A woman I interviewed once said she had a credo: “live and learn, die and forget it all.” One thing seems to be for sure, we tend to learn the hard way, and by the time we leave this form of life, we are mighty intelligent…if we can remember all the things we’ve learned along the way.

As a baby boomer, I’m right there…finally figuring out some very simple things. And constantly being amazed how we often choose the hard path, when we really don’t have to.

I’m not talking rocket science. I’m talking tiny things. Things that Mr. Rogers and Captain Kangaroo knew. Things that take the kinks out of every day. Maybe you can add to this list?

• Keep a pair of “cheater” glasses in your glove compartment, so you can always read a map, receipt, phone message, etc.

• Keep 5-10 dollar bills in your car as well. You just never know.

• Before you go crazy buying annual flowers and plants for your yard and pots, only to go home and realize you overbought, or they won’t fit, or whatever, actually go the nursery and take photos with your phone of what you like. Then come home and think about it. Or, in reverse, take photos of your pots and planting areas, and take that with you when you go to make your selections. You’ll save time and money, and you can easily get professional advice.

• That leads to something else we boomers need to get better at doing: if you are considering a car, house, apparel, furniture, or any other major item, take a photo of it, go home and think. If on the way home you have a fender bender, take a photo of the other person’s license and insurance info.

It all seems so simple, but we’re just not wired to do this immediately.

Other things I’ve learned:

• Writing (as in picking up a pen or pencil) a thank-you note really does matter.

• After you bring in groceries and empty the bags, take the bags back to your car. Right at that moment, not later. Then you might actually have those bags with you the next time you go to the store. Who knew.

• Putting out water and bird feeders will bring you endless joy.

• Occasionally significantly overtip a wait person. They’re not making a fortune. Your generosity could make their day. And it will definitely make you feel good.

• Gray is in. Seriously. Young girls are dying their hair gray. Don’t ask me why. But suddenly we’re cool. So don’t fret if you have a few gray hairs. Flaunt them.

• Buy a phone charger and leave it plugged in inside your car.

• Never run out of toilet paper, aspirin, peanut butter or chocolate. You never know when a blizzard could hit.

This just scratches the surface…share your wisdom…sometimes the simplest things are the hardest to learn. What do you know?

“Creativity is intelligence having fun.” Albert Einstein