The Monthly Organizer

September 5, 2010

What's New at Tips to Organize Life?

Fresh new tips! Check out all of the new information that has been newly added to Tips to Organize Life...

* * * SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT * * *

If you haven't noticed yet, the Tips to Organize Life Forums have officially been launched! Come join us in THE place to help and be helped as we all work together to achieve our goals of a more organized life. I'm looking forward to chatting with and getting to know each and every one of you. Get started here!

New Ask The Expert Q&A - Organising House
New Ask The Expert Q&A - Maintaining Organization
New Household Cleaning Product Recommendation - Clorox Clean-Up

Add your comment and tell us what you think.

Organization Tip

Last month I promised to walk you through my holiday thought process and preparations. Here's is the update for this month...

My son and I have picked out his Halloween costume. We found it online and it is on order. It's too early to buy candy just yet, but as soon as I find a good sale, I will stock up.

My parents came to visit a couple of weeks ago from out-of-state. My mother likes to buy Christmas gifts for my son when she is in town so that she can just leave them here with me and not have to pay for shipping. In anticipation of that I asked my son to start his Christmas list. This also gives me plenty of time to decide what he will be getting, shop around, research prices and order anything that might be a hard to find item to ensure that we get it in time.

I have also started thinking about gifts I might like to get for other family members. Whenever I think of an idea, I write it down on a gift list so it will not be forgotten.

I already feel confident that I will thoroughly enjoy the next 3 or 4 months and not stress out about anything. If you want to feel the same, prior planning is the key to success. Tips to Organize Events can show you how.

Money Saving Tip

A great way to save money is to try to re-create your favorite indulgences at home. Not only does this cut costs, but it also provides an activity that your entire family can take part it together.

For example, fall is rapidly approaching. Around this time of year, your favorite coffee shop is probably beginning to offer their warm, fall-flavored treats such as pumpkin spice lattes or gingerbread flavored coffee. Instead of paying $3 to $5 for one cup of one of these treats, buy the ingredients to make them at home. For the same amount of money you can get a week's worth of flavored coffee drinks that you can make yourself, whenever you want one.

The same goes for your favorite restaurant. If your family has a favorite meal when eating out, you can do your best to recreate it at home for much less money. Get the entire family involved in deciding on the recipe and preparing the meal. You'll enjoy each other's company without breaking the bank.

Recipe

My mother and recently came across this recipe for Meatloaf Muffins and we decided to give it a try. We were glad that we did! These individual meatloafs are so quick and easy to make, yet moist and as delicious as can be. I served them with mashed potatoes and gravy for a meal the entire family thoroughly enjoyed.

Ingredients:

1 lb. ground beef
1 pkg. instant stuffing mix
1 cup shredded zucchini (or any vegetable you prefer)
1 tsp. garlic powder
2 eggs (you can use whites only or egg substitute if you prefer)
1 cup hot water
1 pkg. onion soup mix
1/4 cup ketchup

Preparation:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a muffin pan with nonstick spray (use a pan for regular sized muffins, with 12 sections, not a mini-muffin pan).

Mix the stuffing and hot water in a bowl until moistened. In a separate bowl, combine remaining ingredients and then add to stuffing. Combine well and evenly distribute among the sections of the muffin pan. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes.

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