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Holiday shopping is a huge project. Did you remember everyone? Did you get the right gift? Are you running in too many directions and not getting things done?

The best advice I can offer is to prepare your thoughts and make a comprehensive list.

* List everyone you want to recognize with a gift including family, friends, teachers, service providers, neighbors and more. It might take more than one pass to remember everyone.
* Jot notes with potential ideas, sizes (if needed), favorite hobbies or activities to jar some gifting ideas.
* Pre-shop or make purchases on-line to save time.
* Take advantage of Free Shipping on-line this season…I hear there are going to be allot of these offers.
* Choose stores or websites that match the recipient.
* Plan your shopping geographically to maximize your time out in the stores.

The worst time waster is to arrive at a store with no written notes and your brain goes completely blank. Prepare ahead of shopping and have it in writing.

Some people use the same list year after year (you might consider putting it on a spreadsheet). This way you can see what you gave each person in years past, have their vitals like sizes and interests at the ready, and more.

Your list can be as simple or sophisticated as you like. The important thing is that it works for you.

It is so easy to misplace coupons and Gift Cards, or they expire before you remember that you even have them. The key to managing these items is to know where they are and to have them with you when you are at the store.

Keep Gift Cards and Store Coupons in one place,
IN YOUR CAR

Put all your gift cards and store coupons in an envelop in the door pocket of your car. That way you always have them with you when you are at the store.

Here’s a great example because we all have this one. You receive a large blue and white coupon from Bed, Bath and Beyond every month. (I see them in all your houses). How many times have you found yourself at the store, but the coupon is at home? By keeping the coupon in your car you will always know where they are and they will be with you when you are at the store.

As we come in to the holiday buying season chances are you are going to give and receive gift cards. A word of advice is to use them quickly, don’t sit on them. They may expire. The store may go out of business. Who knows? Keep them with you in your wallet or car so they are available at all times.

Are you having trouble getting started preparing yourself and your family for emergencies? Do these two things to get a jump start.

1. Buy extra water while shopping this week.

Water is the single most important item you need to sustain yourself during an emergency. Dehydration will slow you down and take you out. Plan at least 4 gallons per person for 7 (that is seven) days.

Bring home large gallon containers and flats of individual bottles to store in the garage, trunk of the car and other places around your house, car and office. Our family drinks the bottles in the car and replenishes as needed to keep the water fresh.

You can also fill your own containers with water if you already have some good storage containers.

2. Pull out your Cell Phone RIGHT NOW and enter these Emergency numbers.
If you dial 911 from your cell phone you do not get your local emergency dispatch. It is so important to have your local emergency phone numbers in your cell phone.

* Use ICE as the persons title (In Case of Emergency).
* First name: (town)
* Last name: service (Police, Fire, etc).

I will list the key numbers for Oakland and Piedmont. For other towns and cities the emergency numbers are listed in the front of the phone book or on the home page of your town’s police and fire departments.

Oakland Police Emergency 777-3211
Oakland Police Non-Emergency 777-3333
Oakland Fire Emergency 444-1616
Oakland Fire Non-Emergency 444-3322
Oakland Medical Emergency 238-6957

Piedmont Police (24 hour dispatch) 420-3000
Piedmont Fire 420-3030

So far we covered making your kit, your plan and being informed. Last week we talked about specifics for your kit that pertain to you and your family and your pets.

Add this to your list of items to accomplish and make a little progress every week.

Important Document Copies:
Review all your important documents and make copies (either hard copies or scanned and stored on a disc or an on-line storage site. Hard copies and CD’s should be sent to a trusted friend or relative OUT OF STATE. Include insurance policies, property papers, birth, marriage certificates. Any documents that are important to you and your family.

We spend a lot of time in our lives eating, cooking or preparing our meals, but also shopping for food. With some simple planning you can cut back on that very large household expense item…groceries.

The most important thing you can bring to the grocery store is a list.

“Oh come on”, you say. that is way to simple. “Simple but true”, I say.

More time and money is wasted in the grocery store when you don’t have a list because you end up “impulse shopping”. The grocery store is laid out to entice you to stay longer and to pick up more than you really need.

Make a plan: Here is an good situation…but at minimum, make a list.

* On Sunday make a list of the week’s days and a dinner name next to each. (If you don’t want to do this every week plan the same thing every week like Monday-chicken, Tuesday-pasta, etc. You can change the actual preparation style to add some variety.)
* Note any evenings you will not be home…no dinner prep that night.
* Think through other meals you eat at home including brown bag lunches for kids and adults, breakfast, snacks.
* Think through perishables like fruits, veggies, eggs and bread. Check your pantry for staples like oil, vinegar, etc. Some basics you purchase every week.
* Develop your list from this quick weekly menu.

If you develop this preparation habit each week you are going to cut back on impulse purchases and also stop over-buying.