This morning, as I was searching for a pair of socks to wear to work, this blog idea came to mind. I couldn’t help but notice how unorganized my sock drawer is, and the frustration set in as I thought about all the missing socks. Seriously, where do they go??
The start of a new year is a great time to reset and get organized. If you’re already a naturally organized person, I admire you! For the rest of us, like me, I think the key is to start small to avoid feeling overwhelmed. Maybe begin with something simple, like tidying up a single drawer (my sock drawer!) or organizing a kitchen cabinet (note to self: go through my spice cabinet soon!). Each small step adds up and can give you the motivation to keep going — any small action makes a big difference.
An idea I came across from clutterkeeper.com was to take a look back at last year and what worked and didn’t work for you. Here are some suggestions to guide you.
Schedules – What was your/your family’s schedule like? Was it easy to manage? Were you able to keep track of it all?
Organization systems – Look around your home, does everything have a home? Are the organization systems you use still working for you?
Identify your pain points – What are the biggest areas you struggle with when it comes to organizing your home? This will become your to-do list. Write all of them down.
Tackle one task at a time – It’s easy to feel overwhelmed when you look around your home. You only have so many hours in a day! By spreading out various tasks over the year, you can make the process more manageable.
Know your limits – There are storage limits, money limits, and even time and emotional limits to staying organized. Set those first before you start.
Read full post Previous Post: NCP Blog: Spotlight on Panel Members in Montana NCP panel members represent consumers all across the country by sharing their shopping experiences and opinions. If you’re not a panel member and you’re interested in joining NCP to share your shopping experiences, earn great rewards, and influence what you see on store shelves, click here or go to the Join NCP section of the blog! Up next in our Spotlight on States series: Montana! Montana became a state on Nov. 8, 1889. It was the 41st state, and it’s the fourth-largest state in land area. Montana shares borders with Canada, North & South Dakota, Wyoming, and Idaho. The state’s name is derived from the Spanish montaña, meaning mountain or mountainous region. Montana ranks 48th out of 50 states in population density. Its population as of 2024 is 1,137,233 people. Montana’s capital city is Helena, and its most populous city is Billings.Happy New Year! At the beginning of each new year (it’s amazing how quickly the years come and go, isn’t it?), I take some time to reflect on the past year; revisiting the memories I’ve made, the places I’ve been, the things I’ve accomplished, and even the things I didn’t get to do. Then, I shift my thoughts to setting simple, achievable goals and planning new adventures for the year ahead (personally, I prefer the term goals over resolutions).
Life is unpredictable, and circumstances often change throughout the year, so it’s natural for plans and goals to evolve as needed. And truthfully, you don’t have to wait for the start of a new year to set goals. You can set them whenever inspiration strikes—or you can choose not to set them at all!
I came across this list of some popular goals/resolutions shared by Good Housekeeping magazine that seem realistic and attainable to me — maybe one (or more) of them will inspire you! Remember, no matter what goals you set, it’s okay to get off track along the way. Each day is a new opportunity to start again!
Start a gratitude journal Make time for family Create a budget you can stick to Be more mindful Cook new foods Read more books Prioritize sleep Join a club Plan a vacation Volunteer regularly Lift weights Learn a new skill Explore new hobbies
Now, let’s take a look at some goals around NCP panel membership that you can plan for the new year.
Read full post Previous Post: NCP Blog: Holiday Season Insights NCP panel members represent consumers all across the country by sharing their shopping experiences and opinions. If you’re not a panel member and you’re interested in joining NCP to share your shopping experiences, earn great rewards, and influence what you see on store shelves, click here or go to the Join NCP section of the blog!Have you finished your holiday shopping? Almost done? Haven’t started yet? Many people will still be shopping on Christmas Eve (and I know several of them, lol).
On NCP’s Facebook page we recently asked how everyone was doing with their holiday shopping. Most of our panel members/followers said they were almost/halfway done.
In early November, the National Retail Federation (NRF) forecasted that holiday spending is expected to reach record levels during November and December and will grow between 2.5% and 3.5%, totaling $979.5 billion to $989 billion. The NRF also shared some holiday shopping and spending info from a survey* they conducted that I found interesting and thought you might, too! Let’s take a look.
Missouri was the 24th state to join the union on August 10, 1821. Jefferson City is the state capital and its largest city is Kansas City. Missouri is the 21st largest state in the U.S. and is bordered by the U.S states of Arkansas, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Nebraska, Oklahoma, and Tennessee.
According to the US Census Bureau, the estimated population of Missouri is 6,196,156 (July 2023 est.); it ranks as the 18th most populous state.
Every state has their own unique symbols, from birds to flowers to songs and more! Here are some of Missouri’s official state symbols:
Nickname: The Show Me State State Bird: Bluebird State Animal: Missouri Mule State Flower: White Hawthorn State Tree: Flowering Dogwood State Song: Missouri Waltz State Motto: “Salus populi suprema lex esto ” (The welfare of the people shall be the supreme law)
Find more information about Missouri’s state symbols/facts here.
Author Samuel Clemens (better known as Mark Twain), inventor George Washington Carver, author T.S. Eliot, Molly Brown (known as the Unsinkable Molly Brown after surviving the Titanic tragedy), and former President Harry Truman were all born in Missouri.
Standing 630 feet tall, the Gateway Arch in St. Louis is our nation’s tallest human-made monument and anchors Gateway Arch National Park. It stands as an iconic monument symbolizing the westward expansion of the United States and is more than double the height of the Statue of Liberty.
Missouri is the leading producer of mined lead in the United States; the majority of this lead is used in the production of car batteries.
The world’s first ready-made pancake mix was invented in Missouri.
The first Olympic Games held in the United States were in St. Louis, Missouri in the summer of 1904.
Another nickname for Missouri is “The Cave State.” It’s home to over 6,000 caves and the only cave restaurant in the United States.
Let’s learn about your fellow panel members in Missouri! Here’s how our Missouri panel members answered some of our state highlight survey questions.
Read full post Previous Post: NCP Blog: Spotlight on Panel Members in Mississippi NCP panel members represent consumers all across the country by sharing their shopping experiences and opinions. If you’re not a panel member and you’re interested in joining NCP to share your shopping experiences, earn great rewards, and influence what you see on store shelves, click here or go to the Join NCP section of the blog!Up next in our Spotlight on States series: Mississippi!
Mississippi became the 20th state on Dec. 10, 1817. Its name comes from a native American word meaning “great waters” or “father of waters.” The low-lying state is bordered by Tennessee, Alabama, Louisiana, Arkansas, and the Gulf of Mexico. Mississippi’s western boundary is largely defined by the Mississippi River. It is the 32nd largest state by area.
Jackson is the state capital of Mississippi, as well as its largest city, with a metro population of 590,000. The state is the 35th most populous in the country.
Every state has their own unique symbols, from birds to flowers to songs and more! Here are some of Mississippi’s official state symbols:
– Bird: Mockingbird – Fish: Largemouth or Black Bass – Water Mammal: Bottlenosed Dolphin – State Waterfowl: Wood Duck – Butterfly: Spicebush Swallowtail – Land Mammal: Red Fox and White-tailed Deer – Tree and Flower: Magnolia
Find more information about Mississippi’s state symbols here.
The Mississippi River is the largest in the United States and is the nation’s chief waterway. Its nickname is Old Man River.
Mississippi was the first state in the nation to have a planned system of junior colleges.
In 1963 the University of Mississippi Medical Center accomplished the world’s first human lung transplant and, on January 23, 1964, Dr. James D. Hardy performed the world’s first heart transplant surgery.
The world’s largest shrimp is on display at the Old Spanish Fort Museum in Pascagoula.
The first female rural mail carrier in the United States was Mrs. Mamie Thomas. She delivered mail by buggy to the area southeast of Vicksburg in 1914.
The Vicksburg National Cemetery is the second largest national cemetery in the country. Arlington National Cemetery is the largest.
Famous people from Mississippi include actors Jimmy Buffett, Elvis Presley, B.B. King, Oprah Winfrey, and Jim Henson.
Want to learn more about your fellow panel members in another state? Here’s how our Mississippi panel members answered some of our survey questions!
Read full post Previous Post: NCP In The Know: Holiday Shopping NCP panel members represent consumers all across the country by sharing their shopping experiences and opinions. If you’re not a panel member and you’re interested in joining NCP to share your shopping experiences, earn great rewards, and influence what you see on store shelves, click here or go to the Join NCP section of the blog!The holidays are jingling closer, and we just couldn’t resist peeking into your shopping sleigh! We asked you, our panel members, all about your gift-giving plans in our recent “Holiday Shopping Survey“—where you shop, what’s topping your gift lists, how much you’re spending, whether you brave Black Friday or cyber-shop in your pajamas, and much more. The results are in, so let’s dive into the festive fun and see how this year’s holiday shopping is stacking up!
Of those who responded to our survey, 80% plan to shop for gifts this holiday season. Here are some other fun facts about their shopping plans.
November is the most popular time to start shopping for the holidays.
– 42% start shopping in November
– 22% start in October
– 16% begin in December
– 9% start shopping in September
– 12% of respondents begin between January-August
The top five product categories shoppers are most likely to purchase gifts from are:
– Clothing/apparel
– Toys/games
– Gift cards
– Electronics/gadgets
– Other
68% do not plan on giving any type of homemade or DIY gifts.
The number of people respondents are shopping for are:
– 17% 1-3 people
– 38% 4-6 people
– 26% 7-10 people
– 19% More than 10 people
A majority of people plan to shop both online and in-store.
– 26% shop online only
– 12% shop in-store only
Most respondents prefer to shop for most of their gifts online
– 22% prefer shopping at mass merchandise stores
– 9% prefer local small businesses
– 17% prefer other types of stores
The top three factors when choosing where to shop are price/budget, product selection, and sales/discounts.
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2024 NCP Cares Charity Initiative Assists Food Pantries
NCP panel members represent consumers all across the country by sharing their shopping experiences and opinions. If you’re not a panel member and you’re interested in joining NCP to share your shopping experiences, earn great rewards, and influence what you see on store shelves, click here or go to the Join NCP section of the blog!
(Syosset, NY, December 3, 2024) – Today is Giving Tuesday, and as part of our 2024 NCP Cares program, National Consumer Panel is pleased to announce donations to two organizations that provide food for families in their community.
The two organizations were selected based on results of a nationwide survey of NCP’s panel members. Panel members nominated hundreds of organizations in their areas to receive this one-time donation.
After reviewing the nominations, NCP staff members narrowed the list to five semi-finalists. We then asked panelists to vote for their top two choices. Voting closed Nov. 13.
2024 NCP Cares recipients:
You Eat I Eat Community Unity Food Pantry
You Eat I Eat Community Unity Food Pantry strives to provide food and support to the poor, indigent veterans, and low-income individuals and families of El Paso, Texas, in a judgement-free environment. The non-profit organization believes that all people deserve access to healthy and delicious food as well as the essential things that will help enhance their quality of life.
“The funds received immediately impacted the community with the purchase of $1,000 worth of turkeys that doubled our original order for that evening,” said Dorene M. Corothers, founder and director. “In total, 800 clients received a meal and 250 clients received a turkey with the trimmings.”
Heartland Hope Mission is more than a pantry – it is the safety net between our neighbors in need and homelessness. Working families struggling to make ends meet receive a week’s supply of groceries, diapers, clothing, and hygiene items. The organization also offers additional services to help families get back on their feet in a hope-filled environment.
“Your support provides fresh produce, meat, milk, and hygiene items,” says Pastor Chelsea Salifou, CEO of Heartland Hope Mission. “Additionally, your contribution allows families in need to have access to clothing, household items, and to meet with a Client Service Specialist to receive navigational services, SNAP application assistance, and connects them to our Job Paths program.”
“At NCP, we believe in giving back to the communities that support us,” says John Toomey, National Consumer Panel’s chief operating officer. “This year’s NCP Cares initiative focused on food pantries because we recognize that so many families are struggling to put food on their tables. We’re proud to support these two incredible organizations with $5,000 donations each, knowing their efforts will make a meaningful difference in the lives of those they serve.”
NCP Cares is National Consumer Panel’s special community outreach program serving on both a local and national level through charitable donations and volunteer initiatives. The mainstay of the program is an annual charitable donation to organizations in our panel members’ own communities.
The National Consumer Panel is an operational joint venture between the two leading longitudinal consumer insights providers in North America – IRI and NielsenIQ. By recruiting, incenting, and equipping a representative sample of U.S. consumers with a variety of methods for data collection, NCP provides the highest quality, actionable consumer data to support the needs of both IRI and NielsenIQ. For information on joining the NCP Panel, visit http://join.ncponline.com/
Let’s dive into the wild, wonderful world of Black Friday shopping—grab your coffee and comfy slippers!
Do you know how “Black Friday” got its name? I’ve always assumed it was because the holiday shopping frenzy was when many stores went “into the black” financially, thanks to shoppers snapping up all those discounted goodies. This retail tradition has been around for decades, but its roots go back to the 1950s. I was surprised to learn the real history behind Black Friday, and you might be, too!
According to The History Channel, the name “Black Friday” was coined in Philadelphia, where police officers used it to describe the chaotic crowds that flooded the city the day after Thanksgiving. Tourists and shoppers were out in full force before the big Army-Navy football game the Saturday after Thanksgiving. Traffic jams and packed sidewalks created a headache for law enforcement, who had to work extra-long shifts.
Fast forward to the 1980s, and the term got a makeover. Retailers decided to lean into the “black” theme—this time referring to profits. It was brilliant marketing, and it helped solidify Black Friday as the shopping extravaganza we know and (sometimes) love today.
Then came the 2000s, and things got more intense. Big-box stores started competing for the earliest opening hours, and we all remember when doors opened at midnight—or even earlier! Shoppers desperate for deals started camping outside stores for hours before they opened, and many stores started opening their doors earlier each year.
Online shopping also entered the scene with Cyber Monday, giving people the option to snag deals without braving the crowds.
Today, Black Friday isn’t just one day—it’s practically a whole season, with early deals and week-long sales. Survey insights from NIQ show that in 2023, 32% of consumers took advantage of early deals before Black Friday. Another 24% waited to shop until Black Friday and then shopped online, while 19% waited to shop in person.
It’s become a holiday ritual for many, combining the thrill of bargain-hunting with a touch of chaos. Whether you’re a doorbuster warrior or a click-and-scroll shopper, Black Friday has a little something for everyone!
Read full post Previous Post: NCP Blog: The Sweet World of Pies NCP panel members represent consumers all across the country by sharing their shopping experiences and opinions. If you’re not a panel member and you’re interested in joining NCP to share your shopping experiences, earn great rewards, and influence what you see on store shelves, click here or go to the Join NCP section of the blog!