Get Organized Now! Newsletter by Maria Gracia http://www.getorganizednow.com Issue: September 13-19, 2009 Number of Subscribers: 181,999 ============================================ Hello {!firstname_fix} ============================================ CRAVING YOUR FAVORITE RESTAURANT MEALS? HERE'S HOW TO MAKE THEM AT HOME FOR A FRACTION OF THE COST Have you been craving meals from your favorite restaurants (like Applebee's, Boston Market, Chili's, Outback Steakhouse, Macaroni Grill and Red Lobster), but don't want the high expense of constantly eating out? I'm always trying to replicate my family's favorite restaurant dishes at home, but it hasn't always been easy. That is, until now. I've just discovered a wonderful tool that helps me prepare my family's favorite restaurant recipes--that taste just like they do when we're eating out. The best thing is, these meals cost 5 to 10 times less to prepare at home as they do to eat at the restaurant! Visit: http://e71008mgtgj9po5hmggkds9x2f.hop.clickbank.net/ ============================================ USING YOUR TIME WISELY--10 TIPS Time truly is the deciding factor. We all have to recognize the fact that we cannot slow it down nor can we speed it up. We all have the same amount of time--365 days in each year and only 24 hours in each day. What is time? Time is a system or method of measuring or reckoning the passage of time In the end, it is all about personal choice. We all have the right to choose how we will spend our time. If you are always feeling like there is not enough time. Ask yourself the following two questions: A. How do you spend your time? Create a time chart and record how you spend each day for a week. B. What are your priorities? What do you want to spend your time on? Compare these two lists. What can be cut, delegated, etc. from list #1 and allow you more time for those items on list # 2? In the rest of this article, I will share some tips that will help save you some time, so that you will have more time for what you want to do. Time saving tip # 1: Save time on errands A. Designate an errand day (do all your errands on one specific day. Also try to plan the time of day that stores are less busy.) B. Map out the locations, so that you are not driving back and forth. C. Delegate errands for other family members. D. Share or trade errands with a neighbor, fellow mom, or a local teenager. ---------- Time saving tip # 2: Multi-tasking Make it work for you, not against you. A. Only multi-task simple tasks. B. No new, difficult, or tasks that require lots of attention. C. For example, load a dishwasher while talking on the telephone, dust the house while listening to music or the television, cut coupons out while watching television, exercise while listening to a book on tape. ---------- Time saving tip # 3: Use your computer to save time A. Check directions before leaving. B. Online calendars and appointment reminders that can be sent to other people. C. Correspondence with family and friends. D. Order gifts, flowers, books, groceries, etc. online--no waiting in lines, travel time, etc. E. Paying bills online- no trips to the bank, no mailing costs. F. Wide variety of lists, for example, medications. G. Read the news online. H. Email reminders and notes. I. Photographs. J. Address and phone number list. K. Folders to separate important information, for example, packing lists, immunization record, list of doctors. L. Recipes, among many other uses. ---------- Time saving tip # 4: Have a routine and stick with it A. Having a routine can help you save time, if you work for an hour a day at chores around your house; you will not have to spend all weekend cleaning up and instead can spend some time with family and friends, for example. B. Having a routine is also very useful for children. They know what to expect and when. Bedtimes, chores, errands, and homework time will all run smoother. ---------- Time saving tip # 5: Plan ahead A. A meal plan- you save time each night figuring out what to eat a half hour before you make supper. B. Shopping list- will save you time at the store. C. Get out your clothes for the next day- will save you time getting dressed in the morning. ----- FALL IS HERE... THE PERFECT SEASON AND THE PERFECT REASON TO GET ORGANIZED! If you truly want to get organized, I highly urge you to pick up a copy of my book, Finally Organized, Finally Free--for the Home, or for the Office, or both. They contain what you need for you to enjoy an organized, stress-free life! ORGANIZE YOUR HOME: Are you sick and tired of the clutter, the mountains of paper, the overloaded email inbox, the lack of time you have to enjoy yourself, and the general disorganization in your life? If so, you won't want to miss this. Visit: http://www.getorganizednow.com/foffhome.html ORGANIZE YOUR OFFICE: Are you up to your eyeballs in work at the office? Are the paper mountains growing everywhere you look? Do you want to get your projects and tasks done quicker, with less effort, so you have more time to get home and enjoy your family and friends? If so, you won't want to miss this. Visit: http://www.getorganizednow.com/foffoffice.html ----- Time saving tip # 6: Do things in bulk A. For example, if you are cooking lasagna for supper, how much harder is it to make a second one to freeze for a busy night in the future? B. Bulk cooking or a once a month cooking fest can save you time in the long run. ---------- Time saving tip # 7: A consistent spot for must- needed, everyday items A. Do you know how much time people spend/waste looking for everyday items? B. Everyday or essential items should be kept in the same spot every day. For example, place your keys and cell phone in the same location so when you need to grab them tomorrow, you will know exactly where to find them. You might want a table, basket, or tray where you can leave these items and empty your pockets daily. The kid’s homework, shoes, and book bags need to have a home. ---------- Time saving tip # 8: Post and use a family calendar A. An earlier tip suggests using one of many websites to set up an electronic calendar; this may not work for every family. So if it doesn't then you will need to use a paper calendar or one designed on a wall using chalkboard or magnetic paint. B. Make sure it is in a central location where everyone can see it and use it. C. Make sure all appointments, meetings, get-togethers, after-school activities are put on the calendar. Transfer over to a pocket calendar, organizer, electronic organizer or even leave yourself a voice mail on your cell phone. ---------- Time saving tip # 9: Make and use checklists A. Checklists for children can help them learn their morning or evening routines, for example, brushing their teeth and combing their hair. If your little one cannot read yet, post pictures as well as the words. B. Checklists can be useful when packing for a trip, a day out at the park or picnic, having a babysitter or friend sit for the kids, among many other opportunities. ---------- Time saving tip # 10: Create a lost and found A. Every home needs a lost and found which can take many forms including a box, bin, basket, drawer, container, or even a laundry basket. When a family member finds a stray item on a countertop, in the middle of the floor, etc. they can toss it into the 'lost and found'. It’s a great way to clean up the clutter and misplaced items in your home. And therefore, it should become the first place any family member looks for a misplaced item instead of searching everywhere for the item. ============================================ NEW STUFF AND SITE UPDATES Everything below is accessible by visiting: http://www.getorganizednow.com Please note that we update our site on a weekly basis, so the new stuff and site updates below may only be available for one week. ** Get Organized Now! Blog: Department 2 Read my personal comments, stories tips and observations about getting and staying organized in today's hectic world. You don't want to miss it. Newest entries: 1) 09/08 - The subject of organizing is in nearly every book 2) 09/01 - Back-to-School Meant a Change to My Schedule 3) 08/24 - Always forgetting? You'll love this video Visit: http://getorganizednow.typepad.com/get_organized_now_weblog/ ** NEW Weekly Organizing Challenge: Department 1 Each week, you'll get a new challenge that should take you 30 minutes or less to accomplish. How fun knowing that lots of people are working on the same goal! Check out what this week's challenge is. We've just posted our Week of September 13th challenge. Go to the link below and look for the photos. http://getorganizednow.com/challenge01.html ** NEW Recipe: Department 7 Try making a yummy, new recipe today. This week's featured Reader Recipe is Sweet and Sour Ham, posted by mary57. Go to the link below and look for the ham. http://getorganizednow.com/#recipe ** NEW September Monthly Checklist: Department 1 Turn over a new leaf and get organized this fall with our NEW September Monthly Checklist. Go to the link below and look for the autumn leaves. http://www.getorganizednow.com/#checklist ** FEATURED Web Poll Our featured multiple choice question is, 'What best describes how you feel about the upcoming back to school season?' Go to the following link and cast your vote. It only takes a minute, and your opinion can be heard. Visit: http://www.getorganizednow.com/#webpoll ============================================ DROWNING IN A SEA OF LOOSE PAPERS AND STICKY NOTES? HERE'S HELP! You have to remember a birthday, so that gets written on a calendar. You have to make a grocery list, so you scribble down a few items and stick the list on the fridge. Someone gives you a phone number, and it gets written in the address book. You're planning your garden, and that information is stored in a notebook. You want to keep track of the movies you want to see, or the books you want to read--another sheet of paper. A friend gives you an email address on a sticky note that is now attached to your computer monitor. Paper, paper and yet more paper--it's all over your home, stuck to the refrigerator, bulletin boards and computer monitors, scattered on your kitchen table and your desk. Are you at your wit's end? If so, you'll be happy to know that I have the perfect solution to this problem. Visit: http://www.getorganizednow.com/ezorganizer.html ============================================ AN ORGANIZING TIP FROM ONE OF OUR READERS I started this last year. I collect email addresses for the people on my Christmas card list. By Christmas I had half of them. Come Christmas, I wrote a nice Christmas letter with pictures attached and sent it to all these people instead of paper cards. Almost everyone liked the idea and, at least half of those used email this year. Whether they wrote a letter or sent an email card from one of the many places on line, it certainly lessened the amount of paper coming in. The cards we did receive will become package tags next year. Savings? Cost of cards, stamps, paper and ink to print my Christmas letter and less trees being cut down to make that paper. It also helps to ensure the cards make it to the recipients before Christmas. Sent electronically, the greeting is nearly immediate. Alisa Aiken Hornby Island, BC, Canada Alisa is a 70 year old woman who says she has way too much stuff. Paper is her worst problem so she is always looking for new ideas to lessen the paper that comes into her house. * * * * * Submit your favorite organizing tip! Visit: http://www.getorganizednow.com/readertip.html ============================================ ORGANIZE THOSE MOUNTAINS OF PAPER ONCE AND FOR ALL So many people have spoken of the so-called paperless society. There's no doubt that the world hasn't caught on to this concept yet. There's more paper than ever... bank statements, insurance paperwork, schedules, school-related reports, medical records, warranties-- and of course all the fun paper too, like memorabilia, articles, hobby-related stuff and more. This is not to mention all the email messages and computer documents that get printed and copied each day--even more paper! These papers start small, quickly turn into piles, and then grow into mountains. Sometimes, these mountains of paper get so high, that the thought of tackling them is just too overwhelming-- especially when you don't have a good filing system in place or much time to put one together. If you're sick and tired of the piles of paper taking over your home and your life and you just don't know where to start, I have a solution for you. The good news is, this solution won't take hardly any time at all, and the result will be stunning--a filing system that will allow you to dismantle those mountains and find whatever you're looking for in seconds. Visit: http://www.getorganizednow.com/filing.html P.S. I guarantee you'll be able to get all your paper organized, in an efficient, easy-as-pie to set up filing system that will be the envy of all your friends. ============================================ GET ORGANIZED NOW! RECOMMENDATION OF THE WEEK Do you snore? Does your spouse snore? Is all the noise keeping the other person up all night? Those sleepless nights are over because I've just discovered an easy way to cure the snoring problem for life, without surgical procedures, medications, over-the- counter products, or ridiculous devices--in as little as 7 days. Visit: http://7f7bb9usskjiztgnvis0gci8c5.hop.clickbank.net/ Maria Gracia P.S. Imagine what getting rid of your snoring will do for you and your significant other. You will both be totally different people--more energy, more outgoing, happier and well rested! ============================================ AN ORGANIZING TIP FROM ONE OF OUR READERS Many of you are rushing to various places, meetings, clients, kids' activities, personal appointments and social engagements. Information is always coming to you almost 24 hours a day (even during sleep). An idea slips in while waiting for your dentist, getting gas or during some down time. What to do? Keep a little notebook with you at all times. This is your master list. Put that idea down, write that phone number, or add that new e-mail address someone just gave you, or even a wish! Later, you can transfer it to where it belongs and then cross it off your master list. Some things will just stay in the notebook at your fingertips, but do make a clean page for the leftover information, and dispose of your crossed-off list. Gerrie Beck Professional Organizer Kensington, MD * * * * * Submit your favorite organizing tip! Visit: http://www.getorganizednow.com/readertip.html ============================================ SAY GOODBYE TO YOUR MONEY WORRIES-- PAY OFF YOUR BILLS WITHOUT PINCHING PENNIES OR CUTTING YOUR SPENDING IN ANY WAY Would you like to begin controlling your finances, once and for all? Did you know that you can pay off all your bills, including your mortgage, without having to pinch pennies, get a second job or cut back your spending in any way? It's easier than you think and you can do it. I highly encourage you to visit my friend Leo's web site to find out how. I've plowed through his product inside out. He, by far, offers the best program I've seen to help you say goodbye to your money worries--forever. When you are debt-free, you can ... * Enjoy happiness and peace of mind knowing you don't owe anybody one dime * INVEST your hard-earned money and get it working for YOU so you can retire early and comfortably * Worry less about losing your job. You NEED a lot less money when you are debt-free * Spend less time working and more time doing the things you want to do with those you love http://www.leoquinn.com/cmd.php?af=250440 P.S. I fully endorse Leo's program (it really does work) and I highly encourage you to learn more. -- Maria Gracia ============================================ ORGANIZING CHALLENGE NOTES Week of September 6th: Learn Something New My challenge to learn something new was to take up bowling again after a 15 year hiatus and I started trying to learn how to crochet. I've been trying to learn how to crochet for over 5 years now. There is a group of ladies in my town that meet once a week and welcome all levels of skill. I should be able to learn this time. --Maria Johnson ----- Week of August 30th: Organize for Fall Thank you for this challenge. I thought it was going to be difficult to write down 10 items, so I picked ONE ROOM in my house and listed 10 things that needed to be finished this fall. I'm happy to say that my husband and I are happily working on finishing our kitchen remodel project! Your motivation was just what needed to 'get her done!' Thank you! --Erika and Ty Clift, Austin, TX ============================================ IN CLOSING Everyone must take time to sit and watch the leaves turn. --Elizabeth Lawrence And remember . . . there's no better time to get organized, than to Get Organized Now! Warmly, Maria Gracia Get Organized Now! http://www.getorganizednow.com ============================================ (c) Copyright 2009 by Maria Gracia, Get Organized Now! * Copyright, contact and reprint information: http://www.getorganizednow.com/contact.html * You signed up to receive our Idea-Kit and/or our Newsletter at our Get Organized Now! Web site. We never add names unless you have voluntarily opted in. * We never rent, trade or sell our email list to anyone. You'll never get an unsolicited email from a stranger as a result of joining this list. * To subscribe, visit: http://www.getorganizednow.com/free-ezine.html * To unsubscribe, click the link at the bottom of this e-mail. You are subscribed to our list as: {!name} {!email} ============================================