By Marilyn Vos Savant
DOMESTIC SKILLS
Cook (don’t just open and pour) a traditional breakfast, lunch and dinner. Wash and iron clothes without ruining them (plus removing spots). Replace a button and baste a fallen hem.
Basic house cleaning, not mixing cleaning agents.
PHYSICAL SKILLS
Throw and catch balls of all sizes without breaking your fingers. Swim half a mile, tread water for half an hour and float for an hour. Ride a bike with confidence.
HANDYMAN SKILLS
Hang a picture straight without making extra holes in the wall.
Paint neatly, including cleaning up the mess.
Know which tools perform what functions and how to use them around the house.
Know what a fuse box looks like and how to reset it if a fuse blows in your house/apartment.
OUTDOOR SKILLS
Hike with friends without getting lost, bitten, sunburned or covered with a rash.
PRACTICAL SKILLS
Type well with both hands in the proper manner.
Set up your own computer system without help from anyone.
Drive a car, including one with manual transmission and maintain it properly. Learn to parallel park.
ORGANIZATIONAL SKILLS
Create a budget. Note: It takes longer to earn money than to spend it. Balance a checkbook manually, even if you bank online.
Maintain an address book and a personal appointment calendar.
Set up a filing system to keep all the paperwork in your life in one place.
