Perhaps you have a pile of photos that looks like this? You're not alone and you can turn them into organized photos online to share with friends and family. Several years ago, I owned 12+ photo boxes. I sorted, purged and threw away thousands of photos to keep only the very best. Little by little, I reduced and organized our family photographs into a digital repository and cloud service. Now, I have peace of mind that memories are preserved and recoverable in the event of a disaster. (Like the pipe that burst in our home!) Additionally, I've learned to take fewer photos. Just one can tell the whole story. Old Photos Do you have a box of family photos tucked away somewhere? Are you unsure of the people in them? Unfortunately, passed down photographs rarely include important details. My Grandma Alice was a rare exception. She not only organized the photos but also sorted them into envelopes for her kids. We spent hours looking through them. What a gift she left us. …
How to Organize Your Food Storage Containers
https://youtu.be/hJXKHseJzR8 Is this your current food storage strategy? It's ok, you're not alone and I can help. Whether you're using plastic containers, glass, Tupperware, or some combination thereof, the key to avoiding this disaster is simple. Boundaries Find one drawer or one shelf and label it 'Food Storage Containers.' Most homes own too many food storage containers and none of them have lids. Declutter First. Organize Second. Recycle stained or damaged containers Match all the containers and lids Keep one shape and one brand of plastic (i.e. Ziploc or Glad. Square or Round) Organize remaining containers and lids in nested piles Respect the boundary you chose and minimize accordingly Set aside extra containers to organize your pantry Recycle unmatched lids This drawer serves as the boundary for my containers and they stack easily. I usually avoid plastic, but it serves a purpose so we purchase sparingly and reuse it many …
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How to Get More Done with a Clean Kitchen Counter
I love my kitchen counter. Because it is always decluttered and ready to work. At the end of the day, I reward its efforts by putting things away and cleaning it. Empty counters clean up easily without appliances and decorations to move. Ready to try Meal Planning? Here's my meal planning template to get you started! Clean Counters mean: Space to process papers and sort mail Time to whip up pizza dough and roll it out for dinner More home cooked meals Lunches staged for the next day Room to drop grocery bags Benefits of Clean Counters The benefits of a clean kitchen counter are endless, not to mention an empty space where your eyes can rest at the end of the day. Imagine coming home after work and feeling relaxed as you prepare dinner. Instead of the stress of a messy kitchen and then ordering takeout. Once upon a time, our cabinets and pantry were filled to the brim. Being an "organized" person, I found myself reorganizing the pantry …
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A Simple and Healthy Meal Plan for Busy Moms
We value time for family dinners, together. To ensure we eat healthy and sit down as a family, I create a weekly meal plan. A meal plan saves time and money Every Sunday, I build a meal plan and prep ingredients from my arsenal of simple healthy recipes. The recipes are organized and searchable in Evernote. I like the ones that turn into several meals and create leftovers for lunch. Here's how. Grab my FREE Meal Planning Template +5 Weeknight Meals HERE. Mom! What's for dinner? Now, you have an answer. Use Existing Inventory First, check the fridge and freezer for proteins on hand. Veggies? Are there any likely to spoil soon? I clean and cut fruits and vegetables. Make muffins from overripe bananas. Defrost meat. And I also keep a stash of frozen veggies for a quick side dish. With a little prep work, veggies are ready for snacking, steaming, or sautéing. Spinach and romaine on hand for smoothies and salads. Snacks pre-portioned into …
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What You Can Afford Does Not Equal a Budget
Have you ever had a conversation about what you can afford? The better question to be asking is, what's your budget? The words afford and budget are used interchangeably which is a common mistake when it comes to personal finance. Why Budgeting is Important Budgeting is influenced by personal decisions. And we make better decisions when we plan how to spend our money. Also, budgeting is a discipline to achieve your goals. And it allows you to adapt to unforeseen circumstances like the two layoffs we survived without touching our savings. And yet, I encounter people who disagree with how we budget our money. Let me say that again. They disagree with how we budget and make assumptions about our income and what we can afford. Here's what I know. It is not how much you earn, it's how much you spend. This shapes your family's financial picture. Sadly, 68% of Americans do not have a budget. During the pandemic, families with a budget felt less financial pressure because they …
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Why I love my Simple Morning Routine
I look forward to my morning routine. I relish the stillness of a sleeping house, alone, with a very hot cup of coffee.Peaceful and CenteredLast weekend, I woke up early in the mountains. We traveled with friends and enjoyed a skiing, football-watching, card playing, restful weekend. I like to watch the sunrise over the Blue Ridge Mountains. There is nothing like it.The mountain range was blanketed by pink and orange. Then, this sliver of red. The sharp line grew as the sun broke through the horizon. I watched the moment when the day begins, and I soaked it in.What if my days always began this way? Perhaps not in the mountains, but what if I took the time for a peaceful and centered start? The house was still quiet so I stretched out on the floor for some yoga as sunlight poured in the large windows. My journal called me to write these notes, but I sat still in the silence with my eyes closed. Just breathe.[bctt tweet="We need to stop feeling guilty about doing …