@TMFKara: I use the HomeBudget application to track my spending, income, and recurring bills. I do not think that it projects future balances, but have only been using it for five weeks. You can try the lite version for free.

@compacho: You're absolutely right! It also helps to be able to fix a car.

@ctnchrisw: I have been using "Lose It!" for five weeks and have lost eight pounds. I chose the goal of losing one pound a week and have not felt starved or deprived (even at Thanksgiving!), I just choose things that will fill me up for fewer calories. Has anyone mentioned that it is a free application? [www.loseit.com…

If I want to be a better commenter, I need to stop reading articles and comments that tell me how to become a starred commenter. I know they're intended to be helpful and probably are, but they make me less motivated to write at all.

@ploopsy: Unfortunately, that doesn't work. There are no guarantees even if one is a female Firefly fan who comments on a variety of subjects.

Vote: Amazon wishlist.

@minimal: We still have Office 2003 at work and the new mail envelope always annoyed me. It was happy day when I figured out how to turn it off!

I use Twitter to follow a select group of friends (IRL) and bloggers. When I switched my cell service from AT&T to US Cellular (the latter has the area's best coverage), I found out that Facebook is not supported by USC phones so I signed up for Twitter (which is supported). This way I can still get on-the-go SMS…

@miguelcervantes: Family is the most important part of the holidays for me, too. I especially love spending a day with the extended family at the farm where my grandpa was born 90+ years ago. We play games, eat yummy food, and talk for hours (yes, there are gifts, too).

@flyingmeteor: dislike. I was actually glad to see a dog for a change! Photos of cats make my nose itch. #openthread

@dsters1: I bought an iPod Touch about three weeks ago and I love it! One of the best parts is that there is a seemingly infinite number of applications (including many free ones) that you can use to customize it.

@das7002: Me too! I buy them in bulk and use them all over my home and office. I took about 8 to a conference last weekend and loaned them all out to people who forgot theirs. I think I only got half of them back, but they are easy to replace.

For scorched or really stuck gunk in pots, I pour in 1/8 cup of white vinegar, 2 teaspoons of salt, and enough tap water to fill the pan. Then I boil the water, turn off the heat, and let the pan cool until just warm. I dump the liquid and use a nylon scraper to get most of the residue off. I use Barkeeper's Friend (a…

I love the Pilot Precise V5 in extra fine. I even bring my own to the office because I don't like the pens my company provides!

@fenster: I have an HP notebook and that tip was suggested to me, but I don't do it myself.

@justsomereportingguy: I work at a Fortune 500 that favors uniform workspaces, so I'm going to use it at home. Whiteboard bathroom, anyone?

@vegbruiser: I ordered a sample, too! [www.ideapaint.com]

Did anyone else play Gateway to Apshai? I loved that game! We had it on our Commodore 64.

When I am at the office, I listen to something jazzy like Frank Sinatra or Louis Armstrong (and Michael Buble on rare occasions). If I'm doing homework or reading, music with singing is distracting, so I usually turn it off or listen to something mainly instrumental like The Notebook soundtrack.

@advmp1021: You've already gotten some good advice; I especially agree with tarkam and TendoMentis. Here is some of my best advice: If you're talking with a girl and she repeatedly does not look you in the eye or shifts her weight away from you, she may feel uncomfortable so you should try stepping back a little and…