Timely Tips on Tuesday: Wendy's Helpful Hints, Part 2

Organization of Information,
Record-keeping and Planning Helps
and Storage of Extra Supplies
This is a continuation of ideas--Helpful Hints, part 2: A downloading of my brain and "What's Worked For Me."  I hope that you can make sense of my explanations and maybe that some of the ideas will help you.  Sometimes the simplest idea has been for me a lifesaver. An idea that "Works" takes me from feeling like a failure to feeling like a success in a moment. The littlest idea can make so much difference, don't you think?  So, here you go:

11. Keep a record of Hospitality Received: record the date, hostess gift given, thank you sent, return invitation extended.

12. Keep “like” things stored together. For instance, all recipe books on 2 shelves of the bookshelf nearest the kitchen; extra household supplies in the cupboard in the hall: Recipe books/recipes; photos/scrapbooking supplies; paper products (paper plates, napkins, cups, plastic silverware); extra household supplies (paper towels, toilet paper, light bulbs, batteries).

13. Place a phone message notebook by the phone with a pen attached: record the date and time along with the message and who it is for. (The Person Phoned can put a check mark by the message when they have read it.)

14. Keep the Church Directory, phone tree/prayer chain and schedule for serving responsibilities on the inside of the nearest cupboard by the phone in the kitchen.

15. Write on a notepad on the fridge items you run out of and transfer this list to your Master Grocery List when you’re ready to go to the grocery store.

16. Make your menu plan for two weeks (one at a minimum), considering any hospitality events you’re planning, potluck dishes or meals you’ll be making for others, and make your grocery list from your menu plans.  List the recipe, where it can be found, and its page number on the bottom of your grocery list. This helps in the event that you aren’t able to get all of the ingredients; you’ll know what dish you needed the ingredient for and be able to adjust your plans.

17. Keep receipts from stores such as Cub, Kohls, etc. in #10 envelopes, sorted by month: write the month and year on the outside of the envelope (January 2007).  At the end of the year rubberband the year's receipts together.  This makes it easy to find the receipt when you have to make a return or need to be reimbursed for a purchase.

18. Have a place where you keep unpaid bills and always place them there as soon as they come in the door: e.g. a section of an organizer on the wall or an envelope or file folder in your desk; keep all paperwork from bills that have been paid throughout the year together in one place: a shallow box will work, or you can sort them in file folders.

19. To avoid forgetting to pay a bill: Record in an excel spreadsheet this information or on paper.  Make a chart to record the pertinent information regarding the payment of the bill. List all the bills you commonly pay down the left side and the months of the year along the top and record the check number (or AW for automatic withdrawal) and the amount paid in the appropriate box as you pay each bill. It will be easy to see if you have missed any, and which ones, and to track check numbers, if necessary.

20. Buy a small spiral notebook (3x5”) for each vehicle you own and keep it in the glove box to record gas purchases: record the date, odometer reading, location, # of gallons, cost, and whether paid by check/credit card or cash; also record any maintenance done on that vehicle in the same notebook: it will be easy to calculate your gas mileage, determine when you need to do an oil change, etc.

21. Keep a medium-sized open box in the bottom of your bedroom closet (if you have a master bath) or another handy location close to the bathroom, if you don't, for extra toiletries and bathroom supplies. Always keep in this box at least one extra of each thing the members of your family use on a daily basis: e.g. deodorant, shampoo, bar soap/body wash, mousse/gel, hairspray, after shave, feminine products, etc. When you run out, you then “shop” from the box, and when you use the last one of an item from the box, you write it on your list on the fridge.  This eliminates those last-minute emergency trips to the store for one item you've run out of!

Wendy's Helpful Hints, (Part 1) Timely Tips on Tuesday

General Hints for Saving Time and Money
and Specific Helps for Honoring Special Days such as Birthdays and Anniversaries

1. Write the person’s name at the top of the day of their event (Birthdays/Anniversaries) on your calendar.


2. To save money: Buy greeting cards at thrift stores, or make them, or use note cards and write your own sentiment or poem on the inside.


3. To save time and gas, plan all errands, etc. on one day of the week.


4. Whenever possible do two or more things at once: e.g. while riding in the car do handwork or write letters or do planning in your planner; while the family is listening to a read-aloud-book the girls can do handwork/knit/crochet or do artwork/drawing; while watching a video have the washing machine going or sort laundry; while listening to an audio book on cassette for school do baking/cooking/cleaning in the same area.


5. Have a “Gift Shelf” somewhere in your home: a closet works well: when things are on sale buy items for future gift-giving such as baby clothes, or toys, in both blue and pink for upcoming baby showers, books for grads, misc. small items for giving as hostess gifts, frames or small photo albums or glass serving dishes, which may be found at outlets, for bridal showers, etc.)


6. When you buy a person’s birthday gift, also buy their Christmas gift (and vice versa). This spreads gift-buying out over the whole year instead of having all the expense at once; it makes gift-buying easier:  because you’re already thinking of the person’s likes, colors, size, and you can also buy items that will go together (the shirt for his birthday, the tie for Christmas; the plate for her birthday, the matching cups or bowl for Christmas).


7. To save money and yet give something very “special,” you can make Christmas gifts, but you will need to start early, perhaps even in January (you can work on handwork gifts while listening to reading or while riding in the car).


8. Buy Christmas and other gift-wrapping paper and bags at the end of the season, or when on sale. Have a Gift-wrap center in a closet or on a shelf, if you don’t have a special organizer.  Keep these items there:  gift-wrap/bags, tape and scissors, as well as ribbon and bows, etc.


9. Have a box or desk drawer where you specifically keep your greeting cards to send (sorted by occasion); keep a supply of note cards on hand for thank you, thinking of you, praying for you or get well occasions; have stamps and return address stickers in an envelope or nearby in a desk drawer or another box.


10. Put an X by the person’s name on your calendar when you have sent the card, gift or thank you note.

Tips for Saving Money: Significant Savings for Stay-at-Home Moms

As a stay-at-home mom, you can be a huge asset, pun intended, to your husband and family! Here are ways you can contribute significantly to the financial status of your family without getting a job.

I. Eliminate hiring others to do services for you. (In other words, try not to pay someone else to do what you can do--or learn to do--yourself.)

A. Eliminate going to a hairstylist or barber.  By learning to cut your family's hair yourself (especially your men's) you can save a substantial amount of money each year. Over the years, and in large families with many boys, this savings can really add up! You can also learn to do your daughters' haircuts--layering, etc. though it's a little trickier. Buy a few basic tools (scissors, cape, brush for cleaning up, spray bottle, and a good rat-tail comb) at your local beauty supply store, and get a book from the library or look online for instruction. I think I learned by watching our stylist and by trial and error, and I have been cutting my husband's and son's hair for years. If I can do it, anyone can, believe me. I have not felt confident enough to try my daughter's hair and so she and I presently go to a stylist. Recently, however, a friend arranged for her stylist to come to her home and teach a group of women and daughters how to cut girls' hair.  If my daughter were much younger, I would definitely do this.  Calculate the savings and think what you could do with the money you will save.  Moms, try this! With more than a couple of children, the benefit is huge, especially as the prices for this service just seem to go up and up. 

B. Clean your own home.  In my part of the world, and in modern times, it's been pretty much unheard of for someone who didn't work outside the home to have a maid or help with the housework, until recently.  Sometimes I wish I lived in Bible times, because they often refer to one's "servant girls", as in Proverbs 31.  What a lovely idea!  But, for a Homeschooling stay-at-home mom, housecleaning is one of the areas where Homeschooled children can become a big benefit.  Your children are a great in-home workforce. They can clean the house for you, and in the process learn a valuable skill and be trained in a good work ethic.  Even if you don't Homeschool, though, it's an area where the savings can add up fast.  I have hired housecleaning help in the past, but because it cost me a lot to have someone else clean my home, even once in a blue moon for help with spring cleaning, for example, it was a huge motivation for me to become more organized, and do it myself.  If you do need some extra help now and again, see if there's a young Homeschooled girl that you know of who would be interested in a ministry to another family.  I know of a number of young ladies of various ages, who alone, or with their sisters, have gone to help another family by doing a variety of "services".  They may go on a regular basis for a few hours once a week, or they may go and stay at the family's home, especially if it's a distance away, and help in many ways for a period of a few days or more.  This is especially common after a baby is born.  Bartering for services is a great alternative:  It may be possible for you to do or give something other than money for this service.  Be creative, and you will find many ways to save money. 

II. Stay home as much as possible.

A.  Gasoline is expensive. When you go somewhere, plan your trip in order to accomplish more than one thing. Think of the area you will be travelling to and businesses you will be passing by.  Are there other errands you could get done, with very little extra effort?  Remember to figure in the cost of maintenance to the car when you're thinking about going somewhere or doing some activity. Try not to have to run out and make a special trip, to get or do some small thing, that can wait for a time when you will be out already. Do you know how much you are driving, and how much you're spending on gas?  We keep a small spiral bound notebook in the glove compartment of each vehicle in order to record gas purchases. (At the top we write these column headings: date, location, odometer reading, cost, number of gallons and MPG for miles per gallon.) You can then calculate how many miles per gallon your vehicle is getting, and see how much you're spending on gas. You might be surprised!  Speaking of the services that can be eliminated by doing them at home, if you have a husband who is able to fix your vehicles himself, thank him with a big hug and kiss tonight! I am extremely grateful for my husband, who received two years of training at a tech school in auto mechanics, because he has saved us thousands and thousands of dollars over the years in automotive repair costs! But, even if they don't have the benefit of tech school training, all young men should learn to do some basic car maintenance themselves, for it will help their budget immensely. You can keep track of maintenance done on each vehicle, and the cost of parts, in the same notebook where you keep track of gas expenditures. Keep a separate notebook in each vehicle, and teach your family members who drive to use it. If you don't know how much you're spending a month in this area, definitely calculate it--you will be amazed! We stay-at-home moms seem to be away from home an awful lot!  This is one area that we can make a significant difference in the family budget, because cars and gas have become such a huge expense. Lastly, if your family can consider a reduction in the number of cars you own, this will result in the most savings!

B. Cook and eat meals at home instead of eating out. Now, I don't consider myself a culinary genius--Betty Crocker, I'm not! But if you, like me, don't feel very capable in the kitchen, do what I have done: take a class, and ask a friend who's skilled in this area to give you some pointers. Mostly, you will become more and more skilled by practicing. Start asking for the recipe when you taste something superb. And don't be shy about asking for any little tips the cook has for making it "taste so good"! She'll be delighted you asked! Today, it seems that everyone is into "healthy" eating. Eating healthy home cooking will benefit more than your finances. Learning to cook healthy meals will prolong your family's life, also, and save you money and much more. Collecting excellent basic recipes, and following them precisely, is the first step. Then there are many fun cooking shows, books, videos and online tutorials available, so jump in and learn. The better you become, the more you will enjoy it, and you'll find many inexpensive ways to give your dishes pizazz!

III. Be Willing to Buy Second-Hand Items

A.  Clothing: You can save a bundle if you are willing to buy your clothes at thrift stores, and garage sales.  Goodwill, Salvation Army, and other local thrift stores often have name-brand and like-new clothing that others have outgrown, or tossed aside, for a fraction of the new price.  Also, try networking with other families at church or in your local Homeschool circle, and hand down the clothing that your children have outgrown.  Let it be known how grateful you are to receive these hand-me-downs, and others may think of you the next time they have a bag or box to get rid of.  Also, do the same for others.  At our church, there is a table in the back where families can place items which are free to all.  This is a blessing to both giver and receiver. To eliminate extra cost, plan ahead for those "events" so you aren't having to run out and buy something on short notice, which usually means "new".  With enough time, you can usually find even that "special" dress at a thrift store.  When our daughter needed a formal dress for the Honors Concert she had won the privilege of participating in, we prayed and kept our eyes open at our favorite thrift store.  We were thrilled to find the dress we'd prayed for: right color, right size, right style...and even more delighted when God also answered our prayer that it be under $20!  Look for larger household, family and baby items such as furniture, appliances and tools at garage sales and thrift stores, too. A note for new moms: Finding like-new baby clothes, strollers, cribs and other needs at garage sales is easy, because so many people these days have only 1-2 children, think nothing of buying everything new for the baby, and then, just a short time later, sell their barely-used items. Drive around and look for new developments that have a lot of young families. Additionally, Craigslist has become a great resource for connecting with people who want to sell just what you're looking for, and with persistence, you can usually find items at the price you want, too.  Lastly, when you do buy new, watch and wait for end-of-season sales and when 50-90% discounts apply.

IV.  Learn, and teach your daughters, skills which will save money, so they can stay at home with their children, too.

A.  One of these skills for young (and older) ladies to learn is sewing your own clothing and household items, such as curtains, pillows and decorative items. Many women make beautiful gifts using this skill, as well. Again, a class, book, friend or online tutorial can help you.  Necessity is the mother of invention, they say.  When I had a picture window to cover and found out how much buying a new valance was going to cost, invention kicked in and I was surprised to find out how really easy it is to make one, and I was very pleased with the results.

B.  Making gifts and decorative items for the home with your hands, whether it be by painting, knitting, crocheting, sewing, handwork, calligraphy or some other means, is a way to bless others and save money.  It used to be true of every "accomplished" young woman that she could do beautiful handwork.  Now, it is a skill which a woman can use to gift her friends and family and still stay within her budget.  By resourcefulness and thrift, she will be able to make some items for almost nothing which will be treasured forever.  The cost of greeting cards has risen astronomically in recent years, and yet showing love to others through a note or letter on their special occasion, or just as a means of comfort or encouragement, is still a very needed ministry.  Making your own cards is one way to make this ministry possible on a limited budget.  Other ways are to buy your cards at thrift stores, to buy your cards from others who make them, to salvage and re-make cards, and to buy cards at half-price or less, as in the case of Christmas cards, at the end of the season.

I hope these tips have sparked your creativity to think of many other ways that you can save money, for I have only listed a few, using the creativity that God has given you for His glory!

You are speaking volumes to your children and influencing others around you more than you know when you practice good stewardship, making thrifty choices which contribute to your home and family financially.  You will experience the rich feeling of satisfaction, as well, when your actions result in significant savings, thereby multiplying what the Lord has given you, and you are able to stay at home.

At the Well: Housekeeping Helps

Come, gather at the well today!

     Today "At the Well," (click on the link above to participate and read) we're discussing the woes of Housekeeping!  When I read that title, I immediately groaned and became depressed! Housekeeping, though, is not going away in this lifetime, and we all have to do it...So, let's put this subject in a more pleasant perspective!
 
Let's remember:

1. Housekeeping is Temporary, not Eternal!
2. Housekeeping is due to the curse--Even We Will Return to Dust!
3. Housekeeping is an opportunity to serve our Lord and our family.
4. Housekeeping is God's training ground of our character and it's All About Attitude.
5. Housekeeping is an opportunity for God to train our children through us: a) We need to train them by our attitude towards housework and b) We need to Train them in the skills to do it.
6. Housekeeping is more difficult because we are Blessed with (too) many Belongings.
7. Housekeeping is more difficult because we have bad attitudes.
8. Let's Be Thankful for the riches God has given us: People to clean up after, and Things to put into place (and take care of and use for His glory).
9. Let's Be Thankful for the body He has given us to do the work (and if we are able to do any work, let's thank Him for every bit we can do)!
10. Let's Be a Good Steward of the Time and Possessions that God has given us, remembering that everything we have is really God's, and we will be called upon to give an account: a) By Learning ways to do the work we have to do more quickly and efficiently; b) By Using the things we have, or giving/selling them to someone else who will (or throwing them); c) By Taking care of the things we have so they will last longer.

Resources to Help Us Get a Handle on Housekeeping:
(under Home Organization below)
"Sidetracked Home Executives/From Pigpen to Paradise" by Pam Young and Peggy Jones (This book actually changed my life.  Pam and Peggy, the SLOB sisters, showed me a way that it was Possible for Me, someone who's not "born organized," to have a clean and organized home and life and still be me and be happy. They encourage you with their own examples and stories, because they're actually worse than you are, or they were until they came up with this system. And they are so funny, you'll "laugh til the tears are rolling down your cheeks"--I promise.)
"Get Your Act Together: A 7-Day Get-Organized Program For The Overworked, Overbooked, and Overwhelmed" by Pam Young and Peggy Jones (Written by the same sisters who co-authored "Sidetracked Home Executives."  Please read the reviews on Amazon for this book--you'll definitely buy this book if you do!  I hope it will change your life as it has others!)
"Speed Cleaning" by Jeff Campbell (This is a great, compact "how-to" book to teach exactly how to clean your house in what order and what way--FAST! I learned how to clean my bathroom in about 15 minutes from this book.)
"Is There Life After Housework?" by Don Aslett (Known for his humorous and helpful look at this timeless topic, he tells you how to clean everything in your house. Also includes spot and stain removal tips.)
"Do I Dust or Vacuum First?" by Don Aslett (All of Aslett's books and videos are funny and informative, and I recommend having these as resources on your bookshelf.)
"Houseworks: Cut the Clutter, Speed Your Cleaning and Calm Chaos" by Cynthia Townley Ewer (This author's "Christmas Organized" forms and tips have helped me tremendously, so based on that I include her book here on organizing the Housekeeping area of your life, but if the reviews online are any indication, you'll be buying one for yourself and your daughter! Great shower/wedding gift idea!)
"The New Messies Manual: The Procrastinator's Guide to Good Housekeeping" by Sandra Felton (This is the new, updated version--My sister-in-law absolutely loved this book and couldn't stop talking about it! It gave her such hope! It will you, too!)
"Streamlining Your Life: A 5-point Plan for Uncomplicated Living" by Stephanie Culp
(Culp, a time management expert, gives ideas on how to declutter and simplify and the motivation to do it.  Examples of timewasters, how to eliminate them, and why. A no-nonsense approach and if you follow her advice, you'll be so glad you did!)