Tip archive

Tips for Managing your Home

• Only keep what you use/or like. If you aren’t using the items, they are just taking up your valuable space.

• Have a system or routine for all household responsibilities. If you have a plan you can stick to you won’t stress about how these things will get done.

• Find a place for each item in your home and make sure that the place is close to where you use the item.

• Use clear containers and label them so you don’t forget what’s inside.

• Designate a place in your home for donations to go. When you spot something you no longer want, bring it right to your donations area.

• Try to put things away as you go and set aside time each day to put away the rest.

• Put items you use to make bag lunches for school or work all in one place. Lunch bags, napkins, plastic baggies, plastic cutlery and "snack-size" sides can all be kept in one drawer for easy access.

• The best way to make sure something gets done is to schedule it. Then treat the task like an appointment that you can't miss.


Tips for Managing your Paper

• Make sure you set aside ample time each week to do your paperwork.

• Many magazines are archived on their websites. So let go of back issues you are keeping for reference.

• Cut down on the amount of junk mail you receive by contacting www.dmachoice.org/mps to be removed from direct mail lists and by contacting www.optoutprescreen.com to be removed from credit card lists. To remove yourself from catalog lists go to www.catalogchoice.com or call the companies directly.

• Have only one place for all of your incoming paper to go until it is sorted.

• Check with your accountant to make sure you know how long you should keep your tax back up documentation. Shred the back up when no longer needed.

• Don’t try to remember everything you need to do. Write each item down or enter into your PDA or computer task list.

• Choose 2 dates per month for bill paying and put these dates on your calendar so you won't forget. (For example, the 15th & 30th of each month.) Make bill paying easier by paying online and/or by automatic withdrawals.

• Keep receipts for items you may return in one location. For example, your wallet, a file or in the bag with the merchandise.

• Are you reading each magazine that you subscribe to? Cancel any subscriptions for publications you are not actually reading.

• If you aren't ready to give to a charity at the present time, do not feel bad about discarding the solicitation. You'll receive another one before you know it!

• Keep ONE notepad/planner and carry it with you so that all of your notes are in one place. No more looking for the lone sticky note or scrap paper with a missing important phone number! 

• Consider using a computer program like Evernote to capture information that you want to remember.

• Avoid creating a "miscellaneous" file for papers that you don't know what to do with. Instead, consider what each paper represents and create a label that will cue you as to where it is.