When you hear the word “organize,” what is the first thing that comes to mind? Closets? Filing cabinets? Toys? Bills?

How about these United States? It might seem far-fetched at first, but this great nation is the direct result of organizational prowess. Our forefathers — from George Washington to John Adams and Thomas Jefferson — saw the potential in a motley group of states and their very independent-minded constituents. They were determined to form a whole from the disparate parts, a whole that was bigger and better than the sum of the individual elements.

And they succeeded because they knew how to organize. They created clear declarations of their intent. They devised a system that would keep power dispersed and out of the hands of tyrants. They set up clear road maps, such as the Bill of Rights, so those independent-minded citizens would know how to navigate the new system with ease.

This Fourth of July, take a few moments to remember their incredible handiwork — and to reflect on the power of organization. If it was capable of altering the course of our country’s history, just think of what a little organization could do for you.

Alicia and Sarah on “Getting Started”:

For most of us mere mortals, the real problem isn’t figuring out the benefits we’d gain from getting organized but figuring out when, where and how to get started. If you’re disorganized, you are likely to stay that way unless you can get momentum working in your favor.

The trick: Do one small thing that you can cross off your list. A series of small steps add up to real progress. Our forefathers weren’t paralyzed by the enormity of the organizational task at hand. They successfully got the power of momentum working for them. They did something, like write an opinion piece, and the rest, as they say, is history.

Here are a few guiding principles for unleashing your own organizational prowess.

1. Organize to your goals

Being organized is not about being perfect or doing what someone else says you should. It’s about identifying what you really want to accomplish and then putting in place flexible frameworks and systems so that you can handle the inevitable twists and turns with confidence and sanity intact.

2. Define your priorities

Think about where this country would be today if the Founding Fathers hadn’t put a top priority on achieving independence and organizing a new system of government.

At first glance, it may seem as though everything on your to-do list is an absolute priority. But only a few things really matter in the long run. Set aside five to 10 minutes at the start of the week to review your list and at least mentally identify the four or five tasks that are most important.

3. Ask for help

This country was not built by a few; everybody played a role. If you have big goals in your own life, chances are you will need others to help you along the way. Learn to ask for help.

Delegating effectively can be a challenge, but it is worth overcoming. Enlisting the help of your “team” — spouse, children, roommates — will make all of you more efficient and happier. Doing everything by yourself demoralizes others because it robs them of the opportunity to add value with their own creative approaches to getting work done.

We are the co-founders of Buttoned Up, inc., a company dedicated to helping stretched and stressed women get themselves organized (along with everybody else they’re responsible for too!). We welcome your thoughts! Please send ideas and questions to us at: yourlife@getbuttonedup.com or visit us at www.getbuttonedup.com

While nothing is more rewarding than being a parent, having some grown-up-only getaways is important if for no other reason than to keep you from baby-talking 24/7.

The first thing you need to do is get an idea of what kind of outing your circle would like to go on: just how adult is this to be. That will have a huge impact on the choices you need to research and options available.

Alicia on “Doing Your Own Thing”:

In the initial planning stage, when all things are possible, you might tend to over-plan. But remember that this should be about getting away from it all and recharging with other adults. The best way to do that is to plan for something that, when you get there, you can let things happen with no deadlines, stress or pressure. Things like three-day cruises or camping trips allow for different members of the group to decide individually what to do — say, being active or catching a nap. Also, these kinds of non-structured trips are more conducive to having free-flowing conversations on a wide variety of topics.

Sarah on “Hearing Voices”:

Instead of trying to do everything yourself, ask the participants to make suggestions about where to go and then offer them up for a vote. That way you are not “shoving” an idea down people’s throats while at the same time making your job a lot easier. Besides, someone might suggest something or someplace you have never heard of, adding a new possibility for a future getaway. And remember that life is not perfect. The main idea is to get some time with adults only. So, if your not-first choice is picked, just go with it; there will be plenty of relaxation and adult company no matter where you go.

Here are other tips to help you get back to the world outside your world.

1. Commitment Issues

Once the getaway has been decided on, you must get people to commit. Send them an e-mail that tells them exactly when and where the outing is going to be and give them a hard date they must commit by. This is, obviously, because any reservation for a large group, whether a campsite or a spa retreat, is going to require reservations far in advance. And there is no such thing as commitment without cash. They must send their part of the deposit or they will not be included.

2. Kids’ Camp

Most grandparents would love a chance to spend quality time with their grandchildren, so they are naturals to turn to for some low-cost baby-sitting coverage. Or you might want to consider arranging a round-robin baby-sitting service. Let all the kids camp out over at one person’s house and that way the service you hire can send a rotating shift of sitters. Your trip will not be seen as a negative by the kids: They got to have some fun while you did.

3. Let it Go

Once you are there, the best way to relax and have a good time and good conversation is to not try to be everyone’s mom. It is natural that the person who spends so much time planning and preparing will feel responsible for everyone during the trip. But these are all adults perfectly capable of taking care of themselves. Yes, some will turn to you with questions, which is natural, but do not do anymore than is asked of you (and maybe not even that much). You do not want to come home feeling you had to continue to play the role of mom.

We are the co-founders of Buttoned Up, inc., a company dedicated to helping stretched and stressed women get themselves organized (along with everybody else they’re responsible for too!). We welcome your thoughts! Please send ideas and questions to us at: yourlife@getbuttonedup.com or visit us at www.getbuttonedup.com

Late spring and summer is the time when most people move, for obvious school and weather reasons. The feeling of shaking off the old and launching into the new can be exhilarating but also quite intimidating. There will be an enormous amount of responsibilities and headaches accompanying your move. No matter if your move is to the other side of town or the other side of the universe, the word of the day is “organization.” The more you prepare and plan before the first box is packed, the easier and less stressful your move will be.

Alicia on “Being Able to Chew Everything you Bite”:

There is no way of getting around it: Moving means planning, tracking and executing tasks both large and small, which, seen in their totality, can be overwhelming. That is why you will want to put together a binder, or buy a prepared one like Moving.kit from Buttoned Up. It can help keep all the tasks and paperwork organized. More importantly, it should help you view all those tasks as compartmentalized jobs — bite-sized pieces of a huge meal. So, instead of thinking every day for months that “We have to move,” you can think: “I have to hire a mover.” “I have to list my home and schedule appointments.” “I have to contact the power companies here and at the new place.” And so on.

Sarah on “Trust”:

You are certainly going to want to delegate tasks to all members of the family, and it provides a great learning opportunity. Let your kids be in charge of packing up their stuff — with your supervision, of course. Since it is unusual to take everything, the first thing they will learn is how to prioritize and let go of the things of the past. Once the move is complete, and any carelessness has resulted in a broken or lost item, they will understand the value of taking care of the things they care about.

While no one column can cover an entire move, we at least offer these hints.

1. Manga Manga

With the million and one things there will be to do on the days of the move –move-out day, travel day(s) and move-in day — you want to make sure you have a plan for food. You are all going to work physically hard for a few days, and everyone gets hungrier the more physical exertion is required. Accordingly, when people get tired and overtaxed, emotions can get raw. Make sure you have high-energy foods like fruit and trail mix with M&Ms mixed in as well as deli sandwiches in a cooler so that anyone can get something more substantial without a lot of prep time. Don’t forget water.

2. The Long and Winding Road

The best way to stay on an even keel is to be prepared for any deviations from your plan. Make sure you have the phone number for your moving company, whether you are hiring a company or renting a truck. You need to take an inspection of all vehicles before heading out to make sure they are roadworthy. In case of a breakdown, having the national numbers for a few chain motels would not be such a bad idea. Finally, you should have with you the number for the power company in your new city so that if there has been a snafu you can contact it immediately.

3. The Corners of your Mind

You never truly leave an old home; you just move into a new one. Since memories of your old life will always be with you, leave something behind to tie you physically to your onetime home. You could, for instance, bury something in the back yard. The whole family can get together and choose an item that best commemorates the time spent there. You might even have a little ceremony during which each person talks about a special memory.

We are the co-founders of Buttoned Up, inc., a company dedicated to helping stretched and stressed women get themselves organized (along with everybody else they’re responsible for too!). We welcome your thoughts! Please send ideas and questions to us at: yourlife@getbuttonedup.com or visit us at www.getbuttonedup.com

We hear it all of the time. ‘I just do not have time to get organized. I want to, but I just can’t fit it in with everything else going on in my life.’ While this may indeed be true, you can get organized in baby steps if you just set aside a few minutes each day. The National Association of Professional Organizers estimates that people waste an hour a day searching for things they know they have but cannot get their hands on. If you find just five minutes each day for a month to clean up your act, you will save much more than that in no time. So let’s get started.

Alicia & Sarah on ‘How to Find The Time’

‘We started to think about all of the ‘could be wasted time’ that we make use of to tidy up and get things in order. Think about your day and we are sure you too will find many opportunities for five minutes here and there that will add up to real results over time. Some of our favorite organizing bursts happen while waiting in the car pool lane for pick up, in the morning when we might be talking to our mom or husband on the phone, watching swimming lessons, or the last hour of the evening when everyone else is tucked in and sleeping. Each of us has these moments everyday where we can easily multi-task or finish a quick project. All you need to do is consciously look for these moments and then seize the opportunity.’

Here are some of our favorite quick organizing projects. Most can be done in just five to ten minutes.

#1: Clear out your voice mail boxes

We all have old needless voice messages saved on our home, cell and work voice mails. Delete them. It will save you time the next time you have to find a saved message you really need.

#2: Put 20 pictures in a photo album

But a photo album and keep it handy. When you have 5 minutes, grab a stack of pictures you have been meaning to put away and place in an album. It clears clutter and preserves the pictures.

#3: Run the trash relay

Grab a garbage bag and run around the house and throw out useless things (e.g. old newspapers, junk mail) until it is full. It may not make a dent at first, but a few of these breaks and things start to get cleaned up.

#4: Return one important call

Sometimes only the urgent calls get returned. When you have a few minutes, make a call you have been meaning to do and get it out of the way.

#5: Toss five things in the refrigerator

We all have those things that should be long gone but aren’t. What about the empty mustard bottle that still is in the refrigerator door just in case there is something left to squeeze out? Toss it along with everything past its expiration date.

#6: Clean out one bathroom drawer

When was the last time you cleaned out the drawers in your bathroom? Maybe never. Pick one drawer each day and pretty soon you are done.

#7: Sort it out

Take the time to sort the mail pile and get it in order. Put things in 3 piles: (1) things to read, (2) things that need attention like bills, and (3) things to toss. Just getting rid of the junk should cut the pile in half and make it easier to deal with the rest.

#8: Look at the next 7 days

Take out your calendar and actually look at the next week and take a moment to plan. Are there birthday gifts you need to buy? Sitters you need to hire? How nice would it be to get these things done ahead of time so you do not have to run around at the last minute?

We are the co-founders of Buttoned Up, inc., a company dedicated to helping stretched and stressed women get themselves organized (along with everybody else they’re responsible for too!). We welcome your thoughts! Please send ideas and questions to us at: yourlife@getbuttonedup.com or visit us at www.getbuttonedup.com

Whether you are 22 and just starting out or close to retirement, you need to keep your finances well organized. It is a mistake to think that making a lot of money ensures financial success. In fact, studies show that it is easier to spend a million dollars than one hundred for the simple reason that if you only have a little money, you pay close attention to each dime whereas a million can lull you into a false sense of security. While this is an extreme example, the idea is the same: you need to keep track of your net-worth and have a good plan for the future. Add to that the difficult economic times we are in and it becomes even more important that your finances are organized and well understood by you.

Alicia on “Break It Down”

“Dealing with your finances can seem overwhelming because there are so many huge questions to answer: when are you planning to retire; how much do you need to live on when you retire; can you afford to send your children to private colleges; is it a good time to have another baby; how much cash should you keep on hand for a rainy day. All these questions and more can cause what we call “organizational inertia,” or a sense of paralysis that overwhelmed. And it’s easy to see why! It isn’t always obvious how you can stretch your paychecks across living expenses and long-term savings. The best cure for this inertia isn’t burying your head in the sand, but rather breaking the big problems down into smaller, digestible pieces. Work on one area at a time, don’t try to tackle everything at once.”

Sarah on “Prioritize”

“Very few people have the financial luxury of being able to do it all. For the rest of us, probably the most critical component for financial success is the ability to prioritize. What you choose not to do with your money makes it possible for you to accomplish what really matters. Of course, that is easier said than done! If you feel like a fish out of water when it comes to deciding what not to do with your money, ask for help. A financial advisor, whether a certified financial planner, an accountant, a stock broker, or just a trusted, financially successful friend can be a tremendous help when it comes to articulating priorities and setting plans to meet your goals.”

Here are some other helpful financial hints to help point you towards success.

1. Pay Attention to Details

What may seem like small potatoes today over time can have a significant impact. One late bill can cost you $30 or more on unnecessary fees and/or higher interest rates because of your irregular payment history. Stay on top of bills and financial statements by organizing your inbox and switching to e-statements whenever possible. To ensure you don’t fall behind on any bills, set either a weekly or bi-weekly appointment in your calendar to pay the bill. It may seem extreme, but designating a day and time for bill paying each week will keep you on the straight and narrow.

2. Keep a Scorecard

Synopsize your total financial picture once a year. It needs to include everything: what you made, what your investments are and what they produced, and what you think you will make next year. This will help ensure that you are on track. Then keep these yearly summaries so that you can compare where you wanted to be versus where you are. This can also help you understand when you might need to change direction in one or more areas of your financial plan.

3. Your Money or Your Life

As important as this is, money is only one part of life and not even the most important. If you let it, money matters can consume your life. Remember to keep focus on the really important parts of life: family, home, happiness, love and whatever else is in your heart. Pursue long-term financial security but never at the expense of your life.

We are the co-founders of Buttoned Up, inc., a company dedicated to helping stretched and stressed women get themselves organized (along with everybody else they’re responsible for too!). We welcome your thoughts! Please send ideas and questions to us at: yourlife@getbuttonedup.com or visit us at www.getbuttonedup.com

When Ted Kennedy’s family recently announced that he had a brain tumor, we were reminded of the critical role organization plays in successful, long-term care. When a person you love is faced with a long-term or debilitating illness, the impact on your day-to-day life can be significant. Navigating these waters as a primary caretaker or simply as a loving supporter with sanity intact requires planning, patience and support. Perhaps the most important rule of thumb to keep in mind during this time is the 80/20 rule. No one can do it all. So rather than obsessing about doing everything, focus on the 20% of tasks that really matter and let go of the rest.

Alicia on “Write It Down”

“When a parent, a spouse, a child, or someone else you love is sick, emotions can run high – and your concentration is liable to fly right out the window. Many people feel during times like this as though they are “underwater” or like they are “living in slow motion.” In addition to the added tasks of caring for your loved one, the uncertainty and stress can divert your remaining attention and energy away from everyday tasks. But the rest of your life doesn’t stop – and you can’t afford to ignore it completely. In times like these, the to-do list can play an important and cathartic role. What you write down gets done! At the start of each day, write down your to-dos and then go through the list and identify the 20 percent of the tasks that are crucial for keeping life on track. Not only will writing down your to-dos make you feel more in control, but taking the added step of prioritizing means you will complete the ones that really matter.”

Sarah on “Ask for Help”

“Illnesses, and their treatments, are demanding and cannot be put on hold. And since the rest of your life cannot be put on hold either, at some point (or rather, many points) along the way, you will need to enlist the help of others. Delegating effectively takes some skill. There will be many concerned people who will offer help, but it will be important right away to get a sense for how much help will really be available. You cannot count on someone to do something unless you are sure that that person will follow through. Therefore, you need to immediately create a list of who can help and how much. That way you will know who to turn to for what kinds of things.”

Here are some other hints to help you through a very difficult time.

1. Create an Organized Medical Binder

Staying on top of paperwork can be difficult even in the best of times, but when you’re dealing with a health issue, it can be downright overwhelming. We recommend putting a binder together to organize all important treatment information, from diagnosis and treatment regimes, to insurance filings, and correspondence. When you give yourself the peace of mind that comes with having the information you need, when you need it, you can concentrate on what really matters most: getting well.

2. Patience

Make sure to schedule visit and non-visit times. Of course friends and family members are going to be concerned and want to come by the house or hospital. And visits from loved ones are an important part of the recovery process. But the down side comes when someone wants to visit when a treatment is supposed to begin or rest is called for. This can turn a positive into a stress-inducing negative. Everyone will understand that these non-visit times are necessary but you need a schedule that you can e-mail around for everyone to be on the same page.

3. Truly the Best Medicine

Both science and anecdotal evidence has long proved that laughter/happiness has a healing ability beyond medicine. And it is easy to get caught up in despair during this rocky road. So, build into the schedule time for funny movies, books and articles. Fill the rooms with positive and humorous images/commentaries. Ask visitors to come prepared to relate any funny anecdotes or daily happenings, no matter how slight. Filling your loved one’s life at this time with positive, life-affirming thoughts and comments will light the path of recovery.

We are the co-founders of Buttoned Up, inc., a company dedicated to helping stretched and stressed women get themselves organized (along with everybody else they’re responsible for too!). We welcome your thoughts! Please send ideas and questions to us at: yourlife@getbuttonedup.com or visit us at www.getbuttonedup.com

Teachers play a vital role in shaping young minds and guiding the guardians of the future. It is a hard and often thankless job that can test even the kindest person’s patience without much remuneration. Even a little token of appreciation can mean much. As the school year draws to a close, take a little time to get a thoughtful and heartfelt gift for your children’s teachers.

Alicia on individualization:

Because your child gets individual attention from the teacher, your gift should be specific, too. You might call the teacher for an end-of-the-school-year conversation about how your child did and what he or she might need to do over the summer. Try to ask a few innocuous questions that will lead you to picking out a unique gift: hobbies, summer plans and the like. Then ask your child what specifically he or she liked about this teacher and mention that in the card.

Sarah on teaching opportunities:

Make sure your child is there when you present your gift. Your child will see you being gracious and giving, as well as communicating with the teacher about your child’s past and future. Not only will your child see that teachers need to be respected, but that parent and teacher are on the same team, which in turn helps your child respect the teacher.

Here are a few tips.

A team effort

Staying with the theme of teaching your kids to respect and appreciate teachers, work on the gift together. For instance, you might buy a gift and have your child make the card. That can mean anything from old-fashioned card stock and crayons/markers to using a computer design program and printing it out. If your student knows that the teacher likes dogs or cats or pandas, then that can be incorporated into the card.

Stress: out

Teaching is stressful, so a stress-relief gift might be just the right thing. Going off what you learned in your phone conversation, there are any number of great gifts out there. For the cerebral, getting a little time to read a favorite book is something that many look forward to, so a nice hardbound edition of “Pride and Prejudice” could be perfect. For the more active, a few yoga sessions can help melt the stress away. Almost any teacher would love to get a half-hour massage. If you want to team up with another parent or two, you could pitch in for a spa day.

Lending a hand

Nothing helps ease the burden like taking on some of the work. At the end of every school year, the teacher must go in and take down all the classroom stuff and pack away a plethora of items. What better way to say thanks than by offering to spend a day helping wrap up the school year so the teacher can start his or her summer that much faster.

We are the co-founders of Buttoned Up, inc., a company dedicated to helping stretched and stressed women get themselves organized (along with everybody else they’re responsible for too!). We welcome your thoughts! Please send ideas and questions to us at: yourlife@getbuttonedup.com or visit us at www.getbuttonedup.com

Summer’s here! And while it’s nice to have the kids at home, figuring out what to have in the kitchen to keep everyone happy and healthy can end up being a drain on both your energy and your wallet. Even if you pack lunches for them during the school year, the summer schedule, with its barbeques, picnics, and outdoor activities, brings with it more chances to spend more, eat worse, and go crazy in the process. Fear not, because with a little planning, and a few simple habits, you can make this summer the healthiest, most economical, and tastiest time of year.

Alicia on “A Week of Eating In”

“It’s so easy to settle for eating out. You don’t have to cook. It’s fast. And, even better, there’s no dishes to clean! But it’s also expensive, and far less healthy. Try scheduling a whole week of meals at home, so when you do go out to eat, it becomes a special occasion. On Sunday, plan ahead for the week, setting easy-to-make meals and buying the groceries you’ll need ahead of time. You’ll be surprised how much money you’ll save, plus you’ll get to spend more time with your family.”

Sarah on “Fresh and Frugal”

“Buying fresh, unprocessed food is not only better for your waist, it’s better for your wallet as well. The best bet for getting the freshest food is to find a local farmer’s market, where you can get in-season fruits and vegetables, as well as fresh meat and cheese. If you can’t find one, head to your local grocery store and begin shopping the perimeter of the store. Fill your cart with fresh fruits, vegetables, and meats. Remember that the inner aisles are filled with processed foods, which tend to be more expensive as well.”

Here are three ways to eat better, and save bigger all summer long.

#1: Big dinners, Big leftovers

The recipe says, “Serves Eight” but there are only four of you. Instead of halving the recipe, go ahead and make the whole thing. Divide the rest into individual serving-size containers and put them in the fridge for lunch the next day. Why spend more money on lunches when you can have a meal already sitting in the fridge, ready to eat?

#2: Everyone picks a meal

“Oh, no! Chicken and rice again!” We’ve all heard it, and back in the day, we said it as well. To avoid mealtime showdowns, get everyone together at the beginning of the week and let people choose a meal or two that they want for the upcoming week. That way, there’s no surprises, and, when it comes to “their meal,” the person in charge can help prepare the food. It’s a great way to lighten your load, while keeping everyone content to be eating at home with the family.

#3: Grocery lists

If you go to the grocery store and grab whatever you feel like, you’ll find that you often choose foods that aren’t the healthiest, and you may end up forgetting those foods that are needed to prepare your meals for the week. By preparing a list ahead of time, with the specific ingredients for every meal, as well as special requests from different family members, you can eliminate extra trips to the store, and avoid getting food you don’t really need.

We are the co-founders of Buttoned Up, inc., a company dedicated to helping stretched and stressed women get themselves organized (along with everybody else they’re responsible for too!). We welcome your thoughts! Please send ideas and questions to us at: yourlife@getbuttonedup.com or visit us at www.getbuttonedup.com

Parents, chances are your children have already begun their annual countdown to the last day of school. For working parents (and who doesn’t count as a working parent!?), juggling summer schedules can be a nightmare. With no school to fill their days, it’s up to you to figure out how to keep them busy and out of trouble. This can be a stressful addition to an already full schedule. Before things get out of hand, take a few minutes with your family to get summer schedules buttoned up.

Alicia on “Getting In Synch”

“Staples ran a “Back to School” TV commercial a few years ago that was a huge hit. In the spot, parents joyously pushed shopping carts up and down the aisles to the tune “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year” by Eddie Pola and George Wyle. Parents everywhere could relate to and giggle at the characters’ celebration of the return to regular school schedules. A little preparation will go a long way to minimizing scheduling headaches. The most effective thing busy parents can do in this regard is to set aside time to get the entire family in synch for the upcoming changes.”

Sarah on “The End Goal”

“It’s important to keep in mind that you’re shooting for a flexible summer schedule framework, not a ‘perfect,’ locked-down schedule with no room for “free-form” moments. Perfect schedules don’t stand the test of time because real life rarely follows the book. So rather than worry about mapping out every minute of your children’s days, first broadly block and tackle the basics like daycare, camps and flex-time scheduling requirements. Once you’ve done that, you can focus as a family on layering in fun summer activities.”

Here are three easy steps that will help you make a smooth transition from regimented school schedules to the days of summer.

#1: Call a Summer Summit

When things are a little bit less regimented, the need for communication is heightened. So once you have figured out the foundational elements of summer schedules, call a family summit to discuss summer dreams and put together a realistic plan that everybody can get excited about and buy into. The summit should cover two key areas: (1) fun summer activities – big and small and (2) ways the whole family can chip in to help make everyday chores like dinnertime less stressful for mom and dad.

#2: Set Up a Buddy System

Your friends are probably in the same boat you are, so why not band together and set up a buddy system that lets you support each other over the summer? Connect with two other good friends who have children of the same age and pick three “swap” days (one for June, one for July and one for August). On swap days, one “buddy” will take all of the kids to do something fun for the day, giving the other two a much needed break. Also set up an email loop that makes it easy to reach out to each other for help with things like carpooling, babysitting and dinner ideas.

#3: Photocopy Schedules

Because your kids are likely to be participating in lots of activities like swim team and soccer, you’ll need to keep activity schedules handy. Put together a master packet of all of the different activity schedules and make at least four photocopies. Leave one copy in your purse or briefcase, one in the car, give one to your partner, and put one in a central location like on a bulletin board in the kitchen. That way, anybody can easily check the list to see where they need to be on a given day/time.

We are the co-founders of Buttoned Up, inc., a company dedicated to helping stretched and stressed women get themselves organized (along with everybody else they’re responsible for too!). We welcome your thoughts! Please send ideas and questions to us at: yourlife@getbuttonedup.com or visit us at www.getbuttonedup.com

Everyday life is getting downright expensive these days. Prices for staples like coffee, bread, milk, fresh tomatoes and other produce items have gone up in recent months. And let’s not even get started on the prices at the pump! With the average cost of gas hitting nearly $4 per gallon across the country, we’re all feeling the pinch. Trying to make a paycheck stretch further and further just to cover the basics each month can be very stressful. Happily, a little bit of organization will go a long way to helping you save money across the board.

Alicia on “Knowing What You Have”

“You may not realize it, but disorganization can lead to unnecessary spending. When you cannot see and easily access what you have, you are more likely to spend money buying duplicate items. For example, if you have a chaotic closet, you might think you need a new white button down shirt, when in fact you have two. This applies equally to more mundane, everyday items too – like food. If you can easily see what is in your pantry and refrigerator, you are less likely to have to throw out stale food later that you ‘lost sight of’ and never used.”

Sarah on “Lost and Found”

“When your home is chaotic, valuable things, like unused gift cards, rebate papers, and even money will get lost in the shuffle. Take an hour or two this coming weekend to tackle messy areas and see what you can find. The biggest culprits for ‘lost’ items of value are home offices, purses, wallets and the tops of bedroom dressers. While you’re at it, set aside a big bowl for accumulating loose change (a great place to keep it is in the laundry room). Having a place to throw those nickels, dimes and pennies makes it easier to save, if even just a little bit. See how much you can save between now and the Holidays.”

Here are three additional ways a little organization will help you save money on the basics.

1. Locate the Best Deals on Gas

Since gasoline prices can change frequently, and may vary as much as 20 percent within a few blocks, turn to GasBuddy.com for a little help in sourcing the cheapest gas in your neighborhood. GasBuddy.com is a network of more than 181+ gas price information websites that help you find low gasoline prices in your city. In addition, there are additional things that you can do to save money on gas, like avoiding accelerating and stopping too hard or driving 55 miles per hour to maximize fuel efficiency.

2. Shop Smarter

The next time you go grocery shopping, shop for staples first. That means vegetables and fruit, protein and milk (think the outside perimeter of the store). If, and only if, you have money left over you can shop for treats and extras like crackers, salty snacks and cookies. Don’t buy toiletries or ‘personal care’ items like shampoo or paper goods at the grocery store. You can save 20 – 50% if you buy them at large discount stores. And finally – look up or down! The most expensive items are usually at eye level and the best deals can often be found close to the ground.

3. Organize Your Inbox (and Make it Virtual)

One late bill can cost you $30 or more on unnecessary fees and/or higher interest rates because of your irregular payment history. Stay on top of bills and financial statements by organizing your inbox and switching to e-statements whenever possible. The mail is all too often unceremoniously dumped on a kitchen table, hall table, or countertop where it can accumulate for days at a time. The longer the piles remain untouched, the more likely you are to lose track of bills. Find a simple wire mail sorter with two or three compartments and create a few mail filters such as: bills, correspondence, and follow-ups. Once you have it set up, pick a time each day to dump and sort – sort items by category each day, and toss junk mail immediately.

We are the co-founders of Buttoned Up, inc., a company dedicated to helping stretched and stressed women get themselves organized (along with everybody else they’re responsible for too!). We welcome your thoughts! Please send ideas and questions to us at: yourlife@getbuttonedup.com or visit us at www.getbuttonedup.com