The holiday season here in NY and that means pop-up shops have run amok. Don't get me wrong, I love a sugary smelling candle and hand-knitted scarf at discounted prices just as much as the next woman. But is it possible to tie this example of mass consumerism to a cause in an innovative way?

Who isn't familiar with the good works of Ronald McDonald House? As kids, we sold World's Finest Chocolate bars to support the charity and even dropped a coin or two into the plexi-glass donation boxes at the restaurant register before we scooped up our fries. We were doing good so that Mickey D's could do good.

My lil sis has been urging me to host a yard sale to boost my holiday bank. I am seriously considering. However, I can't help but wonder, would anyone be crazy enough to buy my old stuff? Perhaps I should read Oprah's playbook on the very subject before I begin.

Nothing strikes more fear in my heart than the idea of having to run a long distance marathon. Well, there's then the added pressure of having to raise money AND train at the same time.