Everyday Shortcuts

Wouldn’t it be nice if we could save up time by cutting out the little ways we waste it, or getting two things done at once the right way? Here are some tips that have been tried, tested, and proven to help save time.

Organize an All-in-One Planner

Avoid the stress and wasted time of forgetting things until the last minute by keeping everything in one place. Buy a weekly calendar and start by marking down all of the most important things—birthdays, holidays, and big church events you know of. When the kids start school each year, look at their schedules and write down semester and term deadlines, main school events, and sports schedules. Then record events as they come up so that you don’t have to waste time every day trying to remember what you need to do. Whenever bills come, mark their due dates a few days in advance to make sure it gets paid on time.

Create a Beauty Station

Mornings can be hectic for young girls, and for the mothers of young girls. If you could keep track of the time spent running around looking for hairbrushes, barrettes, hair bands, and makeup each morning, you’d be astounded. The solution to this enormous waste of time? Place a mirror and a small basket near the front or garage door. In the basket, keep all of the bands, barrettes, brushes, and makeup you or your girls may need. When it is time to go, instead of running around the house frantically make last minute touches, you can simply go to the door, touch yourself up, and you’re on your way. All of your daughters will appreciate the station!

Conquer Clutter

Every night before going to bed, take fifteen minutes as a family to walk through the house together and put everything away. All family members should help and pay special attention to collecting their belongings to take back to their rooms. With everyone pitching in, it will only take a few minutes to have the house tidy every night, as opposed to the alternative of spending the entire morning sorting and carrying the clutter alone.

View the complete article here >

Getting Over the Weirdness
I’m starting a photography business on the side to help generate extra income. I have friends who’ve told me they’d like to use my services. However, I feel weird about charging them, because they’re friends. How do I get past that?
View Dave's Response >

Determining When to Sell
I make $60,000 a year, and I have two cars. One is paid for, and I owe $23,000 on the other. These are my only vehicles. I’d like to sell the one I still owe money on, but no one wants to pay that much. I have enough money in savings to cover the difference on one of the offers, but I was wondering if there’s a rule of thumb to determine whether to sell a car in this kind of situation?
View Dave's Response >

The Numbers on Reading

1.1
Registered library users worldwide (1 out of every 6 people)

7
Times than an average American visits the library each year

82%
Percentage of world population that is literate (87% of men, 77% of women)

25%
Americans who did not read a single book last year