1. I make lists. This is a picture of my fridge right now. I have many more notepads scattered throughout my apartment--one on the coffee table, one in my purse, several on the computer table. These are just the ones on the fridge at this current moment.
Yes, I do need each of these lists. Each list has a separate category. That one the right is actually my menu for the next 2 weeks, which brings me to #2.
2. I plan out my meals 2 weeks at a time. I actually started doing this to save money. The first month I planned my meals, made my list, and only bought items on the list, I saved myself about $200 in groceries. The planning also helps me eliminate waste. It is actually pretty hard to shop and cook for one person, so I try my best not to throw things away. I make a big trip every other Monday, and on the in-between Mondays, I pick up things like milk, bread, and a few produce items. I also package my leftovers into meal-sized servings whenever I can. Then I can just grab a container and heat it up instead of having to scoop things out of different containers onto a plate. That means I create less dishes, and also use less water to wash the dishes.
3. Since it is just me right now, I only actually do about 2 loads of laundry a week. I suppose I should enjoy this luxury while I have it. I always make sure I wash as much as I can in one load to save water.
4. I have a central calendar. All of my medical appointments, lunch dates, etc... go into my calendar, and I usually take it with me when I leave the house. I used to have a big, bulky leather-bound planner (it made my apartment smell of rich mahogany), but it took up too much room. Now, I just use a simple spiral-bound planner from Target.
5. Anytime I can use a bin, tub, crate, basket, or rack of some sort, I do.
All my scrapbooking goodies.
Sewing supplies (I love these stackable bins).
Christmas: ornament boxes, tubs for ribbon and bags.
The silver boxes have Christmas dishes in them.
The rest of my Christmas decorations in festive-colored boxes.
My desk organizer--I put current bills in the front pocket,
and move them to the back once I have paid them.
Pretty containers for Q-tips, cotton balls, and hair ties.
Hanging shoe rack to keep shoes from piling up everywhere.
I'm a wine-o, so of course I need a place to put
my wine bottles and glasses!
6. I use an Excel spreadsheet for my budget. Each bill goes into the spreadsheet so I don't forget to pay any of them (it has happened--a lot). Of course, it is color coded, and has way more categories than anyone should probably have for a budget. I blame the week I spent learning to manage my money at the Navy's Command Financial Specialist school.
All of my organization may fall by the wayside when Macy gets here. It stresses me out a little bit to think about it. I guess I'll just have to wait and see. Hopefully I don't end up having an anxiety attack because my infant refuses to get herself on a schedule.
