Organizing Loyalty Cards on Key Chain

The other day, I found myself wasting time trying to find a loyalty card attached to my key ring. The card was smaller than some of the other cards, and I went through my cards twice before locating the correct one. As I wasted time, I knew I needed to get these cards organized by size to help me find the one needed.

An Option for Organizing

For those of you with smart phones, you can scan your loyalty cards into an app that will save your bar code. When you need that card, you can scan it directly from your phone.

Since I am content with my normal, no-fuss cell phone to use for phone calls only, I do not have this option.

With the smart phone application, you will still want to keep your loyalty cards in the event that your battery dies or you forget your phone. If you add these cards to your key chain, then keeping them organized can save you time and energy when finding the one you need.

Start at the Beginning

When I would get a new loyalty card, I would just stick it on my key ring. With all different sized cards, I needed them arranged by height. To carry out this goal, I had to start over.

1. Took all the cards off the key chain.

2. Organized them by size based on the key ring hole.

3. Put often-used cards before rarely-touched cards that were the same size.

4. Placed the cards back on the key chain.

Ripple Effect

Once my loyalty cards hung in size order, I decided to rearrange my keys within the same order. I know . . . quirky, but my entire key ring in height order makes me happy. 

I know some people (OK, most people) would not care, but it matters to me. In using time wisely, I organized my key chain to hold only what I need, in height order, for quickly selecting the requested card.

Before                 and                  After

My organized key chain has already helped me save time since I can see all the edges of the cards when finding my choice. As you purge, clean, and organize, small projects like organizing a key chain can save you energy while using time wisely. Happy organizing!

Question: What small project keeps you using time wisely?

Last week I shared how Paul and I chose our toddler’s 2-year-old birthday party theme of Blue’s Clues. After making the theme choice, I had more decisions to make.

Since my two older children had a Blue’s Clues party for their first birthday, I had many items. However, I had no games. With my toddler joining in the games of her older siblings, we had to have a game of Blue’s Clues.

For those unfamiliar with this children’s program, Blue is a female dog that does not talk. To get her idea across, she marks three clues with her paw print to help us find the answer. Each segment follows the same basic sequence with the clues changing from episode to episode. The repetition is fantastic for learning sequence and order.

Keeping the guest list to our family, extended family, and one close friend’s family, I planned the following 2-hour morning birthday party for 8 adults and 6 children (ages 2 to 6):

Blue’s Clues Birthday Party Itinerary

Welcome. Greet each guest as she arrives, and escort to the living room to play or color Blue’s Clues coloring pages.

Games – Part 1 of 3. When all the guests arrive, the games will begin.

1. Find the First Clue: In determining what Blue wants to do today, we will need to play Blue’s Clues. With the first clue hidden, the participants will search for Blue’s Clue. Once found, we will add the clue to our handy-dandy notebook.

2. Hide and Seek Blue: Prior to the party, I will hide six different Blue’s Clues items (2 figurines, 2 stuffed animals, and 2 bath mitts). Each participant will seek one item.

Lunch. The table settings will include name cards for each child. The adults will help serve the children in the dining room and then relax and eat in the living room.

The menu:

• Ham and cheese sandwiches
• Chips and dip
• Carrots, celery, and olives
• Fruit salad: strawberries, cantaloupe, and bananas

Games – Part 2 of 3.          

3. Pin the Paw on Blue: I will cut out 6 paw prints and write one participant’s name on each one. After blindfolding one child, he will turn around and placed the paw on the printout. The younger participants will either close their eyes or just stick the paw print on Blue.

Open Presents.

Games – Part 3 of 3.

4. Find the Second Clue: Another paw print is hidden. When the participants find it, we will draw that clue into our handy-dandy notebook.

5. Find the Third Clue: The participants will find the last paw print. We will add the last clue to our handy-dandy notebook and decipher Blue’s Clues.

Sing, Blow Candle, and Cake.

Thank you and Goody Bags.

Play with new toys and goody bag items.

With the itinerary set and most of the decorations unpacked, I waited for help to arrive before decorating the space and preparing the food.

With a plan in place, I scheduled time for play, games, food, other games, presents, more games, dessert, thankfulness, and goody bags. Next week in Part 3, I will finish this Blue’s Clues birthday party series with our execution of the planned itinerary.

Question: How detailed do you plan for a child’s birthday party?

Book Review: The Money Saving Mom’s Budget

With the start of 2012, I am ready to plan my goals and be specific about saving resources to reach those goals. Slashing my grocery bill and stretching my dollars is great, but what is the goal – just to make it to the next paycheck? No way!

The choices you make now will decide your financial situation a year, 5 years, and 10 years from now. Whether your current situation is an out-of-work resume submitter or living debt-free with little expenses and a comfortable income, you are in control of your money.

Want to take that vacation, pay off that credit card, or buy that new tablet? Need some practical advice you can start in January to reach those goals? Welcome, The Money Saving Mom’s Budget authored by Crystal Paine, who blogs to help you be a better home economist at moneysavingmom.com.

If you are looking for a quick fix to your financial situation, then this book is NOT for you. The detailed process to get you in a better financial situation from January to December 31, 2012 will take focus, determination, and hard work.

The investment in your future will be time well spent, especially when you take that vacation, pay off that credit card, or buy that new tablet.

Your Road Map

The Money Saving Mom’s Budget is your road map to get you from where you are today to your goal. When beginning a 7-hour trip, you do not read the map from the halfway point. You start at the beginning and make it through to the first stop, and then you go ahead to the next stop. Before long, you have reached the halfway mark because you planned your destination, began your trip, and followed your road map. The trip takes time, but by moving forward city by city, you will reach your goal.

Your Chosen Exits

Breaking down your goal into increments will get you to that huge, near-impossible finish line. In using time wisely, The Money Saving Mom’s Budget shows you the way and suggests a 12-month time frame to get you to your destination, exit by exit.

January – Set Big Goals and Break Them Down into Bite-sized Pieces

February – Streamline Your Life and Cut the Clutter

March, April, and May – Set up a Realistic, Workable Budget

June, July, and August – Take the Cash-only Challenge

September and October – Use Coupons

November – Never Pay Retail

December – Choose Contentment

Your Destination

This road map along with practical specific instructions to get you from start (January 2012) to finish (December 2012) is worth your money, energy, and time. Though I am battling the written budget and the cash-only scenario (since I do not like to carry cash), I am looking forward to following this course.

Though I have implemented most of the money-saving techniques (e.g., coupons for lowering my out-of-pocket expenses, my crock pot on busy days to avoid the fast food run, daily deal vouchers for entertainment and family fun, etc.) covered from September to December, I really need the January to May items to intentionally tell our money where to go.

Are you ready to make some financial headway in 2012? Then preorder your copy of The Money Saving Mom’s Budget for $11.09 (paperback) or $9.99 (Kindle) from Amazon.com (release date – Tuesday, January 10). With focus, determination, and hard work, this financial investment can get you to your destination. In using time wisely, start 2012 in the right direction. Happy planning!

Question: What financial goal are you planning to reach in 2012? Please add your answer to the comments.

Using Time Wisely: 3 Time-Saving Dinner Strategies

Photograph Credit: Flickr (Marinca Kasiske-Enders)

Among homework assignments, sports schedules, and family outings, squeezing in a nutritious dinner is challenging. By the time we complete homework, snag a few minutes of reading, and look at the clock, the time has come to start dinner.

Decluttering: The 60-Minute Challenge

In working on my goals this month, I am currently falling flat on my face. Between my family visiting, two parties, and piles of insurance, taxes, and miscellaneous paperwork, I have put most of these goals on the back burner.

Well, that was the first half of the month. Here comes the last half of the month.

To get these goals underway, I am determining to rid my house of at least 20 items this week. My February monthly goal centers on decluttering my house. Though I started this project in January, I have hit a plateau.

To jump-start my focus, I will take on this challenge of ridding 20 items from my home in one hour. You want to join me?

The 60-Minute Challenge

With a busy week ahead, schedule one hour to focus on decluttering. This 60-minute challenge can be done in sections. Just evaluate your time frame, and while using time wisely, choose an option that fits your busy week.

Option 1: The 15-minute Sprint

If you are short on time, try snagging 15-minutes to remove 5 items from your home.

Spend 4 days this week completing this task, and you will have 20 items to sell, give, or trash.

Option 2: The 30-minute Jog

Do your children enjoy helping? Let them help you twice this week by finding 10 items in each session to sell, donate, or trash.

My girls love to give to others. With their limited attention span and our busy schedule, this option works for our family.

Option 3: The 60-minute Marathon

Block out one hour to tackle that closet, drawer, or room. Enjoy the process because you may find more than 20 items to rid from your home.

Whichever method works for you, challenge yourself in taking baby steps. Breaking down the big goal of decluttering your home into bite-sized chunks, removing 20 items this week, starts your project. As you work, you will gain momentum. The more stuff removed means the less to clean, pickup, and store. 

Though you may get delayed in your progress, regroup, adjust, and continue on. Keep up the great work as you seek to reach your goals. Happy organizing!

Question: Which challenge option will you choose?