Tip of the Week - Everyday Living
- Choosing a magnifier
- Keeping track of appointments
- Resources at the Guild
- Cutting fruits and vegetables
- Rolling cookie dough
- Wallet safety
- Finding a taxi
- Wearing sunglasses indoors
- Reduced fair transit
- Recording your doctors visit
- Easy hem sewing
- Organize your kitchen spices
- Decorating coookies
- Using an iron
- Chopping onions
- Measuring liquids in the kitchen
- Working with Social Security
- Using audio recording devices
- Gardening workshops at the Guild
- Makeshift signature guide
- Checkbook box organization
- How to tell the difference between cards
- Mixing soil for house plants
- Clever earring storage
- Using a personal shopper
- Easy braille calendar
- Many uses for a turkey baster
- Braille labels for cards
- Using MS Word for addressing envelopes
- Cleaning up veggie peelings
- Controlling glare from lights
- Carry a little flashlight
- Pre-measuring water for tea
- Over-dressing your salad
- Using a "dress cane" for photos
- Using Microsoft Excel for organizing
- Locating dropped objects
- The amazing lettuce knife
- Neat nail polish
- Have a home for important objects
- Ask someone how you look
- Shopping tip
If you have never had a magnifier, seek professional advice from a low vision specialist before purchasing. The Guild's professionally trained staff can help you choose a magnifier that works well for you. Stop in or call for an appointment at 312-236-8569. You can explore our list of Chicago area low vision clinics who can administer a low vision exam. Back to top
Keeping track of appointments can be difficult, but with a couple of simple strategies, you'll be on time for all your important appointments and events. (Note: These strategies are for those using large print, for braille or technology strategies contact Polly Abbott.)
- Use a large print calendar or datebook for easy readability.
- Keep a 20/20 pen near your calendar or datebook so you can mark the appropriate time and location of your appointment as soon as it is scheduled.
- Use a small digital recorder to record your appointment when you are not near your calendar. When you return home, transfer the information to your calendar.
- Color code your appointments for easier location if color works for you– doctor's appointments in red, dinner dates in black or birthdays in green. If colors are difficult to distinguish, try using a symbol such as a star or fork that relates to the appointment. Symbols transmit meaning more quickly than deciphering a word.
The Guild's Consumer Product Center has a variety of calendar options to choose from – all now on sale! Call Brian Hollandsworth at the Guild to have yours shipped out today!
For other products to help with everyday living, visit Top Ten Products. Back to top
If you find family and friends are commenting on how you travel or perform daily activities, it may be a cue that additional training is needed to remain safe and independent. Make it your New Year's Resolution to call us at the Guild to learn more about our services – from adjustment counseling to independent living skills and much more. We're here to help you! Back to top
Here are a couple of easy tips for cutting fruits and vegetables you may be preparing for holiday meals. To cut round fruits or vegetables like onions, potatoes or oranges, first cut the item in half, then lay it flat on the cutting surface to provide more stability. When the vegetable becomes too small, insert a fork to hold the piece steady. Cutting boards can provide color contrast to make it easier to see. Use a dark colored board for onions or a light colored board for a tomato. Back to top
To roll cookie dough to the perfect 1/4" thickness, place your rolling pin on 1/4" dowel rods on either side of your cookie dough and roll away! Back to top
For greater personal security, carry taxi, bus or other transportation money in a separate wallet. If the wallet is lost or stolen, you won't lose your identification, credit cards or other important items. Back to top
If you find a taxi driver you like, ask for his or her business card with a direct phone number. The driver will appreciate the business and you will enjoy being picked up by someone who can "spot" you waiting at the curb. Back to top
Lightly tinted sunglasses can also control glare when you are inside. Wearing these types of sunglasses help you see better and more comfortably for longer periods of time. Back to top
People with disabilities can ride CTA, PACE and Metra for half price in the Chicago metropolitan area. To get a reduced fair card, call the Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) at 312-663-4357. In suburban communities, you may also want to check your local township office for other dial-a-ride services. Back to top
Bring a digital audio recorder to the doctor's office. You can record any instructions your doctor gives you like medication dosages, dietary suggestions or answers to your questions. You may want to ask the doctor first to record his instructions. The Guild's Consumer Product Center carries an easy-to-operate digital recorder for $40. Call Brian Hollandsworth at 312-236-8569 to order yours today! Back to top
Does your thread keep twisting and knotting when you are trying to fix a hem? Try dragging your thread over a bar of soap after you thread your needle. Coating your thread with soap also makes it easier to feel. Back to top
Even if you braille all your spices, finding the one you want can be time consuming. Try grouping spices together according to their use, flavor or color. For example, group basil, oregano, thyme and parsley together; chili powder, red pepper flakes, cinnamon and paprika together; garlic salt, onion flakes and chives together or devise a grouping of your own that works for you! This tip submitted by Goldie Shaw, the Low Vision Chef. Back to top
Attention Bakers! Having trouble sprinkling sugar or other decorations on cookies? Pour a small mound of sugar or decorations on a piece of wax paper. Dip each cookie into the mound. This makes the cookie sheet easier to clean, eliminates waste and the cookies are more evenly coated. This tip submitted by Sue Lamm, Guild volunteer. Back to top
To safely reach for a hot iron, follow the cord to the handle. This will help prevent knocking over the iron or burning yourself. Back to top
When chopping onions, first cut the onion in half, then place the flat side down to prevent the onion from rolling around. Back to top
Use a baking sheet or tray with shallow sides when pouring liquids or measuring dry goods. This will help contain any spillage and makes for easy clean up. Back to top
Social Security benefit recipients should make sure to report their monthly income earnings to their local SSA office to ensure no overpayments are made. Back to top
When it becomes too hard to see what you have written with your 20/20 pen, it's time to start thinking about using audio recordings for your important notes and information. Visit the Guild's Consumer Product Center or call Brian Hollandsworth to learn about devices to help you make this transition. Back to top
Every rainy day waters the flowers. Check out our upcoming workshops to see when we are offering our Gardening workshop and learn how to start your own flower garden. Back to top
Have you needed to sign a receipt or document and discovered you don't have your signature guide? Use the edge of a credit card or state I.D. and place it on the signature line for your tactile reference. Back to top
Use checkbook boxes to organize all sorts of small items. The tops of the boxes can be brailled for easy identification. Back to top
Need a way to distinguish your debit card from your credit card without using braille? Use a piece of scotch tape affixed horizontally on one card and vertically on the other. This tip submitted by Anne Byrne Back to top
Sprucing up your home with some new houseplants? To mix potting soil and water to pot new houseplants without making a mess, use a large Ziploc bag. Add the soil, add some water, zip it shut and smoosh with hands to mix. Back to top
Ladies -- having trouble keeping track of pairs of pierced earrings? An easy way to keep both earrings together is to use a spare button. Slip the earring through the hole and attach the back. Earrings and backs stay together and are easy to find! Back to top
Are you unsure of fashion trends? Making sure you are up-to-date with fashion trends will help you feel more confident. A personal shopper at a department store can help you find that classic outfit that fits you to a "T." Your eyeglasses matter even if you don't see well. Make sure you update your frames periodically. Back to top
Whether new or old to braille, 5x8 index cards are a handy, easy and inexpensive way to create your own calendar. Create a separate card for each week, put the date of the Sunday at the top and list any time you have an appointment or something you need to remember during that week. This size card works perfectly with a 28 cell slate, and the stock is a good weight for reading and writing-not too light and not too heavy. This tip submitted by Sharon Howerton. Back to top
Turkey basters aren't just for turkeys! Use a turkey baster when you have overfilled a container to extract excess liquid without needing to pour it out. You can also use a turkey baster to distribute pancake batter evenly and create perfectly round pancakes. Back to top
>Keep track of credit card numbers independently and privately! Use dymo label tape to braille the credit card number, expiration date and security pin found on the back of the card. Place the brailled labels on a spent gift card. Place the brailled card next to the credit card in your wallet and never have to ask a neighbor or colleague for help reading those numbers again. This tip can also work well for those using large print. Place a clean mailing label over a spent gift card and write your numbers with a 20/20 or other bold felt pen. Place the large print card along side your credit card in your wallet. This tip submitted by Judy West. Back to top
Having trouble addressing those holiday cards? Keep a document with your addresses in Microsoft Word. For Office 2003 and older, go to the tools menu (alt T), down arrow to letters and mailings and choose envelopes. For Office 2007 and newer, press alt M, then E. For all versions of Word, you can then cut and paste the name and address from your word document into the delivery address field. Make sure to put your return address into the return address field. Put your envelope into the printer and press alt and P to print the envelope. You may need to change your envelope size to make sure it prints properly. Back to top
Cooking for Thanksgiving? Make clean up easier by placing a dry paper towel on the counter to catch peels of fruits and vegetables like carrots and apples. The peels stick to the dry toweling so you can easily gather it together and throw away. Back to top
When using lighting for tasks such as reading mail or other close up jobs, be sure to position the lamp below your chin and away from your face so the light shines only on what you are trying to see. This will help control glare and make objects easier to see with less eye strain. The Guild's Consumer Products Center carries a variety of task lighting including popular brands like Ott and Verilux. Call Brian Hollandsworth for a demonstration of lighting options. Back to top
Carry a small flashlight to help you see menus, key holes and other items in dimly lit places. Keep one on your nightstand for getting up in the middle of the night. Back to top
Have you tried ... pre-measuring cold water into the kettle to avoid overfilling hot water into your tea cup? This will help avoid injury and the embarrassment of spilling. Back to top
>Having trouble "over-dressing" your salad? To avoid this problem, use a shot glass to pour your dressing with a finger inserted at the top. Stop pouring when you feel the liquid approaching the top rim of the glass. This also helps cut down on those extra calories. Back to top
Don't want to have others see your dented up cane in photos? Keep a "dress cane" for those special occasions when you know photographs will be taken. Back to top
Have you thought about ... Using Microsoft Excel to keep track of address and phone numbers? Excel can be used to organize many types of information you need for quick reference. No knowledge of complicated formulas necessary -- just type name in one cell and tab to the next cell and type the address, tab again for city, state, zip and any other pertinent information you want to include. Back to top
Have you tried ... listening for a fallen object? Listen carefully when you drop something on the floor to hear it drop, then point your toe in the direction of the sound. Systematically use a flat hand to search for the object. You can also sweep the floor if the object has dropped on a hard surface. Back to top
Did you know … the lettuce knife cuts everything but your fingers? This knife is a great tool for cutting veggies and other food items, but won’t cut your fingers. Available in the Guild’s Product Center for only $6.00. Back to top
Have you tried … Keeping nail polish in the refrigerator? When you apply, you will be able to feel the cold polish on your nail bed. It also helps to use petroleum jelly around your cuticle for those little brush mistakes. You can wipe away the jelly after your nail dries and the mistake is wiped away as well. Back to top
Have you tried ... Creating a physical location for important tools such as remotes, keys and personal listening devices? A basket that is strategically located in a convenient place in your home will help you find these important items quickly. Back to top
Have you tried … having someone you trust take a look at your appearance before you go out in public or to that special event? This will help you feel confident that you are looking your best. Back to top
When shopping for new clothing, try to avoid purchasing identical garments in different colors. Choose garments with different stitching, buttons or styling. If you do purchase the same garment in different colors, use a safety pin to differentiate between them.Back to top
We will be adding a new tip each week. Visit again soon to see if any of our tips can help you out!
If you have any creative tips or simple solutions to tackle everyday issues, please send them via email to cherylm@guildfortheblind.org
