#OneGoodThing

Been seeing this #OneGoodThing idea floating around the internet lately, and thought it would make for some great introspection today :)

There’s always something we can be appreciative of right?!

Here is one good thing from a few areas of my life this week… How about you?

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#OneGoodThing in life: A kiss from my 11 mo old!! He’s now learned to grab your cheeks and kiss you whenever you say “can I have a kiss?” and it’s one of the most precious things ever.. Especially when you catch him leaning over and kissing his big brothers too! << Heart Melt >>

#OneGoodThing in money: I found a quarter hiding at the bottom of a creek while hiking! A CREEK!! Saw that bad boy glittering from 20 feet away and was not about to pass on the chance of redeeming myself again, haha… I’m back, baby!!

#OneGoodThing in self-care: I’ve spent at least 30 minutes a night this week reading and decompressing before bed. And mostly *physical* books which I thoroughly enjoy the most!

#OneGoodThing in mindfulness: I’m 4 out of 4 so far drinking coffee without a straw :) Which might sound ridiculous, but I’ve been doing it for close to a decade now and it dawned on me that that’s an awwwwwwful lot of straws to be adding to the landfill just out of personal preference! So I challenged myself this week to see how long I can go without using one, and so far while I do miss it a little, it’s not enough to go back to my old ways :) Next up: going without those coffee cup sleeves that protect you from the heat! Or maybe even channeling my inner Bea Johnson and bringing my OWN mug to Panera?! Does anyone know if they allow that?

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What are some good things going on in your life right now?

“Sometimes the smallest things take up the most space in your heart.”
– Winnie the Pooh

// Thanks to Emily Guy Birken and Us In Orlando for inspiring this today!

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45 Comments

  1. Mr. 1500 May 10, 2019 at 7:58 AM

    Coffee with a straw!? What the what?!?? I don’t even know where to go with that?

    Our school had an auction as a fundraiser. I put in a bid on something and won it at a price that was way too low, so I slipped an admin a check for $200 when he wasn’t expecting it.

    1. J. Money May 10, 2019 at 10:02 AM

      Smooth!!

  2. Josie i May 10, 2019 at 8:00 AM

    Oh! We have these reusable straws from amazon! I bet you could store them in a pencil bag in your car and then feel no guilt about using a straw with your drinks! And have a much better alternative to those awful paper straws that restaurants are using to virtue signal now

    (For clarification re the “virtue signal” comment: I don’t think individuals or treating just one product will do much to help the problem, I’m in favor of regulation to help change the market towards less single use products as a whole)

    1. J. Money May 10, 2019 at 10:03 AM

      Didn’t even know those were a thing??!

      Or “virtue signals” – going to look up now as apparently I’m so out of the loop, haha…

  3. Victoria B. May 10, 2019 at 8:09 AM

    You absolutely can bring your own cup to Panera- it’s actually cheaper, so I’m surprised you don’t know this. You tell them you want a coffee “REFILL” and show them your cup. Boom – cheaper Panera coffee.

    Also – purchase a set of Stainless steel straws on Amazon and sip away. Just purchase the set with the pipe-cleaner brush thing to keep them clean. Your local landfill and the sea turtles thank you.

    1. J. Money May 10, 2019 at 10:04 AM

      I WILL TRY THIS ON MONDAY!!!!

      THANK YOU!!!!

      I SEE YOU AND LOVE YOU, SEA TURTLES!

      1. Kristen May 10, 2019 at 10:27 AM

        One time when I brought my cup in to Panera, the cashier told me to go help myself, no charge that day. It’s happened to my brother in law as well when he brought his own cup. However, we also live in the Midwest, so no promises on what other Paneras do.

        1. J. Money May 10, 2019 at 5:41 PM

          I WILL BRING TWO CUPS IN THEN!!! :)

  4. jp May 10, 2019 at 8:12 AM

    is that HOT coffee with a straw??! I don’t even know either.
    Iced coffee, i can see.

    You can buy reusable straws – they have metal, glass, plastic. I LOVE the straw that came with this: https://smile.amazon.com/Ello-Devon-Glass-Tumbler-Straw/dp/B06WRR6V16/ref=sr_1_3?crid=2NJQWC0ZYRX5G&keywords=glass+water+bottle+with+straw&qid=1557490195&s=gateway&sprefix=glass+water+bottle%2Caps%2C169&sr=8-3 (Hmmmmm. now that i say this, i wonder if i can buy just the straws…back to googling)

    You can even buy or make reusable coffee sleeves. Carla makes cute ones: https://www.facebook.com/CarlasCreationsest2013, or didn’t you take up sewing at one point? or was that someone else….bet your kids could puffy paint you a felt one :)

    And yes, you can bring your own cup into panera

    1. J. Money May 10, 2019 at 10:07 AM

      Glass straws sound interesting! Don’t think I’ve ever used one of those before?! Wouldn’t they break pretty easily? At least once a year I have to replace my ceramic mug at home for cracking it upside the sink :( On a record 3 years in a row now – can’t figure out how to avoid it!

      1. Jody May 10, 2019 at 11:30 AM

        ….uh….don’t crack it upside the sink?

        Seriously, though, I feel your pain. I’ve killed some favorite mugs that way. I have a sink and countertop right now that doesn’t break mugs, though, so…not a problem in my current domicile

        1. J. Money May 10, 2019 at 5:43 PM

          Can I store mine over there, please???!

  5. Tobezors May 10, 2019 at 8:49 AM

    To the person who is 4 out of 4 drinking coffee without a straw, you should buy a Yeti [or other branded] 20 oz Tumbler and bring it to the coffee shops, which will save an additional Cup, Lid, and Heat Sleeve from being added to the landfill. I say landfill because there is some discussion as to whether Starbucks (or similar) cups can even be recycled (hopefully places are not still serving drinks in styrofoam cups, which certainly cannot be recycled). With my Yeti, Starbucks knows to charge me for a 16oz (Grande), which fits comfortably into the 20oz mug, and they will also wash the mug for me if I have forgotten to.

    If you forget your mug at Starbucks (maybe other shops do this) and plan to drink your coffee in the shop, then they can provide you with an actual mug for your drink rather than putting it in a to-go cup.

    If you really want to over-achieve (and you’re not going to take your coffee to-go), buy two mugs from a local ceramic artist and take them with you to the coffee shop. When you ask them to use that mug, if the barista says they like your mug, give it to them and use the second mug you have with you. Replenish your mug supply as necessary. It will make the barista’s day, help to support local artists by purchasing from and advertising for their business, and, again, keep to-go cups out of the landfill.

    Cheers!

    1. J. Money May 10, 2019 at 10:10 AM

      HEYYYY that’s a cool idea!!!!

      I don’t use open mugs usually since it gets cold too fast (I like to sip mine over an hour or two), but maybe I can look or mugs with tops similar to the ones they sell at Starbucks and what not. As I do love the feeling of ceramic over plastic/paper/etc…

      Going to be marinating on this one – thank you :)

  6. Financially Fit Mom May 10, 2019 at 8:52 AM

    Maybe you can start a oneweirdthing fad? I knew a guy who drank beer out of a straw…maybe coffee isn’t so bad?

    One good thing this week… The 5 story twirly slide that was built 2 or 3 years ago FINALLY opened and I got to slide down yesterday!

    1. J. Money May 10, 2019 at 10:16 AM

      Heyo!!!

      That sounds hella fun!

      Here’s another #OneWeirdThing for your enjoyment: I use beach towels as my shower towels :) They’re so warm and cozy (and big!!)

  7. Martin May 10, 2019 at 9:06 AM

    I gave up using tissues, I use handkerchiefs instead. Can’t believe I didn’t think of this sooner. I have wasted some much money on them .

    So next time your kissing your honey and there nose is runny pull out a hanky, they might think it’s funny , but it’s snot.

    1. J. Money May 10, 2019 at 10:16 AM

      Hahaha… I see what you did there.

    2. Jen May 10, 2019 at 10:17 AM

      I hate myself a little for laughing at that, but I did it anyway. :-)

  8. SL May 10, 2019 at 9:29 AM

    Not only do places like Panera let you bring your own mug they generally give a slight discount (Starbucks, for example, gives you back $0.10 per cup)

    #OneGoodThing I made a new friend from Brazil who lives in England and who came to visit another friend of mine here in Texas.

    1. J. Money May 10, 2019 at 10:17 AM

      That’s fun!!! You and your friend should now go over there to visit him/her! :)

  9. SMS May 10, 2019 at 9:44 AM

    Good for you with the straws! Fewer animals and fish choking on them.

    One good thing with money…every day, a little bit at a time, I rolled coins from two big jars and took them to the bank. $109 to my account and some wheat pennies, which I don’t really know what to do with but may be worth something.

    1. J. Money May 10, 2019 at 10:19 AM

      Here are the ones that are worth a pretty penny ;)

      – 1955 with doubling letters on the back (these are worth over $1,000!)
      – 1944 with a “D” mint mark over a light “S” mint mark
      – 1931 with “S” mint mark
      – 1922 with no “D” mint mark
      – 1917 with doubling of the date on the front
      – 1914 with “D” mint mark
      – 1909 with “S” mint mark *and* initials “V.D.B.” on the lower back

      The rest might be worth a few pennies, but prob better to just slip back into circulation and make someone’s day :)

      1. SMS May 10, 2019 at 12:30 PM

        Thank you J!!
        Will check them. $$$ – that would be exciting!

  10. Working Mom May 10, 2019 at 9:45 AM

    Our local elementary school counselor implemented “High Five Friday” where groups/businesses from the community come on Friday morning to simply give High Fives and encouragement to students as they enter the building. Our company did it this morning and it was so fun, made a difference to the kids, and cost us nothing but 15 minutes of our time. Such a great idea!

    She got the idea from a nearby (challenging) school where they found attendance actually INCREASED on Fridays due to that tiny piece of human interaction kids are craving. It’s #onegoodthing that I hope grows!

    1. J. Money May 10, 2019 at 10:20 AM

      WOW!!!!

      Such an incredibly SIMPLE thing too!

      Kids love high fives so much, haha… (as do adults!)

  11. Nita May 10, 2019 at 12:52 PM

    According to a documentary I saw a few months ago, Starbucks cups indeed cannot be recycled due to their composition.
    You’d be surprised how many reusable things there are now. Recently, Facebook has been showing me ads for a reusable Q-Tip on Kickstarter. I’ve been thinking about them, but I haven’t come around to it yet (budgeting was against it for now).

    #OneGoodThing : on Wednesday I started to reread a version of my novel I did for National Novel Writing Month (2013, I think). It’s better than I thought it would be, actually. Now I need to really finish it… And I really should NaNoWriMo again this year.

    1. J. Money May 10, 2019 at 5:52 PM

      HEY!!!!!

      That’s cool!! Congrats!! Excellent goal to accomplish, and even MORE SO if it’s actually decent :)

      Not sure about those reusable q-tips though, haha…

      1. Nita May 11, 2019 at 7:02 AM

        Well, they must be washed obviously. When I test them (if ever) I’ll tell you ;)
        For the novel, others will judge whether it’s decent or not, but it’s boosted me.

  12. Lonelle May 10, 2019 at 3:18 PM

    Definitely get a reusable straw! I craft personalized tumblers/coffee cups and always give a reusable straw with every purchase!

    On a funny note about the quarter, we spend last weekend in Vegas for my daughters bday. My partner had no thoughts of stopping and putting a $100 in a slot and loosing it, but he stopped at every single dropped coin and picked them up. lol

    1. J. Money May 13, 2019 at 6:54 AM

      Haha…. you chose wisely in that partner ;)

  13. Deanna May 10, 2019 at 4:52 PM

    Okay, the image of your 11 month old giving kisses is too much!!

    I am sure others have told you by how, but yep, you can totally bring in your own mug. I do it with a to go cup all the time & the refill price is slightly cheaper.

    The good stuff going on with me – career is thriving, women in recovery are learning budgeting basics, got a date :), CampFI in two weeks, and little brother’s destination wedding in 4 weeks.

    1. J. Money May 10, 2019 at 6:00 PM

      Lots of good things!!! That makes me so happy!! You are owed some peace and happiness in your life after such a wild ride over the years!!

  14. Prof U May 10, 2019 at 10:01 PM

    Hey J,
    I recently switched to re-useable straws and I love them and so do my kids. In regards to the glass ones, they are surprising durable. We have had them 6 months and my kids haven’t broken one yet. We’ve broken only 1 in 6 months (compliments of my hubby dropping the entire cup on the floor and it landing just right). I bought some stainless steel ones after that and they are great too. They even have fun colored silicone ones that look interesting!

    1. J. Money May 13, 2019 at 6:56 AM

      Very cool! I’ll just have to go out and test some, then :)

  15. Laura May 11, 2019 at 2:21 PM

    I would recommend Corkcicle as a reusable cup for coffee that keeps it hot hot hot. I love mine and keeps it warm even in my car during winter when I’m out running.
    https://corkcicle.com

    1. J. Money May 13, 2019 at 7:00 AM

      Wowww there are some cool ones there!! That walnut one is dope!

  16. Bronwyn May 11, 2019 at 6:56 PM

    One really good thing about this week is that I stumbled onto your site through an article on Business Insider, cannot even remember the exact article though… was browsing for setting up my next career as I have recently been laid off after 10 years at the same firm. And I am not going back into the business world, I’m going to be self-employed from here on out! Since I’ve been looking at your site, I’ve been totally re-inspired this week. Turned myself around, I’m feeling noticeably better about everything. I knew my next move was going to be a great one but now I’m acting on it. Thanks J. Money! #OneGoodThing

    1. J. Money May 13, 2019 at 7:04 AM

      Heyyyyy love to hear it!! Congrats on your new life – going to be such an adventure! :) Sometimes it takes big scary things to happen in order to force us to finally go after what we want… I’m excited for you!

  17. spaceman May 13, 2019 at 6:00 PM

    What the heck is a Panera ? I make coffee at home, and put in a thermal mug. Saves me 2.00 a day and I don’t have to recycle anything, and don’t have to wait to get a coffee. Never Heard of drinking coffee with a straw? Straws are for milk shakes.

    Coffee grounds make excellent mushroom compost.

    cheers

    1. J. Money May 14, 2019 at 1:50 PM

      I’ve heard that about coffee grounds!

      Straws help reduce teeth staining ;)

  18. Kalie @ Pretend to Be Poor May 13, 2019 at 8:45 PM

    My baby is also starting to kiss! So sweet!

    Other good things: my sister is getting married soon and the whole family (I have 4 sibs) will be reunited.

    On the straw thing…what about getting a pack of metal straws? I don’t drink coffee with a straw but I’ve heard that’s much better for your enamel. So maybe you can harness your habit for good!

    1. J. Money May 14, 2019 at 1:50 PM

      That’ll be a fun reunion!! :)