Preparation = Less Stress

I find that being prepared causes me to stress less over the little things, and it also means less trips to the store.

Stock up on items that get used on a regular basis such as:

• Common Medicines (Ibuprofen, Tylenol, Benadryl, Bandaids, Neosporin, and Cold Meds)
• Paper Towels/Paper Plates/Toilet Paper
• Common Toiletries (Feminine Products, Antiperspirant, Shampoo/Conditioner, etc)
• Kitchen Items (Garbage Bags, Dishwasher Detergent, Hand Soap, Light Bulbs, etc)
• Laundry Items (Stain remover, Laundry soap, Fabric Softener, and Bleach)
• Cleaning Supplies
• Standard Pantry Items (Pasta, Sauces, Soups, Baking Supplies, Rice, Quick Fix ideas, common after school snacks, etc)
• Baby products (Diapers, wipes, formula, etc.)

This allows you to feel like you are more in control of your surroundings and can result in saving you money too! This might seem like such a small step, but I promise it will make a difference.

Kids Can Clean Too...

Every time I would try and clean the house my kids would suddenly become needy for my time, similar to when I would answer the phone and try and have a conversation. So I decided that I would involve them and make it fun!

The trick that worked for me was I would crank up the stereo and we would dance and clean. When my son was a toddler it was his biggest joy to clean the patio window and scrub floors. Instead of sweeping with a broom and a dust pan I would give my son the Stickvac and he would roam everywhere vacuuming the floors. It is lightweight and allows him to help me with my daily tasks. One cleaning task I do not look forward to is...dusting - ugh! So I am quick to hand my kids a Swifter Duster and tell them to go crazy.

Laundry can be fun for them too! Let them help you sort the clothes into piles and carry clothes to the washer. This makes them feel involved, plus it helps you stay on task because they are quick to remind you when they get to do their task again.

Remember to involve your kids because no matter what, they just enjoying having time with you. Keep it fun so it can be something they look forward to and doesn't become just work.

Coupon Clipping...Heck Yeah!

You work hard for your money, so why not be a little frugal on how you spend it. I find it to be a nice little power trip to actually leave a grocery store feeling like I made out better than they did!

I know you are saying to yourself "When would I have time to clip coupons?". No worries there are plenty of SmartPhone apps and blogs that can help make it easier. My secret is to let my son help me clip the coupons every Sunday morning. He has been helping me ever since he was old enough to hold a scissors. He looks forward to that time together. Now he is old enough to even help sort them by category.

The best method I have found to store my coupons is to use a 3-ring binder filled with baseball card storage sheets and dividers. I don't know about you, but I don't have time to sort through a huge stack of coupons when I have a child shopping with me. Flipping through the pages makes it so easy to see what you have! Another hint is to always leave it in your vehicle - which eliminates the excuse of leaving it at home.

Wow, now you can be a more frugal shopper and still have bonding time with your children.

No More Guilt Trips...

Working mothers have been blasted about putting career before their kids for too long. Well I have decided to share how I "Still Make It All Happen" and have quality time with my kids and husband. Don't get me wrong you still need your Super Woman cape...but it is possible to have it all.