A New Era

Well before the election I was on my way to work one morning and passed a group of Obama supporters waving signs, smiling and waving at drivers. They weren't demanding anything or asking for time, just smiling and waving. As someone who always keeps an eye out for vague messages and hidden sales pitches, I was looking for the catch. Instead as I glided past them I took a bit of their hope with me. And I'm grateful for it.

I recently wrote about starting your own domino effect. One person affects another, they affect three more and before you know it there is a movement spilling into the world. The movement of hope and change has brought us to this new era today. Take the hint. Start your own new era. Make one real change that you can commit to and live by.

For example, my new era started three months ago. One evening after tossing two week's worth of leftovers into the trash I decided that I would not throw out any more food. A simple thing really, but it has changed the way I shop, cook and eat. Now when I hit the grocery store I only buy things I know will be eaten soon. I've cut my grocery bills by 25% and don't feel the change since I'm cutting out the food I was throwing away. The extra money is going into a travel fund. My 2009 Roth IRA contribution is calling but you have to live a little.

No more lurking tupperware glaring at me from the back of the fridge. No more cooking and storing food that will mock me from the bottom of the trash. Want an instant fan club? If you enjoy cooking make your friends an offer they can't refuse and offer to cook if they buy the groceries. You will have an instant following that is well-fed and singing your praises. You get free meals and they get real nutrition instead of cereal for dinner. It's a win-win-win for everyone.