2012 Third Quick Tip Week: Reboot Your Computer

October 17, 2012 by Tracy

Photograph Credit: Microsoft Images

Quick Tip Week continues! Hope this week of shorter posts highlighting one tip in each category helps you in using time wisely.

For series already in progress, I will continue with the next segment following our Quick Tip Week.

Embrace this week, add your tips in the comments, and continue using time wisely!

Quick Tip #4: Reboot Your Computer

In using time wisely while working on your computer, reboot your computer to increase your productivity.

When I work for long periods on my computer, I find the cache gets full which slows the processing speed. To increase my productivity, I start by rebooting my computer.

As you work on your computer and find the processing slowed, try rebooting your system. This tip continues to increase my productivity which uses my time wisely. Continue working smarter rather than harder!

Question: How often do you reboot your computer?

Heads Up: Third Quick Tip Week – October 14 – 20, 2012

October 10, 2012 by Tracy

Photograph Credit: Stock.xchng

It’s time for another quick tip week making it the third of 2012.

Next week, beginning on Sunday, October 14, 2012, I will post quick tips in each category. For series already in progress, I will pick those back up the week of October 21-27, 2012.

Since I am struggling to keep up with posts while caring for my family, entertaining, and planning our Fall Festival, I chose a quick tip week to catch up and launch ahead.

My favorite part about Quick Tip Week is reading your comments. Thanks for being a part of the Using Time Wisely community. I appreciate you. Happy fall!

Donating, Voting, and Entering

October 3, 2012 by Tracy

Photograph Credit: Fotolia

If you are a Facebook friend of Using Time Wisely, then you know that life has just been really busy in my household. Just when I think that I’ve got the schedule in check, another wave of unexpected issues arises.

I know I should not be surprised with three children and responsibilities at home, church, and school, but I still get bombarded. In sharing my heart, I know many of you struggle along with me. Hang in there!

Though I am focusing on family life, I wanted to share three events going on in the blogosphere where your help is greatly appreciated: the Barlow family benefit, the Top 25 Canadian Mom blogs, and the Coupon Binder Extravaganza event.

Barlow Family Benefit

Life Your Way has gathered a great bundle of e-books selling at $5 to assist the Barlow family. This heart-breaking story of a mom, Jenny Barlow, with 5 children struggling with the sudden death of her husband needs our support. Though I don’t know this family and I had previously purchased more than one of these e-books individually, I purchased this $5 bundle to raise money for this family.

If you can afford the $5 and desire to help Jenny and her children, please make your purchase by Thursday, October 5. This bundle of e-books is worth far more than $5, but the fundraiser ends tomorrow, October 5, 2012 at 11:59 p.m.

Top 25 Canadian Mom Blogs

My friend Jen over at Mom-ology is a mom of an 8-year-old boy diagnosed with autism. Jen spends her days advocating and educating her readers on life with autism. In her journey, she has been nominated for an award by Circle of Moms. To win, Jen needs our help.

Go visit Mom-ology, and when you love what you see, please vote for her. You can vote once every 24 hours from now until Thursday, October 11, 2012 at 7:00 p.m. (EST). Thanks for helping out my friend, Jen!

Coupon Binder Extravaganza Event

The last of the three events is a coupon binder giveaway from Quida over at Simple Savings for Atlanta Moms. The giveaway is free and open to residents of the United States and Canada until October 14, 2012.

You can receive up to 124 entries into this comprehensive giveaway. If you would like to organize or begin using coupons, then you must enter. Thanks, Quida, for offering this great giveaway. I hope one of my readers wins!

As you continue using time wisely, please consider donating to the Barlow family, voting for Mom-ology, and entering the Coupon Binder Extravaganza. No matter your participation, I appreciate you in this quest to using time wisely. Thanks for hanging out with me through the smooth-sailing and rough waters of this voyage. Happy Wednesday!

Question: How’s your fall, ya’ll?

Using Time Wisely: Counting my Blessings (103 – 109)

September 26, 2012 by Tracy

Photograph Credit: Microsoft Images

My days start earlier and end later these days. Coming home from the grocery store at 10:00 p.m. is not how I planned today, but that’s how it went. *sigh* Yes, my days are very busy, but I get to enjoy them with my children.

I am truly blessed!

In this on-going Counting my Blessings series, I periodically reflect on all the amazing opportunities and privileges I have in this journey of using time wisely.

Continuing from last month’s post highlighting my end-of-summer blessings, I present the start of the school year edition:

103. Great school. Just so thankful for all those who teach, protect, and encourage my children as they learn their place in life and how to act responsibly.

104. Reliable transportation. With the amount of time I spend in the van, I am so thankful for the confidence in knowing that when I turn the key, the van will start and carry us to our destination.

105. Fantastic teachers. My kids have teachers that are perfect for them. My daughter’s teacher is very nurturing which is exactly what my daughter needs. My son’s teacher is fun, creative, and challenging which is exactly what my son needs.

106. Approachable administration. When issues arise, our administration welcomes feedback which allows problems to get addressed before escalating.

107. Great friends. With the constant questions and meeting needs all day, I crave adult conversation. Knowing I need the social contact, Paul takes the kids while I attend a mom’s group. I love it and really appreciate the time away with my friends.

108. My buddy. When the going gets tough and I need to talk out an issue, my buddy listens. We share our struggles and pains while encouraging each other on this journey to glorifying God, loving our husbands, caring for our children, and living life to its potential. My buddy loves me for who I am, not for what I do or say. Wow, I appreciate her so much!

109. Using Time Wisely readers. Each of you is a blessing. Even when I get behind on posts, you wait patiently and come back. How fortunate I am to interact with you.

As I count my blessings from the start of the school year, I joy in these gifts. When I get overwhelmed or discouraged, I count my blessings which puts my issues into perspective.

Whatever situation you may find yourself, there is ALWAYS someone who would love to be in your shoes. In using time wisely, redirect your focus from what you don’t have to all that you have received while counting your blessings.

Question: For what are you thankful today?

Goals for September 2012: Use Coupons

September 19, 2012 by Tracy

Photograph Credit: Flickr (Angie Torres)

Replacing those lazy days of summer are busy days on the run. Accepting the fact that I spend more time in the van than I really want, I am working to keep life simple.

Coming off August where our family was on vacation most of the month, I am slowly finding our groove.

If I measured my goals on my progress each month, then I would get discouraged because my progress is slow. However, looking back to January, I see how far I’ve come. If you are struggling with your goals, reevaluate, and keep going. Setbacks will come. Accept them, regroup, and proceed.

The following is my recap of August, and my goals for September:

Physical

Drink 4 glasses of water per day. Water really is great for me, but I went back to sweet tea and diet coke. Need to get back on track.

Eat breakfast each morning. The morning routine is busy, and I don’t always eat breakfast, so I’m struggling with this goal again.

Exercise for 20 minutes at least 3 times a week. Not sure where to fit in this goal. I do walk the track once a week during my son’s soccer practice, but I need more exercise. Can anyone recommend a regularly-updated health blog? I need a cheerleading squad. 😉

Family

Plan at least one family outing/activity each week. Accomplished! This goal doesn’t seem hard because it is so fun. We attended a baseball game, enjoyed the vanilla ice cream cones at Burger King, family dinner, soccer games, and dressing up like Pirates for Talk Like a Pirate Day. Love this goal, and keeping it all year.

Spend 10 minutes with each child each day. Accomplished! This goal is easier with my children on different schedules. I get to spend time with my toddler all morning, then help my kindergartner with her homework, and later work with my son. Thrilled that this priority is working.

Allow children to help with a household task each week. Done! After cleaning out their desks AGAIN, my children are still learning, but mostly put their items away. It is a process, and we are moving forward.

Financial

Follow Crystal’s year-long plan to reach my goals. I’m adjusting this goal. For months June, July, and August, Crystal recommends a full-fledged budget and going cash-only. Agreeing to compromise with the cash-only by using cash for big purchases and credit card for weekly expenses, I am on track.

For the full-fledged budget, I need a better system than pen and paper. If anyone uses an online or electronic system, then please share. I’m moving on to the September and October goal of using coupons. Though I am already using coupons, I need to get my menu plan completed at the beginning of each week for September.

Purchase dressers for my daughters’ room. This goal is ongoing. No progress this month, but we are in no hurry.

Purchase upgraded computers for hubby and me. This goal is also ongoing. Put aside savings this month towards this goal.

Business

Write posts one week in advance. Took a big step backwards this month. The last two weeks have been tough, and I’m still getting posts written. I am taking baby steps getting back to this goal. Grateful for the taste of victory before falling behind, but I press on and keep writing.

Make one improvement to the blog this month. Accomplished! I upgraded my plugins to improve the speed of Using Time Wisely. My project of upgrading and correcting older posts is still a work in progress.

Read two chapters of blog book each month. Reading lots of children’s books, but no blog books. Keeping this goal to try again in September.

Thankfully, I made progress on my family goals since major improvements are needed with my physical goals. With each month having its challenges, I refuse to give up. When it gets tough, I readjust, focus, and start again. Encouraged by the improvements, I take these new goals and move forward. You can do it, too. Happy goal reaching!

Question: How are your goals coming along?

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