Tips for Tuesday
You work, your children are involved in after-school activites, your house doesn't clean itself. So how do you get it all done? In addition to daily tasks, there are special occasions and holidays that always pop up, creating even more work for you.
These events usually require a trip to the mall, whether it's for a gift, new clothes or something needed for school. To make your trips easier, keep these tips in mind:
• Make a list before you go so you don’t forget anything.
• Make sure you have the receipt with you for any items you are returning. Some stores require one. Others will give you the last sale price no matter what you paid.
• Return catalog purchases to the store to avoid shipping fees and waiting in line at the post office.
• Buy movie tickets online to avoid standing in line.
• Buy presents on sale when you see them throughout the year. Post-holiday sales are a great time to stock up on next year's presents at a fraction of the cost.
Showing posts with label errands. Show all posts
Showing posts with label errands. Show all posts
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
Organizing Your Submissions to Editors/Agents--Part Two
Writer Wednesday
Once you have a completed project, you can start submitting your work to agents and editors. There are many things to keep in mind when submitting your book or novella. Having a handle on all this will improve your chances of having your full manuscript accepted.
4. Keep a record of all submissions in a database, spread sheet or a hard copy. List the title of the submission, the house submitted to, the agent/editor's name, date mailed or e-mailed and the date you expect to hear back from them.
5. Follow up with editors and agents if the deadline for response passes.
6. Keep a copy of each version you send out under the agent's or editor's name.
7. Review any feedback for valuable advice.
8. Reply in a timely manner if additional material is requested.
9. Send a thank-you note to the editor/agent.
Once you have a completed project, you can start submitting your work to agents and editors. There are many things to keep in mind when submitting your book or novella. Having a handle on all this will improve your chances of having your full manuscript accepted.
4. Keep a record of all submissions in a database, spread sheet or a hard copy. List the title of the submission, the house submitted to, the agent/editor's name, date mailed or e-mailed and the date you expect to hear back from them.
5. Follow up with editors and agents if the deadline for response passes.
6. Keep a copy of each version you send out under the agent's or editor's name.
7. Review any feedback for valuable advice.
8. Reply in a timely manner if additional material is requested.
9. Send a thank-you note to the editor/agent.
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Streamlining Your Life--At the Grocery Store
Tips for Tuesday
Grocery shopping is time consuming. You need to plan your menus, write your list, look for coupons, drive to the store, look for items that are on sale, wait in the checkout lines and put everything away when you get home. There are some things you can do to make the trip easier.
• Create a pre-printed grocery list either by aisle or food group. Print one out as soon as you return form the store. Hang it somewhere handy in the kitchen. Then check off items you use up or know you'll need the next time you shop. Make your own, or print one from online, such as this one from OrganizeTips.com--http://www.organizetips.com/grocer.htm
• Clip coupons from your Sunday paper every week and file them by category. Check your shopping list for coupons before you go to the store.
• Make up your menu for the coming week so you know which ingredients you'll need to purchase.
• Economy-size packages may not always be the cheapest. Check unit pricing for the best deal.
• Avoid grocery shopping altogether by using a grocery delivery service. The same goes for prescription medications.
Grocery shopping is time consuming. You need to plan your menus, write your list, look for coupons, drive to the store, look for items that are on sale, wait in the checkout lines and put everything away when you get home. There are some things you can do to make the trip easier.
• Create a pre-printed grocery list either by aisle or food group. Print one out as soon as you return form the store. Hang it somewhere handy in the kitchen. Then check off items you use up or know you'll need the next time you shop. Make your own, or print one from online, such as this one from OrganizeTips.com--http://www.organizetips.com/grocer.htm
• Clip coupons from your Sunday paper every week and file them by category. Check your shopping list for coupons before you go to the store.
• Make up your menu for the coming week so you know which ingredients you'll need to purchase.
• Economy-size packages may not always be the cheapest. Check unit pricing for the best deal.
• Avoid grocery shopping altogether by using a grocery delivery service. The same goes for prescription medications.
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
Streamline Your Life--General Tips for Errands
Tips for Tuesday
You lead a busy life, working, shuffling children around, attending family commitments, etc. There are times you wonder how you are going to get it all done. Especially with all the errands that are a part of everyday life. Here is the first in a series of blogs about streamlining your errands and shopping to save you time.
General Tips
• Write out all your stops before you head out the door so you take the shortest route and won't be backtracking. Check times of operation for businesses before you leave so you don't arrive at a store that isn't open yet, resulting in a trip back later in the day.
• Order stamps by mail—they’ll be delivered to your mailbox at no extra charge. The Post Office also ships supplies like priority mail envelopes/boxes at no cost to you.
• Barter with friends—trade one of your errands or tasks with one of theirs to avoid an additional trip. Plan in advance in case you have to bring an item, such as library books, to your friend's house before they are due.
• Limit your kids’ activities. Even one activity can mean several trips per week, with practices and games or performances. Allow one activity per child to save on your sanity--and their health.
You lead a busy life, working, shuffling children around, attending family commitments, etc. There are times you wonder how you are going to get it all done. Especially with all the errands that are a part of everyday life. Here is the first in a series of blogs about streamlining your errands and shopping to save you time.
General Tips
• Write out all your stops before you head out the door so you take the shortest route and won't be backtracking. Check times of operation for businesses before you leave so you don't arrive at a store that isn't open yet, resulting in a trip back later in the day.
• Order stamps by mail—they’ll be delivered to your mailbox at no extra charge. The Post Office also ships supplies like priority mail envelopes/boxes at no cost to you.
• Barter with friends—trade one of your errands or tasks with one of theirs to avoid an additional trip. Plan in advance in case you have to bring an item, such as library books, to your friend's house before they are due.
• Limit your kids’ activities. Even one activity can mean several trips per week, with practices and games or performances. Allow one activity per child to save on your sanity--and their health.
Thursday, August 25, 2011
Helping Your Aging Parents--Consolidating Tasks
Senior Thursday
Last week we talked about creating a list of everything that needs to be done for your aging parents. Now that you have compiled that list, see if there are any tasks that can be consolidated with your own.
• Consolidate banking accounts to one bank so you only have to make one trip.
• Set up automatic bill-paying with utilities, insurance companies, etc., or ask to have the due dates the same as yours so you are only writing out bills once.
• Coordinate refills at the pharmacy with the days you pick up your own.
• Shop at the same grocery store as the elder and drop off the groceries on your way home. If your relative doesn’t live near you, consider setting up a grocery delivery system. It costs a bit more, but saves you time.
• Schedule appointments for the hairdresser, dentist, etc. at the same time. Of course, one of you may have to switch the salon you visit, but it’s worth saving the extra trip.
• Prepare an extra serving or two while making your own meals and freeze or store them for your parent(s).
• Hire a housekeeper for yourself or the elder.
Last week we talked about creating a list of everything that needs to be done for your aging parents. Now that you have compiled that list, see if there are any tasks that can be consolidated with your own.
• Consolidate banking accounts to one bank so you only have to make one trip.
• Set up automatic bill-paying with utilities, insurance companies, etc., or ask to have the due dates the same as yours so you are only writing out bills once.
• Coordinate refills at the pharmacy with the days you pick up your own.
• Shop at the same grocery store as the elder and drop off the groceries on your way home. If your relative doesn’t live near you, consider setting up a grocery delivery system. It costs a bit more, but saves you time.
• Schedule appointments for the hairdresser, dentist, etc. at the same time. Of course, one of you may have to switch the salon you visit, but it’s worth saving the extra trip.
• Prepare an extra serving or two while making your own meals and freeze or store them for your parent(s).
• Hire a housekeeper for yourself or the elder.
Thursday, August 18, 2011
Helping Your Aging Parents--Overview
Senior Thursday
In a world where baby-boomers are reaching retirement age, and people are living longer, we are seeing more and more situations of role reversals. The children of aging parents are becoming the caretakers. The mother is now the ‘child’ and the daughter is now a ‘mother.’
In many families, this can put a stress on the time and energy left for one’s own family. But there are ways to reorganize your life, and ways to help your parents and still maintain your own life.
Finding The Time
The time you devote to your aging relative depends on their situation. Some may be in a nursing home, some may be in assisted living, others are still in their own home, but unable to care for daily tasks such as cooking meals or maintaining the yard.
The first thing you will need to do is make a list of everything that needs to be done for the elder. If he/she is on his own home, then the tasks are much the same as those in your house. If they are living with you, there are still tasks, such as doctor visits or laundry, that will need to be done in addition to your own. Even if they are living in a nursing home, there are still some things you will be responsible for.
Next Week: Consolidating Tasks
In a world where baby-boomers are reaching retirement age, and people are living longer, we are seeing more and more situations of role reversals. The children of aging parents are becoming the caretakers. The mother is now the ‘child’ and the daughter is now a ‘mother.’
In many families, this can put a stress on the time and energy left for one’s own family. But there are ways to reorganize your life, and ways to help your parents and still maintain your own life.
Finding The Time
The time you devote to your aging relative depends on their situation. Some may be in a nursing home, some may be in assisted living, others are still in their own home, but unable to care for daily tasks such as cooking meals or maintaining the yard.
The first thing you will need to do is make a list of everything that needs to be done for the elder. If he/she is on his own home, then the tasks are much the same as those in your house. If they are living with you, there are still tasks, such as doctor visits or laundry, that will need to be done in addition to your own. Even if they are living in a nursing home, there are still some things you will be responsible for.
Next Week: Consolidating Tasks
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