Tickets as Bookmarks

During this season you may be going to some special events. Keep the memory alive with this tip:

"For a great keepsake from a concert or show, turn the ticket stub into a bookmark. Just laminate, punch a hole in the top and add a ribbon." (M. Clark, Ft. Myers, FL Family Cricle November 1, 2009, p. 20)

More on memories:
Making it a Priority to Create Memories
Organizing Your Keepsakes into Bins
Getting Organized for School - Organizing Your Child's Artwork and School Papers

Information that Simplifies Your Life

I thought you might find this information useful in simplifying your life:

- Still Tasty: Still Tasty, the ultimate shelf-life guide, answers these questions: How long will your favorite food or beverage stay safe and tasty? What's the best way to store it?

- 800-GOOG-411: "If I need a business phone number and I'm not by a computer to look it up online, I call Google's free directory information service at 800-GOOG-411. Doing this, say, four times a month, instead of paying the usual $1.25 per call, saves $60 a year - in my mind, that's a 'free' dinner-and-a-movie date with my husband." (Donna Gallo Weppler, Articles Director, Family Circle Magazine November 1, 2009, p. 15)


- Trackle: "Trackle.com is a cool new site that can track - hence the name - stuff like local swine flu outbreaks, concerts and airfairs," says Contributing Tech Editor Christina Tynan-Wood. 'Right now I'm tracking a purse on eBags - Trackle will e-mail me if the price drops. I just had to set up a free account, then create "Personal Tracklets" for what I want to follow. The software does my virtual legwork.'" (Family Circle Magazine, November 1, 2009, p. 15)

Share with us information that simplifies your life!


More on information that simplifies your life:
Decluttering Mail and Phone Calls
More Family Organizing Sites
More Eco-Friendly Recycling
Three Steps to Decluttering

Summertime Tips

I found these summertime tips while browsing through magazines recently and thought you might enjoy them.


"I slice up lemons and limes and freeze them in ice cube trays along with some water. When it's time to serve refreshments, they're a festive addition to drinks." Fina Guido, Haledon,NJ family circle june 09 p. 18

"When I travel with my family I make portable pillows out of 2-gallon resealable plastic bags. I blow into them to inflate and then slide them into a t-shirt or pillowcase. They're perfectly comfy for the car or plane and don't take up space in our suitcases."
Laura Roscoe, Patrick, SC family circle june 09 p. 18

"I keep a cooler in the trunk of my car to store cold or frozen items that I buy at the grocery store. It allows me to continue running errands without worrying that my perishables will spoil." Denise Ehret, Collingswood, NJ family circle june 09 p. 18

"Cold compost - "I keep a plastic container in my freezer at all times. When I cut fruit and vegetables or crack eggs, I add all my scraps to it.The compost bin is handy, out of sight and doesn't smell up the kitchen. Carrie Elsass, Conway, AR Family Circle, June 2009, p. 101.

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Similar topics:
A Dozen Helpful Hints to Simplify Your Life
Cooler Safety 101

Cooler Safety 101

One of our girls had a visit with her parents yesterday. I had to stay there, so I brought along a couple of magazines and tore out interesting items and disposed of the magazines.

One of the articles I found was on how to load a cooler. I don't think I've ever heard anything "official" on loading a cooler in order to keep food safe and edible.

By following these tips, we can save money and time by keeping food fresh and not having to replenish spoiled food. And not having to take someone to the doctor because they ate spoiled food!

The following tips are from the Rubbermaid Food Science experts, courtesy of the June 2009 Family Circle magazine (p. 186):

"- Store items separately in containers and keep in the fridge for an hour before loading up.

- Line your cooler with a ring of cold soda cans or water bottles, then pour ice in the center. Add in food next, and put a layer of ice on top.

- Position coolers out of the direct sun and keep the lid closed as much as possible."

- Discard any food that has been left out for two hours, or one hour if the temperature is above 90 degrees."

Do you have some cooler safety suggestions? If you receive this by email, make your suggestions here.


Some related topics:
Get Organized Month 2009 - Organizing Your Fridge to Keep Foods Fresh
Demystifying Food Expiration Dates
Organize an Emergency Kit for Your Car

Some Earth Day Tips to Declutter Your Home

Happy Earth Day! In honor of the day, here are some eco-friendly tips from the May 2009 Family Circle magazine:

- Use cucumbers as a natural insecticide - either plant them or put cucumber slices throughout your garden. Who knew? (FC's source: Melissa Seligman coauthor of Simply Green)

- For an easy, homemade skin treatment: "Slice a fresh strawberry in half and rub the cut sides on your face. Wait a few minutes, then rinse. The berry is loaded with natural alpha-hydroxy acids that help clear up blemishes and slough off dead skin cells." (FC's source: Fashion Editor Christin Bibbo Herr)

- Gazelle rescues electronics from landfills by buying them from you, and reusing or recycling them. Dust off those no-longer-used gadgets and beef up your wallet! (FC's source: Krista Meyerhoff, editorial assistant)

These tips will help you reduce the clutter in your home by eliminating excess products and gagdets.

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Similar blogs:

Get Organized Month 2009 - Decluttering Your Electronics

Earth Day Energy Tips

Five Tips on Being Eco-Friendly and Saving Money at the Same Time

I'm in Family Circle Magazine - Organizing Your Scrapbook Materials

Check out the April 1, 2008 edition of Family Circle Magazine, where I'm featured in an article by Lindsey St. Clair on p. 26 about organizing your scrapbook supplies! How fun is that?!

Dreams really do come true!