Category: Quick Tip

I have found that if I organize my grocery list by categories I have an easier time remembering all that I want to include on my list, and the process of creating the list is quite simple and quick. The categories which help me when creating my list are: breakfast, lunch, dinner, veggies, fruits, drinks, snacks, and other. You know I’m a meal planner, so I also include my list of meals for the week at the bottom of my list. I like to write my list on a large piece of paper and try to keep it neat.

I am able to look at a category, like “breakfast”, and think through what we want to eat for breakfast that week. I list those items, and then move to the next category. I come to the end of the list and know that it is complete because I have an orderly way to accomplish this weekly task.

What about you? Do you use a grocery list?

Until next time,

Charissa

It’s time for another quick tip! This is one I have been implementing with success for the last few months. The tip?! Use audio books to end car squabbles.

We have often listened to audio books on long car trips, but I recently decided to use them on short drives around town. My children were squabbling a lot, and I wanted to figure out a way to lessen this (often) daily occurrence. Audio books came to mind, and I decided to see if listening to them as we ran errands, drove to church, or headed to our friend’s house would make a difference. Thankfully, it did make a very positive difference. The children are doing a lot less squabbling, and we are all enjoying some great books!

Here are two audio books we have recently listened to and have thoroughly enjoyed:

Henry Huggins

The Mouse and the Motorcycle

What about you? Do you like to listen to audio books in the car?

Until next time,

Charissa

(This post contains affiliate links, so thenotsobusymom receives a very small commission if you make a purchase through these links.)

 

Over the years I have scratched many of my sunglasses and broken a few.  I have also wasted too much time searching for them while trying to get out the door on time. I don’t buy expensive sunglasses, but I do like to keep the ones I have purchased for as long as possible. I wanted to find a place for my sunglasses that solved some of my problems. A few years ago my husband and I came up with a simple solution: hang your sunglasses to keep them safe and easily accessible. We put hooks underneath a kitchen cabinet that is right by the door we use most frequently. This handy station for sunglasses has continued to be a problem solver for our family.

What about you? Where do you store your sunglasses?

Until next time,

Charissa

Prior to being a mom I was quite good at getting myself to appointments, meetings, and events on time. With the addition of each child I found myself running just a few minutes late and this newfound habit was troubling me. My current solution? Use a timer to keep me on track. Usually 45 minutes to 1.5 hours before leaving for an appointment, event or just a simple gathering, I will set my kitchen timer. I determine what time I want to be in the car with all three children settled into their seats and set the necessary time needed between the current time and the “everyone’s in their seats ready to go” time. The kitchen timer is the best option for me because it is centrally located, and I can check it as I do a quick clean up, get my youngest dressed, and complete any other last minute tasks. This one simple act of setting my timer has brought me back to a place of being on time, and that makes me happy!

What about you?  What do you do to make sure you are on time?

Until next time,

Charissa