Archive for Saving Money

My Favorite Tools for Organizing

April 30, 2010 at 5:36 pm · Filed under Mail, Saving Money, Spring Cleaning, decluttering, paper management

For the fun of it…here are my favorite organizing tools.

My 4 favorite tools for organizing.

Letter Opener: Opening mail happens every day and is not the height of excitement.  Why not make the job easier?  I have a letter opener from Target which cost less than $3.00.  Who says you have to spend allot?
Label Maker:  I am an organizer…need I say more.  No seriously, these are easy to use and super fun.  My handwriting is inconsistent, so why not make long term labels that are easily readable.
Super Sticky Post-it notes: Have you found these yet?  You can stick and re-stick these.  It makes decisions last, but movable and I like that.  They are available at all the office supply stores.
Removable Labels: I discovered these from a client (thank you).  These are great when you are setting up a new system and need a short term label.  Once you have learned which drawers have the undies (all puns intended) you can remove the label and there is no residue on your furniture.   I use them in all rooms of the house.  These are also available at office supply stores.

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IKEA store event

January 27, 2010 at 7:40 pm · Filed under Saving Money, Spring Cleaning

We had a great time this weekend discussing organizing solutions and tips. IKEA is a great place to find stylish and affordable containers. Our panel fielded questions from shoppers. I look forward to doing this again. Stay tuned….17270_1360551215903_1295239289_3031994_1589157_n

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managing store coupons and gift cards

November 12, 2009 at 1:23 am · Filed under Saving Money

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.

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Saving Money at the Grocery Store

November 9, 2009 at 6:58 pm · Filed under Saving Money

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.

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