Time-Saver #4

Doctors’ offices are notorious for wasting our time. So when you find yourself sitting for ten minutes:

1. Tackle some items on your “to-do” list: write a thank you note or card to a friend, call your mother, make a lunch date, or
2. Bring a tote bag with some sewing repair projects, or
3. Check out the health magazines in the doctor’s waiting room and learn something new about your body or a great new exercise,
4. Close your eyes and practice deep breathing and organize your thoughts.

When your name is finally called, don’t forget to take a magazine with you to the exam room, where you will probably have to wait ten more minutes to see the doctor!

Time-Saver #3

Waiting in the car-pool line at school, you have ten minutes in the car to:

1. Pick up all cups, napkins and litter in the car and put it in a trash bag.
2. Pay bills. Store your statements, envelopes, checkbook, register, and stamps in an accordion file with a handle. Then you can drive by the post office on your way home.
3. Schedule appointments for the dentist, doctor or hair salon.
4. Organized the glove compartment.

Now treat everyone to an ice cream with the spare change you found under the seats and in the cup holders.

See, organizing is a good thing everyone can enjoy!

Time-Saver #2

While the tub fills up, you have three minutes in the bathroom to:

1. Toss used towels in the laundry hamper and hang up fresh towels, or
2. Straighten the linen closet and make a pile of threadbare washcloths and towels to recycle as dust rags, or
3. Look throught the medicine cabinet and toss expired prescriptions and OTC medications, or
4. Clean the toilet, or
5. Organize the space under the vanity, or
6. Organize your make-up drawer. Lipstick and mascara that is three to six months old are breeding grounds for bacteria and should be tossed.

Once the bathtub is filled, toss the kids in and enjoy reading a book to them while they bathe.

Or better yet, light some candles and jump in yourself for a long, relaxing soak. You deserve it!

Time-Saver #1

Think you don’t have the time to organize your home? Once you think about the time you spend waiting for this or that, the minutes can add up says Donna Smallin, the author of The One-Minute Organizer. She says to put those wasted minutes to work; even just five minutes a day adds up to seven hours a month which is plenty of time to get organized.

While popping popcorn, or if you have three minutes in the kitchen why don’t you:

1. Organize the day’s mail – toss the envelopes and inserts along with the junk mail.
2. Organize a drawer.
3. Pop open the leftovers containers in your refrigerator to see what is still edible and tossing what is not. Check out expiration dates on milk and condiments.
4. Sort through your coupons and toss the expired ones. File new ones by category and date.
5. Take out the trash and recyclables.
6. Empty or load the dishwasher.
7. Wash out and refill the food and water bowls for your pets.

Now, go enjoy guilt free time in front of the TV, you've earned it!!