I have a similar thing set up for my computer that turns off things like monitors, modems, and external hard drives when the computer is off (or in standby and taking less power).

That’s interesting. I didn’t even know there were states where you have to hold the gas nozzle while you’re filling up–or can’t even fill the tank yourself. (I assume it is to reduce the chance of a spill, correct?) I’ve always lived in the Midwest, and I’ve only been in taxis when I’ve traveled to the coasts. I learned something new today.

To add to the tea discussions above, green tea actually has properties that are thought to protect from bacterial growth. Try organic if possible though as tea crops are pretty heavily sprayed. So in addition to an afternoon boost, you could also be helping prevent decay.

I used no-doze in college and it nearly killed me. Too too many.

Caveat with any of these- don’t take if you have high blood pressure. It can make your heart race.

Last weekend we were out of town and early this week we were way too busy to go grocery shop. So instead we (actually, I) scrounged around the pantry and creatively used leftovers for 3 days.

Then today I realized that I didn’t have even the most basic ingredients to cook dinner with (unless I was going to try something weird like pumpkin-refried beans caserole). I was almost resigned to get some kind of take-out or something from a freezer section.

Which reminded me to look in my freezer. Sure thing, I got some beef stew there – just enough for dinner! Will be going grocery shopping tomorrow, no way around it. So I’m off to writing down my grocery list.

Taking a break from the computer is also a good idea to prevent eye strain (computer vision syndrome) which causes headaches and fatigue. Many people are more productive if they get away from their desk than if they worked straight through lunch and breaks.

@Des, I have to agree with them. The reason I don’t drink coffee or soda is because I wanted something natural. Caffeine pills sound anything but natural. Water is good, but doesn’t keep me alert enough. Tea may be perfect for me. I was hesitant to try the vitamins, but since you’ve all assured me that there are no side effects, I’m going to try that.

I too find this a bit of a stretch. Mythbusters did a test on the drag of dirt on a car… And it took a LOT of dirt to affect drag enough to the point of a 3 MPG difference. It’s so subtle that you’re never going to notice it among the other things….

Just keeping your car’s windshield washer fluid level topped off ought to keep you from needing to clean it that often. Rain-X is highly recommended here, worth the extra pennies. ;)

One note on the tires — Do NOT fill it up based on the PSI on the tire’s sidewall. That lists the maximum pressure the tire can take, not what you should be putting in there. On the inside of the door jamb is a sticker, that will tell you the recommended PSI level, among other things. (Mostly stuff you won’t use other than PSI and maybe paint code.) This is going to give you more of an impact that cleaning your windshield, which should be done anyhow IMO.

Not only will you not be interrupted (and you will be interrupted, even if you did, as one co-worker, post a sign that says: I’m at Lunch. Not available.)but you’ll hopefully shift/rev up your energy by removing yourself to another place.

If you can, you should get outside at least 10 minutes or so a day. Especially in the winter. We need air, but we really need light/sun exposure.

I remember one place I worked where even staffers who never drank coffee took a quick break to get outside and walk down the street to Starbucks just to get some air and light.

You need to get up and move around at your desk during the day. It helps your energy level (and mental focus) and it protects you from developing blood clots, which come from sitting for extended periods of time–something a lot of office workers now do. Yes, office workers can get DVT!

Do some stretches at your desk and get up and down every 15 minutes or so. It will make a difference.

Letting the temperature dip down too low and then cranking it up when you’ve gotten home or up for the morning can cause the system to want to cycle on the insanely expensive to run auxillary electrical heating system to kick on, and that can send your power bill sky high. The programmables for heat pump systems are designed specifically so that the back-up heating system does not kick in, and will instead do a lot better at getting the temperature back up while using the heat pump proper.

there’s a certain stigma/taboo to taking pills i think.

and the difference is this, if you take a caffeine pill, you’ve got two cups of coffee worth of caffeine in your system all at once. that’s not quite the same as sipping on a mountain dew for an hour.

additionally, im not sure the ‘a is in b so concentrated a is ok’ is a valid argument.

I have a suggestion that I know you will dismiss, but hear me out on this: If all you are looking for in soda is the caffeine, why not take a caffeine pill? I know I know, I hear the screams not because it is a pill, but what is the difference between getting your caffeine from a pill or dissolved in a drink? Soda also comes with sugar and chemicals. Try eating better and vitamins by all means, but a bottle of off brand caffeine pills is only a couple bucks.

If that makes you nervous, you might want to give a second thought to drinking soda or tea for their caffeine content.

I think your suggestion to clean my windshields each time I put gas in my car is a good one. Although I live in a part of the world where the nozzle must be held when filling, the wash liquid is free. As a full time working mother with three children who recently completed a Master’s degree, I am fortunate that my life is not so busy that I have to forgo this opportunity due to time constraints. I realize this is not the case for everyone.

Keeping your windows OPEN increases drag…but a dirty windshield? Source, please.