Organization

Spring Break: Six Tips for Finding Deals...

Had enough of winter? Ready for some sunshine and relaxation? Plan a getaway for spring break and take a break without breaking your bank. Here are a few tips to have you soaking up the sun under budget. 1. Get off the beaten path. Skip the obvious hot spots and pick somewhere you’ve always wanted to go besides Cancun, Hawaii, or Disneyland. Most major cities have great attractions for families and national parks are...

Cold and Flu Season Must Haves...

I think it’s safe to say that most of us are tired and achy from listening to endless reports on the swine flu. But has the flood of media attention on this topic desensitized our minds to preparing from cold and flu season? Are we so sick of that we’re not doing what we usually do to guard ourselves against illness? Regardless of whether or not we’re planning to get a flu shot, or if we worry about swine flu infesting...

Only 33 more shopping days until Christmas?...

My father groaned every year when retailers would display Christmas décor immediately after Halloween. If he was alive today, he’d be shocked to see tinsel directly adjacent to the Halloween garb. But for me, my shopping juices begin to salivate when I can begin to see the first signs of Christmas. I like to get a head start on the holiday craziness. It’s not the shopping I love, it’s the act of getting the shopping...

Money Saving Travel Tips for Fall...

By Ann Springer While Labor Day weekend marks the unofficial end to summer, it’s actually the start of shoulder season in the travel industry and may be a great time to take a vacation if your schedule is flexible and your budget is not. The tourism industry has been hit hard by the global recession and deals this fall may be even more stellar than they typically are this time of year. Some experts report fares and bookings...

Fall Money-Saving Shopping Tips...

By Ann Springer Even though the retail world has turned the spotlight to Back to School shopping, now is the perfect time to cash in on those clearance racks filled to capacity with bathing suits and Capri pants. Here are my tips for making the most of the clearance sales so you’ll be set for next summer. Buy for now and later. You may find that your kids are short on shorts or have hit a growth spurt and have already...

Back to School Groove...

By Ann Springer School has already commenced in some parts of the country, while others are still preparing for the big day. Returning to the school routine is both a great and dreadful day in many households. It marks the end of the fun summer but also the beginning of a fresh school year full of possibilities. The back-to-school ritual is also a time that requires a lot of purchasing and preparing, but with the right ...

Married With Children...

Tips for keeping your house tidy even when you’ve got kids at home. By Ann Springer Everyone knows that living with children means you are familiar with sacrificing. I love having a clean house, so I struggle to keep my sanity when I’ve stepped on another Lego with my bare foot or find yogurt art smeared all over my kitchen table. While I openly admit to having a passion for organization, I am the first one to complain...

Kids Corner...

Stop the wars over messy bedrooms with this simple organizing strategy. By Ann Springer Most parents would likely agree that getting their kids to pick up their bedrooms can be more work than just doing it themselves. We all know that method is a losing battle. The kids will never learn to be responsible if everything is done for them. Besides, what parent wants to pick up after their kids all the time? Not sure where to...

Young Picasso...

Keeping art supplies organized is easy once you draw up a plan. By Ann Springer Parents everywhere rejoiced when washable art supplies hit the market. No longer do you have to line your kitchen table with newspaper before you can let your kids create a masterpiece. Children love to create their own masterpieces and there are endless products on store shelves to help these budding artists. If you’re not organized, you may...

Daily Double...

How to Organize Your Day Better and Get More Done By Ann Springer It’s easy to get to the end of an exhausting day and wonder, “What did I actually accomplish?” With the right methods and tools in place, anyone can be efficient and effective in his or her day. First, you should inventory your time over a week-long period. Everyone gets the same 24 hours in a day, but some people seem to get much more done in that same...