Trying to hunt down a document you need in a sea of unorganized piles of paper is a frustrating experience.

Whether it is the power bill that is due today, five years of mortgage statements for a refinance, or just the warranty for your lawn mower that broke, disorganization can lead to more than stress.

It’s costing you real money and time because you may be:

1. Replacing your appliances and electronics that are still under warranty because the booklet/receipt is lost.
2. Losing tax deductions because of lost receipts and paperwork.
3. Racking up late fees due to misplaced bills.
4. Missing opportunities to use the coupons buried in a pile on your desk.
5. And most importantly, wasting your precious time looking for documents.

How much is your time worth?

Would you agree that investing a few hours into organizing all the paper in your home is worth gaining the ability to quickly find any document you need in less than a minute?

If you are drowning in piles of paper and ready to make a change, my book “Crawl Out From Under the Paper” will help you get a filing system that is easy to manage set up in no time. I even give you preprinted file labels that cover almost anything you could need to file.

BONUS chapters include how to organize your bills, organize files on your computer, a family chore chart, and other time-saving tips.

In honor of January, the time to make resolutions to get organized, the ebook is only $5.99 to download for a limited time. PLUS this year $1 for every book purchased will go to Kiva.org. Get the book here and make 2012 the year you get organized.

1. Measuring Messy Ingredients

   One of my favorite kitchen tools, an adjustable measuring cup, makes accurately adding sticky ingredients such as honey, mayo, peanut butter, and sour cream a breeze.

   Simply slide the 2 pieces apart to adjust it to the measurement you want and fill. Hold over the bowl and push to release the contents. A swipe of a spatula to finish and no more scraping to get the contents out.

   The two pieces separate for quick cleaning.

2. Getting tomato paste out of the can

   Getting tomato paste, refried beans, and other thick canned goods out of the container is sticky business.

   Using the same plunging idea as the adjustable measure cup above, Cooking Louisiana has a wonderful solution. Open both ends of the can and push the lid through on one side pushing the entire contents out. More great kitchen tips are available on their site.

   
   

3. Corn without any silk left

   Getting the silt off the corn with a vegetable brushes doesn’t seem to do the trick for me, and we are left eating pulling off a few strands as we eat.

   My blogging friend, Allen, found a wonderful technique for cooking corn and ended up with ZERO silt left on it. See the video at Simple Life Prattle. Purchasing corn still in the husk is cheaper, so there is no excuse left not to indulge in a few ears.

   
   

4. Peeling tomatoes

   When a recipe calls for peeled tomatoes, I go with the canned version. Now that I know the trick to make this easy, I will opt for fresh tomatoes next time.

   “To peel tomatoes, place 2 cups of boiling water in a container, add the tomatoes and heat on high for 1 min. Plunge into cold water and the skin will peel of easily.” Tip compliments of Waveware.com.

   
   

5. Keep lettuce fresh

   Wilting lettuce isn’t appetizing. HomeEverAfter.com gives a few alternatives to keeping your lettuce fresher longer.

   I wrap mine in paper towels before placing them in the crisper.

Got any Kitchen Tricks to share?

The tax deadline is quickly approaching.

How can you make next year’s tax time less stressful?

Create two files in your filing cabinet called “Current Year’s Taxes” and “Last Year’s Taxes”.

Current year’s tax file

This is your catch-all file for anything you will need for filing taxes such as:

• Donation receipts – place copies of your checks, donation thank you letters, or even hand scribbled notes as reminders of the donations you made. Include the receipt if you donated items you purchased.
• End-of the-year forms such as W2s, mortgage interest statements, etc. File them immediately when you receive them so they don’t get lost in a pile of paper.
• Any other information you will need for filing your taxes.

When it comes time to file your taxes, everything you need can be found in this file. No more hunting around for receipts or trying to remember what donations you made throughout the year.

Last Year’s Tax File

Keep the past year’s tax folder for easy reference when filing your taxes.

Tax time can be a little less stressful with some simple organization.

Is a cluttered and disorganized office space getting in the way of your productivity?

Is the task of straightening up your desk daunting?

Organizing office paperwork can be intimidating, but getting the job done opens up the opportunity for much greater achievement and a far more pleasant office. An organized office us really worth it, so find the time to work through it, and apply these organizational tips to your own situation. Once you have clean, tidy and organized, make it a habit to keep your office neat. Of course it will be hard work, at least initially, but the final result will be satisfactory.

1. Set Apart Time to Organize Everything

Make time to tackle the job of organization. By doing it all at once, you will finish the project sooner, and be able to enjoy a clean workspace right away. Plan on having to take more time than you think you will. Be careful when working to not let yourself be distracted. Do take breaks at set times throughout the process, and reward yourself when you complete it.

2. Clean Off the Desk

Keep your desk area clean. Put away all papers. With everything filed, you will be able to find what you need more easily than if it were sitting in a stack on your desk. Organize drawers to have the most used items nearest to you. Keep important items, like the computer, printer, telephone and card file on the desk, but put all papers and other tools away. You will be more productive with less distraction and more space to spread out.

3. Thoroughly Organize Your Files

If you don’t have one already, set up an organized filing system. Label filing cabinets and files alphabetically. Sub-divide files as needed. Put every paper into a file that is accurately labeled and easy to remember. Use a color coding system, if it will help you. If files are exstensive, keep a list of the names handy.

4. Throw Away Anything Unneeded

Don’t keep clutter you do not need. Throw out scrap paper and old printed emails and memos that are no longer important. Toss junk mail as soon as it comes in. However, be careful not to throw away papers that are important. If you are unsure about something, set it by in a designated place to ask about.

5. Set Up a System for Dealing with Incoming Papers

Have trays to sort incoming papers. Create separate spaces for papers that need filing, ones that need immediate attention, and ones that need to be passed on to someone else. Empty these trays into the correct files regularly. Sort through incoming mail as soon as it arrives. This will save on time otherwise wasted in looking for things, sorting through unimportant documents, or working too close to deadlines.

6. Work on One Project at a Time

If a project is not actively in the works at the present, put the papers into the file. They will be easily retrievable when the time comes to use them. This will keep files from getting lost or disorganized, and it will keep you from being distracted. By having one project on your desk, you will be able to give it your full attention.

7. Clear Your Desk Daily

At the end of every work day, clear off your desk. You will be able to start every morning fresh. Important documents will not be lost or misfiled. You will stay on top of your organization, because you devote time to it every day.

8. File Papers Immediately

When papers come in, don’t let them stack up. Place them in the correct trays, and deal with them immediately. Put files into their folders and binders. You may have to let them pile up in a tray for a short time, but never let it get out of hand. Think about whether it takes more time to sort the papers into files now or later. Find out which is more efficient, and go with that process.

9. Store Boxed Files Annually

Files will accumulate. Every year, pack up the ones that are not used regularly and store them out of your work space. With more room to work in, you will save time by not having to deal with the clutter of unused, though organized, files.

10. Be Strict about Keeping to the System

Do not slack off on keeping everything organized, even when you are busy. Letting the system you have set up go for even one day could send you back to where you were when you started. Save that time and the discouragement that would come by taking the effort to put things in their place. Organizing your office will reward you!

John Brook is a writer who works at OfficeKitten.co.uk, a leading supplier of stationery online for businesses located in the UK.

Turn that time you spend waiting
…and waiting
…and waiting
into productive moments.

How much time do you spend at these places?

1. Waiting rooms

2. Car line

3. Sporting/Music Events – the time before they start

4. Airports/Bus

Use the extra time to:

• Catch up on some reading

  Keep reading material (books, magazines, newspaper) handy in the car and take advantage of the quiet time.

• Meal planning

  Keep a small notebook in your purse or car. Plan fives days-worth of meals.

• Make appointments

  Waiting in a car line is a great opportunity to knock a few calls off your to-do list.

• Relax with some music or a book on tape

  An ipod and a set of headphones can go a long way in making the time pass quickly.

How do you spend your waiting time?

To-do lists make you more productive with your time.

A simple tool, they are used to keep track of the things to do during a given day, week, or month. To-do lists act as a reminder of the tasks you need to accomplish.

By using an electronic to-do list, you have much more interactivity than a piece of paper. Here are ten to-do list applications which will help you organize your life and increase your productivity.

1. Now Do This [Free]
   Now Do This does away with all of the bells and whistles that you will find in other to-do list applications. Type in the list of things that you need to do, and check your items as completed. When you are done with your list, the program will tell you that you are done with your tasks of the day.
   
   
2. Voo2do [Free, $6.95 per month]
   With Voo2do, you can create to-do lists, edit them and write notes. Project grouping allows you to conduct and manage several projects simultaneously. There is collaboration support, enabling you to assign tasks to other users. The interface is extremely easy to use.
   
   
3. Bla-Bla List [Free]
   Account creation is simple and can be done in a matter of minutes. You can create lists, share your lists at an address of your choice, and collaborate with other users to complete your projects. Create an RSS feed of your list to let others know that you have been working.
   
   
4. Remember The Milk [Free, $25 per year]
   This to-do list manager is feature packed. It will email you reminders, coordinate with your Google accounts, and allow you to manage your tasks from anywhere in the world. You can efficiently search your lists, collaborate with others to complete projects, and quickly add new tasks. This to-do list application is quite popular because of its many functions.
   
   
5. Ta-Da List [Free]
   At Ta-da List, you can create several lists, reordering them as you please. You can share your lists with others, add and edit tasks, and use your iPhone to track your progress. This task manager does everything that you need it to accomplish.
   
   
6. TaskToy [Free]
   There are many options available for your lists. You can color code them, access them with your mobile device, and share them with others. You can create place-dependent lists which will let you view only work or home activities. This to-do list manager was created as a personal project from a developer who was inspired by the Getting Things Done system of task management.
   
   
7. Google Tasks [Free]
   Google created a simple task manager for use with the Mail and Calendar functions. You can create, edit, sort, and share your projects. Your Calendar will be automatically updated to remind you of upcoming events. You can create folders for your lists and maintain multiple projects.
   
   
8. Rough Underbelly [Free]
   Most to-do lists are a task management system where the reward comes from crossing an item off of your list. Rough Underbelly takes that idea one step further by offering a points system. You assign a point value to each item, and receive those points when you complete the task. There are performance graphs for you to track points received on any given day.
   
   
9. Nutshell [Free]
   Nutshell is a simple to-do list which allows you to add and edit your tasks. You can add notes to each of your activities and create multiple lists. This site has integrated search functions, allowing you to search YouTube, Google, or other sites with a quick click.
   
   
10. Todoist [Free]
    Todoist is a clean and efficient online task manager which allows you to create simple to-do lists. You can add items to your calendars, create sub-lists, and receive email reminders with this application. Your information is stored safely and securely through regular backups and encryption.
    
    

Your electronic to-do list can email reminders, track progress, and keep your life in order. Get yourself organized with a to-do list.

Contributed by James Adams, a writer who works at a printer supplies store where he writes detailed reviews of LaserJet cartridges. Follow James on Twitter.

Cooking in bulk saves money and time

Stock up your freezer by cooking twice as much of your favorite meals, and freeze half for another night.

Dishes that freeze well include:

• pasta casseroles such as homemade macaroni and cheese, baked spaghetti casserole, or lasagna
• enchiladas
• desserts such as coffee cake, cookies, and pies
• soups
• vegetable side dishes such as broccoli/squash casseroles
• taco meat
• spaghetti sauce

Bulk cooking

Bulk cooking is the same idea on a larger scale. You spend a day or two cooking and fill your freezer with a variety of foods. I’ve done a small version of this before. It is a lot of work, and you need a lot of available freezer space. However, you can save a lot of money by purchasing your meat in large quantities.

Learn more about bulk cooking from these sites:

• Bulk Freezer Cooking
• Wise Bread
• 13 Bulk Cooking Recipes

My favorite “cook and freeze” recipe

On a busy day, my favorite meal to throw together is spaghetti. I can thaw the homemade sauce in the microwave and have dinner done within 20 minutes. Lasagna is a close second, so I like to stock up on both.

The following makes about 1 large or 3 small lasagnas and 3-4 dinner’s-worth of spaghetti sauce. I have some great recipe’s for more complicated sauces, but this is the easy and quick version that I make most of the time.

First you need to make a large batch of Spaghetti Sauce

Homemade Spaghetti Sauce

• 3lbs of meat of your preference. I use:
  • 1 lb. ground turkey, browned and drained
  • 1 lb. ground beef, browned and drained
  • 1 lb. Italian sausage, browned and drained
• 4 jars of your favorite spaghetti sauce (look for buy one get one free sales on these)
• 1 large tomato sauce
• Italian seasoning to taste (I add about 2 Tbsps)
• 1 Cup of water

Simmer all the ingredients on low for about an hour.

Easy Lasagna

• 1 box of lasagna noodles
• Small Ricotta cheese
• 1 package of provolone cheese slices
• 2 packages of 5 Italian cheese -shredded

Cook the noodles for about 10 minutes and drain.

Use a one cup measuring cup to scoop out a cup of sauce and spread it out to cover the bottom of the pan.

Alternate the following layers until you fill the pan:

Noodles
ricotta cheese
Sauce
Provolone cheese (rips into small pieces)
Sprinkle some shredded Italian cheese

Repeat.

Wrap up and label items for the freezer

Wrap for freezer and label

After the lasagna had been made, the leftover sauce is frozen in dinner-serving sizes.

Prepare your food for the freezer by wrapping them in foil. Use a Sharpie to write what it is and the date. I wrote “SS” which stands for Spaghetti Sauce in my special shorthand.

Freezer to Oven

Bake the lasagna in a 350 degree oven for about an hour if frozen and 30 minutes if thawed.
5 minutes in the microwave will thaw the spaghetti sauce.

Organizing things that tend to spread out through the house

1. Loose change

Designate a cup or jar to collect loose change around the house. I call it my tip jar since I seem to find money in the laundry and in the couch.

2. Store coupons

Use a mailing envelope to hold all your store coupons and keep them in your car’s glove compartment or in your purse. If you make an unplanned stop somewhere, you can quickly see if you have any coupons and take advantage of the extra savings.

3. Batteries

Keep all your batteries in one spot in the house so you aren’t rummaging through drawers and closets looking for what you need.

4. Charger cords

Store chargers for phones, cameras, etc in an assigned drawer or container. Labeling the cords saves time looking for the one you need. See Cord Identification for more details.

5. Nail polish/clippers

Store nail polish, clippers, emery boards, etc. in a small container so everything you need is in one location. Have small kids? Store it up high in a closet. It only takes one spilled nail polish experience to realize the importance of keeping these items safely out of the reach of curious little children.

Organize for ease

How can you keep up with each child’s school information so that it is neat, organized, and easy to find?

Folders

Use folders with pockets (you don’t need the 3-prong type) to hold handbooks, school maps, newsletters, PTA memos, order forms, etc. Pick a different color folder per child.

Teacher and class information

On the front of each folder, write the teacher’s information (name, email, and room number). For the kids in middle school and high school, tape a copy of the class schedule on the front of the folder.

Contact numbers for the school

At the top of the folder, write the school’s phone number for calling in absences. Since my child’s high school requires about 5 pieces of information in the message, I have that written on there, too, to remind me what information to leave in the message.

Saves time

Having all the important information easily accessible on the front of the folder saves time when you need to contact the school or a teacher. There will be no more digging through a pile of paper for the teacher’s email address or that uniform shirt order form.

Get in and out of the grocery store in record time

I hate grocery shopping! My kids know I am avoiding it when I serve breakfast for dinner in an attempt to delay the inevitable.

The secret to speedy shopping

Write your grocery store list in the order of the store. The shopping will take less time, and you will avoid the frustration of multiple laps through the store.

This is a huge plus when your four-year old insists on riding in the “car” cart monstrosity that maneuvers with all the grace of a big rig through the tight aisles.

Create your menu plan and grocery list at the same time. As you add items, picture the list as the layout of the store.



I created a diagram to print and use to make it easier. The test run yesterday proved it was a real time saver. The categories also reminded me of a few items I needed while I was writing up the list.
(Publisher version or PDF version.)

Many grocery stores have an aisle layout map available. Inquire about one at the customer service desk. This is especially helpful after they decide to rearrange the store to confuse shoppers.

Now…if I could just read my writing…

Have any other tips to make grocery shopping easier?