Copyright @ theiMOM, 2007. All Rights Reserved
Use Your Time Wisely
  • In 5 Minutes I can...
  • Make a 'definitely need' grocery list
  • Make an appointment
  • Sort the mail (trash, in box or shred)
  • Vacuum one room
  • In 10 Minutes I can...
  • Straighten my desk
  • Check email and even...
  • Respond to a few emails
  • Exercise
  • Collect the trash
  • Wipe down kitchen appliances
  • Dust one room
  • In 30 Minutes I can...
  • Vacuum 3 -4 rooms
  • Do a craft with my child
  • Prepare a crock pot meal for dinner
  • Run to the bank or pick up dry cleaning
  • Read a book in the bathtub
  • Fold and put away laundry
  • Make a 2 week Meal Plan
                   
Mail Mounds
It has been my habit over the years to keep the incoming mail to a minimum. Whenever I pick up the mail,
I do the following:

  1. Immediately trash the items I know I do not need to waste any precious time on reading (credit card
    applications, catalogs...you know what I am talking about).
  2. Bills get placed into the office (in my file system).
  3. Magazines or letters to read later get places on the coffee table and/or magazine rack in bathroom.
GO MOM® School Organizer
  • 3 year reference calendar
  • Clear zip pouch for loose items
  • Organizing pockets for keeping track of the following important papers
  • Language Arts/Social Studies
  • Math/Science
  • School Project Planner
  • Notable Work
  • Teacher Communications
  • Progress Reports
  • Grade Level Communications
  • Specials/Volunteer Communications
  • Principal Communications
  • PTA/PTO/Booster Club Communications
  • After School Activities
  • School Wide Community Events
Order Comes Through Simple Living

When we create a simple way of living, complexity and confusion begin to disappear. If you want to move towards order in
your home, you have to make some choices for simpler living.

  • Do you have toys all over the house?
  • Do you have paper stacks everywhere?
  • Do your piles of clothes look like you outfit the entire neighborhood block?
  • How about that pantry with all the mystery items that you do not know when you bought it and what recipe it was
    supposed to be for?
Here are a few tips to create some order:        
  1.        Surface Clean: Go through your entire house and pick up the items that are just laying around and are out of order. If it's been awhile
    since you have done this, you may be looking at a huge job.  In this case, do one or two rooms at a time. Or enlist the help of a family member...
    divide and conquer!
  2.        Throw away, Give away, Put away! Most people cram so much stuff into their home, that they don't know what they have until they
    move to a new home.  Stuff build up can cause safety problems, financial problems, comfort problems for the people who live there and the ones
    who used to visit you and an array of other problems.  I have heard it said, "A disorderly home breeds a disorderly mind...and sometimes the
    reverse". Every room in your home should have stuff that has a 'home'. If not, it is either trash or needs to bless another family.  Call me if you
    need help walking through this process.
The "To-Go" Tote Bag
In addition to my purse, I have created a tote bag that I prepare the night before for the next days adventures! In the
evening I fill my bag with items I need to accomplish in my tasks for the next day.
Here is a sampling of what you may find in my "To-Go" Tote Bag:
  •        master to-do list
  •        grocery list & coupons (if it is grocery day)
  •        envelope with bank deposit
  •        list of phone numbers of people I need to call while out  running errands
  •        coupons I intend to use (car wash, drive-thru, etc.)
  •        roll of film to be developed
  •        small snack (just in case I am out longer than expected)
  •        directions to where I am going
  •        movie to be returned
I can bet your tote bag looks different than mine. This is not a huge diaper bag sized thing; just a small tote to keep everything I need
by my side (usually in the passenger seat) while I am out.  At the end of the day, I bring it in from the car and take out what I am done
with and fill it with tomorrow's goodies!
Children & Housework
  • Try including your young children in housework.  It may feel like there is no progress, but it's a fantastic way
    to teach them to be part of the family team and the 'work force'.  Show, Teach & Train!
  • Be sure to encourage and compliment them on their hard work (even if it's not how you would have done
    it...) Do not redo a chore that a child has just completed!
  • Train children to pick up their 'stuff' by creating Clutter Jail. If something is left out, it goes into Clutter Jail
    until an agreed 'fine' has been paid (i.e. $, chore, etc.)
  • Make a list of all the chores your child is capable of doing.  Create a 'chore chart' together and assign days to
    each chore. Some of these should be 'fun' (i.e. getting the mail, writing the shopping list).
  • Make work creative. Children love wearing rubber gloves, having contest for dirtiest, dustiest rag, child-sized
    mops, aprons and small buckets.
  • Remember: The more we do for our children, the less they can do for themselves!
Helpful Hints & Ideas will
be added & changed
monthly...
so check back for more
great tips!
iMOM Helpful Hints & Ideas
create a happy, organized home!