Planning for Success: Design a Quick Meals List – Day 24

January 24, 2013 by Tracy

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.

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Day 24: Design a Quick Meals List

Last week, I shared how our family keeps a Top 20 List of our favorite meals. Though we eat other meals as well, I do try to serve food my family enjoys, so our list assists me in preparing our weekly menu plan.

Another great resource is a list of quick meals for those busy days. In our home, my son has already started spring soccer. His league practices often during the week, so I seize quick meals for those busy nights.

15 Quick Meals for Busy Nights

Breakfast for Dinner

1. Eggs and sausage

2. Waffles and fruit

Freezer Meals

These meals were made in a double batch one time but served twice or more. 🙂

3. Broccoli and cheese soup with sourdough bread

4. Chili and corn bread/muffins

5. Mexican Dip, tortilla chips, and vegetables

Pre-made Dinners

6. Bruschetta chicken on crusted bread – purchased from Sam’s Club in the appetizer section, served with cheeses, crackers, and fresh vegetables.

7. Pizza and salad

8. Stouffer’s entrees and vegetables

Sandwiches

9. Bacon, Lettuce, and Tomato sandwiches with fresh vegetables

10. Grilled cheese sandwiches and tomato soup

Stove Top Meals

11. Hot dogs, macaroni and cheese, and vegetables

12. Quesadillas and vegetables

13. Spaghetti, salad, and garlic bread

14. Tacos – soft, hard, and salad

15. Tortellini and Alfredo sauce with vegetables

In planning for success on busy nights, keep a quick meals list handy and supplies in stock. Though I consult my calendar before scheduling our weekly menu plan, some days turn out busier than others. Having a backup plan prevents panic, stress, and confusion at dinner time.

Feeding our families seems to take so much time among menu planning, cooking, cleaning, and shopping. Having a quick list gives us more options when we don’t feel like making a meal. In using time wisely, taking time to write and post quick meal options saves money, energy, and time.

Question: What are quick meals your family enjoys?

Planning for Success: Enter Drugstore Rewards – Day 23

January 23, 2013 by Tracy

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.

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: Choose Event Dates – Day 22

January 22, 2013 by Tracy

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.

Day 22: Choose Event Dates

Not sure how it happens, but birthdays sneak up on me. I know when my children’s birthdays are, but it seems like that distant birthday increases speed and arrives early. Though each birthday party has gone well, I would like to plan better this year.

With out-of-town relatives, I need to give advanced notice for their availability and travel arrangements. For the sake of my sanity and locking in the dates for key participants, I am working to add the following events to our 2013 calendar:

1. Child 1’s birthday party (To Be Determined – TBD)

2. Child 2’s birthday party (Hello Kitty)

3. Child 3’s birthday party (Mickey Mouse)

4. Family vacation

5. Fall Festival

6. Halloween Party

7. History Fair

8. Hubby’s birthday celebration

9. Science Fair

Though I won’t confirm these dates until contacting others, I will have a tentative date and a reminder to start planning. Just thinking about these events now, gets the ideas flowing for future planning. I also can keep a lookout for inexpensive party supplies which saves money, energy, and time.

In planning for success, ponder the events you will host this year and choose event dates. With the reminder in your calendar, your next birthday celebration shouldn’t sneak up on you so quickly.

Keep scheduling important items on your calendar. As you get organized, you can follow your calendar to a successful 2013 while using time wisely. Happy choosing!

Question: What events are you planning for 2013?

Planning for Success: Check Light Bulbs and Air Filters – Day 21

January 21, 2013 by Tracy

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.

Day 21: Check Light Bulbs and Air Filters

This school year has been really tough on so many levels. My time at home during the day is hit or miss, so I must make the most of the mornings I have at home. Without spending an hour just writing out my to-do list, I need to get productive. By jotting notes to myself, using my calendar, and staying motivated, I can maximize my time.

Though my cleaning this year seems to only occur during school breaks, I know that this mess is for a season. To adjust to these changing times, I concentrate on what I can do, and let the rest go. To focus my attention when I can spare a few moments, I include on my calendar a time to check light bulbs and air filters.

Light Bulbs

Keeping light bulbs on-hand in the type and size needed, I check for outages regularly. Finding that working in a well-lit area allows me to think clearly, I like to keep the lights on and the rooms bright. If I find a light out, I either change it or ask Paul to do so. But with a scheduled time, I can note any outages with seldom used lights.

Air Filters

Changing our air filters monthly with basic filters or every 3 months with high-efficiency filters, we keep our air and heating systems running efficiently. The changes to our 3 filters also keeps dust and allergens from recycling back through our home. Since our filters are out of sight, I must schedule the maintenance change to put it on my mind.

In planning for success, add check light bulbs and air filters to your planning tool. For me, the last week of the month seems less hectic than the rest of the month. Taking advantage of the lull in my schedule and using time wisely, I take about 5 minutes to walk through the house checking the lights. For the air filters, I just need to ask Paul, who willingly changes them. 🙂

Though home maintenance is ongoing, investing 5 to 10 minutes a month to check your light bulbs and air filters allows your family to see and breathe easier. As you complete these small tasks, you might get motivated to make larger changes. Happy maintaining!

Question: How often do you check light bulbs and air filters?

Planning for Success: Prepare Your Medical Spending Record – Day 20

January 20, 2013 by Tracy

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.

Day 20: Prepare Your Medical Spending Record

Keeping the paperwork under control is an ongoing battle. Between the mail and on-line statements, the documenting and checking this information continues.

One set of documents that comes monthly is our medical spending statement. Having explained in detail the benefits of a medical spending account or a health savings account, I advised Paul to enroll again for 2013 which he did. 🙂

Having determined approximately how much we plan to spend in medical expenses for 2013 at our open enrollment session, we signed up and received confirmation of the changes from 2012. Taking that information and verifying against our request, I recorded the information on my Medical Spending Record.

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2013 Medical Spending Record (.pdf version)

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2013 Medical Spending Record (Microsoft Word version)

You are welcome to download, customize the Microsoft Word version, and use this free printable. To share this resource with others, please forward the link to this post rather than sending the file directly.

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With 5 columns, I record the dollar amount, date, transaction, date processed, and balance.

1. Dollar amount: The amount spent or deposited.

2. Date: The date of service.

3. Transaction: Description of payment (e.g., Tracy’s doctor’s visit, Paul’s prescription, Tracy’s contacts, etc.).

4. Date Processed: The date the transaction cleared your account.

5. Balance: Total amount left to spend for 2013.

By recording our medical payments to our Medical Spending Record, I can quickly verify the information when the statements arrive and know our balance left to spend.

For those of you using a Health Savings Account (HSA), your financial institution should provide a saving register for your information. With your HSA, you will have deposits, withdraws, and dividends. As you prepare for 2013, keep your account balanced.

In planning for success, prepare your medical spending record. I have used the Medical Spending Record for a number of years. The simple spreadsheet tracks our expenses and payments, so I am sure to use all these funds for our medical expenses this year.

As you scrimp and save this year, follow your Medical Spending Record to prevent unused medical funds at the end of 2013. Remember, you will lose what you do not spend in this account. The advantage is using pre-taxed dollars for your medical care.

When not in use, file your Medical Spending Record within your insurance file under category Tax-favored Programs. Happy organizing!

Question: How do you prepare for your family’s 2013 medical expenses?

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