May 10th, 2008
During the summer when your family is in a rush to get up and go, try using a cereal dispenser to make mornings go a little quicker. Simply plop this dispenser down within easy reach of your kids, along with a few bowls and spoons in a little basket, and you have your own easy serve hotel deal going on.
Pros:
- If only the kids are in get-up-and-go mode, mama or dad can sleep in a little.
- Perfect for bulk cereal - you can save a load of packaging. Reuse bags at the store to grab bulk cereal, and then simply refill these containers.
- Good for other uses. Little kids (read my little kid) tend to leave boxes open in cupboards. Like Cedar will get out granola to snack on and then later I see the container sitting open - hello mice and bugs! This stops this issue, but allows kids some snack independence.
- This tool’s usefulness carries over to the school year.
- Other uses - If you end up not using it like you though you would, try storing Legos or kids beads in it. Or other food items - coffee (I do drink this much coffee), tea bags, sugar if you’re a baker, dry bulk pasta, oats, and so on.
Cons:
Most are pricey. If you always buy bulk cereal this is a good deal though.
Easy Morning Black Divided Container Dispenser by Rosseto: $74.99
Double Indispensable Cereal Dispenser: In stainless, cherry red, white or, black $47.99
Wall-Mount Snack Dispenser 3 Canister: $49.99
I’d use these for snacks probably. My son (oddly) doesn’t like cold cereal.
Tags: cereal containers, cereal dispenser, cold cereal, fast breakfast, quick mornings, snack containers, snack dispenserShare This
By Jennifer -- 0 comments
May 9th, 2008
One of my other blogs - Tree Hugging Family is having a cool kids green toy giveaway. Just wanted to let you know, as I know plenty of you who visit here have little ones.
Enter the contest.
[photo via Green Toys]
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By Jennifer -- 0 comments
May 7th, 2008
Remember I posted: Are First Born Children the Most Organized? Well, our non-scientific poll study disagrees with common science.
According to our Declutter It poll we’ve had running all April, the majority of middle born children are kicking butt at organizing, with first born children following closely behind.
Last born and only children appear to be the least organized. Hmmm. Being a first born, I’m surprised that the middles won this round. If you met my middle sibling, Sarah, you’d know why I’m so surprised. Still, it’s interesting that we chumped the research. Now, who is going to help me submit this research to a journal? :)
Just kidding. I think we’ll have to enjoy this research here, and here alone.
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By Jennifer -- 3 comments
May 7th, 2008
How productive are you in a given amount of time? If someone said, “You’ve got 20 minutes, what can you accomplish?” Would you know how to answer?
Most people don’t know how long it takes them to complete tasks - whether a report at work or folding the laundry. The downside is a loss of productivity. For example, it really shouldn’t take you an hour to fold a load of laundry, or dust the living room. These are quick tasks. Most of the time they take longer than they should, because you walk away, get distracted, or something else pops up. While some distractions can’t be helped (like potty training a two year old), many distractions can be cut, if we’re aware.
One great way to finish tasks quicker and have more free time is to use a timer and a clock.
Notice the time when you start a new task and set your timer, say when you start writing a report or start dusting. If you stop; stop the timer. If little Sally does need some potty help in a hurry, or co-worker Joe stops in to chat. Hit the stop button on that timer. Once the distraction has passed, hit the start button again.
The point:
If the clock said 2pm when you started a task, and says 4pm when you’re done, yet the timer only reads 20 minutes, the problem is the extra hour and 40 minutes. If you got some great stuff done in that hour and 40 minutes then no worries. However, in my experience this is usually wasted fluff time. Time is more productive, when you can manage tasks from start to finish, without distractions.
Once you time your tasks for a while, you can set some good goals to work on. Such as turn the phone off while you clean. Or at least don’t answer. I keep my phone on 24/7 when my son’s away, because what if there’s an emergency? But unless it’s my son’s dad I won’t answer when I’m working. Same for cleaning. If I need to get a task done, I won’t answer the phone. If your distractions are at the office, shut your door, turn off the phone, and turn any instant email beeps down.
A reader made a comment on a previous post here that using a timer to speed sort items is a good idea (it is). You can also use your timer to speed tasks along. Can you beat your last dish washing time of 30 minutes? Probably.
Have you used a timer to time your tasks before? Were you surprised at how long tasks were taking you?
[photo via stock.xchng]
Tags: finish tasks quicker, have more free time, Home Productivity, How productive are you, Office Productivity, timer to time tasks, work distractionsShare This
By Jennifer -- 4 comments
May 7th, 2008
This month as noted previously, the Lifestyles Channel is having a month long theme called Three Doors Down. We’re introducing our readers to some new blogs they might enjoy. My first neighbor is Hankering for Yarn. This blog is written by Noreen, a super nice blogger, obsessed with all things yarn.
Cool posts lately include:
Now in order to introduce Hankering for Yarn yet, also stay on topic, I thought we might look at some good ways to organize your yarn collection.
Organize that yarn - after the jump.
Read More
Tags: 24-Pocket Vinyl Overdoor Shoe Bag, 3 Ways to Store Your Yarn, craft organizing, Hankering for Yarn, Jeri's Organizing & Decluttering News, Modular Shelving - 12 Cube Organizer, Organize yarn, sewing, yarn organizationShare This
By Jennifer -- 5 comments
May 6th, 2008
Your little ones will absolutely want to hang up their coats on this handy little Wardrobe Goblin from Haba.
I tell you, is there an item Haba makes that’s not cool? I love their products and this one is no exception. With both knobs and storage bags, it’s a very useful coat rack for a child’s room. Comes with four hooks and two bags. Made with hard wood for strength, and an easy to wipe down paint.
Available at Oompa Toys
[photo from Oompa Toys]
Tags: child's coat rack, coat rack, coat storage, fun kid decor, haba, oompa toys, Wardrobe GoblinShare This
By Jennifer -- 3 comments
May 5th, 2008
Today in the realm of organizing products and storage solutions you can’t likely afford, but are fun to see, I’ve got three fresh finds from Generate.
I hate the color red, but I love the idea of Spinny. I can think of many nice uses for something like this. Can’t you? It also comes in black, white, and aluminum. I’d probably get aluminum.
See-Saw Bookshelf: Your littles will love you forever, and maybe read more, if they don’t get too dizzy first.
Quad: To tell the truth, Quad is making me a little dizzy.
[all products and photos via Generate]
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By Jennifer -- 0 comments
May 4th, 2008
At RiverWired there’s a new video up from the Green Eye expert, Liz Dahmen, about how to clean green and reduce clutter.
It’s a little too hopped up for me; but I’m a pretty laid back kind of girl. Still, there are some excellent green decluttering ideas offered and if spunky gets your cleaning mojo going, then you should absolutely check this video out.
See How Green Eye Helps Dara Simplify her Life — and Stay Clean and Green
Enjoy.
Tags: cleaning tips, declutter, decluttering, green cleaning tips, green decluttering, Stay Clean and GreenShare This
By Jennifer -- 0 comments
May 4th, 2008
I posted my office space a few days ago along with some other b5media blogger’s desks and work spaces. If you’re now maybe feeling like a change of office furniture could do you good, why not try the cardboard desk? This individual actually bought all the boxes, but I know you have a garage full of boxes just screaming - “Take my contents to the Goodwill and use me for something darn it!”
Or maybe not. Still, you have to admit, in a pinch, this is a great idea. Very green if you don’t buy new boxes. The downside - no pull-out drawers.
Learn to make your own!
[photo via Instructables]
Tags: Cardboard Box Desk, cardboard reuse, garage full of boxes, homemade desk, make your own deskShare This
By Jennifer -- 7 comments
May 3rd, 2008
I use a little box for all my bill paying stuff. A calculator, checks, pen, stamps, and small budget notebook all go into the box, which sits by my desk on my high use zone bookshelf. My bills (the ones I actually get in paper form) go into my current box.
Keeping all your bill paying items together assures that bill paying is quick and a little less painful. To really beat the clutter, sign up for as many electronic bills as you can. I still have to write some checks, like for rent, and to one weird utility company who won’t join this century with electronic billing, but for the most part, I pay all my bills online.
Do you keep all your bill paying items together? Where?
Tags: beat clutter, bill paying, Bill Paying Station, budget notebook, calculator, checks, desk clutter, electronic billing, pen, stampsShare This
By Jennifer -- 2 comments
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