Problem: How to make a child's birthday list a little more fun
Sit down with your child and ask him/her what they want for their birthday.
If your child can write and spell properly, skip to step 2. As your child tells you what they want, write each item down on a separate post-it. OPTIONS:
- Pick things that are easy to read. Giving your child five minutes to read each item will make them feel like they have been evaluated.
- You can get these items at stores like walmart or kmart or target for free. After the reading part is over, make sure to ask your child which parts of the child's birthday list are the most fun.
- That way, you can add/subtract as many items as needed from the list. Don't forget to include a picture! Let your child make the list.
- If your child can write and spell properly, ask them to write down each thing they want on a separate post-it. Put all the post-its (folded in half) in the container.

Answer: If your child can write and spell properly, ask them to write down each thing they want on a separate post-it. Put all the post-its (folded in half) in the container.

Problem: How to make bookends
Stain your woodblocks.
Spread newspaper to cover the surface of your work area and use a paint brush or clean cloth to gently apply chestnut-coloured wood stain. Be sure to apply it in the direction of the wood on all vertical sides of your blocks. OPTIONS:
- Allow the stain to dry for a couple of hours. You may add a second coat but one should be fine.
- The wrong direction can let color in, so use a different direction. Cover your blocks with newspaper to keep from the stain running off.
- This will create a shiny surface that is easy to clean up and will fit in your shigdock trunk. Once you've applied the stain, ask a friend to help you prep your wood and finish your shigdock trunk.
- Ensure full sun, air flow and wind protection. This will help stain your wood block.

Answer: Allow the stain to dry for a couple of hours. You may add a second coat but one should be fine.

Problem: How to maintain your credit rating
Use a credit card for everything.
It might seem counterintuitive, but people with excellent credit use their credit cards more than most people, and they pay for everything on the card on time all the time.
The difference is in the way they see the card itself. OPTIONS:
- Those with excellent scores think of it as the dominant form of currency, representing the money they have in the bank. People whose scores are only fair often think of the card much differently, as an extravagance to be used sparingly.
- People with excellent credit use also like to pay their credit cards more frequently, so thinking through all of your financial problems in one meeting will give you an answer point. Counting credit accounts before a meeting will also help the other person see if credit cards that may get too expensive will benefit them.
- Make your credit card log easy for you to review. Go back and review the debt on the card for your accumulated credit.
- Some credit cards have full ratings written on the back of it. Other credit cards have one big rating, namely the one you've earned from a higher credit rating than that you paid for from a lower, which you later upgrade to earn back cash.
Answer: Those with excellent scores think of it as the dominant form of currency, representing the money they have in the bank. People whose scores are only fair often think of the card much differently, as an extravagance to be used sparingly.