Showing posts with label Tuesdays Tip. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Tuesdays Tip. Show all posts
Monday, February 9, 2009
Tuesday's Tip-On Hold
My computer crashed a while back. While my fantastic husband is working feverishly to restore it, I am not really able to upload pictures that I would like to accompany my Tuesday's Tip posts. So, for now, Tuesday's Tip is on hold. I'll be back soon with some great ideas! In the mean time, if you have anything you'd like me to give tips on, or have tips of your own to share, leave a comment and let me know!
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Tuesday's Tip 2.3.09
If you're like me, you love a good magazine. My favorites are Real Simple and Better Homes & Gardens. A good magazine is all encompassing...offers suggestions for the home, in organizing, the wardrobe and in the kitchen. A few years ago I was getting about 3 or 4 different magazines a month and very quickly realized that they could very easily take over our house. I knew that there were many ideas that I wanted to keep for future reference, but we just didn't have the space to save every single edition of every single magazine that contained every single idea. So, here's my system for cutting the magazine clutter:
Upon receiving a magazine in the mail, I will read through it, folding down the corners of pages containing information that I find to be helpful.
I usually leave the magazine on the coffee table until the next issue arrives.
When the next issue arrives, I take the old issue and tear out the pages that have folded down corners.
I have a folder in my filing cabinet for such pages (labeled home decorating ideas, organizational ideas, craft projects, gift ideas, etc). I file each page accordingly. Some people create notebooks to store their ideas in. This is great solution as well. I just figure that if I have the space in my filing cabinet, I might as well use it.
When I'm in need of a little decorating inspiration or looking for ideas for a room that's about to get a makeover, I consult my trusty file and get to work on making those ideas come to life.
Then, because I'm a little nerdy in the areas of recycling, I refuse to throw magazines away. If I don't know anyone who might like to read it, I put it in our paper recycling bin. More often than not, I pass it along to a friend of family member and ask that they do the same when they are finished with it. Sure, some of the pages are ripped out, but there are usually tons of good ideas remaining.
The end result is about 1 inch of filing cabinet space vs. 1 entire bookcase full of old magazines.
Upon receiving a magazine in the mail, I will read through it, folding down the corners of pages containing information that I find to be helpful.
I usually leave the magazine on the coffee table until the next issue arrives.
When the next issue arrives, I take the old issue and tear out the pages that have folded down corners.
I have a folder in my filing cabinet for such pages (labeled home decorating ideas, organizational ideas, craft projects, gift ideas, etc). I file each page accordingly. Some people create notebooks to store their ideas in. This is great solution as well. I just figure that if I have the space in my filing cabinet, I might as well use it.
When I'm in need of a little decorating inspiration or looking for ideas for a room that's about to get a makeover, I consult my trusty file and get to work on making those ideas come to life.
Then, because I'm a little nerdy in the areas of recycling, I refuse to throw magazines away. If I don't know anyone who might like to read it, I put it in our paper recycling bin. More often than not, I pass it along to a friend of family member and ask that they do the same when they are finished with it. Sure, some of the pages are ripped out, but there are usually tons of good ideas remaining.
The end result is about 1 inch of filing cabinet space vs. 1 entire bookcase full of old magazines.
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Tuesday's Tip 1.27.09
In light of the Great Purge of '09, here's a tip about cleaning out your filing cabinets. There are about a million and one different ways to do this and everyone does it differently. This is how I have found to work best for me.
First of all, our files are in alphabetical order. This makes them easy to find and takes the guess work out of returning a file to the filing cabinet.
Also, I have 2 files on my desk that help along the way. They are labeled "Needs A File" (for incoming items that don't currently have a file in the filing cabinet) and the other is labeled "Items To Be Filed" (a place to stash that pile of papers or mail when I don't have time to file each item individually). I try to empty these folders about once a month or so.
In each individual file, I have the papers in chronological order (oldest in the front, newest in the back). Also, I have each year clipped together (either with a binder clip or paper clip). on the top paper in each year, I've attached a Post-It Note that contains the following information: The year of that stacks contents and the year that it can be destroyed. For example, in our electric bill folder, I know that I like to keep bills from the past year (we don't need them for tax purposes). The Post-It Note says: "2008" and then "keep until January 2010".
I try to clean out the filing cabinet in January of each year. When I take out a file, I see automatically if items are ready to be destroyed (we usually shred out of date files). When I do a clean out, I also make sure that the current year's files have been clipped together and labeled appropriately.
I can never remember how long I should keep things, but found this handy chart in an organizing magazine (I recommend making a copy or typing the information and placing it in the front of the filing cabinet for easy access.).
*TAX RECORDS: Copies of returns-forever; Supporting tax documents-at least 4 years.
*CHECKING ACCOUNT STATEMENTS: 1 month or until checks clear; Keep statements that support tax deductions with your tax records for the year.
*UTILITY BILLS: 1 month (unless you deduct for home office expenses; file with tax records).
*PAYCHECK STUBS OR DIRECT-DEPOSIT STATEMENTS: 1 year.
*CREDIT CARD STATEMENTS: 1-2 months or until charges are reconciled;Keep statements that support tax deductions with your tax records for the year.
*MORTGAGE INFORMATION: For as long as you own the property, plus 4 years for tax purposes.
*RECORDS FOR HOME IMPROVEMENTS, SALE OR PURCHASE OF PROPERTY: 4 years after the sale of the home or property.
*MEDICAL RECORDS: 4 or more years.
*INSURANCE POLICIES AND BILLS: Keep current policies and bills; discard canceled policies.
*INVESTMENT RECORDS: Keep initial purchase and year-end reports indefinitely.
*RECEIPTS FOR PURCHASES: 1 month, except for big-ticket items requiring proof-of-purchase for insurance.
Just know that it can take a while to get a system like this set up, but I PROMISE that it pays off in the years to come! Good Luck!!
First of all, our files are in alphabetical order. This makes them easy to find and takes the guess work out of returning a file to the filing cabinet.
Also, I have 2 files on my desk that help along the way. They are labeled "Needs A File" (for incoming items that don't currently have a file in the filing cabinet) and the other is labeled "Items To Be Filed" (a place to stash that pile of papers or mail when I don't have time to file each item individually). I try to empty these folders about once a month or so.
In each individual file, I have the papers in chronological order (oldest in the front, newest in the back). Also, I have each year clipped together (either with a binder clip or paper clip). on the top paper in each year, I've attached a Post-It Note that contains the following information: The year of that stacks contents and the year that it can be destroyed. For example, in our electric bill folder, I know that I like to keep bills from the past year (we don't need them for tax purposes). The Post-It Note says: "2008" and then "keep until January 2010".
I try to clean out the filing cabinet in January of each year. When I take out a file, I see automatically if items are ready to be destroyed (we usually shred out of date files). When I do a clean out, I also make sure that the current year's files have been clipped together and labeled appropriately.
I can never remember how long I should keep things, but found this handy chart in an organizing magazine (I recommend making a copy or typing the information and placing it in the front of the filing cabinet for easy access.).
*TAX RECORDS: Copies of returns-forever; Supporting tax documents-at least 4 years.
*CHECKING ACCOUNT STATEMENTS: 1 month or until checks clear; Keep statements that support tax deductions with your tax records for the year.
*UTILITY BILLS: 1 month (unless you deduct for home office expenses; file with tax records).
*PAYCHECK STUBS OR DIRECT-DEPOSIT STATEMENTS: 1 year.
*CREDIT CARD STATEMENTS: 1-2 months or until charges are reconciled;Keep statements that support tax deductions with your tax records for the year.
*MORTGAGE INFORMATION: For as long as you own the property, plus 4 years for tax purposes.
*RECORDS FOR HOME IMPROVEMENTS, SALE OR PURCHASE OF PROPERTY: 4 years after the sale of the home or property.
*MEDICAL RECORDS: 4 or more years.
*INSURANCE POLICIES AND BILLS: Keep current policies and bills; discard canceled policies.
*INVESTMENT RECORDS: Keep initial purchase and year-end reports indefinitely.
*RECEIPTS FOR PURCHASES: 1 month, except for big-ticket items requiring proof-of-purchase for insurance.
Just know that it can take a while to get a system like this set up, but I PROMISE that it pays off in the years to come! Good Luck!!
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Tuesday's Tip
Don't over commit yourself. I have and I don't recommend it. I won't be posting anymore Tuesday's Tips until the New Year...sorry, but my sanity somewhat depends on it :)
Monday, December 1, 2008
Tuesday's Tip
So this is a day late...the sad thing is that I typed it 3 days ago as to have it ready to post yesterday. Here's to hoping that the rest of December isn't as crazy as this week is!
Some of you have been interested in my new money saving grocery tactics, so here ya go!
I recently began "couponing". My friend, Eli, had talked about it to me a while back, and in November I decided to give it a shot. Before, I went to the grocery store only one time a month. This required TONS of planning (from our menus at home, to dishes to take to other events throughout the month, to coupons galore) and several hours of actual shopping. Then, there was the whole process of putting groceries away. And while it was quite a time consuming task, I really liked the fact that I only had to do it once a month. But when I realized that I could go to the grocery store once a week and save a lot of money, I figured I should give it a try.
Here's a pretty basic summary of the different parts of "couponing":
*Coupons are a must.
We buy at least one, if not two, Sunday papers every week as to give us the best shot for the best coupons. I always buy one to start with and check it to see if there are 2 or more coupon booklets inside. If there are, I buy another. There are TONS of options for setting up a coupon organizing system that works best for you. I have a pretty basic system...a little coupon file folder divided into sections like dairy, cereal, beverages, toiletries, household items, etc.
*Get over brand preferences.
The key is to buy what you can get at a super cheap price, rather than to buy items that you might normally buy. I'm not gonna lie, I love Angel Soft toilet paper. But, if I can get a pack of Cottonnelle for 5o cents, you better believe I'm gonna go for it! I've found that, the majority of the time, I end up liking a new brand better than my old stand by brands,
*Buy items based on price, not necessity.
Obviously, things come up and last minute trips to the store are a must. The object, though, is to plan ahead as much as you can to save the most money possible. I've begun planning a week and a half in advance, and that seems to work pretty well.
*Save your coupons & watch for sales.
These two kinda go hand in hand. Some sites suggest that you do a month's worth of research on your most purchased products to figure out the lowest sale price for those items, and then only purchasing them at that lowest sale price. While that totally works, I've adapted my own little system. Instead of doing all the research, I simply wait for the sales ads, check out the items that are on sale and match them up with my coupons. The majority of the time, the items that are in the sales ads are near their lowest price.
*Stock up.
If at item is on sale and you have 4 coupons, use them and stock up!! It's better to keep 3 extra bags of frozen vegetables on hand and get them for 50 cents a piece than it is to only buy 1 bag at 50 cents and then have to pay full price for the other 3 bags later. This goes for items that you might not have coupons for, too, like meat. If a meat item is on sale, we buy enough to make 4 or 5 dishes.
I know I've forgotten some things so please feel free to hit me up with questions or even other ideas you might have for saving money on your groceries! Check out the links under "I Love Bargains!" on the right side of the screen for some tips from other money savers. I can't wait to hear how much you save on your next grocery bill!
Some of you have been interested in my new money saving grocery tactics, so here ya go!
I recently began "couponing". My friend, Eli, had talked about it to me a while back, and in November I decided to give it a shot. Before, I went to the grocery store only one time a month. This required TONS of planning (from our menus at home, to dishes to take to other events throughout the month, to coupons galore) and several hours of actual shopping. Then, there was the whole process of putting groceries away. And while it was quite a time consuming task, I really liked the fact that I only had to do it once a month. But when I realized that I could go to the grocery store once a week and save a lot of money, I figured I should give it a try.
Here's a pretty basic summary of the different parts of "couponing":
*Coupons are a must.
We buy at least one, if not two, Sunday papers every week as to give us the best shot for the best coupons. I always buy one to start with and check it to see if there are 2 or more coupon booklets inside. If there are, I buy another. There are TONS of options for setting up a coupon organizing system that works best for you. I have a pretty basic system...a little coupon file folder divided into sections like dairy, cereal, beverages, toiletries, household items, etc.
*Get over brand preferences.
The key is to buy what you can get at a super cheap price, rather than to buy items that you might normally buy. I'm not gonna lie, I love Angel Soft toilet paper. But, if I can get a pack of Cottonnelle for 5o cents, you better believe I'm gonna go for it! I've found that, the majority of the time, I end up liking a new brand better than my old stand by brands,
*Buy items based on price, not necessity.
Obviously, things come up and last minute trips to the store are a must. The object, though, is to plan ahead as much as you can to save the most money possible. I've begun planning a week and a half in advance, and that seems to work pretty well.
*Save your coupons & watch for sales.
These two kinda go hand in hand. Some sites suggest that you do a month's worth of research on your most purchased products to figure out the lowest sale price for those items, and then only purchasing them at that lowest sale price. While that totally works, I've adapted my own little system. Instead of doing all the research, I simply wait for the sales ads, check out the items that are on sale and match them up with my coupons. The majority of the time, the items that are in the sales ads are near their lowest price.
*Stock up.
If at item is on sale and you have 4 coupons, use them and stock up!! It's better to keep 3 extra bags of frozen vegetables on hand and get them for 50 cents a piece than it is to only buy 1 bag at 50 cents and then have to pay full price for the other 3 bags later. This goes for items that you might not have coupons for, too, like meat. If a meat item is on sale, we buy enough to make 4 or 5 dishes.
I know I've forgotten some things so please feel free to hit me up with questions or even other ideas you might have for saving money on your groceries! Check out the links under "I Love Bargains!" on the right side of the screen for some tips from other money savers. I can't wait to hear how much you save on your next grocery bill!
Friday, November 21, 2008
Tuesdays Tip
We're leaving tonight for a Thanksgiving vacation in FL with Marty's family, so this is gonna have to be a quick one!
In light of having to pack for 2 people for 5 days in a very small suitcase (there are 5 of us riding the same car) here's a packing tip. Instead of placing piles of clothes in your suitcase, fold them just a little smaller and place them in like this:
(In case you can't tell, it's an aerial view of our suitcase.) Simply make a stack of clothes that you need to pack, pick up the entire stack, lay it in the suitcase. This seems to work best when using a hard suitcase, as opposed to a flimsy sided duffel bag.
This allows you to see everything in your suitcase without having to take out 47 shirts to get the one on the bottom. And if you're worried about wrinkles, just be sure to hang your items once you reach your destination, or invest in some Downy Wrinkle Release Spray.
PS...come back next week for some tips about saving money on groceries!!
In light of having to pack for 2 people for 5 days in a very small suitcase (there are 5 of us riding the same car) here's a packing tip. Instead of placing piles of clothes in your suitcase, fold them just a little smaller and place them in like this:
(In case you can't tell, it's an aerial view of our suitcase.) Simply make a stack of clothes that you need to pack, pick up the entire stack, lay it in the suitcase. This seems to work best when using a hard suitcase, as opposed to a flimsy sided duffel bag.
This allows you to see everything in your suitcase without having to take out 47 shirts to get the one on the bottom. And if you're worried about wrinkles, just be sure to hang your items once you reach your destination, or invest in some Downy Wrinkle Release Spray.
PS...come back next week for some tips about saving money on groceries!!
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Tuesday's Tip
Having an organized pantry is essential for me. This keeps me from buying things I don't need, to always know what I have on hand and helps me find the things I need very quickly, making meal prep a breeze! 3 years ago, when I became a Tupperware consultant, I couldn't wait to get my hands on their pantry organization system, called Modular Mates (check it out here and here). Over the years, I've gotten a few pieces here and there and finally have my pantry and food prep areas organized and, of course, labeled oh so neatly. I know that the Modular Mate system can be a little pricey (especially if you plan to do your entire pantry all at once-YIKES!) And while I love these containers (they come with a lifetime guarantee!), the point is to find a system that works for you. Here are a few examples of the way I have used Modular Mates in our kitchen followed by a step by step guide to organizing your pantry (whether you have modular mates or not!)
Baking and Cooking Essentials
The Modular Mate Spice Rack
Snacks
Cereals and Breakfast Foods
Organizing Your Pantry
*Start with a quick sort-Take everything out of the pantry and organize it in piles according to food type (breakfast, soups, baking goods, pasta, etc). Be sure to check the dates on your food and get rid of anything that has expired. If you run across items you know your family will never eat, place them in a bag and take it to a local shelter or food drive.
*Organize by containers-If you're planning to use any kind of container, other than the original packaging, go ahead and put those containers to good use...and don't forget to label them!
*Store items where you use them-It doesn't make sense to store your coffee creamer across the kitchen from the coffee pot, nor does it make sense to store flour away from your food prep area. Store items in the areas of your kitchen where they will be used. This will save you lots of time in the long run.
*Use baskets for deep shelving-If you have a really deep pantry, consider using inexpensive plastic bins or baskets to store like foods. This will make it easy to remove items at all once so that the items in the very back are a little more easily accessible. Example: I have a few baskets in my pantry-one for breakfast foods (syrup, muffin mix packs, etc), one for drink mixes (hot tea packets, Crysal Light mixes, etc) and one for foods that are reserved for an upcoming recipe (this keeps me from using things that I know I'll need later). You can also use portable & permanent drawer units to make better use of the space you have. I had my super handy step-dad make and install custom drawers in place of the bottom 2 shelves of our pantry to make it MUCH easier to find things.
*Stock your pantry-Place your foods back in the pantry so that they are easily accessible. I have found that the nicer it looks, at this point, the more likely we are to keep it looking nice and well organized. Be sure to place the most used items at a convenient level, and the least used items in the back or bottom.
*Yearly or Bi-Yearly Cleanout-This is an easy Saturday project so take the time at least once a year to get rid of old food and spruce up the pantry!
Baking and Cooking Essentials
The Modular Mate Spice Rack
Snacks
Cereals and Breakfast Foods
Organizing Your Pantry
*Start with a quick sort-Take everything out of the pantry and organize it in piles according to food type (breakfast, soups, baking goods, pasta, etc). Be sure to check the dates on your food and get rid of anything that has expired. If you run across items you know your family will never eat, place them in a bag and take it to a local shelter or food drive.
*Organize by containers-If you're planning to use any kind of container, other than the original packaging, go ahead and put those containers to good use...and don't forget to label them!
*Store items where you use them-It doesn't make sense to store your coffee creamer across the kitchen from the coffee pot, nor does it make sense to store flour away from your food prep area. Store items in the areas of your kitchen where they will be used. This will save you lots of time in the long run.
*Use baskets for deep shelving-If you have a really deep pantry, consider using inexpensive plastic bins or baskets to store like foods. This will make it easy to remove items at all once so that the items in the very back are a little more easily accessible. Example: I have a few baskets in my pantry-one for breakfast foods (syrup, muffin mix packs, etc), one for drink mixes (hot tea packets, Crysal Light mixes, etc) and one for foods that are reserved for an upcoming recipe (this keeps me from using things that I know I'll need later). You can also use portable & permanent drawer units to make better use of the space you have. I had my super handy step-dad make and install custom drawers in place of the bottom 2 shelves of our pantry to make it MUCH easier to find things.
*Stock your pantry-Place your foods back in the pantry so that they are easily accessible. I have found that the nicer it looks, at this point, the more likely we are to keep it looking nice and well organized. Be sure to place the most used items at a convenient level, and the least used items in the back or bottom.
*Yearly or Bi-Yearly Cleanout-This is an easy Saturday project so take the time at least once a year to get rid of old food and spruce up the pantry!
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Tuesday's Tip
As I have just finished this week's laundry, I'm reminded of a tip I learned a long time ago that has helped tremendously in our house. It's helped keep things, our closets especially, neat and tidy. I'm aware that we don't have children and little ones running around could cause some interruptions, making this tip unusable. However, it's one that I've lived by for as long as I can remember, and I hope I'm able to continue it, as much as possible, when we have little ones running around!
Never take an item of clothing from the dryer without hanging it up or folding it.
It's a simple as that, folks! Since we don't have an actual laundry room (just a closet in our hallway that holds our washer and dryer) this little tip has kept me from going crazy over piles and mounds and messes of clothes in a very busy walkway of our house. I hear so many people who complain of the mounds of laundry, clean and dirty alike, that seem to come from nowhere. I've even heard stories of people spending up to FOUR hours of doing nothing but folding, hanging and putting away loads and loads and loads of laundry that have piled up over the course of a week. That, my friends, is a good time I'd like to avoid. We have a high efficiency washer and dryer, so we do big ol' loads of laundry. And it only takes about 3 minutes to fold, stack and hang one load of laundry. If I do 4 loads of clothes a week, that's 12 minutes. 12 minutes vs. 4 hours.
So, even if it sits in a neatly folded pile for a week or hangs in your laundry room until it needs to be worn again, at least its not in a crumpled mess on a dirty floor somewhere, or getting so dirty from being trampled on that it has to be washed AGAIN before it can be worn.
Got any other good laundry tips? Let me know!
Never take an item of clothing from the dryer without hanging it up or folding it.
It's a simple as that, folks! Since we don't have an actual laundry room (just a closet in our hallway that holds our washer and dryer) this little tip has kept me from going crazy over piles and mounds and messes of clothes in a very busy walkway of our house. I hear so many people who complain of the mounds of laundry, clean and dirty alike, that seem to come from nowhere. I've even heard stories of people spending up to FOUR hours of doing nothing but folding, hanging and putting away loads and loads and loads of laundry that have piled up over the course of a week. That, my friends, is a good time I'd like to avoid. We have a high efficiency washer and dryer, so we do big ol' loads of laundry. And it only takes about 3 minutes to fold, stack and hang one load of laundry. If I do 4 loads of clothes a week, that's 12 minutes. 12 minutes vs. 4 hours.
So, even if it sits in a neatly folded pile for a week or hangs in your laundry room until it needs to be worn again, at least its not in a crumpled mess on a dirty floor somewhere, or getting so dirty from being trampled on that it has to be washed AGAIN before it can be worn.
Got any other good laundry tips? Let me know!
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Tuesday's Tip
Many of you have suggested that I start a weekly post about doing things on a budget or organizing tips or the things I do to make life simpler...so here ya go!! It'll be something different every week, so be sure to check back often!!
Inexpensive Decorating Tip
A couple of weeks ago, we painted and did sort of a "redecorating" project in our kitchen. In that, I created one of my most favorite projects EVER!! I got the idea from Ballard Designs (see it here). Unless those prints actually come off the wall and clean my kitchen for me, there was NO WAY I was spending $700 to get the exact look from the catalog. So, I planned and came up with a SUPER easy and CHEAP solution to get the look I wanted without breaking the bank! Here's the end result (ignore the light fixture being reflected in the mirror!)...
Inexpensive Decorating Tip
A couple of weeks ago, we painted and did sort of a "redecorating" project in our kitchen. In that, I created one of my most favorite projects EVER!! I got the idea from Ballard Designs (see it here). Unless those prints actually come off the wall and clean my kitchen for me, there was NO WAY I was spending $700 to get the exact look from the catalog. So, I planned and came up with a SUPER easy and CHEAP solution to get the look I wanted without breaking the bank! Here's the end result (ignore the light fixture being reflected in the mirror!)...
And here's how to do it...
You'll need:
**4-6 frames in a color of your choice (I got those from Wal-Mart for $3 each.)
**A mirror-optional (I chose a mirror that was the same color as the frames for continuities sake. Another Wal-Mart purchase...only $14!)
**Small samples of fabric, scrapbook paper, tissue paper, wrapping paper-the possibilities are endless (I gathered mine from different stores here and there. You can find pretty fabrics for good prices, and since you only need a little, you'd probably spend less than $1 on each one! And of course, scrapbook papers can be purchases on sale for pennies!)
**A print off of your monogram (Just pick a pretty font, type your letter, size it up, print it out and there ya go! You could also do a quote or favorite saying.)
Arrange your items in a large flat area (like the floor or table) to figure out the best layout. Then, start hanging on the wall, starting in the middle and work your way out.
It really is that easy! I spent about $32 on my project which saved me about $670!!!
One thing I love about this project, too, is that not only will it make a great impact on a wall in your own home, but you can also create something like this to give as a gift for Christmas or a birthday. Just customize it to their taste and in just a few minutes, they have handmade custom wall art!
I'd love to hear what you think about it or if you have any other suggestions for making this project even better!!
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