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Blog: The Simplified Home
 12 Tips to Save Time and Streamline Your Day
All those precious seconds driving in traffic, waiting in line and browsing the video or book store add up. Here are 12 ways to save time and streamline your day.
1. Send gift certificates and gift cards for presents. Phone in the order – no shopping, no wrapping, no exchanges. This options also helps reduce clutter because the gift recipient is able to purchase exactly what they want, rather than receiving a gift that is never used, but lingers out of obligation to the gift giver.
2. Buy bagged salad greens and rotisserie chickens, two cornerstones of quick, healthy dinners. Add shredded chicken to casseroles, salads, soups, and pastas. At my local grocery, fresh, hot rotisserie chickens are available twice a day.
3. Ask for the earliest appointment. The later in the day you book a doctor's visit, a haircut, or a meeting, the greater the chance it will be delayed.
4. Keep a stash of all-purpose birthday cards on hand, at home and in the office. If you have kids you've likely received a birthday invitation on Friday for a party on Saturday, so keep a stash of girl and boy birthday gifts for those last minute birthday party invitations. This strategy saved us loads of time when my kids were younger.
5. Put a list of movies you want to rent and books you want to read in your wallet or Smart Phone. Better yet, purchase an e-reader like Kindle Wireless e-Reader by Amazon, where you can preview, download and read books totally in electronic format. For movies, grocery stores and McDonald's in most large cities now have Red Box kiosks where you can get a one night rental for $1.
6. Make kits containing supplies that you use all the time (scissors, tape, reading glasses, cleaning supplies) and place in strategic areas of the house (i.e., by a phone, or in a desk or night stand). At least, place a kit on every floor of your home. This will prevent extra trips up and down the stairs for minor projects.
7. Apply for your car license tags online and if you live close to toll roads, apply for an electronic tag to quickly go through toll booths.
8. Invest in a wireless handheld e-mail device (such as a BlackBerry). Keep in touch with friends during unexpected downtime.
9. Sign up for automatic bill paying at your bank's website and purchase postage stamps online. This one is a huge time and money saver! I haven't purchased postage stamps, checks or envelopes for years!
10. Buy a case of your favorite olive oil, wine, or cute notepads so you don't have to make last-minute trips for hostess or birthday gifts.
11. Buy movie tickets in advance at AAA or by using Moviefone or Fandango to avoid wasting time on lines.
12. Whenever possible, double a recipe. Eat half right away, and freeze the rest for a future meal.
I'd love to hear your time-saving tips! Please add your comments below.
Source for some of these ideas: Real Simple
PS – coming soon … Time Management for Busy Moms e-book
posted on: 4/20/2010 6:24:39 PM by Janet Nusbaum, The Organizing Genie
category: Homes
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The Simplified Home
by Janet Nusbaum, The Organizing Genie
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About Janet:
Janet Nusbaum creates calm out of chaos, and loves bringing serenity and order to overwhelmed households, cluttered offices, frazzled parents, and transitioning seniors and families. Janet, President of Simplified Spaces & The Simplified Home, is an Organizing Consultant, Senior Move Manager, Author and Speaker.
She is the author of "Mom, Can I Help Around the House?" A Simple, Step-by-Step System for Teaching Your Children Life-Long Skills for Pitching-In & Picking-up".
She is a proud member: National Association of Professional Organizers (NAPO) & National Study Group on Chronic Disorganization (NSGCD)
Visit our blog - www.TheOrganizingGenie.com, and sign-up to receive our special report "SHELF LIFE OF 75 COMMON HOUSEHOLD ITEMS. Use this report to decide what to keep and what to toss ... then TAKE ACTION!!
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