Time Tamer Tuesday - Tax Tips

Categorize your tax information when you receive it.  Compiling all the data required for your tax submission will be a lot easier. 

Time Tamer Tuesday - Save the Size

Children's feet grow very quickly.  Next time you walk past a shoe store with your child, pop in and have his/her foot measured.  When your mom calls to say she found some great children's shoes on sale she would love to buy for your children, you'll know exactly what size to tell her to buy.

Time Tamer Tuesday - Lighten up on the Commitment List

Don't over commit yourself. It's better to do fewer things calmly and accurately. Tomorrow is another day. 

Time Tamer Tuesday - Use the Down Time

Line up to check out?  Subway slow?  Buses busy?  Keep a notebook with you so you can jot notes for other projects, thoughts, lists or activities while waiting.  Ideas often come to us while our brains are supposed to be concentrating on other things.

Time Tamer Tuesday - Plan for Traffic

When planning your schedule for the day, allow time to get from one place to the next: anticipate traffic delays. 

Time Tamer Tuesday - Lay Out the Work Out

Headed for a workout in the morning?  Whether you go to the gym or hit the pavement/park for a run or bike, lay out your gear the night before - all of it including clothes, socks, shoes, gloves, keys, phone, shower gear, work clothes and anything else you need to take.  You'll be primed when you wake up and can go on autopilot until the endorphins kick in.

Time Tamer Tuesday - Schedule those Loads

Take advantage of the time delay features on dishwashers and washing machines to get chores done when hydro rates are low, but you're busy with more pressing matters -- like homework, bedtime, or reading a good book. 

Time Tamer Tuesday - 15 Minutes to Tackle those Weeds

Struggling to find time to weed the garden?  Try using 15 minutes a day to tackle whatever weeds you can pull in a quarter hour.  By the end of the week you will have invested over an hour of weed pulling!

Time Tamer Tuesday - Anticipate the Drop Off

If you have to drop something off somewhere, leave it in your car.  It's so much easier to drop something off when you're in the neighbourhood, instead of making a special trip. 

Time Tamer Tuesday - 15 Minutes to Plan Tomorrow

At the end of the day, spend 15 minutes writing down the top 3 things you want to accomplish tomorrow.  You'll wake up with purpose and focus.

Time Tamer Tuesday - Anticipation Saves Time

If you see a gift or card that you think is just perfect for someone in your life, buy it.  When the time comes that you need to buy something for that person, you won't have to race around looking for something inspiring. 

The Birthday Party

We just celebrated my son’s birthday with a big party at an indoor carnival. Despite having the party outside of our home, there was still a lot to do. Most importantly, you have to start planning early. These venues are booked far in advance of the actual celebration. So, what do you need to consider when scouting around for a party location? Here are a few things you will want to keep in mind:

· Is there a dedicated party room?

· Is there a sink in the room?

· Will you have to share the space with other patrons?

· Is food provided, or do you need to supply your own?

· Will you have access to a fridge?

· Will there be a staff member assigned to look after your party guests?

· Where are the washrooms?

· Is there somewhere for coats, presents and loot bags to be safely stored?

Answering these questions will let you know if you’ve found the right place for your party and exactly how much will be left for you to sort out before the big day.

Collector, Hoarder or Disorganized?

As I approached the highway yesterday morning, I caught the end of a morning radio show. The hosts were talking about the approach of spring and the need to do some spring cleaning, stating that "everyone hoards something, everyone has too much of something." There was agreement around the table, then each divulged what they had too much of.

"I have too many pairs of Converse running shoes. Thirty seven pairs to be exact."

"I have too many mini, hotel toiletries."

"I have too much pasta. I find it all over the place."

By this time, I had a huge smile on my face. Hoarding, a word virtually unknown a few years ago, is now part of the everyday vernacular. There are obvious benefits to understanding that hoarding behaviour exists, but there are still many people unable to differentiate between hoarding, collecting and just being disorganized.

I don't doubt that these three colleagues used the word hoarding lightly, and realize that none of them are displaying true hoarding behaviour. Nonetheless, I have seen people who either judge themselves too harshly, or remain oblivious to the seriousness of the situation that their stuff creates. So, allow me to use the banter of our morning DJs to provide a simple example of what differentiates a collector, or disorganized individual from a hoarder.

Mr. Converse, is a collector: he takes great care of his shoes, has a system for wearing them, and shows them off, (by wearing them), regularly.

Ms. Hotel Toiletries, also a collector: she collects the minis so as to put together a little spa package for overnight house guests. There is a reason for her collection, and she too shares her collection with others.

Mr. Pasta, just a little disorganized: He buys something that he likes and wants to cook, he just needs to establish a system i.e. designate one place for pasta in his kitchen, so that he can easily identify what he has, and determine if a trip to the grocery store is needed.

The behaviours of the people above don't even come close to what we consider hoarding behaviour. Most notably, people with hoarding tendencies would likely never discuss what they have. Sadly, people who hoard keep their lives a secret, or remain unaware of the harm that results from their behaviour.