Archives for 2012

Decluttering: Week 2 of Project Simplify – 2012

March 12, 2012 by Tracy

In between catching up from our family’s trip to my Grandma’s funeral and daily life, I squeezed in time for organizing.

Participating in Tsh’s Project Simplify, I determined to get my toddler’s nursery decluttered of baby items, cleaned, and organized. Though it wasn’t easy, I finished the task on Saturday afternoon and added lots of baby items to our donation pile.

Week #1: Kids’s Stuff

The main project in my daughter’s nursery was the closet. I had pillows, diaper bags, infant toys, slings, carriers, and coats taking up valuable space in her closet. To best use the available space, I followed this system of organization:

Remove all items out of each shelf

Sort items into 3 piles

Keep
Give (donate)
Sell

Organize keep items

Place keep items into designated space

Put give and sell items in their designated spaces

Before After

The result turned out better than I envisioned. I love to see empty spaces! My daughter’s closet now holds items she uses, and the extra stuff is not cluttering our home.

This Project Simplify task – organizing Kids’ Stuff is complete. If you simplified your kids’ stuff this week, then please link or post your pictures in the comments.

Week #2: Kitchen and/or Pantry

With Week #1 complete, Project Simplify is moving to Week #2 – Kitchen and/or pantry. Hmm . . . my freezer and my pantry need some attention. Oh, which one do I choose?

Well, come back next week to see my before and after pictures of my progress. Happy organizing!

Question: Which area needs more attention in your home – pantry, freezer, or kitchen?

Major Medical: Identification Cards

March 11, 2012 by Tracy

After taking a break last week to request our credit reports, it is time to begin another category in our document organization.

Working through our insurance paperwork in Box 2, we have completed the first two categories: Personal Insurance Documents and Life Insurance.

The third category housed in one file opening is major medical insurance. Located within this file slot of my box are the following documents:

Summary page

Identification cards

Benefits Guide

Correspondence

Summary Page

Like every other file opening in my insurance box, I keep a copy of the summary page at the front of this file. This page holds the contact information, account numbers, and instructions for filing claims.

Identification Cards

After the summary page, I keep these documents paper clipped together:

Copies of the front and back of our major medical identification cards

Paperwork sent with the identification cards

Website information with my username and passwords

I carry my insurance card with me, but the copies stay in this file. Should my purse get stolen or lost, I will get this information and contact the insurance company to report the problem and ask for new cards.

If you carry major medical insurance or discount medical cards, then consider putting these documents in a safe place. You never know when you might need to contact the company or request new cards. Happy organizing!

Question: Does your insurance company still use your social security number as identification?

2012: Daylight Savings Time – Spring Forward

March 10, 2012 by Tracy

Photograph Credit: Flickr (Christoper Binning)

If you live in the land of Daylight Savings Time, then we will lose an hour of sleep tonight. Never fear, we get to gain our hour back on November 4.

As you saunter off to dreamland, be sure to set your clock ahead one hour.

I still remember missing Daylight Savings Time and noticing it on Sunday afternoon. Glad I found out on Sunday. Had it not been, I would have been late to work on Monday morning. 😉

Enjoy your day, even if it is a little shorter.

Happy Daylight Savings Time!

Question: Will you be changing the batteries in your smoke detectors?

6 Ways to Cut the Price of a Haircut

March 10, 2012 by Tracy

Photograph Credit: Flickr (Tom Magliery)

Saving money on routine services is a great way to stretch your dollars. One such routine service is haircuts. In an effort to save my family money, I learned through researching, watching tutorials, and trial-and-error to cut my family’s hair.

Recently, my husband has entrusted his hair to my care. Yikes! Though I was a bit nervous, the product looked great. Whew! Relieved because I did not want to butcher it. 🙂

If you are not ready to cut your family’s hair or your own but still want to save at the barber/salon, consider these 6 ways to cut the price of a haircut while stretching your dollars:

1. Become a Facebook Fan

“Like” your favorite barber/salon establishment to keep up with special offers, discounts, and coupons.

2. Sign up for the Newsletter

If your favorite business offers an e-mail newsletter, then sign up. You will get first notification of sales, coupons, discounts, and special offers delivered to your inbox.

3. Check the Website

Some companies like SuperCuts offer coupons on their website. You can print this coupon for $5 off a SuperCut’s haircut, valid through April 10, 2012. The limit is one coupon per customer. Click here to find a SuperCut’s location near you.

4. Look for Grand Openings

If you are not picky about your haircut, then watch for grand openings. Salons and barbers will offer great specials at grand openings. To find these, look for roadside banners, newspaper advertisements, and radio and television spots.

5. Gather Coupons

I find coupons in the newspaper, home mailers, on-line, and on the back of grocery store receipts. Since I do not cut my hair, I use Great Clips coupons from the back of my Bi-Lo receipts.

These coupons offer an $11 haircut for $4.99 to $6.99. Thankfully, I found a wonderful hairdresser, who understands my hair, and I call before coming to verify her schedule.

6. Consider Cosmetology Schools

Though it takes more time, getting a haircut or treatment through a cosmetology school significantly cuts the price. To get my hair colored at a salon costs $60, but the cosmetology school costs $25. The saving is fantastic, but I do spend an extra hour at the school versus the salon. When I take the time, the savings are worth it.

By becoming a Facebook fan, signing up for the newsletter, checking the website, looking for grand openings, gathering coupons, and considering cosmetology schools, you can cut your out-of-pocket cost on haircuts while stretching your dollars.

Without a friend or family member to cut your hair, you can still save without paying full price. Keep watch because savings are available with a little effort while you continue using time wisely.

Question: Do you pay full price for your hair needs?

Family Activities: Recreational District Events

March 9, 2012 by Tracy

Our recreational districts host some of the most creative activities for my children. In our area of South Carolina, we are fortunate enough to live near three recreational districts. Each offers sports teams, community events, and activities.

Soccer Season 2008

Sports Teams

When looking for a soccer program for our son, we found that our city’s league was over $70 per child. Did I mention my son was three at the time? As I picked my jaw off the floor, I decided to look elsewhere for a soccer program.

After a little research, I found a 6-week program through the recreational district in the next city over for $25 per child. Now, that’s my type of program.

Through this program, my son learned the skills of soccer, as there were no teams or games. For a three-year old, this format was fantastic. Our family enjoyed the one-hour practice time outdoors as our son learned the game, rules, and skills.

Having loved soccer, my son requested basketball and t-ball sessions. All three of the programs met our expectations. In fact, my son played these sports while he was 3-5 years old. We upgraded him to a soccer team when he turned 6, but the recreational district programs prepared him for the games.

Our recreational districts offer sporting events for children, teens, and adults. Teams are usually on a first-come, first-serve basis. Once the program fills, then remaining entrants have to wait for the next session.

Halloween 2010

Community Events

Our recreational districts offer free to inexpensive community events. From free Touch a Truck events, where construction and monster vehicles fill the park for participants to climb up and “drive,” to $5-$6 events for Leprechaun O’Gala (St. Patrick’s Day), Flashlight Easter Egg Hunts, Enchanted Tracks (Halloween), and Polar Express (Christmas) activities, our recreational districts give great opportunities for family fun.

Adult events include walks, runs, floating rubber ducks down a river, food tasting, and fairs (Scottish, Renaissance, etc.). These gatherings promote healthy living and community unity.

Inflatable Fun 2012

Activities

Besides the sports and events, some recreational districts offer on-going activities. Some of these activities are water parks, hiking trails, ice skating, inflatable zones, playground equipment, and train rides. For my family, spending time at the recreational district is a blast. My children look forward to visiting as often as possible since they enjoy the programs, events, and activities.

To find your recreational districts, do a search on your favorite search engine:

1. Go to www.SwagBucks.com (You are earning free Swag Bucks for rewards and prizes, aren’t you?)

2. Type “(YOUR CITY) recreational district.”

3. Type “(CITY NEAR YOU) recreational district.”

4. Type “(YOUR COUNTY) recreational district.”

Hopefully, you will find one or more recreational districts. When you do, look over their schedule to find sports teams, community events, and activities that your family will enjoy. While using time wisely, enjoy your family time. Happy planning!

Question: Do you take part in events with your recreational district?

Note: This post has an affiliate link to SwagBucks.com. If you register through my link, Using Time Wisely will be compensated with Swag Bucks at no cost to you. My disclosure policy details my affiliate relationships.

« Previous Page