Using Time Wisely

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Already Adjusting My 2013 Schedule

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Already Adjusting My Schedule

Photograph Credit: Microsoft Images

Well, I’m on the fence regarding adjusting my 2013 schedule. On the one side, I really enjoy the “normal” posting schedule where I post about a set topic each day. On the other side, I liked January’s theme and each day’s post relating to that topic.

In trying to mesh the two ideas together, I am not currently succeeding. Trying to force a topic into a category is not my style or objective. I do not write just to have a post written for the day.

With timely information, I carefully choose my topics for each category typically a month in advance. Although I do make changes, I keep to the plan most of the time.

In my Happy New Year post, I announced my desire for these monthly themes:

Using Time Wisely Monthly Themes

          • January: Planning for Success
          • February: Investing your Time
          • March: Springing into Action

The Planning for Success topic worked well. However, there were a number of family activities and typical posts (i.e., goals, counting my blessings, and filing system) that took a backseat due to the topic. I liked the theme and think I might consider selecting one a quarter rather than every month.

I know I formerly posted that I would evaluate this plan in March; however, I just did not want to wait that long. So, these are the pros and cons I saw to the theme-based approach in January:

Pros

    • Same theme for each post
    • Ease of using the same photo
    • Keeps the momentum building
    • Increases interaction

Cons

    • Same image
    • Long list of prior days
    • No room for typical posts

For me, the pros outweigh the cons. I could easily change the image each day and adjust the long list, but I am left with sticking to the theme for cohesion. Though I liked this type of theme, I prefer the standard posting schedule. For now, I have gone back to my standard posting schedule, but I would like to learn from this experiment and try again in a couple of months.

Now that I have shared my thoughts, I welcome and invite you to post feedback as to your pros and cons to the January series. As I am not an all-or-nothing decision maker, I willingly compromise and adapt to reach the best possible solution. I think with a bit of tweaking, the theme-based approach may work once in awhile, but then again, I’m on the fence. Listening for your input!

Question: What’s your take on the theme-based January series?

Planning for Success: Face Vehicle Maintenance – Day 30

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Planning for success - Day 30

Photograph Credit: iStockphoto

Knowing that a successful year will not materialize on its own, we must plan and prepare for a prosperous 2013.

Throughout the 31 days of January, I will choose one topic each day to prepare or schedule for this year.

Without preparation, I know I will forget, miss, or overlook certain items. If you desire an organized year, then join me in this adventure of Planning for Success for a prosperous 2013.

To receive a daily e-mail around 11:00 a.m. with the new posts of each day, subscribe to my free daily newsletter. In case you miss a post in this series, I will provide the link to each day as the month progresses. 🙂

Day 30:  Face Vehicle Maintenance

When Paul and I got married, we made an agreement. He would not expect me to sew, and I would not ask him to fix the car. Fair deal! 🙂

Knowing that neither one of us knew anything about vehicles, we found a trustworthy mechanic, who keeps our vehicles running in tip top shape without costing us an arm and a leg.

In scheduling quarterly vehicle maintenance, our mechanic warns us when a major or expensive repair is coming due. With advanced notice, we can make sacrifices as needed to save money for those needed repairs.

Though we don’t always meet the quarterly schedule, our vehicles get their checkups often since these reminders are posted within my calendar. The oil change stickers on the upper left corner of our windshields also remind us to see the mechanic.

In planning for success, face vehicle maintenance head on. The little noises now can develop into larger, more expensive problems later. To make your vehicle maintenance a priority, add a reminder to your planning tool each quarter. Even if you miss one, your vehicle will still get 3 checkups this year.

Quarterly vehicle maintenance prevents annoying clinks and clanks and breaking down on the side of the road. In using time wisely, vehicle maintenance provides preventative care rather than creative reconstruction which saves money, energy, and time. Keep scheduling, and happy maintaining!

Question: How often do you face vehicle maintenance?

Planning for Success: Enter Drugstore Rewards – Day 23

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Planning for success - Day 23

Photograph Credit: iStockphoto

Knowing that a successful year will not materialize on its own, we must plan and prepare for a prosperous 2013.

Throughout the 31 days of January, I will choose one topic each day to prepare or schedule for this year.

Without preparation, I know I will forget, miss, or overlook certain items. If you desire an organized year, then join me in this adventure of Planning for Success for a prosperous 2013.

To receive a daily e-mail around 11:00 a.m. with the new posts of each day, subscribe to my free daily newsletter. In case you miss a post in this series, I will provide the link to each day as the month progresses. 🙂

Day 23: Enter Reward Deadlines

If you shop the sales and promotions at the drugstores, then you are probably earning rewards. Though each program is different, each drugstore offers rewards in the form of coupons for your next transaction or next visit.

By entering the expiration dates of the reward into my calendar, I can remember to use the rewards before they expire to save my family money. Rewards entered are CVS Extra Bucks, Walgreens Register Rewards and Balance Rewards, and Rite Aid +Up! Rewards.

CVS Extra Bucks

During weekly promotions, you can earn Extra Bucks coupons for dollars off your next transaction. The deals are listed in the store circular stating any restrictions.

Last week, I purchased 6 bottles of Suave body wash at $2 each with the “spend $12, get $4 in Extra Bucks” promotion. I used 3 manufacturer’s coupons for $1 off a purchase of 2 Suave products as well as  a $6 Extra Bucks coupon from a previous visit. My total came to $3.18, and I received a $4 Extra Buck coupon on the bottom of my receipt.

For my second transaction, I purchased 3 packages of Huggies diapers and 2 bottles of Dawn detergent. I used the following manufacturer coupons: 2 – $2 off Huggies diapers, 1 – $1.50 off Huggies diapers, and 2 – $.25 off Dawn detergent.

Combining the coupons with the “spend $30, get a $10 CVS gift card” promotion, the $4 Extra Bucks received from transaction #1, and $10 Extra Bucks earned from a previous visit that was soon expiring, I spent $11.15 and received a $10 CVS gift card. Having used all my Extra Bucks, I had none due to expire.

By far, CVS has been my favorite drugstore. I started learning the drugstore game with CVS, and find little to no problems with their promotions at the register. If the store is out of the item, then no worries, the employee will give you a rain check for the item(s) with the promotion attached.

Walgreens Register Rewards and Balance Rewards

Walgreens has a number of programs going at the same time, including rebates. Their system is more complicated than CVS, but you can snag some great deals when you combine the savings strategies. The Register Rewards print at the register to use on another transaction. You must follow the promotion exactly to get the reward to print.

Balance Rewards are fairly new. You can earn points and then redeem those points for cash off at the register. Combining the rewards gets tricky. For a better understanding of Walgreens rewards, I recommend The Krazy Coupon Lady’s post, Walgreens: How to Roll Balance Rewards Points.

Rite Aid +Up! Rewards

I miss Rite Aid. With their monthly video rewards, I used to watch their videos (short commercials for products) and print high value store coupons that could be paired with manufacturer coupons for deep discounts. I would then wait for sales or promotions with Up! Rewards to get merchandise dirt cheap.

Since Rite Aid has made some changes to their program and I am out of the loop, keep current with Fabulessly Frugal, and Mel’s thorough explanations. I found Rite Aid’s program worth my time and energy.

Working hard to save money and earn the rewards, you don’t want to lose those savings by missing the expiration date. Enter reward deadlines on your calendar to remind yourself to use them.

In using time wisely, take the few moments to jot down the dates to help you save money, energy, time, and frustration. Keep planning for success, and happy savings!

Question: Which drugstores are your favorites?

Planning for Success: Jot down Library Return Dates – Day 16

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Planning for success - Day 16

Photograph Credit: iStockphoto

Knowing that a successful year will not materialize on its own, we must plan and prepare for a prosperous 2013.

Throughout the 31 days of January, I will choose one topic each day to prepare or schedule for this year.

Without preparation, I know I will forget, miss, or overlook certain items. If you desire an organized year, then join me in this adventure of Planning for Success for a prosperous 2013.

To receive a daily e-mail around 11:00 a.m. with the new posts of each day, subscribe to my free daily newsletter. In case you miss a post in this series, I will provide the link to each day as the month progresses. 🙂

Day 16: Jot down Library Return Dates

Planning for SuccessIn continuing to schedule items on my calendar, I must jot down library return dates – as I will forget. Though we occasionally borrow videos, we select mostly books.

With that said, we might borrow 25 books one week, return 15 the next, and checkout another 20 on the following visit. With our revolving system, I note the due dates on my calendar to prevent incurring fines.

Access On-line Account

With our library’s on-line account option, I login to verify the due dates and to find the order in which the books are due back. The note in my calendar reminds me to check the on-line account for the exact titles.

Set Up Alerts

In addition to checking the on-line account, I set up permanent alerts resulting in an e-mail sent 3 days prior to the due date.  The e-mail contains a list of supplies and books with the titles. 🙂

Gather Titles

When I plan a trip to the library or get an e-mail notification, I gather the books and place them in the van. With the books with us, we can drop them off on our next visit.

Going to the library is a fun activity for our family. We return supplies, play on the computers, put together puzzles, and select new supplies. Using the library service is free unless you return your borrowed items past the due date. To keep this activity free, I record the due dates on my calendar and return the items prior to that date.

In planning for success, jot down library return dates in your planning tool. Though I limited this post to the library, you can broaden this category to any borrowed item that needs returning (e.g., car rentals, video games, etc.).

By setting up reminders, you are better able to stay organized, return items on time, and prevent fines. Keep scheduling while using time wisely!

Question: Which resource does your family primarily use at the library?

Planning for Success: Highlight Contract and Subscription Expiration Dates – Day 9

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Planning for success - Day 9

Photograph Credit: iStockphoto

Knowing that a successful year will not materialize on its own, we must plan and prepare for a prosperous 2013.

Throughout the 31 days of January, I will choose one topic each day to prepare or schedule for this year.

Without preparation, I know I will forget, miss, or overlook certain items. If you desire an organized year, then join me in this adventure of Planning for Success for a prosperous 2013.

To receive a daily e-mail around 11:00 a.m. with the new posts of each day, subscribe to my free daily newsletter. In case you miss a post in this series, I will provide the link to each day as the month progresses. 🙂

Day 1: Select a Planning Tool

Day 2: Add Your Priorities

Day 3: Print and Display Your Menu Planner – with free printable

Day 4: Record Membership Expiration Dates 

Day 5: Mark Due Dates for Monthly Bills

Day 6: Insert Credit Report Schedule

Day 7: Schedule Your Annual Home Maintenance

Day 8: Set Your School and Work Activities

Day 9: Highlight Contract and Subscription Expiration Dates

In using time wisely, highlighting your contract and subscription expiration dates on your calendar will save you money, energy, and time. If your contracts or subscriptions expire and the services continue, you will end up paying full price. Ouch!

Since I do not like paying full price for anything, I highlight my contract and subscription expiration dates on my calendar.

Contracts Expiration Dates to Note

    • Cable services
    • Cell phones
    • Insurance policies
    • Internet services
    • Rental agreements
    • Warranties

Subscription Expiration Dates to Note

    • Magazines
    • Medications
    • Newspapers

With these items on my calendar, I can renew, adjust, change, or cancel these contracts and subscriptions before incurring higher costs. In checking our subscriptions, I found that our newspaper subscription expires within the next few weeks. Before the price goes up, I will call to negotiate a lower rate or cancel our subscription.

In planning for success, highlight your contract and subscription expiration dates. As you continue working to save your hard-earned dollars, keep track of these deadlines by marking them in your planning tool. Happy savings!

Question: What additional contracts and subscriptions did I miss?