Ten tips for making your life easier

It always seems that everyone is waiting for the summer to start; the kids will be out of school and everyone in the family can take it easy with no school lunches to pack, no extra-curricular after-school activities to run to... and then when summer hits it seems to be just as hectic, if not more so for some. Why is that? Does it have to be that way? I don't think it does! With some pre-planning I think you can have the more care-free summer of your dreams and here are my top 10 tips for doing so...

10 - Keep a list. and a calendar. Most importantly keep them where you will use them. I know this seems like a no-brainer but I hear of people all the time {sometimes myself included} who have lost their list or double booked themselves for a certain day. I've found what works for me is keeping the list on my cell phone - I keep my calendar there too and it can sync up with my calander on the laptop. I've always got my cell phone with me so my list is always handy. Now don't forget to look at said list!

9 - If you find yourself spending too much time shopping then find a map online, or make one next time you are at the store, of the store. You know, what is on which aisles - and then make your shopping list in order by which aisle it's on. Really this saves tons of time looking for that elusive item.

8 - When you get home from shopping, and are putting things away, leave out the produce and go ahead and prep it for how you will use it. I just started doing this and while it took me about an hour to do it has been well worth it. I chopped up some onions, washed everything ect. For a salad all that is required now is to throw it together. Pizza? Grab the items and throw it on the dough of your choice. Need a snack? It's easy to grab a bag of prewashed, pre cut carrots.

7 - Keep some snacks in your car or a "diaper" bag or back pack that you keep by the front door ready to go. Kids and adults get super cranky when they are tired but add huger into the mix and there's usually a very real problem.

6 - And while we are shopping - consider shopping online for things that you might normally head out to the mall to purchase. With programs like ebates, and swagbucks shopping online can be less expensive, and it's certainly less time-consuming and uses less fuel. Use the time instead to relax and do something else you enjoy. Did you pick up that Seattle's Best Iced Latte while you were at the store? Enjoy it! Here's a coupon for your next shopping trip!

5 - Try to schedule at least one night a week where everyone is home at once. You can have game night, or movie night, or your family members might have very varied interests and might not wish to do the same things. That's okay. Just having everyone home is nice and helps everyone recharge.

4 - Ask for help. Start a carpool for the soccer players in your neighborhood so you don't have to drive each time Jr. has practice. Much more efficient and saves fuel as well!

3 - Use sites like the flylady to minimize the housework you need to do everyday and be more efficent and don't be afraid to delegate tasks! You also might consider once a month/week cooking!

2 - This one is tough... turn off facebook. Or whatever sucks your time if you need to be doing something else that might make your life easier. Or your kid needs to be doing something else. Just unplug.

1 - This is a biggie... just say no. The extra activities will be around later for your kids, you can get dinner with a friend at a later date that is better for you.

I wrote this blog post while participating in the SocialMoms and Seattle’s Best Coffee blogging program for a gift card worth $30. For more information on how you can participate, click here.