Pulling off a great performance under pressure is one of the biggest highs out there—after all, they say a diamond is just coal that did well under pressure.

The opposite—choking—is usually a sports term. It’s missing the extra point after the touchdown, blowing your putt, or watching your free throw roll around the rim and then sadly drop off.

Many of you may be aware that I have rambunctious 5-year-old twins who keep me on my toes. I had an interesting experience at their preschool last week that struck a cord with me. And sometimes the topics I cover in these moments tend to become my most popular (see also: Why is My Doctor Always Late) so I knew it must strike a cord with you as well.

Conserve Cooking Utensils by Planning Ahead

To use the fewest cooking utensils possible, first measure out all the dry ingredients, then the wet ingredients. This way, you can reuse the measuring spoons or cups, and only have to wash them once.

Keep Your Remote Clean While Cooking

If you like to channel surf while cooking, place your remote control in a resealable plastic bag or plastic wrap. The buttons will still be visible, and the control will stay clean.

Dresser Storage

If your country kitchen is running out of room, consider a dresser. Even though you’re used to bureaus being only for bedrooms, it can be a valuable addition to a kitchen for storing napkins, utensils, and more. Repaint the dresser in colors to match your kitchen and you’ll have guests asking where you got your newest piece of kitchen furniture.

If your credit is in bad shape or you’re just starting to build credit from scratch, you might feel shut out of opportunities to borrow money. While having bad credit can be a roadblock when applying for a loan from a traditional lender, the good news is that there are alternative options.