Hello Swarm Single Moms
Today the finance advice is simple. Find a credit union in your area. This credit union is going to be where you place your savings for the upcoming holidays. If you are just starting your holiday savings plan then you are a bit behind.but sooner than later is better!
When you are seeking a savings credit union there is something to consider: CHARGES. What does the credit union charge for things like checking, credit cards and what is the minimum amount you need to have in your savings account. Also what is the interest on the checking and savings account. Does the credit union you choose offer any specials that you would use? For instance some credit unions offer cheap amusement park tickets, museum ticket deals, etc. Find our what your potential credit union might offer.
This credit union is being set up so you will be ready when the holidays arrive. I got this idea a few years ago when I was working for a company that offered a Christmas savings plan. Starting with the first check in January you could opt to have up to ten percent of your check deposited into the holiday savings plan and the second week in November you are presented with your holiday check. It is a very helpful way to save without feeling any pain.
Today you should contact your work to find out if they are associated with a credit union. Then look in your area to compare rates and get started on your savings plan. Even if you decide not to save for the holidays you can still save for your own personal holiday. It is an easy way to plan to save some extra money for the holidays!
Monday, September 30, 2013
Sunday, September 29, 2013
Finance - The Beginning
"An investment in knowledge pays the best interest." - Benjamin Franklin
When it comes to investing, nothing will pay off more than educating yourself. Do the necessary research, study and analysis before making any investment decisions.
Good Day Swarm Single Moms
For the next few months the focus of these blog posts will be finance and money. How to make money, how to save money and how to grow money. Financial information is important to everyone, but it is even more important to single moms. Too many single moms are so busy and life is going by so fast that if you are not working a financial plan you could end up struggling in your later years. No one wants to see that happen to you!
The information I share will be from many sources and I am hoping that some of you, my readers, will also join in and share your experiences. Every single mom is different and all of our stories and experiences are different, but there are some underlying connections that will help the life of another single mom if you share it.
Because our financial knowledge can impact our lives and help to make a higher (or lower) quality of life experience. it is vital that we improve our finances starting today.
Today is Sunday. Many of us will go to a church or some sort of religious institution to get our fix for the week. Most of these institutions will want some sort of contribution. Many in attendance will give and the expectation is that you will too! How much do you give and why?
Today I want you to explore where your money goes and for the next two weeks, keep a running log of where you spend your money.
The best information you can learn about your finances is how you spend your money.
Monday, September 23, 2013
SIngle moms survive medical crisis with help from others
Hey Swarm Moms
Did you read the latest news about surviving illnesses? Apparently, if you are married you will have better survival rates than if you are not. You will also have better medical treatment and ... the odds favor the married woman for early discovery of disease. Wow!!! Is this crazy or really sad? or both?
We as the single mom community should pay attention to why the writers have determined this to be true. The fact that there is an early discovery of disease could be the result of having a loving partner who will notice changes in their loved one that a stressed and rushed single mom may ignore in herself. Some diseases may have obvious disease manifestations such as lumps, observable tiredness, puffy bellies, and mood swings that a single mom may attribute to other issues, having a loving partner prod or gently push her to see a physician in a timely manner which may make all the difference in the world.
The better care that a married woman receives could be a direct result of having an involved partner helping to research care and treatment. Just by the very presence of an involved man could tip the attention to the married woman. Also, I don't know if any other single moms have experienced this but, I have had many instances where I am invisible when I show up without a partner. On the other hand, if I am getting my car repaired, I receive attention and care above and beyond what me or my car need. Always to the tune of big bucks. But, back to the medical disparity between married women and others. Having a caring and concerned loved one who is attentive to your needs during times of illness is probably the biggest reason that married women have better results than others.
Let's face it ... surrounding yourself with people who love you and want the best for you is going to be the ultimate scale tipper when a woman or a man is ill. If you have someone in your life who will help research treatments, doctors, hospitals and recoveries you will fare better than if you travel the road alone. These loved ones will also help by being a presence in your life when you are feeling sad, depressed and/or challenged, which means they will be the ultimate stress busters.
SO... the lesson here for all single moms is:
1) pay attention to your body and your symptoms
2) be proactive in your healthcare
3) surround yourself with people who love and care about you
4) learn how to de-stress
5) get yourself a health care provider who you feel is competent and who can put your trust in
6) friends and family are relationships that must be nurtured in good times and bad, but weed out people now who do not have your best interest at heart
7) **ORGANIZE your medical records and have them at the ready should any issue arise that you need to access them
** Notice how I tied the organization focus into this post :)
** Notice how I tied the organization focus into this post :)
Saturday, September 21, 2013
Personal organizational focus
It's Saturday Swarm Moms!!!
Yeah! for those who don't have to get up and go into work this can be a day of relaxation. Some single moms are working today and some of those moms are going into work at a second job. When a single mom has to take a second job, this puts even more strain on her quality of life. The money must be important and necessary or else, she is detaching herself from her family. In either case, this is not going to bode well for a happy future. How does this play into the Organization mindset that we have been focusing on these last few weeks?
For starters every single mom needs to be organized. In fact everyone who wants to attain success needs to be organized. The mom who is working two jobs is working hard, but not working smart. This mom must start to look up in her work environment and locate the higher paying jobs. There is good reason to make more money and to move up in your career. You may only have to work one job and you may end up with more time off. Strange huh? the higher up you are in a corporation, the more days off you get. The more money you make within an organization, the more leverage you have. Is this true always? No, but it is true most often. Recently, one of my bosses was overheard saying, ' It's crazy! the more money you make here, the less work you actually have to do'. Wow! Pretty honest and insightful! But the reason to work hard (isn't that a given) and to look up to better positions is because we need to be in jobs that use our gifts and talents. And one of the ways to uncover your gifts and talents is to get organized in the way you spend your time so that you can spend some time doing what interests you. If your life is a mess and you spend much of it working, then you will not have the down time to evaluate your likes and dislikes. The pure enjoyments of life will pass by unnoticed. Soon, your children will be grown and on their own. You can not waste any more time in a state of chaos. This includes a chaotic living space, a chaotic career path and an unplanned future.
Take the time to evaluate your life and your likes. Where do you feel most connected? What do you feel happiest doing? Now examine your life and your goals and see if you are aligned. If not, begin now to seek out better employment, more money, more time off...whatever it will take to open up time for yourself and your family.
Yeah! for those who don't have to get up and go into work this can be a day of relaxation. Some single moms are working today and some of those moms are going into work at a second job. When a single mom has to take a second job, this puts even more strain on her quality of life. The money must be important and necessary or else, she is detaching herself from her family. In either case, this is not going to bode well for a happy future. How does this play into the Organization mindset that we have been focusing on these last few weeks?
For starters every single mom needs to be organized. In fact everyone who wants to attain success needs to be organized. The mom who is working two jobs is working hard, but not working smart. This mom must start to look up in her work environment and locate the higher paying jobs. There is good reason to make more money and to move up in your career. You may only have to work one job and you may end up with more time off. Strange huh? the higher up you are in a corporation, the more days off you get. The more money you make within an organization, the more leverage you have. Is this true always? No, but it is true most often. Recently, one of my bosses was overheard saying, ' It's crazy! the more money you make here, the less work you actually have to do'. Wow! Pretty honest and insightful! But the reason to work hard (isn't that a given) and to look up to better positions is because we need to be in jobs that use our gifts and talents. And one of the ways to uncover your gifts and talents is to get organized in the way you spend your time so that you can spend some time doing what interests you. If your life is a mess and you spend much of it working, then you will not have the down time to evaluate your likes and dislikes. The pure enjoyments of life will pass by unnoticed. Soon, your children will be grown and on their own. You can not waste any more time in a state of chaos. This includes a chaotic living space, a chaotic career path and an unplanned future.
Take the time to evaluate your life and your likes. Where do you feel most connected? What do you feel happiest doing? Now examine your life and your goals and see if you are aligned. If not, begin now to seek out better employment, more money, more time off...whatever it will take to open up time for yourself and your family.
Wednesday, September 18, 2013
Organization: Personalize it!
Hello Swarm Moms
This week I want you to think about things you can do in your life to make it run a bit smoother. That's what being organized will do, so as you go through the next few days, be cognitive of what you do and how you do it. Would it be better to do all your laundry in a single day or over the week as needed? Would making meals ahead of time make for more family time? If you can pay all your bills in a single day, should you or should you wait and pay them weekly or bi-weekly? (That is also a finance question!)... Think about what is more convenient?
Something that was breaking up my leisure time on a Sunday morning was going off to purchase the newspaper. I like to read the newspaper and I like the coupons. But I did not like having to get dressed and make my way out to get it. I solved this 'my time' destroyer by getting a Sunday only subscription. I wake up on Sunday morning and my paper is right there ... on the sidewalk. It is pretty awesome to walk out and pick up my paper. The only caveat is that I have to tip them. Yuck, I hate to tip for something I should be doing, but it is worth it.
Often, in life we do the same things in the the same way because we are complacent and we figure, 'if it ain't broke, don't fix it'. Listen up single moms, If we don't stay on the path of continual improvement and growth, then we actually begin to stagnate. If there are better ways to perform your tasks and live your life, you should. It is about quality of life... It is about quality of life. So make it better; the best it can be. Now is not the time to let things be. Now is the time to evaluate our choices and how we spend our time. I realize having my paper delivered is not earth shattering, but it makes my Sundays a lot more enjoyable.
This week I want you to think about things you can do in your life to make it run a bit smoother. That's what being organized will do, so as you go through the next few days, be cognitive of what you do and how you do it. Would it be better to do all your laundry in a single day or over the week as needed? Would making meals ahead of time make for more family time? If you can pay all your bills in a single day, should you or should you wait and pay them weekly or bi-weekly? (That is also a finance question!)... Think about what is more convenient?
Something that was breaking up my leisure time on a Sunday morning was going off to purchase the newspaper. I like to read the newspaper and I like the coupons. But I did not like having to get dressed and make my way out to get it. I solved this 'my time' destroyer by getting a Sunday only subscription. I wake up on Sunday morning and my paper is right there ... on the sidewalk. It is pretty awesome to walk out and pick up my paper. The only caveat is that I have to tip them. Yuck, I hate to tip for something I should be doing, but it is worth it.
Often, in life we do the same things in the the same way because we are complacent and we figure, 'if it ain't broke, don't fix it'. Listen up single moms, If we don't stay on the path of continual improvement and growth, then we actually begin to stagnate. If there are better ways to perform your tasks and live your life, you should. It is about quality of life... It is about quality of life. So make it better; the best it can be. Now is not the time to let things be. Now is the time to evaluate our choices and how we spend our time. I realize having my paper delivered is not earth shattering, but it makes my Sundays a lot more enjoyable.
That is what I want for you! So what can you do to make your life more enjoyable. What can you do to save time so you can savor time with your family? Really! Take a few minutes and think about your life. What aspect of your life do you detest and what can you do to make it better? As I showed you, it doesn't have to be life altering, just life enhancing!
Sunday, September 15, 2013
The Rhythm of Sunday
Good Morning Swarm Single Moms
This is one of those lazy mornings for me. Even though it is thee day that will set the tone for the upcoming week. I start out by reading the Sunday paper, clipping coupons, creating the food plan for the week and then, grocery shopping. Many folks seem to make this day their grocery shopping day as the store is always busy, unless I go early in the morning. The advantage to shopping early is that the sales usually begin on Sundays and the store hasn't run out of sale items. The earlier I go, the less congested it will be. Often, the only shoppers early in the day are me and the local firefighters who are beginning their three day 'on' shift.
In my kitchen I keep a running list of items to buy that any household member is encouraged to add to. I ask that they look for and place coupons for their items in a coupon basket that I placed on a desk in the kitchen. They do not always do this, so I do find myself looking for them as I cut and organize the coupon basket. This task of organizing coupons is ongoing, as coupons come in the mail, are printed from on-line and even age out of the basket (expire). Because of this ongoing need for updating, I continue to spend time on shopping day sub-organizing. My goal with couponing is to buy only what I need and will use. If I purchase items we will never use or if I have to purchase more than what I will use, it is wasted money and that is the anthesis of my goal. Always use your oldest and aged coupons first. I shop weekly for staples and sometimes during the week I may go and pick up fresh meat or fish. I like my protein fresh and the store where I shop most frequently, the fish are delivered on Tuesday and the meat on Tuesday or Wednesday. This is information you should have about your stores if you are also carnivores.
After my meal planning, I refer to the list other family members have added for their lunches and snacks for the week. They pick out their drinks, snacks and meal. I add the fruits and veggies according to what is on sale. Rarely are there coupons for veggies and fruits, but when there are, I jump on it. You can do so much with fruits and veggies and Sundays are a good day to experiment. I'm thinking pies, cobblers...caramel apples (it is fall after all!).
The Sunday evening meal is a good time to talk about the upcoming week and deviations or additions to our regular schedule. Doctors appointments, school activities...you name it and we will discuss it. So when I mention that today is a day of leisure, it really means that we are off the clock. We set the pace; our schedule less defined and we can enjoy the day being together, even if that means that some of us are coming and going. It is a good day to connect!
This is one of those lazy mornings for me. Even though it is thee day that will set the tone for the upcoming week. I start out by reading the Sunday paper, clipping coupons, creating the food plan for the week and then, grocery shopping. Many folks seem to make this day their grocery shopping day as the store is always busy, unless I go early in the morning. The advantage to shopping early is that the sales usually begin on Sundays and the store hasn't run out of sale items. The earlier I go, the less congested it will be. Often, the only shoppers early in the day are me and the local firefighters who are beginning their three day 'on' shift.
In my kitchen I keep a running list of items to buy that any household member is encouraged to add to. I ask that they look for and place coupons for their items in a coupon basket that I placed on a desk in the kitchen. They do not always do this, so I do find myself looking for them as I cut and organize the coupon basket. This task of organizing coupons is ongoing, as coupons come in the mail, are printed from on-line and even age out of the basket (expire). Because of this ongoing need for updating, I continue to spend time on shopping day sub-organizing. My goal with couponing is to buy only what I need and will use. If I purchase items we will never use or if I have to purchase more than what I will use, it is wasted money and that is the anthesis of my goal. Always use your oldest and aged coupons first. I shop weekly for staples and sometimes during the week I may go and pick up fresh meat or fish. I like my protein fresh and the store where I shop most frequently, the fish are delivered on Tuesday and the meat on Tuesday or Wednesday. This is information you should have about your stores if you are also carnivores.
After my meal planning, I refer to the list other family members have added for their lunches and snacks for the week. They pick out their drinks, snacks and meal. I add the fruits and veggies according to what is on sale. Rarely are there coupons for veggies and fruits, but when there are, I jump on it. You can do so much with fruits and veggies and Sundays are a good day to experiment. I'm thinking pies, cobblers...caramel apples (it is fall after all!).
The Sunday evening meal is a good time to talk about the upcoming week and deviations or additions to our regular schedule. Doctors appointments, school activities...you name it and we will discuss it. So when I mention that today is a day of leisure, it really means that we are off the clock. We set the pace; our schedule less defined and we can enjoy the day being together, even if that means that some of us are coming and going. It is a good day to connect!
Thursday, September 12, 2013
stress relieving ideas
Hello Swarm Single Moms
I know we have been focusing on organization for the last few weeks and this will continue for about 2 more weeks, however.... I want to take this post to talk about stress and some ideas for releasing stress.
Many moms are super stressed this time of year. The children are back in school and everyone is adjusting to new things (classrooms, teachers, bedtimes, food prep, frenemies, etc.)
It is challenging to be a mom and often even more so to be a single mom. It is only you and you have a lot to deal with. So I want to share what I find helpful when I am under stress.
1) Prayer. Whoever your God is ask for help. But, remember to achieve the desired results you must exert energy (action) and combine that with the prayer. Prayer with action.
2) Exercise. Apparently (and I am not a doctor) relieving stress through exercise is tremendously beneficial. It keeps your body strong, your heart strong, your mind strong (see where I am going with this) and it helps you sleep better at night. Sleeping well at night is necessary because that is when your body is repairing itself and preparing you for the next day. Playing with your kids is a great way to get exercise and a great way to connect with your kids.
3) Laughing. Laughing helps relieve stress and there have been some studies suggesting that laughing helps us to think better and clearer. Now, I do not have the studies at hand while I write this so you can try it out yourself. Rent a funny movie, read a funny book, listen to a comedian and then test how YOU feel afterward. :)
4) Books on tape. This is my 'go to' way to destress. I have listened to many a fine book in the car on my way to a job that is not my dream job and then home where I credit the books on tape to allowing me to unwind and focus on my family. I also like that I am entertained or educated via the books on tape. Multi-tasking my entertainment with de-stressing benefits.
SWARM copywrited 2013
I know we have been focusing on organization for the last few weeks and this will continue for about 2 more weeks, however.... I want to take this post to talk about stress and some ideas for releasing stress.
Many moms are super stressed this time of year. The children are back in school and everyone is adjusting to new things (classrooms, teachers, bedtimes, food prep, frenemies, etc.)
It is challenging to be a mom and often even more so to be a single mom. It is only you and you have a lot to deal with. So I want to share what I find helpful when I am under stress.
1) Prayer. Whoever your God is ask for help. But, remember to achieve the desired results you must exert energy (action) and combine that with the prayer. Prayer with action.
2) Exercise. Apparently (and I am not a doctor) relieving stress through exercise is tremendously beneficial. It keeps your body strong, your heart strong, your mind strong (see where I am going with this) and it helps you sleep better at night. Sleeping well at night is necessary because that is when your body is repairing itself and preparing you for the next day. Playing with your kids is a great way to get exercise and a great way to connect with your kids.
3) Laughing. Laughing helps relieve stress and there have been some studies suggesting that laughing helps us to think better and clearer. Now, I do not have the studies at hand while I write this so you can try it out yourself. Rent a funny movie, read a funny book, listen to a comedian and then test how YOU feel afterward. :)
4) Books on tape. This is my 'go to' way to destress. I have listened to many a fine book in the car on my way to a job that is not my dream job and then home where I credit the books on tape to allowing me to unwind and focus on my family. I also like that I am entertained or educated via the books on tape. Multi-tasking my entertainment with de-stressing benefits.
SWARM copywrited 2013
Monday, September 9, 2013
Mondays make me tired
Hello Swarm Single Moms!!!
Happy Monday and Happy beginning of the week. If you are anything like me, when I come home from work on Mondays, I am so tired. It takes everything I have to get dinner on the table, help with homework and to engage in any other tasks. I would really like to veg in front of the tv. But that would be the wrong thing to do because minutes are precious when you are a single mom. You are so busy, so often, that time really does fly by. I can not believe (I know that sounds so cliche) that my daughter will be heading off to college next fall.
Keeping that knowledge in the forefront of my brain helps me to slow down and be present when I am fortunate enough to be spending time with her. Too often I feel like I am just a big vocal horn sounding off in the house. "Did you do your homework", "pick up your clothes", "get the towels off the floor", "put the dry dishes away".. I don't know if she will ever really know how special she is to me and that my life would truly be meaningless if she was not in it.
It has been just she and I for her whole life. She has not always been happy about that, but that is how the cards get dealt sometimes and you make the best with what you have. I have always worked with her best intentions in mind. I have made some big, big mistakes that I will carry with me to my grave, but I have never regretted the road I chose. It has been a scary ride sometimes and there have been many times I wish I had been better prepared and more knowledgeable, (other than learning after the fact). But, I love my girl, I am always learning and I hope that she will know and understand that there is no one I love more in this life and no one that can inspire me to be better and to do more. I am thankful that I get to share some time on this earth with her.
*** This post is not what I intended. I was going to give some ways to stay organized so that Mondays are not so draining. I am going to keep this post, though, because I don't write many 'love letters' to my child. How about we all take some time today and write our kids a love letter. Sharon
Happy Monday and Happy beginning of the week. If you are anything like me, when I come home from work on Mondays, I am so tired. It takes everything I have to get dinner on the table, help with homework and to engage in any other tasks. I would really like to veg in front of the tv. But that would be the wrong thing to do because minutes are precious when you are a single mom. You are so busy, so often, that time really does fly by. I can not believe (I know that sounds so cliche) that my daughter will be heading off to college next fall.
Keeping that knowledge in the forefront of my brain helps me to slow down and be present when I am fortunate enough to be spending time with her. Too often I feel like I am just a big vocal horn sounding off in the house. "Did you do your homework", "pick up your clothes", "get the towels off the floor", "put the dry dishes away".. I don't know if she will ever really know how special she is to me and that my life would truly be meaningless if she was not in it.
It has been just she and I for her whole life. She has not always been happy about that, but that is how the cards get dealt sometimes and you make the best with what you have. I have always worked with her best intentions in mind. I have made some big, big mistakes that I will carry with me to my grave, but I have never regretted the road I chose. It has been a scary ride sometimes and there have been many times I wish I had been better prepared and more knowledgeable, (other than learning after the fact). But, I love my girl, I am always learning and I hope that she will know and understand that there is no one I love more in this life and no one that can inspire me to be better and to do more. I am thankful that I get to share some time on this earth with her.
*** This post is not what I intended. I was going to give some ways to stay organized so that Mondays are not so draining. I am going to keep this post, though, because I don't write many 'love letters' to my child. How about we all take some time today and write our kids a love letter. Sharon
Saturday, September 7, 2013
Gabrielle's story
Hello Swarm Single Moms
Every once in a while I like to remind my readers the reason why I am putting together funding for a resource center for single moms. I recently related the story of a mom who was renting a house with a potential mold problem. Today I share the story of my auto insurance agent. A single mom to one young son.
Her name is Gabrielle and this is a true story.
About two months ago I went to pay my auto insurance and to get some information about insuring a storage unit that I will be using to house SWARM donations. As she and I discussed the fees and coverage she told me she thought creating SWARM was a great idea and she might have some gently used items to donate. She told me about her son and how he had some toys that he rarely, if ever, played with. She thought about donating them. I let her know that when I had secured the storage unit, in about three months, I would contact her about the donations.
Today, about two months later I was back paying my insurance and touching base with her about the quotes I had gotten for the storage unit. Somehow we got onto the subjects of money orders and I told her how we had just gotten a directive at my work that we won't be accepting any money orders because of a theft that happened at a recently closed bank on the west coast. That information triggered a story from Gabrielle which is the inspiration for this post.
Last month, Gabrielle was going on vacation and had given her sister some money for rent. She asked her sister to purchase a money order, place it in an envelope, then put it into the apartment complex's mail box. Gabrielle's sister did as she was asked and placed the envelope with the money order into the rental office post box. When Gabrielle returned from her trip, she found an envelope from the apartment complex in her mail box and, thinking it was the receipt, set it aside. A couple of days later, she opened the envelope and discovered that the office never received her rent. She immediately phoned them to find out what happened. According to them, they never received the payment and because they did not get the rent, they were giving her two weeks to pay her rent or move out. Panicking, she phoned the company that she purchased the money order from and, having saved the receipt was able to trace the cashed money order to a bank (BBT) in North Carolina.
The money order company was able, for a fee, to send Gabrielle a copy of the cashed money order, which she could tell, had been verified as to authenticity by notes on the money order.
Long story short. Gabrielle was out $950.00, plus she needed to come up with another $950.00 to replace the money that the apartment complex never received and $950.00 for the next months rent which was two weeks away. I sympathized with her and asked her how she was able to come up with the money. She said it was a very difficult time, she was totally stressed and all her savings are now gone!
How many single moms do you know would have that kind of money set aside for an incident such as the above story?
This is why I want a resource center and the reason why my attorney said I should have small loans as part of the service. I agree. Even more so now. I can not say I would have had, at certain times in my single mom-hood, the money to cover such a disaster. I applaud Gabrielle for her money saving skills and the prudence and wisdom to save for the proverbial rainy day!!
*** Update ***
Apparently, the money order was stolen from the mail box at the apartment complex. It was part of a theft ring that was occurring in many areas and the thieves were able to get banks and other cash checking businesses to cash the money orders they were stealing.
Gabrielle is still using money orders because the apartment complex will not take personal checks.
Friday, September 6, 2013
defining organization
Organization! What does that word mean to you?
To me, it means that every thing has a place and 'it' can be found there.
It also means (to me) no clutter! But . . . that might not be the same for you!
Clutter in your home may be organized.
- It could be the pile of papers on your desk.
- It could be the clean dishes in the dishwasher
- It could be the laundry, dirty or clean, that is to be found in the laundry room or in the clothes basket.
- It could be the 'junk' drawer that you throw everything small(ish) that does not have its own space
Whatever you organization means to you, does it help you get where you need to be?
That is why we are focusing on organization this month. We are approaching the process in slow and deliberate ways. One room at a time and/or one focus at a time. I like the idea of focused organization because it allows me to have recognized improvement but, I am not a fan at the slowness of the process. In the long run, however, this is the the way that works best for me.
Today's focus is to organize the electronic's cords and adapters and chargers, etc. As you go through the rooms and drawers in your home, look for cords to gather into a central location. For this task, I like to use a basket. I call all hands on deck to participate in this chore AND I ask that the family locate the cords for their specific electronics and with masking tape cut into 1 in x 2 inches they fold the tape around the cord so their is a tail exposed. On this tail write the name of the product that goes with this cord, (i.e. phone, camera, gps. etc.)
Then, when all the cords have been tagged, make on drawer their home. You can also use a box or any container really, and store it in a closet or cupboard so it is out of sight. Just make sure that you store it somewhere that is easy to reach because you will be going into this box daily. You can also decide to have everyone house their own cords, making them responsible for for finding a storage space, out of the shared living space.
*** Consider using a different color or style of masking tape for easy recognition.
Happy organization to all the wonderful single moms in the world (and to those that love them)!!
To me, it means that every thing has a place and 'it' can be found there.
It also means (to me) no clutter! But . . . that might not be the same for you!
Clutter in your home may be organized.
- It could be the pile of papers on your desk.
- It could be the clean dishes in the dishwasher
- It could be the laundry, dirty or clean, that is to be found in the laundry room or in the clothes basket.
- It could be the 'junk' drawer that you throw everything small(ish) that does not have its own space
Whatever you organization means to you, does it help you get where you need to be?
That is why we are focusing on organization this month. We are approaching the process in slow and deliberate ways. One room at a time and/or one focus at a time. I like the idea of focused organization because it allows me to have recognized improvement but, I am not a fan at the slowness of the process. In the long run, however, this is the the way that works best for me.
Today's focus is to organize the electronic's cords and adapters and chargers, etc. As you go through the rooms and drawers in your home, look for cords to gather into a central location. For this task, I like to use a basket. I call all hands on deck to participate in this chore AND I ask that the family locate the cords for their specific electronics and with masking tape cut into 1 in x 2 inches they fold the tape around the cord so their is a tail exposed. On this tail write the name of the product that goes with this cord, (i.e. phone, camera, gps. etc.)
Then, when all the cords have been tagged, make on drawer their home. You can also use a box or any container really, and store it in a closet or cupboard so it is out of sight. Just make sure that you store it somewhere that is easy to reach because you will be going into this box daily. You can also decide to have everyone house their own cords, making them responsible for for finding a storage space, out of the shared living space.
*** Consider using a different color or style of masking tape for easy recognition.
Happy organization to all the wonderful single moms in the world (and to those that love them)!!
Wednesday, September 4, 2013
some time savers
Greetings Swarm Moms
Today let's discuss some small actions that, over time, help to make life a little easier.
*** If you take something out, put it back when you are done. If you are not done, but you won't be working on it (whatever IT is), put it away until you have the time to work on it.
*** Clean your dishes when you are done with them, I like to wash the dishes as I am baking or cooking. However, I will let the dinner dishes sit for two days. In order to have a neat and tidier home, I am now washing the dishes as I go and have instructed my children to do the same. In the morning when you have finished eating your breakfast, before you do anything else, I tell them, clean your dishes. They don't even have to put them away, just wash them!!!
*** When you take the clothes out of the dryer, fold them immediately. I like to use the (clean) dining room table to fold and sort the clothes for everyone. This makes me keep an uncluttered dining room table.
*** Have a place designated for footwear. Boots on a mat near the door (winter) and other footwear into a closet or the owner's bedroom. I like to use the hanging plastic shoe racks, but shoe boxes work well, too! Also consider, if you have many pairs of shoes, printing a picture of the shoes that correspond to the shoe boxes you store them in so that you have a quick reference point when seeking out a specific shoe.
*** Wipe the kitchen and bathroom sink daily. It is a small action that makes a big difference. Do the counter as well!
*** Absolutely no clothing on the floor! Period, end of discussion.
*** Use a bag sealer for frozen foods if you will not be using the whole bag. This will save you money by preventing freezer burn, so you can actually cook and eat what you have in the freezer.
*** Keep your grocery coupons on your phone or in your car so you can actually use the ones you have before they expire.
Just a few thoughts I wanted to share that involve small actions that create a more harmonies living space.
Thathatha thats all folks!
Sunday, September 1, 2013
More organization directives - clothing
Hello Single Mom Swarmers and those who love them
Yesterday's blog was about your school supply surplus and some ideas about what to do with them.
1) Store them out of the way incase you might need them.
2) Donate them to the school for students who need them.
3) Have a virtual trade off with social media contacts. Announce it on facebook, twitter, instagram...
But what about the surplus supply of clothing?
You can store them if you will wear them again in the next two years.
You can sell them to the resale shops
You can take them into the consignment shops for others to sell
You can have a yard, garage, tag or estate sale
You can donate them to the goodwill, salvation army or some other charity
If you haven't placed your clean, (freshly laundered), stored ready to wear clothing in one central location, take the time and, if nothing else, find a place in your home to begin placing them now. If you do this as we change the season, and as the clothing is laundered, it will save you time and help you have room for the (mostly) bulkier pieces that the colder weather calls for. Keep one or two empty bins or boxes handy for the pieces that are still being worn or are in the laundry room (or child's floor). Having these bins available to place the remainders of this season will help to ensure that you capture all the summer wear. Promptly place these bins with the other clothing storage bins when you have the remaining ready to wear pieces so that in the spring they will be easy to locate. clean and 'ready to wear'!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)