Category Simplify & Organize

10 Ways To Simplify Your Life As A Mom

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1. Stay Organized

Staying organized, even at a basic level, can simplify your housework tremendously! The number one way to stay organized is to give everything a home. (Labels help as a reminder to yourself & to your family where that home is). Giving everything a home makes it easier to put things away & save time of looking for lost items.

2. Always Declutter

Decluttering is halfway done once you have given everything a home ! ⬆️ You will often find that when you have to much stuff, items don’t have a “home” at all. This is a sign that you may have more inventory than your space allows for. I encourage you to reguarly keep a donation bag going. This helps the clutter stay down so much! Some people think this is over kill…. but have you ever thought about how many items we bring into our home on a weekly basis? Why is it that so much less is usually being rotated out? Eventually, these items began to pile up in our closets, cabinets, drawers, and floors. Ladies, it’s time to declutter! And if you’re feeling a little wasteful, it may be time cut back on how much you are bringing in too! A good rule of thumb, when shopping, is to ask yourself “ do I really need this item?” If yes, then ask yourself if you will actually use it? Lastly, where will it belong in your home? Sometimes the answers to these questions will help us prevent “impulse” purchases.

3. Make a morning routine

Morning routines don’t have to be super strict (although they can be). A morning routine is simply an orderly pattern of events that happen on most mornings to make your day go smoother. Having A morning routine puts your brain on auto pilot, accomplishing some of the most important things first thing in the morning. It also sets a routine for your family, they know what to expect and can comply without confusion. A morning routine is a great way to start of your day! Morning routines can be flexible and can even begin at a different time each morning if needed.

4. Make a bedtime routine

A bedtime routine has the same benefits as the morning routine. Bedtime may or may not be a very happy time for your children. Having A routine really helps skip the unhappiness of “bedtime” with little children. They begin to know exactly what to expect when “bedtime” comes and the fight becomes less. Bedtime routine also enables the children to be more independent with certain bedtime responsibilities, since they know exactly what’s expected next. Older family members can also jump in easily. Here’s a little tip- I like to add something relaxing/ calming to do with my children as part of bedtime routine. This helps calm and wind them down making it easier for them to fall asleep.

5. Stay stocked on household necessities & food staples!

Staying stocked up on your everyday grocery and household items is a must! Constant runs to the store for things like “an egg” before dinner can be finished, “toilet paper” before friends comes over, or “kids Tylenol” at midnight, these hectic runs can be everything BUT smooth in our lives. Staying stocked up (even just a little extra) can save a lot of stress, time, and chaos!

6. Keep a running grocery list

Keeping a running grocery list will not only keep you from “running out” of items unexpectedly but it can save time by cutting down on the grocery trips per week. Sitting down and making a grocery list right before your trip is fine, if you have an amazing memory, but if you’re like me and often forget items, then I encourage you to keep a running grocery list! Anytime you think of an item you need to restock, write it down! Then at the end of the week, when you’re ready to grocery shop, you can sit down and finish that list like you usually would without missing a thing.

7. Do basic Meal planning

Does meal planning over whelm you? It doesn’t have too! Some people love extensive meal planning techniques and that’s great if that’s your thing. But If this overwhelms you, don’t just through out meal planning all together. There is a simpler way that can still give you some of the benefits without all the extras. Simply grab you a piece of paper, your planner, and a pen. Decide how many meals you need to cook that week. Now it’s time to glance through those cabinets and fridge and see what you got. Make a mental or physical note of anything in particular that you would like to use up before it goes to waste. Sit down and began writing down ideas using the foods you just seen. Consider exactly how busy you will be that week when choosing what meals to prepare. As you write each meal down, write the “needed” ingredients for that meal on your shopping list. That’s it! Now, if you’re worried about what day to cook which meal, stop stressing! Those can be swapped at any point in time. I like to use erasable pens (pencil would also work) so I can easily erase and swap meals as my week goes on. You could also slide your meal plan in a protective sheet and use a dry erase/ wet erase marker or a dry erase board.

8. Pre cook meats

Precooking meats in bulk can littlerly save you a ton of time and make dinner preparation 10 times easier! Imagine having your meat all cooked nearly everytime you began dinner? Wow! That’s what you can do for yourself by pre cooking meat and you can do it soo easily! My favorite way to pre cook meat in bulk is in my instant pot. It’s so quick and easy! I then freeze it in meal size portions to easily thaw and use for meals.

9. Have a “town day”

Setting one designated town day is one of my favorite ways to cut down on the craziness and keep a smoother flow going in our home. Running to town constantly and unexpectedly can really disrupt the daily flow of your day. Having one main “town day” can help the rest of the week run smoother. How does this help? First of all, it’s more efficient to do all your errands while already in town. Secondly, you can plan for less housework on this day and really focus on accomplishing the “away from home” duties. You can also plan dinner accordingly on town days. This frees up the rest of the week for a more “normal” schedule.

10. Use a daily planner

Planners may not be for everybody but using a daily planner really helps me stay on top of things! I’m able to jot down things on my to do list, mark dates on my calendar, tuck important papers in the back to file later, keep my running shopping list at my finger tips, and so much more! All do all of this in my little, compact, Sue Hooley planner! (Linked below)

I hope these 10 tips help you simplify your life even more in the future! I would love to hear about ways you simplify your life in the comments below!

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How To Save Time In The Home Part 2

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How to save time part two is here! head over to part 1 if you haven’t yet!

If you can save 30 minutes a day with these time saving tips you will have saved over 7 days of time in one year! That’s enough time to plan a entire vacation! imagine saving 3hrs a day with just a few tweeks to your habits and you will have a extra month and a half that you didn’t know you had! even at just 5 minutes saved per day you would have a whole extra days worth of time each year.

Now that your head is spinning with ways to save time let’s jump into these time saving tips!

How to save time with technology

Set limits

Set personal time limits for online “browsing”, YouTube etc. Setting time limits & tech times or even rewarding yourself for some relaxing quiet time “AFTER” priorities are met, are all great ways to utilize tech limits. Another idea is to only use leisure online time in conjunction with a dreaded task such as dish washing or treadmill walking.

Regularly unsubscribe from unwanted email list This saves you time from constantly checking and deleting unwanted emails

Use mobile banking

I’ll admit, mobile banking can be frustrating when the app is not working or you forget your password, but over all, it really can save so many trips and so much time! If you are not on board with mobile banking, you need to be! Tracking purchases, checking for suspicious activity, balancing accounts, transferring money, paying bills, and even temporarily blocking debit cards can all be done in moments from anywhere on your phone. Do not underestimate this time saving opportunity.

Set up automatic bill paying

Automatic bill paying has became a widely available option. I love using this future, just make sure you keep track of when these automatic transactions are being made and use your mobile banking to insure the money is in the correct place to cover them.

Make use of other time saving apps

Mobile banking apps are just one of so many time saving apps. It’s about time we stop wasting time on technology and start using its benefits to save time instead. What are a few of your favorite time saving apps? Check out this card sending app, that I love, to save trips to town to the post office! You can send a post card (postage included) for only 2 and even less when using there bulk card credits. I love how it doubles as a address book and even lets you know when your card has arrived. Use my link below to get a free card for both of us when downloading the app!

Save time in the laundry room

baskets clean color cotton
Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

Don’t wash clean clothes!

When my sister was little, everything went into the hamper (AKA dirty cloths basket) and I mean EVERYTHING. She would try a outfit on, decide she didn’t like it, and instead of hanging it back up…. you guessed it, in the basket it went. It took my Mom a little while to catch on but when she did, she put a stop to that real quick 😂. Boy, was she glad she did when her laundry load decreased by the load count. My point? Teach your kids to put away, and even re-wear, clean and lightly used clothing such as PJs , house worn hoodies, etc. and don’t forget to practice the same with your own clothing.

Clean out the dryer lent

Your wondering how in the world I’m going to tie this one in, right? So, if you’re like me, you may “sometimes” forget to empty the lent tray on your dryer. First of all, that’s a fire hazard 🤔 but secondly, have you noticed how long it takes to dry clothes when the lent tray is full? Clean it out regularly and you won’t be running that dryer twice anymore. You will be saving electric & time 😜.

Purchase the same socks

YouTube Jordan Page, has a rule that all the boys of the same size have the same white socks and the same rule for girls. This keeps her laundry super simple and quick when it comes to matching, folding, putting away, and finding socks for the day. I do not have 8 kids but I picked up on this little tip for the individuals in our household. Each person has the same style and color of sock. Sock matching has never been faster! This also makes it so easy when there’s a hole in a sock, just put it aside to match with the next sock straggler.

Steam your cloths

If you do a lot of ironing, steaming clothing can really speed things up.

Purchase wrinkle free clothing

Men’s clothing often needs a lot of ironing but I have found that us ladies have plenty of option of wrinkle free clothes. I have a rule that Only wrinkle free clothing is allowed when possible! This really cut back my ironing.

Save time when getting ready

(No skipping showers here… we’ll almost lol)

Choose your outfit the night before

If you fumble through your closet every morning half asleep and can’t think what to wear, try laying out your outfit the night before while your wide awake.

Stop hitting snooze

Every time I hit snooze I regret it later thinking of the time I wasted. If you are making sure to get the amount of sleep you need, before you set your alarm, then NOT hitting snooze can really save you some time! A good way to break this habit is to set your phone across the room.

Stop washing your hair everyday!

I think this generation is a lot more apt to except the fact that hair does not always need washed every single day. Hair washing, especially with a lot of length, can take a lot of time. Imagine if you could wash your hair less and not feel a bit of guilt or neglect in doing so. If you are interested in the benefits of washing your hair less then check out my link here or below. it is truly eye opening and time saving.

Do bath-time at nighttime

I have always been a night bather. It wasn’t until I was listening to YouTuber, Jordan Page (again😂) point out why she bathed her children at night for smoother mornings, that I realized bathing at night makes way more sense. Now, if you love waking to a morning shower then go for it ! On the other hand, if you want to go to bed feeling clean and making sure your “sheets stay clean longer” then I would recommend bathing “before” bed. That doesn’t mean you can go months without washing the sheets 😂 but every little bit helps.

Dry your shower

Another shower tip is to use your towel to dry out the shower each time your done. This keeps the shower looking good and decreases the amount of water spots. The biggest advantage is seen with tile showers though. Drying a tile shower helps resist moldy grout and I don’t think I need to explain the time saving benefits there.

Save time by de-cluttering

De-clutter your home

You have heard it again and again and yes, it’s true. De-cluttering will save you time because “owning less stuff is less stuff to manage”.

De-clutter your closet

Living in a RV, I have learned that I really don’t need a lot of clothes. I recommend getting rid of some clothing and see if you miss it. Keep tabs on how many outfits you have for that person and continue to lessen until you start noticing a difference. Then you can decide how much farther you want to go or if you want to stop then. Keeping up with less clothes has so many time saving benefits.

Give everything a home

As you de-clutter your home, be sure to “make a home” for everything in your house. If you can’t make a home for it, then you probably still have to much inventory. Having a designated home for every item makes it so much easier to keep a clean house. It also gives you perspective on how much you have and if you need anything else. Read more on this below!

Put things away

Now that everything has a home, begin making the habit to put things back in their home after each use or at least at the end of the day. Once your family learns the homes of the items it should be easier to get them on board too!

Save time by adding these items to your home.

Parents Choice Baby Unisex Multi-Purpose Pads, White Fleece Sheet Sets, 2 pack – Walmart.com

Something else I often added to my diaper changing stations mentioned above, was water proof, fabric bed pads. Ladies, these are amazing! I am past the baby stage (for now) and we still have several of these rotating the house. They have saved me so many extra loads of laundry and couch scrubbing. I use them through sickness to toss over beds or pillows. We use them under car seats to prevent stains and lots of extra car scrubbing, I keep one on hand for me and “that time of month” to protect my sheets, we use them for potty training on beds and couches at nap time. Wet hair on pillows at night. I even used them to sponge bath my newborns right on my bed! They are seriously water proof, super soft, and oh so durable. I have washed and dried mine uncountable amount of times. You can just imagine what all you can use these for to save you some major mess and major time!

Rubber cleaning mitt hanging in your shower.

A rubber cleaning mitt can be used while your showering to wipe down the shower walls of dust and soap build up. This really limits and decreases the amount of shower scrubbing needed later.

Use a robot vacuum or mop for large homes

I, myself, have not had one of these but I have family that love them. If you have a large home you might wanna ask for one of these this Christmas.

Use a Bissell mop vac

Before moving into a RV I loved using this tool to save me a ton of time sweeping & mopping! It works great on linoleum, wood floor, and tile. It sweeps & mops at the same time and will even give your door rugs a little scrub. Ollie’s Carrie’s these very frequently for a fraction (like less than half!) of the normal price. Sign up to their email for coupons & adds here.

Save time on the GO

Plan town days

Planning all your town running together on a specific day keeps you from running here and there through out the week . If you happen to forget something try to pick it up on the way to another appointment, utilizing this trip time wisely. One day town trips work best when you are meal planning and keep a organized schedule.

What goes in the car comes out

Making this family habit can save time when cleaning out the car

Say NO

Saying no to activities or invites when your plate is already full, can save sanity and time. Just remember to prioritize when making plans and never put the most important things on the back burner. Before you do this, make sure your most important things are really important.

Saving time with general Homemaking

Fill cans with bags

Are you constantly running. To the kitchen to grab a bag for the bathroom trash? Worse yet, did you have to wipe out the can because someone already used it before you got another bag in it ?🤦‍♀️ Save your self this constant timely inconvenience by tossing a roll of bags into your trash cans.

Let the perfection go

Not being perfect does not mean you are dirty! Sometimes our own “perfection expectations” wear ourselves out.

Put hobbies on hold

Have you been feeling overloaded and short on time lately? Consider putting certain hobbies on hold until this season passes. Don’t feel obligated to hobbies, if you don’t enjoy them you don’t have to do them!

Take it with you

Every time you head to a new room, glance around for anything that belongs there that you could take with you. This not only helps keep the house up, it also saves you a extra trip later, therefore “saving time”. This is a newer tip for me and I can fur-sure see the positive effects on days that I implement it.

Use a planner!

Planning, always saves wasted time because it reminds you what you need to do and keeps you on your toes instead of wasting time with non important things that you became side tracked by. Planners can be used and kept in so many ways. Whatever your style, using one has the same benefits. Here is my favorite planner also linked below

Keep a running to-do list

Speaking of planners, a running to-do list is a must have in your planner or even if you don’t have a planner.l you can still grab a notebook and make a to-do list! Curious how I keep my to do list? Check it out below.

Make good housekeeping habits

Implementing good housekeeping habits keeps your house “up” saving you time trying to “catch up”.

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Related post –

How to save time in the homw part 1

Why I don’t wash my hair everyday

How to quickly clean out my closet

Benefits of giving a home to everything

My to-do list

Related Links

Parents Choice Baby Unisex Multi-Purpose Pads, White Fleece Sheet Sets, 2 pack – Walmart.com

Rubber cleaning glove

My favorite planner 2022

My favorite planner 2023

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How to manage toys in my home

e.renee94 Leave a comment
selective focus of a girl covering her face with pinwheel
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How to manage toys in my home

Before we discuss “How to manage toys in my home”, let’s first confront our “toy” mindset. 

Our mindset, in most any project, often affects the outcome of our project. Therefore, if we approach the topic of toys with the same mindset as we have in the past, then how can we expect our “toy management” to ever improve? As my husbands often quotes…

‘If you always do what you’ve always done, you will always get what you always got. 
 

 Most of us will admit our children probably have or “have had” too many toys. In my opinion, simplifying the toy inventory is one of the best ways to learn how to manage toys in a home. Well, that with a little organization. Lol. 

Maybe it’s just me, but the first thoughts of simplifing or how to manage  toys often brings guilt. My mind quickly fills with thoughts like these..

  1. If I How do I know which toys my kids will or will not miss?
  2. They might not play with this now, but they will grow into it one day?
  3. But… I spent SO much money on that toy! 😭
  4. What if “grandma” gets her feelings hurt?
  5. I don’t want to “deprive” my kids
  6. How will my children feel when they realize they have less toys than their peers?
  7. What will my mom friends think? 
  8. If I go through with this, where do I even start?
  9. Will it even help?

It is thoughts like these that explain why it’s so hard for us to let go of some of the toys our kids may not have touched ALL YEAR LONG!!!

Now that we have confronted some of the thoughts your mind may be facing, let’s compare these thoughts to a few facts that can lead us to the problem of “how to manage toys in our home”.

 

Fact #1
The cash value of a toy does not always equal or determine it‘s value to your child. Ask yourself what is your child’s favorite toy? Maybe it‘s something expensive or maybe it’s like my 3 yr old (A $.50 pinwheel fan) . 

 

Facts  #2                                                                                                                                                         In other words, hoarding expensive (or cheap) toys that your children no longer find entertaining, does not justify the past expense you or the giver once made. If they never touch it, there’s a good chance they won’t miss it .


Fact #3
If your children are anything like mine, then they don’t have to worry about a toy shortage in their near future.

 

Fact #4
If my children have too many toys now, then why do I feel like I need to hoard more toys for them “to grow into? ”Is it possible that keeping all of these “extra toys” is setting yourself, your kids, and your home, up for future toy overload? I’m not advising to never hold onto anything jusdon’t hold onto EVERYTHING!”

Fact #3

Every child is different!

If you have more than one child, you have probably learned by now that each of your children’s prized toy possession is a different type of toy. Just because you save your firstborn’s favorite toy doesn’t mean your second child will treasure or love that toy the same way. I made this mistake myself big time!

I kept several of my son‘s favorite baby and toddler toys, so sure that his baby sister would cherish these perfect toys the same way.

To my surprise, she would hardly touch some of the toys! Instead, she found her own favorite toys that fit her personality and interest best.

Lesson learned!

 

Fact #4

We must do what’s best for our child and our home. If that means downsizing the toys, then lets figure out how to do it with as little drama as possible. Imagine a room with toys your child actually played with. I’ll let you think about the pros of that for a moment…

 

Can learning how to manage toys in my home really benefit my family?

  1. Benefits for my child                                                                                                                       Think to a time when your house was out of control, laundry and dishes piled high, stuff everywhere and the feeling of overwhelm is quickly rising . Now, imagine our children’s little minds when its time to “pick up” their excessive amounts of toys. Talk about a brain overload! Reducing the amount of toys your child owns decreases the amount of required responsibility to maintain and reduces the overwhelm involved. Plus who wouldnt want to be able to find their favorite toy without digging through a toy box of unused and unloved toys?

  2. Benefits for you                                                                                                                                Less toys means less mess, less mess means less uncalled for  responsibility, uncalled for responsibility means less stress, less stress means happy wife, and we all know what happy wife means… happy wife… LOL, just kidding but really, the benefits are pretty self explainable. Less things of any category is easier to maintain and can often be more enjoyable to have and easier to appreciate. I’m sure you’re wondering by now, where are the tips on how to maintain the toys in my home by simplifying?!  At least thats what i’m hoping you are wondering…if not, then I may have failed at helping you refocus your mindset.😝

 

 

Let’s simplify, so that I can manage toys in my home!

Is there really such a thing as a simple toy room?

I wasn’t so sure either! But when I decided to incorporate this “simple” word into our toy room, I sure noticed some benefits really quick!

There are SO MANY great methods to simplify but these are tips I have personally found beneficial in managing the toys in our home. I hope you benefit from these tips as much as I have!

 

Tip #1 Toss Out Broken Toys And Toys With Missing Pieces

I love doing this first because it’s QUICK, EASY, and you can see the results quickly!

Sift through your child’s toy bins, toy box, drawers, bookshelves, and anywhere else there may be hidden toys. Quickly gather together all toys containing broken or missing pieces. And that’s it! This step is done.✅

Tip #2. Look For Doubles

Does anyone else’s children end up with several of the same or similar toys? These toy “doubles” are a perfect opportunity to DONATE & SIMPLIFY! Oftentimes our children have no need for 2, 3, or even 4 of the same types of toys. SO why not jump on this opportunity to simplify? Keep the best and favorite (or even favorite’s) of the double items then rid of the rest.

Tip #3. Condense Categories                                                                 

So.. your child loves barbies, hot wheels, or blocks. That’s great! But so many of these “FAVORITE” category toys seem to get out of hand over time. Everyone byes them for every occation and we even find ourselves purchasing these favorite items at every chance we get just because they LOVE them.

Oftentimes we can condense a toy category without illiminating it. For example, when my little boy was just a toddler he had just learned to build with chunky blocks. He would dump them all out and builds a ‘one block’ wide block tower until it’s to tall to stand,, then cheer as he watched it fall over.  Over and over he would do this obviously loving his blocks and being entertained greatly.

This response is exactly what I look for in a toy. With that said, I for sure didn’t want to ditch the blocks BUT on the other hand, my son only played with a a max of about 1/4 of the massive bag of blocks. The rest of the blocks would lay in my floor never touched until time to pick up.

This is a perfect sign for me to “condense a toy category”.

Not much time went by before I quickly added these extra blocks to the donation bag. Another plus! This gave me just enough room to add his building block tonka truck into the block bag

(Cleaning up yet another toy from the toy bin). ⭐️SCORE!⭐️

To be honest, my 3 year old never noticed the change in his blocks. But Momma sure did! Block time was just as fun and the clean up was much easier.  As he got older and his building skills began to improve, he was ready for more blocks to be added to his collection. Was I worried? Nop,e not at all, for just as a suspected, he received more blocks as gifts.

 

Tip #4. Rid of unused toys

This can be the hard one. I hope the change of mindset that we discussed in the first part of this post has prepared you for this.         

I do recomend trying to see each toy through your child’s eyes instead of your own. Forget the pricetag or where it came from and focus on the practicality. This can really help as you go through the “unused” toy category. Now i’m not recomending waistfulenss of expencive toys but I do recommend  putting unused expensive toys up for the future, selling them, re-gifting them, or passing on to someone who will appriciate and use it.

Even getting rid of a few unused toys can make a BIG difference to start with!

Tip #5. Don’t worry about the future                                                    This is something I’ve found myself hung up on more than once. The truth is, many of us hold onto a ton of old toys for our younger kids to ‘grow into’. I’m not suggesting to rid of ALL of these future toys but how about reconsidering the amount we keep. Think about the reason you are holding onto these extra toys and ask yourself if less toys could possibly fulfill this purpose. Also consider all of the toys or cash for toys that your kids may recieve as gifts in the future. Will they even need your future toy stock?

 

Time To Adjust

Now that we’ve completed these 5 tips of how to simplify toys in your home, managing should become a lot easier! I do recommend giving time for you and your children to adjust to your simplified room then Repeat these steps as necessary or as you feel needed! ⏱

Lastly, consider incorporating some kid friendly organization for the toys to help out with clean ups and maintenance. Hope this article motivates you!

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Organization Tip!

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Try out this organization tip by using the tip of a marker!

Why do I own SO MANY MARKERS? Because you can use them for SO many things! If you don’t use markers regularly for your household needs, you are really missing out. Markers provide a simple, quick, frugal, and effective way to organize. Adorable labeling is so fun but sometimes you just need something a little quicker and simpler, even if it’s temporary.

Here are just a few ways I use permanent markers in my everyday homemaking.

Label Dishes

Don’t lose your dish again. Label glass dishes before taking to events away from home. Most permanent marker can be washed right off of glass dish ware with a little soap and elbow grease. If that don’t work, use a metal scrubby or hand sanitizer. Always “test” a small area if you’re not sure or skip permanent and use wet erase

Plastic is much different than glass. Do not use permanent markers on plastic dishes, it will be very hard to remove.

Label Freezer Items

Don’t freeze ANYTHING without labeling it first! You may never remember what that brick of food is but the label will. Be sure to label food before you freeze it. This prevents freezer moisture from “erasing your writing”. Also, be sure you dry off your freezer items after packaging & before labeling for the same reason.

Label Zip lock bags

Label zip lock bags for snacks, diaper bag organization, left overs, personalization, and anything else you use zip lock bags for.

Personalize Items

Personalizing items via marker can really help children keep up with there things. Some items I personalize need a permanent marker but others need wet erase, it really depends on the time. Examples of items to personalize would be snacks, cups, bottom of shoes, cubbies containing child’s clothing, chore chart, and the list goes on

How I use wet erase markers in my home

Wet erase markers (NOT dry erase) are wonderful for of all types of things!How I went years without realizing there was such a thing, I’ll never know! Wet erase markers only erase when wiped with something wet like a wet cloth.

Give Everything A designated Home With A Wet Erase Marker

You can label almost any plastic bin with a wet erase marker! When you change things up, just wipe off the marking with a damp cloth or baby wipe, dry, and re label! SO EASY. This is the best way ever to motivate yourself to put things back in their “homes”. It also provides an easy way for your family to find things & put things away themselves.

Bins for things like clothing, diapers, medicines, toys, school supplies, and games, can all be labeled … put it in a bin, give it a name, and it can have a label!

Organize Your Refrigerator

I love organizing my fridge with wet erase markers! After a month or two, the moisture does try to erase the labels but it’s not inconvenient at all to wipe them off while wiping out the fridge and add new ones every once in awhile. I love the look of a organized fridge. Maybe that’s because I don’t see one often enough 😂.

Label Leftovers

Another way I like to use a marker in the kitchen is to date my containers containing left overs before placing them in the refrigerator. Sometimes just writing the day of the week and placing it in a visible spot can do the trick. That way you are reminded what needs used up, promoting less waste.

Hosting

You can use wet erase markers to label cups when company is over. Prevent the cup mix ups and wasted “I don’t know who’s that is”, with a quick label. Pre label by using a simple 1,2,3,4 method or wait until serving and add each persons name or initials.

You can also label food dishes that you serve including drink pitchers, letting everyone know what they are getting.

Label Totes In Storage

Keep your garage or building organized with a wet erase marker. If you have dark colored totes you may not be able to see direct marker writing. In that case you would need to apply paper or vinyl labels to write on first.

Use Dry Erase Markers To Save Paper

Laminate everything, then grab a pack of wet or dry erase markers and re-use those list and charts. A few items you can laminate and use wet erase and dry erase markers on are …

Preschool charts

Reading charts

Writing charts

Map

Shapes chart

Chore charts

To do list

Packing list

Children’s saving chart

How to Get permanent marker off of somthing .

It’s gonna happen eventually when dealing with markers. You are going to use the wrong marker on the wrong surface and it just won’t come off 🤦‍♀️. Or.. your kids get ahold of that one marker you left out….. now what?? Germ X to the rescue! Actually and kind of hand sanitizer or rubbing alcohol will usually remove permanent marker. You can also run a dry erase marker over a permanent markers marking to help loosen its tight bond.

A few items you may have on hand to remove those marks are…

-Hand sanitizer

-Rubbing alcohol

-Bug spray

-Disinfecting wipes

Preventive

Remember to always test using permanent markers on items first!

Never use any markers on fabric, cloth or leather. If it is not plastic or glass you probably shouldn’t use it if you want to remove it.

Make a home for your markers too, way up high away from your toddlers. 😂

Hope you have enjoyed this post.Be sure to check out my previous post on “homing items” .

Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share!Happy Homemaking

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Homing Items

Check out some of our homeschool laminated charts that we use our markers on here!

silicone spatula on a kitchen drawer

What are the benefits of giving everything it’s own home?

e.renee94 3 Comments
silicone spatula on a kitchen drawer
Photo by Castorly Stock on Pexels.com

Giving everything it’s own home has so many benefits!

  • Prevents overflow
  • Saves money
  • Simplifies housekeeping
  • Has many flexible benefits
  • Saves time

More on the benefits of giving everything it’s own home…

My friend’s daughter can not stand when her mom asks her to put something in its “home”. She declares that only “PEOPLE have homes, NOT THINGS! “However I, along with her mother, beg to differ! I am a firm believer in giving everything it’s own home.

So, why is it that so many people use the term “home” when referring to items? Probably because of the MANY benefits that come from giving each item a designated place in your house, AKA “home”.

Here are just a few benefits, I myself have discovered by “giving everything it’s own home ”. Yes, I said EVERYTHING!

Giving everything it’s own home can prevent overflow 

When everything has a home, and it’s all put away, you can tell if you actually have room for more possessions. How can we expect ourselves to keep everything put away, if there physically is not enough space for everything to be put away? I mean, let’s be reasonable here! Sometimes (so guilty) we expect too much.

Let’s give ourselves a break! Maybe there really is a legitimate reason I haven’t been able to “keep up” lately. It wouldn’t hurt to take a moment to evaluate and find out! If you don’t have the space to “home” everything you now own, then it is a good sign that maybe you need to rid of a few items and is a great reminder to slow down on the purchasing!

Giving everything it’s own home can save you money!

I often ask myself “where will I home this?”  before making a new purchase. If I cannot think of an available “home”, then I automatically know that I need to rid of something to make room. I don’t know how many times I have walked away empty handed, realizing I didn’t want the ‘new’ item that bad after all.

Giving everything it’s own home simplifies housekeeping

How can we expect ourselves to keep everything put away, if there physically is not enough space for everything to be put away? I mean, let’s be reasonable here! Sometimes, (so guilty) we expect too much of ourselves. Let’s give ourselves a break! Maybe there really is a legitimate reason we haven’t been able to “keep up” lately.

It wouldn’t hurt to take a moment to evaluate and find out!

After giving everything it’s own “home”, you should begin to practice the habit of placing things back in there home after each use. This will super easy, because now, you don’t even have to think about what to do with each item. Thanks to already doing the hard part!

And even if some things do get stranded… that is okay! When you finally  get the chance to pick up, those scattered items can quickly and effortlessly make it back to their “home” and easy to find for their next use.

Giving everything it’s own home has many “flexible” benefits

One thing I love about giving everything it’s own home, is the flexibility of benefits.

For example, when my first child hit the toddler stage, I was constantly putting back each item as he dragged them from their “homes”. I continuously fretted and worried that he would hurt himself or break something.

My first solution was to temporarily place my items up high or out of reach each time I caught him after something. Then I would put them back where they belonged, once he had fell asleep or moved on to “other” things😂 .

One day, my husband suggested that by moving some of these things “permanently”  it would probably make my life a little easier.

(Now why hadn’t I thought of that…..)

After a little bit of consideration, I quickly tucked my pride away, and got on it, re-homing many of my items.

I’m a creature of habit and the homes I had made for each item had became part of setting my routine BUT my husband was right, it was time to MOVE on. (Literally & figuratively)

Over the next little bit, I began to re home item after item, everything from decor, to furniture. And yes, my life got much easier!

Now I can rest assured in knowing that, when my house is picked up and everything is put back in its “home” it is pretty much childproof in this state!

This has became a huge incentive of mine to regularly put things away.

*You can use this same concept to “pet proof” your home or to make it handicap accessible etc.

Giving everything it’s own home is a time saver

Imagine with me, you need your keys, hammer, or ice cream scoop. You’ve spent 5, 10, maybe even 30 minutes searching, all to no avail. Wouldn’t it be so much easier if you instantly knew where your needed item was? Every single time! (Well… almost every time lol) Giving everything it’s own home can do just that!

In Closing

I would love to know if you practice homing items and if so, what benefits have you noticed in your life from it? 

If you enjoyed this post then please like and share!

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How to quickly clean out my closet

e.renee94 1 Comment

I clean out my closet as a necessity being part of a full time RV family!

full time rv home

Home IS Where You Park It…

I guess I should start out by clarifying that when I say ‘clean out my closet’ I am referring to clothing. Although I do store a few items in my closest besides clothing, I do try to make the main use of my closet for clothes and clothing related items such as shoes, hats, belts, etc.

How to quickly clean out my closet

closet cleaned out
  • Remove excess hangers
  • Remove & store ‘out of season’ items
  • Remove definite “don’t keep” items
  • Remove “don’t wear” items for further examination (more on this below)
  • For each item you choose to keep, shift it to its appropriate place in the closet for quick organization

A closer look at cleaning out my closet

Remove excess hangers

Removing excess hangers is a quick and easy way to clear up some space. You can take them completely out for good or you can add them back in neatly on the side when you’re through.

Remove and store out of season items

Storing out of season clothing items separate from your closet is a great way to free up some space. Be sure to give your storage space a limit and rotate the seasons accordingly. Some great seasonal clothing storage solutions are : A small tote, A shrink storage bag, a square cube bin, or a old zip up bed set bag. Be sure to store the items away from moisture and keep them sealed well. If your entire seasonal storage cannot fit comfortably into your wardrobe, it’s time to downsize!

Remove definite “don’t keep’ items

Definite no keeps are those items that you wonder how they even got in your closet. The shirt you have been meaning to get rid of or the dress that really belongs to your sister. Removing these items is another quick and easy step to clean out your closet.

Remove “don’t wear” items for further examination

Now for the last step to clean out your closet! This step has always seemed a little bit daunting to me and that is why I save if for last. No, not because I’m putting it off but for the exact opposite. I believe getting the super easy steps out of the way clears a lot of space up fast and gives you a boost of motivation, making this last “harder” step seem less overwhelming.

Many post I have read instruct you to rid of all of the items you do not wear without further examination. This is one area I differ on when I clean out my closet.

Before you toss the “I don’t wear” item in the donation bag, I would like you to ask yourself a question.

Why Don’t I Wear This?

The answer to this question can direct you in this last step to clean out your closet.

Here are some common answers you may find yourself with

  • It doesn’t fit anymore
  • I like it hanging up but I don’t like it on me
  • It is uncomfortable
  • It’s sentimental
  • It was given to me
  • I spent a lot of money on it
  • I have others just like it
  • It doesn’t fit my lifestyle
  • I just never get to it
  • I forgot I had it
  • I don’t like to iron

Let’s break it down

It doesn’t fit anymore

We all have those clothing items that just don’t fit anymore right? I’m not going to suggest you get rid of ALL of your too small clothing, nor am I going to suggest you keep it all. Let’s be real here, consider your current situation. Are you in the process of losing weight? Is your situation temporary due to a pregnancy or illness? How “too small” is this particular item? Do you really love this item or do you just love its size?

Asking yourself many of these question can help you recognize the reality of situation better and make a confident decision. It’s good to have a small selection of items for weight loss but don’t go overboard, make yourself a storage limit for these items away from your wearable clothing.

Also, keep in mind that many people like to splurge on a few new items after weight loss. Some even use it as a weight loss incentive, consider if you are one of these type of people when making your decision.


I like it hanging up but I don’t like it on me

So many times my closet has been littered with this exact type of clothing. It looked so cute when I bought it! Maybe I didn’t try it on or maybe your taste has changed. The best solution I have found to deal with these items, is to simply depart from them and be sure to try on clothing before purchasing whenever possible.

*There is no reason to allow a item to clutter your closet if you wont wear it.


It is uncomfortable

When I was a teenager, it didn’t really matter to me how uncomfortable clothing was, if I liked it, i bought it. The difference between now and then is this; then, I actually wore the uncomfortable purchase. Now, it mostly ends up sitting in my closet. If you’re uncomfortable clothing has ended up on your “don’t wear” list, then you are probably in the same stage. It’s hard to break old habits but how about we part with these uncomfortable clothes and STOP PURCHASING THEM in the future.


It’s sentimental

Sentimental items can be hard to deal with. Each person carries their own amount of sentimental feelings. A few things to consider would be…

  • start wearing the item and enjoy it
  • store it in a memory bin
  • make something out of it (there are so many adorable items you can make from old clothing nowadays. (try a Google search)
  • display it (depending on the item, there are shadow boxes etc)


It was given to me

This item probably lands in several of the other “don’t wear” categories because if it didn’t, you would be wearing it. Whether your Grandma bought the wrong size, or your friend purchased her style instead of yours, now you have this item that you feel like you can’t part with. Here are a few suggestions I use when I clean out my closet, hopefully they help!

  • Consider the person before making your decision. Is the buyer more practical or sensitive ? Did they make a sacrifice for this purchase or was it a pass down? Do they notice everything or are they forgetful and care free? Knowing your gifter can help you handle each piece of clothing wisely. You never want to be or even appear to be ungrateful.
  • If you simply do not like the item, try it on with several different items before you completely decide against the piece. It may end up being the perfect match to something after all.
  • If you still do not like the item, try wearing it a few times around the giver or take some cute pics in the outfit to send to them to show your appreciation. Then after you have gotten some use from the item and some time has passed re visit the item. You may find you like it after all or you may decide to part with it. Sacrificing your feelings can be a great part of being thankful.
  • The last tip I have here is to be honest. This relates to the wrong size not if you don’t like the item. If someone tells you they have the receipt if you need to exchange, take the liberty to kindly tell them the item does not fit. Be sure to TRY IT ON first, to show your sincerity. Most buyers would much rather you return the item for the correct size than for their purchase to not be used. This also lets them know your correct sizing for future purchases.


I spent a lot of money on it

Spending a lot of money on a item that you no longer wear can cause a lot of guilt. What you must realize is, that holding onto the useless item does not make the situation better but only worse. My advise here is to simply let the item go and remember how you felt when purchasing new items. Allow this to teach you to be very specific in your spending choices.


I have others just like it

Having too many of a type of clothing can result in overlooked pieces. This is a great opportunity to donate! Figure up how many of this type of clothing you need between your wash cycle and toss the rest.


It doesn’t fit my lifestyle

Do you have 5 exercise shirts but never exercise? Maybe you have a wardrobe full of T-shirts that you only wear on the weekend. Realizing what you wear and how much you wear it can really tell you what categories of clothing you need most . Don’t hoard clothing you don’t wear.


I just never get to it OR I forgot I had it

Anytime I have clothing that lands in this category, I count it a great opportunity to clean out my closet some more. I mean think about it, you won’t even miss these items when they are gone!

I don’t want to iron it

Hopefully, I am not the only one that by passes a outfit due to its need of ironing 😂. No joke, I have enough ironing to do with 2 “men” in the house, I figure why buy clothing that needs constant ironing for myself when ladies clothing have so many iron free options. If you are like me, i recommend passing that wrinkly shirt on and doing the wrinkle test next time you shop!

For each item you choose to keep, shift it to its appropriate place in the closet for quick organization

This is a quick organization tip. Organize while you declutter and declutter while you organize! They should go hand in hand.

After!

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Also check out my related post here!

A simple toy room

The benefit of homing items

Small space child saftey products

A simple hand me down clothing system

Laundry stain remover

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How To Save Time In The Home (Part 1)

e.renee94 1 Comment
beige strap silver round analog watch behind adidas white and black superstar
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If you can save 30 minutes a day with these time saving tips you will have saved over 7 days of time in one year! That’s enough time to plan a entire vacation! imagine saving 3hrs a day with just a few tweaks to your habits and you will have a extra month and a half that you didn’t know you had! even at just 5 minutes saved per day you would have a whole extra days worth of time each year.

Now that your head is spinning with ways to save time let’s jump into the tips below!

Save time in the morning

Wake up before your kids!

Waking up a little earlier than your children can help you accomplish those top priorities such as devotions with less stress and no interruptions resulting in a sort of “time saving” success.

Having a morning routine can save time

What I love about a morning routine is that it doesn’t have to begin at the same time every day. Just implement an everyday routine that the entire family knows and your mornings will go so much smoother and quicker because everyone is on board.

Teach your kids independence while they are young

Some children need more help than others but teaching them independency, with limits that they can emotionally handle, is a great way to develop good habits, good character, and save time. I have noticed that on some days, my children are more capable of independent responsibilities than on other days. We all have bad days and if your child is struggling, don’t fret to take the time to intervene and help. This doesn’t mean they will stop dressing themselves forever, they may just need a little extra attention or a boost in their mood for the day. Try to figure out the problem before blowing it off on “they just don’t want to do it”. A slow in progress does not mean the progress has stopped just keep moving forward .

Make a Plan for the day

Making a plan for the day first thing of the morning may not save time at that moment but it will save time later. Having a plan doesn’t mean you can’t be flexible, it just gives you direction to get going.

Keep quick & easy breakfast options

Having quick and easy breakfast options on hand can save a ton of time! There are several ways to do this. You can freeze breakfast sandwiches, waffles, etc. or cook a ton once a week & reheat. You can also revert to protein bars, breakfast smoothies, fruit, and microwaveable foods. If you love cooking a good hearty breakfast, try reserving a day a week (like Saturday) and go all out making it extra special meal for your family to enjoy.

Get your sleep

I think we could all agree that we do not operate at our best when we are tired. Making sure you are well rested can really help you get on the move and feel great in the process.

Take your vitamins

As with lack of sleep, lack of vitamins like vitamin D, B, and iron can lead to lethargic homemakers.

Make & use a to-do list

Having a to-do list and updating it first thing of the morning keeps your mind sharp on the task ahead. Try to prioritize by importance and not ease. Interested in how I use my to do list? Check out this post here or below.

Let your kids sleep in their clothes

This isn’t a everyday option in our home but I love this tip by Jordan Page. On travel days, I put my kids in comfy (wrinkle free) outfits. Our morning get ready flies by like this.

More ways to save time with kids

Set up a reward or cash earning system for your children

Growing up, I was constantly looking for ways to make extra cash. My dad would run out of ideas of extra work for me to do 😂. Opportunities to do extra chores (outside of daily responsibilities) to earn cash or privileges can be a great way to teach your kids about the value of money & work ethics, while also helping you out. Another benefit is that it keeps them busy with something productive and out of trouble for a time being.

Make diaper changing stations

As a new mom, one of my favorite tricks to save time that I learned was to make little “diaper changing stations” in every commonly used room of the house. This doesn’t have to look cluttered and can be as simple as 5 diapers and a pack of wipes tucked in the magazine rack. I myself, found a few diaper changing packs . Stocked them and set one in the living room, my bedroom, and the family room. You wouldn’t believe the trips this little “stations” saved me.

Stop and evaluate your priorities

A dear friend of mine told me that when she is overwhelmed by the duties of young motherhood, she stops and evaluates her priorities. Oftentimes there are things on our to do list that will fall to the wayside when put into correct perspective of our children. This concept can be used with any list of task.

Schedule deep cleaning

If your children are really small and need a lot of one on one, try planning your deep cleaning or major house projects while your children are occupied and need you less. Examples: during nap time , snack time, tech time, play time with daddy etc. This really goes back to prioritizing but either way, it can save you time and sanity!

Keep your diaper bag ready

Restocking your diaper bag soon as you get back home and while the contents are fresh on your brains saves time trying to dig through and remember what needs restocked and what needs taken out.

Let the kids help!

Kids need time to be kids yes! But there is still a time for them to help. Oftentimes they even want to, especially if you take the time to turn into some bonding fun. This leads me to my next tip…

Stop being so picky

I think we all, or at least most, have our OCD topic, some more than others. I was that person but thanks to my husband, I have tried really hard to be forgiving when it comes to my family’s help. My husband pointed out one day that even if he helped me fold the towels, he knew I would refold them… ouch. I didn’t even know he noticed. I made up my mind then that some things don’t have to be perfect when others are helping. Yes, there is a time to teach children how to do things but there is also a time to appreciate their best even if it’s not how “you” do it. As my husband says, “there’s more than one way to do things”, I have found less stress and time saved in not being so picky.

Have a designated snack bin

Taking time to stock a designated snack bin can be a great time saver between meals. Make sure to keep the snack bin accessible to the children. I like them to be able to choose a snack, eat it, and clean up all on their own. The only thing they need me for is permission before getting one. This snack bin can be a literal bin, a pantry cabinet, or even a fridge drawer.

Keep a emergency car bag

If you don’t have a emergency car bag, then you are missing out. When you’re done reading here, head over to my car bag post to see what’s in mine and how it can save you so much time from stopping at the store or running back home for emergency potty accidents, spilled milk, or a tummy ache! Emergency car bags are a must have for moms with kids but they could definitely be nice for those without children too! Ever forgot deodorant anyone? 😂

Be prepared for town trips with toddlers

Preparing for town trips can consist of something as simple as having a lollipop stuffed in your bag. You know your child and their limits. I like to have some treasures stuffed in my bag for when they get antsy. I try to utilize these items before the fits come because I personally do not care for rewarding outright fits.

Organize your kids clothing in a child friendly way

I recommend organizing your child’s clothes in a way that they can handle their own clothing. What do I mean by that? They should be able to find their clothing, dress themselves, and put clothes away by your direction. This doesn’t mean it always happens, but that it’s a possibility. Lol. This can only be done if you have a system in work that is age appropriate and if you take the time to train the children for this process. My 4 & 2 year old are fully capable of the clothing system we have set into order. We are using this system to train them for the day that they will be fully responsible for their clothing and in the process, it is a great time saving help.

Stop folding all of your kids clothes

I’ve heard of people who fold nothing, I just can’t do that. My drawers are neatly folded and organized. My kids drawers are also organized but since they don’t fold well and love to sort through clothing for the fun of it , we organize in “unfolded bin style”. This goes back to when I mentioned about organizing in an age appropriate way.

Note- church/wrinkly clothing is hung and currently taken care of by me .

One of my favorite ways to save time is to “Work while you wait” Here are a few ways to utilize this time saving method.

Save time by using the work while you wait concept.

silver microwave oven on white wooden cabinet
Photo by cottonbro on Pexels.com

1. Wash up a few dishes while the microwave is running

2. Clean the sink/ toilet while the little one is in the tub

3. Do some mobile banking while riding In the car or waiting on grocery pick up to load your car.

4. Turn your phone on speaker phone or pop in some wireless earbuds when you are on hold. Lay it down and proceed with your normal duties while you wait.

5. Delete unwanted photos from your phone while sitting in waiting rooms.

Save time in the kitchen

Meal plan!

If you don’t meal plan, you are missing out on a huge time saving, stress relieving, habit!

Pre-cook meats

Pre-cooking your meats in bulk then freezing them, cuts your cooking time literally in half! Imagine cooking a meal when your meat is already fully cooked.

Cook double

Cooking double, one for now and (freeze) one for later. Cooking double takes hardly no extra time and saves SO much time when you need a quick dinner! This can also save a ton of money on convenience foods & drive-throughs.

Try grocery pick up.

If you haven’t tried Walmart’s FREE grocery pick up, you are missing a HUGE time saver! You can do all of your grocery shopping this way or you can do most of it and run in for just a few specific items that you want to hand pick.

Cook on foil

Lining pans with foil can quicken pan clean up. It does have a bit of a cost but It is a cheaper option than disposable pans.

Take advantage of crock pots and instant pot pressure cookers!

If you have one or both of these, take advantage of your time saving, easy prepping cooking possibilities! If you’re unsure in using these two appliances, do some research or ask your friends for tips. You will be amazed by results! My instant pot set in a box for a year before I braved up to use it but ever since, I haven’t looked back!

Use crock pot liners

I used to be totally against crock pot liners due to the fact they costed a good penny… but, I have decided they can be super convenient and even worth the price in “some” situations. I do not recommend using crock pot liners for every crock pot meal but I do like to keep them on hand for outings, super busy days, and very sticky foods.

Purchase a Dollar Tree microwave cover

Yes, I am serious! This $1.25 item will cut your microwave cleaning down by like 75% percent OR MORE, depending on how much you use it lol. It’s so much easier and quicker to wipe down a plastic cover, while doing dishes, than to clean the entire microwave. Especially, if you’re cleaning up after someone else’s microwave mess that got left and dried. 😬

Line your oven

Using a oven liner can have the same effect as the microwave cover. They sell reusable liners or you can carefully line your oven with foil that can be easily disposed of as needed. Just be sure to keep the foil off of the burners.

Use paper plates on busy days

Paper plates do have a cost, I try to stick to actual paper instead of the higher end, microwave melting foam. These save me so many plates washed during the day that they have become worth the price in our home. Another tip is to line a real plate with the paper plate for a sturdy real feel base without the mess.

Reuse cups

Teach your family to reuse the same cup all day and you will save time by washing a lot less cups. Designate cup colors, personalize glasses, or choose places to set cups through out the day to help this work.

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Making Room For Christmas Toys

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I figure many parents, like me, are looking at their child’s room thinking “what are we going to do when Christmas gets here?” If you have found yourself asking this question then It is time to be making room for Christmas toys!

Now Is The Time

NOW is the time to start simplifying, decluttering, donating, or whatever you want to call it. Whatever you do, don’t wait until after Christmas! Do it while your children are excited about the holidays and before it becomes a serious clutter problem.

If your sneaky, small kids may not even notice the toy downgrade. For other children, have a talk with them and explain the problem, then let them help decide what to keep and what to get rid of.

Most kids love the idea of getting rid of toys for possible new ones. Help them make a Christmas list after going through their possessions.

Encourage your child to donate some possessions to less fortunate children or sell them for a profit.

If you are really desperate you can purchase the toys yourself. ????

Where To Start ?

After your child choices the “few” toys he is willing to part with, you both may need some direction for the process to keep going smoothly. Keep in mind this is probably a big deal to your child, practice patience, be kind, be understanding, and be persuasive! Here are a few pointers to keep you on the right track.

1. Toss Out Broken Toys And Toys With Missing Pieces.

I love doing this first because it’s quick, easy and you can often see a difference quickly! Sift through your child’s toy bins, toy box, drawers, bookshelves, and anywhere else there may be toys hiding. Quickly gather together anything broken, missing pieces or inoperable.

Encourage your child to help.

Explain that they could ask for replacements on their Christmas wish list if it’s something they really enjoyed.

And that’s it! This step is done ✅

2. Look For Doubles.

Does anyone else’s kids end up with several of the same (or nearly the same) toys? These “double” toys are a perfect opportunity to DONATE/SIMPLIFY! Oftentimes we have no need for 2, 3, or even 4 of the same things. SO why not jump on this opportunity to declutter! Show your child just how many of one item they have. Explain how there really is no need to have so many and it would make more sense to keep their favorite while passIng the rest on to someone who doesn’t have one. No, your child may not be exuberant about the idea but there is a good chance they will come around.

3. Condense Categories. So.. your child loves barbies, hot wheels, or blocks. That’s great! I don’t know how your home is, but in mine, so many of these category type toys seem to get out of hand over time.

Oftentimes we can condense a toy category without illuminating it . For example, my toddler is just learning to build with chunky blocks. He dumps them out and builds a ‘one block’ wide block tower until it’s to tall to stand, then cheers as he watches it fall over. He does this over and over obviously enjoying his blocks.

This response is exactly what I look for in a toy. With that said, I for sure don’t want to just ditch the blocks. BUT on the other hand, he usually is playing with only about 1/4 of the massive bag he received for Christmas. The rest of the bag lays in my floor never touched until time to pick up.

This is a perfect sign for me to “condense a toy category”.

Not much time went by before I quickly added these extra blocks to the donation bag. Another plus! This gave me just enough room to add his building block tonka truck into the block bag

(Cleaning up yet another toy from the bin). ⭐️SCORE!!!!!!!⭐️

To be honest, my 3 year old has not even noticed the change in his blocks. But Momma sure has! Block time is just as fun and the clean up is much easier. ???? It’s a WIN-WIN ! As he gets older and his building skills begin to improve I’m sure he will want more blocks for his collection . I’m also sure that if the past is any for-telling, then he will probably receive more blocks as future gifts. So, Nope. I’m not to worried.

4. Unused Toys

This can be the hard one.

to help get you through this step! Try to see the toys in your child’s eyes and not your own as you go through the unused toy category.

No you don’t have to rid of every single toy that your child doesn’t constantly play with, just starting with a few completely unused toys can make a BIG difference!

This one May be hard for your child, but laying out several and asking them to choose one or two to get rid of may help. Remind them of which toys they really don’t play with much, if they insist this will change offer a trial time period with the agreement of getting rid of the toy at the end of the period of its still not used. If certain toys are literally never seen or touched, you may get by sneaking them to the garage and eventually out.

5. Toys For The Future This is something I’ve found myself hung up on more then once. The truth is many of us hold onto a ton of old toys for our younger kids to grow into. I’m not suggesting to rid of ALL of these toys, but how about reconsidering the amount we keep. Think about the reason you are holding onto these extra toys. And ask yourself if less toys could possibly fulfill this purpose just as well.

*Don’t be the parent that holds onto more toys than your child. You’re just setting a “pack rat” example before them.

Now that we’ve completed these 5 simple steps, give time for you and your children to adjust to your simplified room then Repeat these steps as necessary or as you feel needed! ⏱

If you accomplished your goals for this room in one quick evening then congratulations ???? !! But If it takes a little longer and some extra effort to start feeling true results then that’s ok too!!!

I’m with you There!

Give your kids a clutter free environment to play with the toys they actually love and room to receive more this holiday season!

Hope this article motivates you!

If so, then Please

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Reduce Clutter By Preparing To Receive Christmas Gifts!

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Recently, we discussed the topic of “Christmas giving preparation” . Today, I want to discuss “Christmas receiving preparation”. What?! I know, I know… just hear me out!

Do you enter each new year with a house full of gifts wondering what in the world you will do with half of them? If your household has had this issue in times past, then please keep reading!

Make A Wish List

Making a wish list can greatly reduce the receiving of unusable gifts! This sounds so contradictory. Asking for stuff, reducing clutter. But it really works!

Wondering How?

Hear me out, so you make a list of things you need or want for Christmas .

What makes this work is being intentional with the items you add. Instead of filling the list with random, thought about once, might like to have, items. You should think very carefully about each item you add.

How To Make A List

Check around your house, first, check for items you need or would love to replace. Broken, worn out items, and items needing upgrades are great items to receive at Christmas.

As you receive these items, you will be able to rid of the item it is replacing, eliminating any extra inventory or clutter.

Next, you will add the things you would really like to add to your home or life.

This is where you need to be careful . It’s so easy to want so much but not really “want” it. In other words, it looks pretty on the shelf or on the hanger but not in your home, on you, or even in your life.

Before you add these extra items, do some research on the item. Make sure it’s exactly what you want. Consider where you will keep it and if you will really use it. Once you have considered all of this, add the item to your list making sure to add any important details.

The Rest Of The Family

Lastly , be sure to fill out your family’s part of the wish list.

Yes, this could be a bit tricky but totally worth it.

Let’s talk about the kids first.

For older kids, discuss with them things they would like to have and decide together some good ideas to fill their portion of the list.

This may be done best at the last minute, since kids can change their mind rather quickly.

As far as younger kids, returning to replaceable items is a great place to start.

For example

*A new pair of rain boots to replace the worn out or too small pair

*A upgraded game system to replace a older system

*A new board game to replace the outgrown ones

*Books to replace the torn ones

*Remote control car to replace the one with a weak battery

The list goes on .. what replaceable items can you think of?

When adding new toy ideas to the list, I like to keep a pretty broad spectrum.

I’ve learned my young children don’t always find the same humor or love in a toy as I imagine. My solution to this has been to choose toy categories that will “do their job” as a toy.

I,then, let the gift buyer choose and decide whatever they want within these categories.

In other words, I just give suggestions and direction in their shopping but leave them plenty of wiggle room. Others may come across toys I’ve never seen or heard of, so this seems to work out great.

How Does A Toy Do Its Job ?

You can know a toy is doing its job when it contains these qualities.

-Catches a kids eye

-Entertains

-Occupies time

-Stimulates learning

-Promotes creativity

-Endures play without quickly breaking

Or if it just

-Burns Excess energy !

Search for categories of toys you feel will do these very things for your specific child and suggest these categories as gift options.

What About Him?

Ask your husband for ideas to add to his list.

If you’re like me, you can also keep your ears and eyes open and add a few extra items to his list yourself! You may know more of what he wants then he does. ????

I love seeing him open a present to discover an item he wanted and never told no one about. He’s catching on now but used to, he would be amazed by the coincidence lol.

How To Store Your Wish List

Photo sharing for IOS is great for sharing gift list ideas.

Every year I start a sharing album with no one added but me. As Christmas approaches I snap photos of items my family needs or wants.

When my mom ask for our Christmas list come Oct. I invite her to the albulm. She can see each exact item first hand that way. I add any extra notes and who it’s for, under each photo.

I also keep an organized notebook style Christmas list in my phone’s notebook . (Paper works too!)

Whatever type of list you make, keep it close by and begin it early.

A thoroughly thought out Christmas list takes a lot more time to make than just throwing one together.

Note-

Txting links are the best way to share exact items with online shoppers!

Now what?

Have your family’s wish list ready before your earliest family shopper begins asking “what do you want for Christmas?”

No, I’m not recommending passing out a wish list to your friends or distant relatives! -awkward-

The intention here is not to come across selfish or weird. This list is for those close family members or parents that are going to spend X amount on you, no matter what and who seriously want to know what you want . You know, Husband, mother, grandparents etc.

Instead of blowing off the yearly question. With a “I don’t want anything”, and receiving a bunch of things you really don’t need, take advantage of this opportunity to prevent the future guilt you will face when you have to decide what to do with all of your “I don’t need anything gifts!”

You will feel great for NOT wasting your family’s money this year! Believe me, your family will thank you. And think of how happy they will feel when they see their gifts being used regularly and displayed happily by you in the future.

Declutter In Advance

Making a wish list is only the first half of Christmas receiving preparations.

As the holidays get closer , does the thought of piles of new toys worry or stress you?

Holding onto old unused toys may be adding to this stress ! By parting with unused toys before Christmas arrives, you are providing more space for the new toys coming and preventing the feared “toy room pile up” !

Decluttering should not stop with the kids room, be sure to run a quick declutter through the rest of the house in preparation also.

Places like closets, cabinets, and droors often pile up quickly without much notice.

Decluttering beforehand will give you a huge jump start on the After Christmas pile up.

Check out this past post linked below of toys for more on this topic!

If you have

A Simple Hand Me Down System

e.renee94 1 Comment

*Don’t have kids? keep reading!

Many of these storage tips can be used for any type of clothing , such as weight loss or maternity storage.

If you want to be frugal in the clothing department, then yes, I do recommend keeping some of your child’s outgrown clothing for future/younger children.

The key here to keep it simple is to

not keep them ALL

Totes and totes of unorganized clothing in a building or attic can quickly become overwhelming and piled up. Here is what I recommend to help simplify the clothes passing process!

First of all, Only keep the minimal amount of clothing needed to dress a child in each specific size.

If you know your child easily gets by with 7 daily outfits at this age, then try not to keep more then that for your future children.

Also take into account , holidays or events that you may regularly purchase new outfits for each child (like Easter)

Lastly, leave room for deals you come upon, pass downs from friends, or clothing gifts they may receive from others.

Now that we know not too keep it all, How do I decide what exactly to keep?

A few rules I keep in mind when deciding which pieces to keep are …

1.If it’s worn out, throw it out

2.If it’s seasonal, only keep a select few

3.Don’t keep more then you need

4.Keep more of the most used items .. (for example …..)

–keep hard to replace items

(this could mean expensive or hard to come by) examples .. little boy suits, little dolly dress, or a specific style sailor outfit.

keep items that are in that are still in good shape and will last through another child

I only keep a few select favorite seasonal outfits. There’s always less chance of these items being used again depending on different birthdays or child sizes.

Once you decide how many outfits you want to keep per each size, label yourself a tote, with the exact size ranges it will contain. And label it boy or girl.

This is very important! If your storage is not organized or stored properly, you are less apt to use it or be able to find it in the future.

Free To Do List Printable! Plus Other Simple Ways To Remember & Accomplish.

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Whether you believe in “mom brain” or not most of us, (not just moms) could use a little help with our forgetfulness!

Sometimes life gets busy and our

“to do” list becomes super long, resulting in several forgotten task.

We have all heard of people sticking notes all over their fridge, tying a string around their fingers etc. and I’m sure these ideas work great but, being raised in the 20th century, as sad as it sounds, I can’t even find a sticky note at times ????. Believe me, sometimes I do good to find my trusty notebook & pen. And on the crazy days that I forget those at home ….????‍♀️ I always, ALWAYS have my phone, and so do you!

So, here are a few of my personal tips on how to daily “remind yourself” in the 21st century.

Because sometimes, a little reminder was all you would have needed to simplify your day!

———————————————————

4 Of My Favorite Reminding Techniques

1.My To Do List

Yes, the “to do” list is a very traditionally used item. But every time I let mine “slip” so do my task! No more frantically forgotten task to accomplish!

I have always been overly exuberant in list making of all types including “to do” list.

In the past, I would write a new “to do” list every single day. At bedtime, I would feel like a failure any time my list wasn’t 100% accomplished.

I eventually realized that I often made my list bigger then my day. I also didn’t know how to shorten it without forgetting important task.

After discovering a totally different approach for “to-do” list online, I began to brain storm and tweak, eventually coming up with my own version shown below.

So far, my “to-do” list operates much smoother, I now get more done, and most of all, I have no more “unfinished” guilt!

This below is exactly what you get with the printable. It prints great in black & white too! I myself like to print one, then use my printer/copier to resize smaller to fit inside of my notebook. Also saves on ink ????.

Instructions- Tap on image, click share then print. OR tap on image, click save. When ready to print go to your images and print from there, unless you choose the option to save under a file.

Here is what my downsized (65%) black & white version looks like, paper clipped to my notebook. (It is about a half of sheet).

You could also laminate a full colored version, and use a fine tip WET erase marker for some real efficiency!

How My “To-Do” List Works

I add anything and everything that needs to be accomplished to my “To Do” list organized in these 4 categories.

1.To Do (general task)

Things like clean bathroom, mop, walk dog etc. go here.

2.Organize & Declutter

Anytime I organize, I also declutter. This saves me time by combining the two activities and keeps decluttering as continuous habit in my life. I try to keep a continuous rotation in this category, constantly organizing/decluttering helps things from getting out of hand with my housekeeping.

3.Projects

A project is anything that takes a good chunk of my time and is not part of my daily activities. Example would be, painting a crib, making a diy gift, washing the car etc.

4.Town

Anything needing done away from home goes here. Weekly groceries shopping, package drop off, Target return, dental app, storage building run etc.

Instead of rewriting my list each day, I keep an ongoing list, only updating it when needed. (usually once every week or two).

This saves time in writing and rewriting .

It also insures that tasks outside of ‘daily duties) are not forgotten.

Lastly, its flexibility allows me to accomplish so much more. I always accomplish my “must be done task right off” then I work the others in as my schedule permits. For example, when my day is full of surprises and I’ve just got a limited 30min free to get something done, I can quickly scan my list via appropriate category, looking for anything that fits in my 30min time frame.

Another example would be an unplanned town visit. I can quickly check my (always with me) notebook to see if there’s any task I can do while out . Saving me more time and even gasoline money. ❤️On the other hand, if I have a slow day and I realize I have the time to take on a bigger “job” I can search my project list and decide what task needs done most and fits my day best.

A few additional ideas I use combined with my “to do” list are to ..

2.Schedule

If you have a project or duty that must be be done ASAP, consider scheduling it into your day as you would an appointment.

3.Leave Items Visible

Need to mail a letter? Or sew a pair of pants? Leave the letter on top of your purse, or lay the pants somewhere you pass frequently through out the day.

If you are typically a tidy person, this tip may work wonders.

Tidy people will constantly notice out of place items.

Not letting yourself “put it away” until the “to do” project is finished, can quickly become a great incentive!

4.Set Alarms

Setting an alarm to remind you to do a specific task is a simple but very reliable option.

This idea also works great along with scheduling. You can schedule a duty from your “to do” list, then set an alarm on your phone to remind you to do it . (Don’t forget to label your alarm accordingly)

Hope these tips help & motivate!

What ways do you remind yourself?

Please share in comments below! And don’t forget to

LIkE ❤️ SUBSCRIBE ❤️ SHARE

Erica,

@ A Simpler Life

Don‘t forget to scroll back up and save your FREE printable!

Erica,

@ A Simpler Life