Planning for Success: Record Membership Expiration Dates – Day 4

January 4, 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.

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

Though I prefer the paper and pen method to scheduling, you may depend on an electronic version. Having dealt with identity theft in 2012, I am not ready to plunge into linking my bank accounts into one on-line source. However, I know others who use and recommend the all-in-one options, including mobile and tablet apps, available through sites like Manilla.com.

In planning for success, I am adding our membership expiration dates to my calendar. These accounts are typically annual memberships.

Knowing how long I have to use these benefits helps me plan our savings. We enjoy getting the most from our memberships, so I add to the top of my monthly calendar page a list of memberships expiring that month with the exact date.

Internet Option: If you are using an on-line source, like Manilla.com, you can setup alerts prior to your membership expiration date to remind you to plan a visit.

I also list the membership on the calendar day that it expires. Numerous times we have used our membership on the expiration date. When we renew, we wait until the next visit or a great sale. 😉

Memberships Expiration Dates Noted on My Calendar

Gardens membership
PictureMe Portrait Studios’ Portrait Smiles Club – special deals and a free 8 x 10 at each session
Recreational District membership – unlimited water park access, inflatable zone, and ice skating
Sam’s Club
Science museum membership
Simon Kidgits Club
Zoo membership

Other Memberships You Might Add to Your Calendar

AAA, travel club, or roadside assistance, if your car insurance doesn’t provide this coverage
BJs, Costco, or other warehouse option
Country clubs
Golf and other sports clubs

In planning for success, record your membership expiration dates on your planning tool. With the dates listed, you will see a reminder to plan that last visit or invest in another membership without losing any benefits.

Annual memberships have been worth the money for our family, and I continue to track the dates to get the most from these activities. Happy recording!

Question: What additional memberships did I miss?

Planning for Success: Print and Display Your Menu Planner – Day 3

January 3, 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.

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

In preparing to save money while feeding my family, I find my menu planner a key tool in the process. Having worked through different options, I found my tool of choice a monthly menu planner. Though I plan a week at a time, I like to see the entire month on one page as I plan.

Keeping my prior menu planners in a 3-ring binder, I planned for 2013 by completing the following:

Added 6 page protectors to my notebook. When I complete a month’s plan, I slide it into one side of the page protector. I can fit 2 months per protector when they are facing opposite sides.

Printed 12 copies of my monthly menu planner and tucked those pages inside the pocket of my notebook.

Completed my weekly menu plan for the rest of this week, and displayed my menu planner on my refrigerator.

Menu Planners

If you desire to change menu planners, try a system, or start for the first time, then these weekly options and my favorite monthly planner (with a free download) might solve your dilemma:

Weekly options – Shayla offers 5 different printable weekly planners.

Monthly option – click on my Monthly Menu Planner to download the below-pictured printable for free.

In planning for success, print and display your menu planner. With the visible reminder and easy accessibility of adding ideas, my menu planner saves our family from emergency meals at a fast food restaurant.

Though there are times when I chuck the menu planner and choose what is best for my family, our menu planner saves the day quite often.

As you prepare for 2013, remember to plan for meals as they will come three or more times a day. 😉 Happy planning!

Question: What is your favorite menu planner?

Planning for Success: Add Your Priorities – Day 2

January 2, 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 1: Select a Planning Tool

Day 2: Add Your Priorities

With my calendar selected, I refer to Amy Lynn Andrews’ e-book Tell Your Time to set priorities. If you have not read this short 32-page e-book, then it is worth your time to read it.

Amy posted this video, which I found helpful, regarding defining roles and matching priorities. Then to evaluate each item choosing only the best ways to using time wisely.

As someone who has difficulty saying “no” to good things, I had to determine what was best for my family and my sanity. I could give and give and give all day long, but my family suffered because I was pulled in all directions.

Though I still stay busy in 2013, I have dropped some good responsibilities to focus on what is best for my family.

Though each of us will have differing roles to fill, I have added the following priorities to my calendar:

Son’s soccer games and practices (3 times a week)

Husband’s church responsibilities (1 time per month)

My planned exercise schedule (4 times per week)

These priorities are the best for our family. My son made a soccer squad designed to educate the players in the game and skills. This commitment was made after careful considering and fuses with my exercise schedule as the girls can play while I exercise during his practice.

As you consider your priorities, evaluate the items you add to your calendar. Choose the best options that fit within your family’s dynamic while using time wisely and planning for success. Happy prioritizing!

Question: How many priorities are you scheduling?

Planning for Success: Select a Planning Tool – Day 1

January 1, 2013 by Tracy

Welcome 2013!

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 1: Select a Planning Tool

Whether you choose a paper calendar or electronic scheduler, select a planning tool to use throughout this year. Having tried Google calendar so I could share with Paul, I found the system difficult to keep up. Without having access to it from my phone and problems syncing up, I went back to my paper calendar.

My calendar of choice is a monthly option. Similar to my menu planner, I prefer to see the entire month at a glance. Desiring to keep my desk clutter-free, I choose an 8.5×11” landscape (horizontal) calendar option, print one month per page, and staple all 12 months together into one calendar year.

If you are looking for calendar options, these links contain free printable calendars:

Monthly – both horizontal and vertical options

Weekly – Shayla offers a number of calendars, menu plans, cleaning charts, and blogging schedules

Daily – Tiffany offers a detailed 2-page planner with lots of details

As we begin this journey of planning for success, select a planning tool. From the classic daily, weekly, and monthly options, choose based on the space you need to record your events, activities, appointments, and other information.

With small handwriting, I can squeeze lots in a small space, but someone else may not. If you are struggling, then choose your top two options and print the first 2 weeks of January. As we add the details each day, you can see which plan works best for you.

In using time wisely, let’s prepare to prosper in 2013. Join me tomorrow for Day 2 as we fill our calendars while planning for success. Happy choosing!

Question: Which planning tool do you prefer?

2013: Happy New Year!

January 1, 2013 by Tracy

Celebrating the end of 2012 and the beginning of 2013, we pulled out the sparklers. My children “wrote” in the air and designed creations when not watching our neighbors set off fireworks.

As you complete 2012, I want to thank you for reading Using Time Wisely. Each of you are greatly appreciated. I have enjoyed the ups and downs this year and continue to improve as I learn the ropes of blogging.

In ringing in 2013, I am making a few changes to Using Time Wisely. For the first quarter of the year, I plan to keep the same posting schedule with a theme each month. When April approaches, I will evaluate the progress and adjust as needed. The first quarter themes chosen are as follows:

Using Time Wisely Monthly Themes

January: Planning for Success

February: Investing your Time

March: Springing into Action

Thanks for taking this journey with me. Wishing you and your family a fantastic 2013!

Happy New Year!

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