Decorating

Let your decorating scheme evolve over time as you find treasures and deals that work. Not only will you spread out your spending over a longer period of time, your room won't look out of fashion next year.

Use flexible decor.  Find pieces you can decorate with that you can switch out or modify slightly with the seasons.  Change florals, bows, pictures in frames, and candle colors.  Reverse pillowcases, window treatments, quilts and throws.

Organizing

Start making permanent lists to suit specific situations so you don't forget anything. Permanent lists might include: things to do before a trip, ingredients for a favorite recipe, a menu for thanksgiving dinner, or seasonal outdoor chores.

Don't know where to start?  Read the "First Steps to an Organized Home" article.  Once you have the incoming under control, move from room to room reorganizing.  Select the worst or easiest room to start in or be methodical and work clockwise from your front door and the room's door.  This may take you a year, but what a great project and sense of accomplishment!  

Everyday Life

It takes 21 days of doing something repetitively to make it a habit.  Decide what habits you want to develop or change.  Then, schedule one each month.  

Cook an extra large meal on Sundays to provide leftovers for lunches during the week. Store the leftovers in lunch containers right away and top with a sticky note so they're ready to go.

Save money recycling old Christmas cards. Use them for decorating in place of a family photo display, tuck them in the tree, cut them up for ornaments and gift tags on gifts. If you’re really frugal, cut them in half and use them as post cards!

To be a speedy & efficient house cleaner, use those wonderful plastic totes/carriers for cleaners and dust cloths. These are the ones with a handle in the middle and storage on either side. Keep your dusting, window and all-purpose cleaning supplies in them. They fit neatly into a cabinet and you can carry them with you while you move from room to room.

Time Management

Review and update your to-do list daily. Cross off things that are completed or no longer necessary. This will give you a sense of accomplishment. Add what you want to accomplish tomorrow and move things that did not get completed to tomorrow's list. Don't agonize over it, just plan it out. In addition to giving you a head start the next day, you won't lose any sleep over what to do tomorrow!

To save time shopping, take a moment before rushing out the door to jot some notes on an index card or sticky note to take with you. List the places you have to go and what you have to do at each. Then number them in the order of the "shortest trip". Think about how much it is worth to you to make a trip to a specific store to save a dollar on a sale item. Better yet, take all the ads with you to your favorite store – most stores will match competitor’s prices.