general at a touch of a button, allows people to store memories of a lifetime in one simple device. but with technology advancing as it is a brand new phone that does exactly that would be handy :]
This phone would be great to archive my recipes and have it on hand when I�m cooking. O.K maybe not on hand, but right there on the counter.
i kick my husband out of the kitchen, it�s easier and faster when he�s NOT helping, lol
Pick me! Pick me! Ooooh pick me!!!
I dunno if my 7:19 comment will count for the contest, so…Windows 7 phone please! [waves hand frantically]
this is a great post!!! and doing more with less is a necessity in my life. it should be in everyone’s lives!! pick me, pick me!!
How nice – I am so antiquated with my old phone, I suppose that counts for doing more with less – but I’d much prefer doing that with the new Windows phone!
Doing more with less sometimes means working on the go. Which is where my laptop and a good smartphone comes in handy. Go windows phone
My melon baller is so lonely! I place her next to the fancy cucumber slicer to no avail. I’ll try adding the corn on the cob holders for some diversity!
That was by far the best story about a mushroom scrubber I have ever read. Hands down.
Even without the giveaway I would have still commented on this post. You are very creative. I think you have a gift for seeing more in less. I can just imagine you cleaning underneath your kitchen sink and finding your long forgotten mushroom brush and wondering to yourself what he had been up to since you saw him last.
I stay organized with Microsoft OneNote, which helps me do more with less time.
I love doing more with less. It makes me feel so accomplished.
Today’s do more with less: I go to the thrift store and find cool sweaters for about a buck. Then I cut them and serge the edges. Sew them together and make them into pillows.
Thanks for the story! Note to self: acquire more mushroom-themed tools.
Just learned about this phone last week. Looks great. I’m trying to start my own business and something like this (I think) would be a great benefit. Maybe I could quit losing all those post-its and actually keep everything in one,handy place!
I’m pretty sure I see a mushroom brush purchase in my very near future, though I think I’ll take it far too seriously now that they have hopes & dreams…
By using Quick Steps in Microsoft Outlook, I do more and do it quicker.
My husband & I decided on �less� when we bought a small house. Less to take care of means more time for the long list of things we�d rather be doing.
I would love this phone – just recently I stumbled into a situation where a celebrity was filming a video at a local restaurant that I was at. I snapped pics with my old antique phone and go to show everyone – completely blurry and dark! WHen will I ever have that chance again?
I love using tin foil when I cook. I know that sounds rather boring, but it saves me from having to soak my pans over night. Easy cleanup!
Whenever I get mail, I am typically very disappointed. It is usually junk mail, with the occasional “suspicious package.” What I usually do is keep a sort of “incinerator” out back to burn all of my junk mail. Great way to do less with more!
My mom is the queen of seeing more in less! She goes to the thrift store and comes back with all this junk she turns into treasures! She cleans things up and they seriously look good as new! Then she goes online and finds out she can sell them for $40 more than she bought them for. Talk about amazing.
I’m all about replacing my stone-age phone with a revolutionary one. And I’m sure with it, i’ll be doing more in less time. Thanks for the giveaway.
I want a phone, I want it bad. I lost an iPad raffle and I’m really sad.
I want to dial, I want to text. I want a cool dial tone more than a mushroom brush!
I try to limit grocery-store trips to every other week. This cuts down on impulse buying and makes me dig deep into the pantry, using up all those odds and ends.
Oh my goodness…I had no idea it was an allegory until I read your post from today and more carefully read your responses to the comments.
Congratulations!
Seriously.. Too funny.
Another way we do more with less in less than 250 characters is doing all of our home improvements ourselves. We enjoy it and learn something new.
This mushroom brush story was awesome!
At our house we value our time, we enjoy and cherish dinner time but since our daughter started competitive gymnastics 3 days a week for 3 hrs each day our schedules has changed. So we have to manage our time together the best, but right now I’m without a cell and with all the expenses from gymnastics and Christmas around the corner this will be an excellent tool to make our life a little easier. A phone that has pretty much everything is what everyone need or at least me, so I can stop using a pocket calendar to keep up with or lives and appoitments, beside missing no having a cell :-( Thanks!
My friends and I have been going to free local art and music fairs instead of movies and restaurants. It’s the same fun with the same people but less money!
It would be great to win!
This has been a year to find ways to do more with less for sure. The phone looks like a great tool.
Calendars are a huge help. And the Outlook Quickstep is a great shortcut tool that helps me quickly create some of my common tasks, appointments, and emails while on the go. The win phone 7 will be a great mobile tool to aid in this
Love the story – and just to add about doing more with less…I have totally rediscovered my local library. It is amazing – does everyone know about that place? :) You can even check out tickets to local museums there, it is a wonderful place.
This holiday season is going to be about more with less. Homemade gifts and hopefully a lot less of the ridiculous last minute over spending.
maybe this phone won’t drop calls when I get a text message?
Living with two kids in a two bedroom house, space is at a premium. I try to be conscious of what I buy and we are frequently dropping off donations at the local shelter. I’m hoping it will help to reduce our clutter while also teaching my children the value of charity and sharing.
My DayPlanner is the bomb! I love being able to get everything out of my head onto paper and I can look ahead to see what’s in my week or month, and prioritize my to-do’s! Saves my life. Imagine if I could save trees and do the same thing paperless!
I loooooove this post! And a big congratulations to Bob! I hope winning your giveaway will help me do more for less. At the moment, I rely on lists to keep me on track. From lists to home made goodies for birthday goody bags, that’s how we stretch our budget.
I�ll be able to get more done with less by consolidating my devices when I get a Windows Phone.
I find that making a meal plan at the beginning of the week really helps keep us on track and prevents us from being impulsive. That has been a great way to stretch more with less for us.
Doing something fabulous with a garage sale, estate sale or Craigslist piece of furniture is doing more with less.
Awesome blog. I came here to enter the contest and instead found myself very amused with your writing. :) Of course, I still want to enter for the phone, but i also found a blog to stalk.
And just in case I need it for the contest, here’s one way I keep on task – Staying off the computer, especially FaceBook. It’s a time suck. I try to get everything I need to done before I get online.
I use Photoshop Elements instead of the full PS suite–and I still am able to do just what I need to do!
I adore this blog! I’m so glad I found it through the giveaway… and the name Pancakes and French Fries is making me seriously hungry.
But since we’re (almost) on the topic of potatoes, I’d say potatoes are the ultimate do more with less food. You can make aaaanything with those starchy $1/10lb bad boys!
We do more with less by recycling/repurposing all the plastic food packaging we use (butter containers, yogurt tubs, etc.).
I feel Bob’s pain. It has been tough for a lot of people and perhaps bushes too.
I do more for much less by hitting the garage sales and thrift stores for much of the basics, and yep, using coupons and shopping online steals and deals.
We are putting a cap on all the gifts this year. Especially since there is some mixed income families getting together. I hope this will eliminate all the uncomfortable gift giving.
We are trying to use as less water as possible these days. All the showers have been cut short, as well as shallower baths. Also we bought water efficient washer.
For the holidays, my family set a price limit on gift giving so people don’t feel bad in not having an extravagant gift and also, no one has to blow their budgets! It’s actually fun to give something more creative. More fun with less spending! It’s always funny when you get quirky homemade gifts haha!
Thanks for the chance to win a phone millions of times better than my current clunker!
I do more with less by spending my time wisely with family, friends, and loved ones.
Groupon is the way to go for more with less. I thought of you when one of the sites recently offered a year membership to LACMA. Sorry I didn’t tell you when it was available :( I guess I figured you would know about the groupon thing.
I love your blog and I’d love a new phone. Especially if it meant I didn’t have to hit the #2 button three times to get a “c” while texting. :)
I have that same bench scraper/spaghetti measurer thing! In fact, I have two. That company likes to send me free things in the mail, apparently.
I get more with less by doing comparison shopping using Bing.
In our house, we do more with less by eating at restaurants much less often.
I started using Mint.com, and it was shocking to see how much I was spending on workday lunches. I’ve been trying to pack my lunches more this year. I got this cute little box (http://www.amazon.com/Fit-Fresh-Lunch-Colors-Vary/dp/B000FNCS5M) which makes it fun and convenient to pack the night before and run out the door in the morning.
Yesterday we made some cute ornaments for the grandparents with the little one. We had so much fun and it cost very little. That is doing more with less. Thanks for the pancake recipe!
My husband loves putting leftover meat with cheese and toasting it into a quesadilla. One more dinner I don’t have to worry about.
Recently I have enrolled in graduate school, while balancing a 5 month old baby on my hip. I have less time and money, so the moments I can steal quality time with my daughter are priceless. We spend our moments going to and fro listening to books on CD in the car. I feel like she’s getting a good story out of the deal and we get to hit the local library together for some mother-daughter binding time. We recently finished the Harry Potter series on CD and she seemed to enjoy every minute of it. She loves being read to and I get to do more bonding with less time.
I love to clip coupons and see if I can’t save myself a few bucks at the grocery store on things we need to get!
I’m all about doing more with less by using free tools such as the Google calendar to organize my day, week, month, year…need I go on!!!
My more for less: Bake family goodies instead of buying storebought. Make extra and freeze for later. Do the same for meals: cook more, freeze extras.
Drinking more water has cut down on extra purchases such as pop and juice. And no, not bottled water – good old tap water!
Since I’m in college I definitely can do more with the money I save from buying used books instead of new ones by searching online sites like eBay or the used book stores in town. It really helps cut costs and sometimes the books have notes in them! Then I sell the books to buy next semesters list of books. It seems endless!
I could have used this phone this afternoon in the woods; a compass would have kept me from getting lost!
I am only using one credit card and paying off the rest.
My family of 8 planted our first garden this year. It wasn’t wildly successful, but did it feel amazing to serve and eat cucumbers and cantaloupe for free (well my back paid for it) out of our own TINY backyard!
I read the grocery store weekly ads during my lunch break. That helps me plan out my grocery trip and gives me meal ideas, so I waste less time trying to think “what’s for dinner.”
I do more by sleeping less. It is amazing what you can get done in the morning without distractions.
I put french toast in the waffle iron! SO much faster than the traditional way.
I do more with less by using awesome phone apps. There are many useful, fun, and creative apps out there that help make life a little bit easier to manage.
I do more with less by spending less time in the kitchen and using my crock pot. Dinner is ready when I get home, which allows me to spend more time with my family.
Doing more with less means creating a tight budget and sticking to it, avoiding impulse buys, and saving for rainy days. Peace of mind generates productivity.
Great post and love your blog!
It’s nearing the end of my first quarter in grad school and … I’ve run out of ink. So while everyone makes their speech therapy supplies with their color printer, I’ve gone back to using crayons and markers. It’s a lot cheaper than buying a new cartridge, I guess.
I get more done by using the Microsoft Outlook junk filters to see less spam.
Roomba needs a friend! I suspect he’d get on well with a fancy Smartphone…
I need to learn to do more with less with our budget… We are doing fine financially–still living within our means and everything. But we don’t track our spending too carefully. We could do better there for sure!
Great story! I really need a new phone as my current one is a dinosaur!
Bob, Bob you should have been a toothbrush. I know it’s a thankless job and no one want’s to do it, but honestly Bob did you see any toothbrushes at The Land of Misfit Tools?
No, well you want. I know it’s hard work brush, brush, brush at least three times a day. A short life but after you retire you can move to the junk draw and hang out with the rubber bands and such until one day you’r used again to clean around the toliet.
I get my screen more organized with less hassle using Windows 7�s Snaps feature.
great giveaway, thanks!
Everybody is trying to cut back these days but my family has always tried to. We use a lot of coupons and try to eat smaller portions so make our food last longer. I also just bought a sewing machine so I can make clothing, blankets, etc.
I bring snacks with me everywhere, especially while travelling. This helps avoid the low-blood-sugar rush to an awful fast-food meal.
What a great blog…and phone! Hope to win :)
That post was hysterical! I’m not sure I can top that, but we’ve been doing more with less for quite some time while we’ve been in the process of moving cross-country. One thing I’ve been doing that has really helped has been learning the “drugstore game” and clipping coupons. Every little bit!
Hi,
I do more with less by entering contests and giveaways and using what I win to give as gifts to my family and friends.
Thanks
Doing more with less means keeping your cars as long as possible especially when they are paid off.
One example of me doing more with less is carpooling with friends to school (when I don’t take the train). Being college students, we’ll save all the money we can and it’s so convenient that I have a group of friends that all live pretty close! It’s fun to see each other in the mornings, ha and eat breakfast on the go. It’d be so awesome to win and the commercials are funny! They’re kinda true.
Shout out to all the indecisive souls. I definitely have to plan out my day ahead of time or I won’t get anything done.
I need a phone with a Sushi identification app! I had a terrific meal tonight, but I have a tendency to forget the Japenese names for the various nigiri�
Happy Thanksgiving! I am thankful for people who pour their hearts and souls into blogging! I am especially thankful for the phone giveaway as I am in desperate need of a new one!
Doing more for less means buying a gently used car that’s been cared for and maintaining it carefully for another ten years.
You are ADORABLE. How do you come up with this stuff? Just bought a lightly used carseat and am sewing a cool new cowboy cover. Giddy Up!
Happy Thanksgiving! During the holidays, when I’m camped out on so many deal sites, I make sure to keep an eye out for kid’s books and toys. This helps stretch my giving-to-charity budget so I can donate more to Toys for Tots, school libraries, etc. Amazon has a Flat Stanley boxed set for $7.50 now!
This might be a little too simple, but I do more with less by always having my laptop with me. Nowadays, since I’m in college, it seems like everything is being moved online, from turning essays in to math homework. It definitely helps me do more when I have free time and I have less stuff to carry around!
I’m going to see 127 hours this afternoon – it would have been nice to be able to check the showtimes on a fancy smartphone!
Doing more with less means shopping at the thrift store. Need a phone mine is an old Motorola C139.
Doing more for less is all about doing dishes before, during, and after thanksgiving dinner. Saves a lot of time the next day.
P.S. happy thanksgiving
The calendar function in my phone is a lifesaver.
More for less: Host a get together with your friends and have a clothes swap …exchange your don’t-likes and never-worns for things you can use. Everybody wins!
Making lists helps me do more with my time. Gotta make the most out of those 24 hours.
Um, hilarious. I do more with less by trying to eight million things at once! More things done with less time would be a lot easier with a smart phone, right now I have a lame flip phone that was free with my plan and I can only tweet/email/etc. when I’m actually at my computer. How 90’s. Thanks for the giveaway!!
I do more with less redundancy by syncing my files using Windows Live Mesh.
doing more with less could mean budgeting and adhering to it. It allows us to save properly and spend wisely
127 Hours was really excellent. Hard to watch at times, but� excellent
Just leaving a comment for today. Love your story!!
Is Bob a fan of the Alouettes or the Roughriders? Either way, good luck to his team in tomorrow’s Grey Cup!
Commenting for today (Friday)! :) Trying to do more with less in my life by getting rid of all the junk and clutter in my apartment!
Making one-pot dishes is one way I do more with less.
i need a new phone so bad and love window mobile and u have a great blog.
Eeney, meeney, miney, phone!!!!!
My grandmother taught me to “save steps”. During chore time around the house, always have something with you to be returned or replaced as you move from area to area and room to room.
One example of me doing more with less is simply turning off and unplugging electronics and appliances. Sometimes people forget and it adds up to the costs. As time goes by, spending a few little seconds on turning appliances off can really make a difference and save more money, more money to spend on stuff I want! I only turn things on when I need to! Hope I win!
I am trying to do more with less by entering to win wonderful freebies!
I’d really love to win- i desperately need a new phone
Doing more with less sometimes means reusing grocery bags, or buying the recyclable types and using those. Saves the environment and saves the grocery stores money, which in turn saves you money.
It’s a beautiful day in the neighborhood…for a new phone!
One way we do more with less is with leftovers. Especially during Thanksgiving time. An example would be using ham for lunch sandwiches and using the leftover turkey for quesadillas or my favorite turkey and tortilla soup! Phone looks so cool!
This phone would help keep me organized so that I can do more with less!
Today I made some super cute pants with matching cap for my baby out of an old sweater! I’d say that’s more with less.
I could do more with less if I won the Windows Phone 7. I wouldn’t miss calls from my kids & family, I would have my x-mas & shopping list on it & could get more done easier. I’ve need a cell phone & would love to win the Windows Phone 7. Thanks!
i would love to win this phone so i could do more with less
How to do more with less? Easy! I post a message on my social networks about the party I will host on my house, and all my friends know about it and know they�re invited to! That way I don�t have to call everyone anymore! :D
Doing more for less means delegating more responsibilities to the kids so my time can be used more productively.
Since I’ve moved to Boston, I haven’t had a car… talk about doing more with less… including laundry (more than a mile from my apartment!) and grocery shopping!
Netflix has convinced me that movies are only watchable on a *large* screen,
What a wonderful story! Hooray for Bob!
I’m a big fan of doing more with less- my husband says I interview new stuff before I buy it. If I’m not convinced it will make life better/ easier, I don’t want it taking up space in my house. This attitude is not shared by my kids, who think more is always better.
I’d do more with less by making my phone have multiple duties: video game console, navigator, cook book and web browser.
I’ve been trying to do more with less by making a grocery list on Sundays and sticking to it (or trying to at least). It helps because then I buy bulk items and can share items between recipes, like half an onion on Monday and the other half in something else on Tuesday.
Doing more with less: I’m on a pantry clean-out kick. No grocery store for me until all those aging boxes of couscous and off-brand pinto beans are cooked and eaten! More pantry space and more room in the grocery budget.
I need this phone soo bad!
Yay Bob (and the Mister)! Congrats, and adorable way to let us all know.
I really really really really want to win this phone. Last chance!
doing more with less is all about multitasking for me
I do more with less by combining my errands into one drive and trip so I save gas. An example would be going to the store, post office and barbershop in one trip, rather than going at different times of the week. This way, I can do more with the money I have because of the less money I have to spend on gas! Hope I win the phone!
Thanks for the contest (which ends today, I believe); I made a mushroom omelette this morning as a salute to Bob.
I need organization in my life! I need to do more with less! I really need this phone!
i go to dollar store and buy things i need for party and everyday stuff .
Hah. Sounds like the lives of a few people I know… knit cloths are a great substitute for those tree killing paper towels. Cloth napkins are a great way to cut down as well.
This is my final try at winning the phone, Here’s hoping!!
Doing more with less could be decorating the christmas tree as a family. More work done in less time, and lots of family time together.
More for less mean having an emergency kit in my car when I travel, and also carrying our own snacks and drinks so that we don’t have to make expensive stops.
i use a towel for a mush brush. and i’ve degadgeted lately but i confess i have a williams and sonoma mushroom slicer. its ok. but a knife will do the same thing. maybe not as evenly.
I do more homework with less phone time now that I’ve lost my phone…! It is seriously gone. 2 days now. So winning this giveaway would definitely help me out! So don’t you want to…? Help a sista’ out!
Ooh~ another way I’m doing more with less is by thrifting, instead of shopping at brand-name stores… that way I’m saving and creating less post-consumer waste!
I do more with less by cooking from scratch as much as possible. It’s a lot more cost effective than buying a lot of packaged stuff or eating out.