5 Things You Should Know How to Do

There are things you should know how to do in life.  However, there are many of us that may not know these things or have not taken the time to learn them. It’s funny. The other day as I wrestled with the fitted sheet for my king-sized bed I thought, “I’m a grown woman and still haven’t learned how to fold one of these stupid things!”

That got me thinking about other valuable skills I should have learned by now but just haven’t. You know, those things you should know but you’d rather hide your head under the covers and just wish they’d disappear?

So here are five things you should know by now but maybe haven’t along with a few helpful tips to learn them!

5 Things You Should Know and Tips to Learn

1. How to fold a fitted sheet

If you’re anything like me, those fitted sheets are more hassle than they are worth to fold. Mine usually get placed directly into the linen closet exactly the way they came out of the dryer. But after seeing a Facebook friend boast how well her teenaged son folded a fitted sheet, I decided it was time to give it a try.

This quick tutorial had a picture for each step. I had no idea how easy folding a fitted sheet actually was. Mind blown.

2. The difference between “your” and “you’re” and “its” and “it’s”

The most common spelling and grammatical errors out there have to do with variations of the above pronouns. Especially in our fast-paced world of texting, emailing, and social media commentary, we rely too heavily on auto-correct.

Here’s a quick lesson:

your- always shows ownership. Example: I saw your mom at the post office today. Is your car in the shop?

you’re- short for “you are.” Example: If you’re going to grab a soda, will you get me one too? So you’re going to visit your grandma today?

its- always shows ownership, no apostrophe ever. Example: The dog chases its tail.

it’s- short for “it is.” If it makes sense to say “it is,” always use an apostrophe. Example: It’s a beautiful day. No one knows when it’s supposed to arrive.

3. How to change a car tire

I vaguely remember learning how to do this once, years and years ago in Drivers Ed. If I had to do it alone now, I’d be in a heap of trouble. If it’s been awhile since you’ve changed a car tire, refresh your memory with these step by step picture instructions.

Ooh! Or you could print out this handy diagram and keep it in your car for just in case.

4. To not procrastinate

It’s burned you many times before—waiting until the last very last minute. Whether it’s hitting the snooze button too many times, waiting until the morning of to plan that big presentation, or putting off training for that race your pals signed you up for…procrastination bites us all in the butt.

Although some have mastered the art of getting things done in a timely manner, many of us are still learning the hard way that procrastination never pays off.

5. How to start a fire without matches.

Because you never know when such a skill will come in handy. My imagination runs rampant to days of meteor apocalypse where we will be forced to once again live off the land like our ancestors. Of course, you’re gonna need to know how to start a fire without matches—the match factories will ironically all be ashes.

In that case, old fashioned boy scout know-how is going to come in very handy. Scroll down here for 5 incredible ways to make a fire using everyday items (except for matches!).

Alright, did I miss any? How many did you already know? If you all tell me you knew how to fold a fitted sheet before you could drive, I’m going to feel pretty silly. Guess what I’m teaching my kids today?