With the price of travel increasing, and the amount of money in American pockets decreasing, many families won’t be spending the holidays together this year. But there are options.

Alicia on “Non-peak Visiting”:

One of the easiest ways to get through a holiday without everyone together is to plan to get together in January or February when travel prices are cheaper and terminals are less crowded. Try to schedule the trips around President’s Day or MLK day when children have time off from school.

If you ask your bosses for the time off now, you’ll be certain to get it and may even get brownie points for working when many others in your office plan to be away. It might not seem ideal, being one of the few still working in late December. But trust me: In January, they will be the ones with the winter blues when you are on vacation visiting your loved ones.

Sarah on “Holiday Creativity”:

Here’s a grand idea that will make your family laugh and smile even when you can’t be there in person. If, for example, one-half of the family will be celebrating in Atlanta, and the other in New Orleans, have each side make a lighthearted video for the other to watch over the holidays. It can be something silly like acting out the quirky things each family member does that you will miss (like how Grandpa unwraps his gifts at snail speed) or the kids putting on a living room Christmas play.

Family members can then send the Atlanta video to New Orleans and vice versa and watch it on the holiday or post the videos on YouTube and watch them together online. You’ll have new memories and a keepsake, too.

Here are three more ways to stay close to loved ones even though all of you may be miles apart this holiday season.

1. Technology

We are so lucky to have amazing technologies like cell phones and instant messaging services. They are solutions that connect you to the people you love in real time, so even though you’re miles apart, you can feel like you’re in the same room. If you don’t have one already, we recommend investing in a webcam. These video devices have gone down significantly in price. Today you can get a decent one for less than $20. A visual connection, even if you can’t hug the person on the other end, makes the distance between you and loved ones seem less vast.

2. Send Along a Memory

Shrink the distance between you and a loved one this holiday by sending along a little bit of you. Whether it’s an old, favorite teddy bear for your daughter, an envelope of funny pictures of you and your best friend during your high-school years or your famous peanut-butter cookies, something that sparks a happy, shared memory can make both receiver and giver feel closer.

3. Start New Traditions

As much as you love your family, if you have to be away from members, try to make a new tradition so you don’t spend the whole holiday season pining away. For example, go caroling with new friends in the neighborhood or volunteer at a homeless shelter to make another person’s holiday brighter.

We are the co-founders of Buttoned Up, inc., a company dedicated to helping stretched and stressed women get themselves organized and co-authors of “Everything (almost) In Its Place.”  We welcome your thoughts!  Please send ideas and questions to us at:  yourlife@getbuttonedup.com or visit us at www.getbuttonedup.com 

Our financial world is topsy-turvy. Each week, Wall Street takes us on another stomach-turning ride, new job cuts are announced and reports from the media leak out comparing our economy now to the Great Depression. With that as a backdrop, it’s no wonder a recent poll showed that 70 percent of Americans are stressed about money right now. The fact is, this isn’t some crisis happening elsewhere to “others” — we’re virtually all feeling the pinch directly.

The net result: stress. People report that their anxiety over bills, mortgage payments, late fees, interest rates and the depressingly low bank balances blinking back at them on ATM screens is mounting. That stress can affect your health, relationships and even your ability to get a decent night’s rest. For most, the worst stress comes from the feeling that you have limited control.

Fortunately, you can take a few simple steps that will help you save a bit, even in the midst of the upcoming holidays. In the spirit of helping you get back some semblance of control over your financial situation, we will show you how to save $500 by Dec. 31. The trick: Take the money you save on little things each week and put it away until the last day of the year.

Sarah on “Discipline”:

Just like weight loss, there is a certain, unequivocal math to saving: fewer dollars out than in. There’s no fudging the math; you just have to be disciplined. With temptation to spend everywhere, sticking to your plan is easier said than done. One of the most effective techniques for staying on track is to visualize the prize. Whether you will use the extra $500 toward paying off some debt, investing in a CD or in your 401(k), or toward a winter trip to Disney World with your kids, if you can keep your eye on the prize, it helps with discipline. So make a goal poster, hang it in a high-traffic area at home and track your progress every day or week. You’ll soon see how your daily choices make a difference. It also doesn’t hurt to get the whole family involved — especially your spouse.

Alicia on “Ditch Perfection”:

Being realistic, you will occasionally slip up — and that’s OK. It’s hard to change habits. Knowing this, it’s important to think ahead and develop tricks for getting back on track quickly if you have a moment of weakness. We recommend a healthy dose of forgiveness followed by one or two significant steps to help you recommit to your plan. If you don’t forgive yourself for slip-ups, you’re actually more likely to throw your hands up, call yourself a failure and keep on over-spending. Bad spending habits may not be easily broken overnight, but if you make room for imperfection, your chances of reaching your goal and developing positive, long-term habits are significantly better.

If you’re having trouble getting your budget in order, here are three tips to help you save up to $500.

1. Go Homemade

How often do you eat out? Even if you just buy coffee or lunch, it is amazing how quickly ordering out adds up. Making coffee at home instead of buying it every day will save you $90 by Dec. 31 — more if you order expensive lattes or other fancy drinks. Brown-bagging it can cut your daily lunch tab in half. Over eight weeks, you can save $160 to $250. Dinners out also add up. If a family of four eats out, it will cost around $50 at an average restaurant. If you can make a meal for four with around $15, you are saving $35 per week.

2. Go Generic

Buying generic instead of name-brand foods at the grocery store saves you anywhere from $75 to $100 per month. There’s another $150 to$200 you can save before 2009.

3. Shop Like It’s 1975

Remember layaway? Instead of paying 13 percent to 20 percent interest on the $1,000 worth of holiday gifts this year, use layaway — you can pay little by little up ahead of time instead of paying a lot extra in January. Money saved (on $1,000): $130 to $200.

We are the co-founders of Buttoned Up, inc., a company dedicated to helping stretched and stressed women get themselves organized and co-authors of “Everything (almost) In Its Place.”  We welcome your thoughts!  Please send ideas and questions to us at:  yourlife@getbuttonedup.com or visit us at www.getbuttonedup.com

Daily headlines, news reporters and breathless bloggers make it impossible to escape an all-too-gloomy reality: Financial crisis! Rising costs! Retail sales down! Recession!

It is enough to make you want to forget that the holidays, with all of the requisite spending that comes with them, are rapidly approaching. But just because belts are tightening doesn’t mean you have to turn into the Grinch. In fact, with just a little bit of organization and preparation in the next few weeks, you can make less go a lot further than you thought possible — and that holds for time as well as money.

Sarah on “Being honest with yourself”:

It’s hard not to lavish Christmas, Hanukkah and other holiday gifts on the people we love. But, unfortunately, spending beyond your means is a choice that will always come back to haunt you. This year, set a realistic budget and stick to it. If you find the thought depressing or feel the urge to splurge beyond what you can afford, remember that while the holidays are about giving, they aren’t about giving what you don’t have. What really matters is sharing time with friends and family, not the material gifts we give or receive. We have become too caught up in the consumerism of the holidays — and now, more than ever, is the perfect time to spare our wallets by giving more of our hearts.

Alicia on “Adapting to a New Kind of Holiday”:

So how do you still have a great holiday without spending a fortune? Get creative! Instead of giving all of your office friends $20 Starbucks gift cards (which definitely adds up quickly), throw a company potluck drinks-and-dessert party. If you’ve got kids, think small. They’d rather have fewer little gifts than one big gift. This year, separately wrap up a box of crayons, coloring books and a yo-yo rather than one fancy, expensive gadget. Another tactic: Shift the focus from gifts to the people around you. You’ve probably forgotten about 95 percent of the gifts you’ve ever received on holidays, but I bet you remember, very vividly, experiences or other special moments you shared with your family members. Make memories again this year — go caroling, have Grandpa tell the story of Hanukkah by the fireside or play charades after dinner.

More tips:

No. 1: Don’t Be Wrap-Happy

Instead of buying and using rolls and rolls of wrapping paper at $4 a roll, try using newspapers or recycled wrapping paper instead. You can dress it up by painting or coloring on the paper, or using inexpensive raffia ribbons. If you have multiple gifts for one person, get a box or solid-colored “Santa” sack for each person, and wrap only the large box in decorative wrapping paper. The large box will look pretty under the tree, but your use of old newspaper will reduce the amount of expensive paper that will be ripped open and tossed 30 seconds after opening anyhow.

No. 2: Carpool

If you live in an area where you have to drive to get your presents, coordinate with family or good friends to go shopping on the same day, and carpool. You’ll save money on gas by sharing the cost, plus you’ll get the added benefit of more quality time with people you love.

No. 3: Point to It

One of the best ways to give gifts without breaking the budget is to use credit-card points you have accumulated all year long. Credit-card companies have so many great point programs that you should have lots of interesting things to choose from.

We are the co-founders of Buttoned Up, inc., a company dedicated to helping stretched and stressed women get themselves organized and co-authors of “Everything (almost) In Its Place.”  We welcome your thoughts!  Please send ideas and questions to us at:  yourlife@getbuttonedup.com or visit us at www.getbuttonedup.com 

Pets have become more than just companions; they are a part of the family. In fact more and more pet owners are taking the love for their pet to the next level and dressing them up for Halloween. This practice is fun and adorable but it’s also important to think about your pet’s safety to protect them from things that go bump in the night.

Alicia on “The Importance of Registration.”

Animal shelters often get a lot of animals around Halloween that escape from their owner’s homes or yards in the midst of all the commotion of the parties, guests, and trick-or-treaters. Before the big day, have your pet registered or even better, microchipped. If you can’t make that happen, be extra vigilant and keep an eye on your pet whenever the door opens or closes. Ideally, keep your pet in a closed off area for any parties or when you’re expecting trick-or-treaters. If you take your dog along with you on Halloween night with the kids, keep it on a reflective leash and collar or harness. This will not only keep the dog safe from cars and running off, but will allow you to control it around other children. Even the world’s best dog can snap at a child with a frightening mask and an antagonizing attitude. If you have an indoor/outdoor cat, keep it inside for the night as the extra cars in the neighborhood will be a hazard. Also- Don’t forget to have your Pet.doc filled out, just in case!

Sarah on “Leaving them Home Alone”

If you and your little goblins are going to be out all evening collecting treats, think ahead and make a plan for your pet. Does the sound of voices outside make the dog anxious or prone to fits of barking? If so, you might want to keep it in a room toward the back of the house and consider setting up a gentle noisemaker or playing the radio. In addition, you’ll want to eliminate needless doorbell ringing, which can agitate Fluffy and Fido. That means setting up a treat station by your front door. Instead of putting out loose candy for kids to pick and choose, purchase small paper loot bags, place two or three pieces of candy inside, and tie the bags closed with ribbon. Then place the bags in a bowl or plastic cauldron and cover the top with a few faux cobwebs. All kids will enjoy this trick to get to those treats — and they’ll be quick too, which means they’ll be less likely to disturb your pet.

Here are three additional ways to get your furry friend Buttoned Up for Halloween.

1. Watch the Candles:

Curiosity killed the … well, literally, cats and dogs are exploratory species, so even if they feel the heat from a candle they may still try to touch it. Keep candles away from your pets.

2. Check Costumes for Safety Hazards:

If you’re dressing up Fido, be sure the costume doesn’t have any loose parts he can eat! Loose parts can also cause your pet to trip or become tangled in the costume, resulting in injury or a future dislike of the holiday (yes pets will remember!). Also be sure that the costume is properly ventilated as your pet can overheat if the costume is too hot or heavy. Be sure to check your pet often to see if it is panting or uncomfortable. It’s also good to practice and listen to your pet: Try the costume on and have the pet wear it several times before Halloween. If the pet hates the costume, forcing him to wear it can cause bad behaviors, so be courteous to your four-legged friend- no matter how cute he may look in it.

3. Be a Good Gatekeeper:

No matter how tempting, don’t give your pets people candy or treats. Chocolate is toxic to dogs and cats and the amount of sugar in other treats will make them sick. Keep your children’s loot out of reach so pets don’t dig into it when you’re sleeping. If you’re worried they’re feeling left out, give them their own doggie or kitty friendly goodies when they are behaving nicely to guests or wearing their costume proudly.

We are the co-founders of Buttoned Up, inc., a company dedicated to helping stretched and stressed women get themselves organized and co-authors of “Everything (almost) In Its Place.”  We welcome your thoughts!  Please send ideas and questions to us at:  yourlife@getbuttonedup.com or visit us at www.getbuttonedup.com 

Just because teenagers look more like adults, doesn’t necessarily mean that they think or function like adults! A new Web site by the Partnership for a Drug Free America (www.drugfree.org/teenbrain) explains how the human brain takes 25 years to fully develop, with the prefrontal cortex, responsible for complex judgment and decision-making, maturing last. Ironically, at a time when a teen’s need for guidance and oversight is at its highest, parents’ confidence in their ability to influence and guide their teens begins to wane. But perseverance and a little structure can pay dividends. Work with them now to help them learn to get and stay organized and follow routines.

Sarah on “The Communication Center”

Teens are highly social, but at home, they’re more likely to go mute and expect family members to be able to read their minds. A family communication center is an excellent non-verbal tool that will help keep everyone in the loop on the most important things like special events and scheduling. To make a successful family communication center, you’ll need to compile a few simple things. First, make a family appointment book or hang a wall calendar or whiteboard. It can be simple but should include enough spaces to fill in social, work, and other appointments for the entire family. Next, use three folders for each individual child kept in a central place like the kitchen, labeled “In, Out, & Read.” This way you can keep track of all school newsletters, permission slips and other school correspondence. Also, put in place a family note taking system.

Alicia on “The Study Center”

Today’s teens are facing tougher academics and more rigorous schedules than ever, especially with the college entrance qualifications getting more selective. Have a desk area for them with adequate lighting to promote proper focus. Be sure the computer is in a visible area to keep track of Internet usage (like the kitchen). As much as we would like to trust that our children are being responsible online, proactive monitoring is the best tactic for keeping teens safe on the Web. In addition, help them make a file system to keep ongoing projects, old homework, and important papers like college admissions help guides or prospective university information. Keep it simple and this will set them on the right track once they get to college.

Here are three additional ways to help your teenager get Buttoned Up.

1. Student Planner

A planner will teach your student how to set priorities and decide what’s most important. Teach them the 80/20 Rule, and work with them every afternoon or at the beginning of each week to identify the most important 20 percent of tasks on their list. Assess what kind of student they are and figure out what kind of priority system works best. Some teens only need a weekly planner, while others need a daily reminder supplement, like a homework pad, as well as a planner. Most teen students need both.

2. College Prep

This starts really early these days as colleges are more and more competitive. Be sure your teens are active in any clubs, sports, or associations that interest them. It’s also very important to be active in the community. Yes, this is great for the admissions, but more importantly it’s helpful to the greater good of your region. Check out your local paper for service events, or get creative. For example, if your children love animals, have them walk dogs at the animal shelter or the Leader Dog for the Blind campaign. If the type of service contains something they are passionate about, they will be more apt to stick with the charity throughout high school and life.

3. Emergency Prep

Most auto accidents are caused by drivers between the ages of 16 and 25. If your teen has a car, it absolutely, positively should be equipped with a kit that tells your young driver what information to collect in the event of an accident. You will also want a first aid kit in the car for those just-in-case moments. Educational tools are important too so sign them up for an AAA or insurance company roadside help class (how to change a tire, and what to do in other emergencies while in the car, like if you spot a tornado, or come across flood waters). You might think your teens are smart enough to have common sense, but in a panic, they may not be thinking clearly. The more prepared they are the better they will be able to handle the situation and the more assured you’ll be.

We are the co-founders of Buttoned Up, inc., a company dedicated to helping stretched and stressed women get themselves organized and co-authors of “Everything (almost) In Its Place.”  We welcome your thoughts!  Please send ideas and questions to us at:  yourlife@getbuttonedup.com or visit us at www.getbuttonedup.com 

It’s officially election season, and all of America is watching as the candidates sprint to the Nov. 4 deadline. In this historic race, it is important to be an organized and well-informed citizen. That means knowing the issues, understanding the candidates’ backgrounds and their voting records.However, if you have children, you should also use this opportunity to explain the importance of voting, the election process and the positions of each candidate. Your children are the future of the country, so what better time to start teaching them about the role that normal individuals play in this vibrant democracy than right now. Plus, taking part in an adult activity, even though their vote doesn’t count yet, will make them feel older and important.

Alicia on “Do Your Election Homework”:

There are a whole lot of media sites out there to consider. But it’s also critical to get a feel for each party and candidate directly. Check out the Democratic Party’s and Republican Party’s Web sites as well as Barack Obama’s and John McCain’s Web sites. When you see the viewpoints directly from the candidates and political parties, the information will not be influenced by media commentary. The opinions they post on their Web sites will be directly from them: www.barackobama.com and www.johnmccain.com. Also www.rnc.org and www.dnc.org.

Sarah on “Be Fair and Balanced”:

One of the greatest liberties we in the United States have is the freedom to choose. As much as we would like our children to follow in our footsteps in many ways, political choice is a freedom in this nation that we must instill in our children. That’s why it’s more than important to give our children facts about the candidates without trying to sway their opinions. Instead, present your future voter with the candidates and issues, do your best to let them ask their questions and be sure to answer them without a skewed opinion. Freedom of opinion is a core to democracy, so encourage with the logic that as long as they make a well-informed decision about the candidates, you support their opinions, even if they are different from your own.

Here a three ways to get your children involved and engaged in the upcoming elections.

1. Make a Chart

Get some simple poster board and list out two sides — one for each party. Then list the issues and each candidate’s stance on each issue. Next, go through each issue and have your child help decide the pros and cons of each candidate’s opinion on each issue (of course, the child will need help coming up with these, but do your best not to slant the information you give). After you list all the information, allow him or her to make a decision based on the issues that he or she considers most significant.

2. See the Candidates Live

If you can’t make it to a live event, at least go to a local party event. Candidate Web sites list when they will be speaking in or near your city. If there are no events in the next month near you, check out your local community’s Republican or Democratic party events. It is crunch time, so there should be plenty to see and interact with. Also, take your children with you on Election Day so they can see how the process works.

3. Get Involved!

Alicia’s daughter Lucy (age 6) feels very strongly about the environment, so we’ve volunteered with her at local community-beautification projects. This teaches her about nonprofit politics and lets her make a difference in our area. Our marketing associate, Ashleigh, used to volunteer with the Voter News Service in her community and call in the local voting results to the media on Election Day. “It made me feel like I was a part of the election even though I wasn’t old enough to vote,” she said. No matter how you choose to get involved with your kids and politics, any little bit makes a difference.

We are the co-founders of Buttoned Up, inc., a company dedicated to helping stretched and stressed women get themselves organized and co-authors of “Everything (almost) In Its Place.”  We welcome your thoughts!  Please send ideas and questions to us at:  yourlife@getbuttonedup.com or visit us at www.getbuttonedup.com 

As a general rule, we wear very few of the clothes we have in our closets; some people put the figure as low as 10 percent to 20 percent. Shifting from your spring and summer wardrobe to one for fall and winter provides the perfect opportunity to streamline. As you swap out filmy fabrics for thicker ones, take a long, hard look at your clothes and ask yourself: “Do I actually wear this?” What else is lurking in your closets that you never use?

Have each family member go through his or her closet — and toy chest, too — and put all those unused, rarely worn items aside in a few big boxes. Once everyone has gone through and organized closets and drawers, it’s time to part with what’s inside those boxes. A great way to do that and earn a little bit of extra money for holiday spending is to host a tag sale.

Alicia on “Planning for Success”:

Plan the tag sale for when it makes the most sense. People generally get paid on the first and the 15th days of the month, so pick a date close to one of those. It can be difficult to draw crowds if the weather is too cold, so schedule your tag sale before the end of October if you live in a northern area. Once you’ve picked the date, set a logical time window. If you know that Saturday mornings are filled with soccer games, schedule the sale for the afternoon. Whatever time you choose to start, be ready to go an hour or two ahead. If you advertise 9 a.m., people may show up at 7 or 8. So, if you really want to start at 9, advertise for 10.

Sarah on “Not Getting Physical”:

If the idea of hauling stuff out onto the lawn seems daunting, remember that your sale does not have to be a physical one anymore. You can sell your real items in the virtual world. Sell them as individual items, package them together — like a boom box with an assortment of CDs — or turn the whole thing into one big virtual sale. Craig’s List, for one, has a section specifically for this. Just remember to charge for shipping. If this is a new concept for you, find a friend or family member who has done it and let that person guide you through the process. A few tips will help you.

No. 1. The buddy system.

If holding a tag sale seems intimidating, lean on a friend. Friends often look at your things with a fresh pair of eyes and can tell you straight that the cardigan you are holding onto makes you look like a box. Another benefit to working with a friend: He or she may be your first customer.

No. 2. Use a YUNK box.

If you just can’t bear to part with all your things now, put half of them in a YUNK box. YUNK stands for “YoU Never Know.” If you have not touched those items six months from now, you don’t need them and you should get rid of them. This can work well for children who think they are unable to part with a toy or doll. If they see that they didn’t play with it for a long time without even missing it, they’ll let go.

No. 3. For the common good.

If you don’t want to set up a tag sale of your own, consider participating in one that could help the community. Schools, churches and local organizations often have communal yard sales to raise money for charity. Rent a table at one, and your unused items become directly responsible for giving back. This might also help you let go of more stuff, understanding that the more you give up, the more you are giving.

We are the co-founders of Buttoned Up, inc., a company dedicated to helping stretched and stressed women get themselves organized and co-authors of “Everything (almost) In Its Place.”  We welcome your thoughts!  Please send ideas and questions to us at:  yourlife@getbuttonedup.com or visit us at www.getbuttonedup.com

With the kids back in school, the biggest benefit to busy parents is settling back into a nice routine. However, school also brings the dilemma of packing daily lunches. The morning rush is difficult enough, with showers, breakfast and last-minute scrambling to find the soccer cleats and get kids out the door and yourself off to work. It can be tempting to throw in convenient but poor nutritional choices, just because they’re fast. But quick and healthy doesn’t have to be an oxymoron. A few simple organizing tips can put you on the path to packing healthy lunches efficiently. 

Alicia on “Lists & Limits”:

Successful lunches start with successful grocery shopping. Go to the store with a shopping list, a full stomach and, if possible, without the kids. In a previous career, I worked as a marketer in the food industry. Unfortunately, it is true that the food industry targets children with fun characters and strategic eye-level shelving. The items most aggressively marketed to children are often ones high in sugar and fat, and they’re much easier to avoid if you don’t have a 4-year-old latched onto your leg screaming for those sugary, fatty, super-special cartoon-character treats. Prepackaged treats also take a large toll on your wallet, as they are premium-priced. That said, eliminating treats altogether often backfires. Instead of banning foods, help your children learn moderation. Offer them the choice of one indulgent item for lunches each week, whether it be a Rice Krispy Treat, a mini-bar of chocolate or something else. Limit them to just one.

Sarah on “An Apple a Day”:

The school cafeteria can be a minefield for parents trying to instill healthful eating habits. You may hear “But Timmy gets a full-sized candy bar in his lunch” or “Jenny eats pizza every day. Why can’t I?” Even worse: “I traded my orange for three chocolate-chip cookies today!” We have to lead by example. If your children see that you are healthy and have good eating habits, they will be inclined to follow in your footsteps. It also helps to encourage activities and emphasize that a healthy body works better than a junk-food body. For example, if your child loves to play softball, explain how the protein and carbs in a peanut-butter sandwich made with wheat bread will help improve pitching. Children respond positively to explanations. The more they understand about a healthy body, the more they will want to eat healthful foods.  Making lunch preparation less stressful:  

#1: Start on Sunday

 Prepare as many of the lunch items as possible for the coming week — and enlist your children’s help. That means having older kids slice carrots or watermelon or having younger kids wash the fruits and veggies. All can help make trail mix and then divide it among individual bags. Anything you can get ready at the beginning of the week will make mornings go more smoothly.  

# 2: Have a morning checklist

Post a lunch checklist on the fridge for each child to review each morning. Have four or five items, such as “milk/juice, fruit, sandwich, veggie, treat.” Get youngsters to help pack their lunches. This will take the item off your morning to-do list and give them a sense of independence.

#3: Make healthy fun

The more appealing the food, the more likely your child will eat it. Alicia’s daughter Lucy dislikes milk, but she drinks it every day when it’s packed in her Hannah Montana thermos. There are ways to make healthy food more fun, such as cutting watermelon slices into stars with a cookie cutter. 

We are the co-founders of Buttoned Up, inc., a company dedicated to helping stretched and stressed women get themselves organized and co-authors of “Everything (almost) In Its Place.”  We welcome your thoughts!  Please send ideas and questions to us at:  yourlife@getbuttonedup.com or visit us at www.getbuttonedup.com

Recent hurricanes battering the Caribbean and southern United States and another Sept. 11 commemoration remind us of our fragility and the importance of getting emergency plans buttoned up.

September is National Preparedness Month, and it’s time to get your home and family ready for any event. It can be difficult to overcome the natural inclination to think “it won’t happen to me.” Being prepared doesn’t have to involve backbreaking work. It simply means assembling the tools and resources you’ll need if the unexpected occurs.

Sarah on “Know Your Community”:

While we would put a large amount of trust in our local governments and their emergency preparedness, it is important to research their public-policy procedures for your reference. If a town/city evacuation occurs, which roads are deemed the safest? What do the sirens for each kind of emergency sound like? How does the school handle a national emergency? Being well-informed is the best way to handle any difficult situations. Also, find out emergency procedures in your workplace. For more information, log on to www.ready.gov.

Alicia on “Document the Essentials”:

Have the basics for survival, listed below, but get your documents in order ahead of time as well. Put together a binder of the most critical information for your family and home; keep it handy. The binder should contain items such as your roofer’s phone number to check for wind damage or appraisal information for furniture damaged in a flooded basement. It should be organized so even your child knows just where to look for all of your contact numbers. If it’s too daunting to make your own binder, versions such as Life.doc, Valuables.doc, Pocket.doc and Pet.doc can help you organize the essentials quickly and easily. Having this family, pet and home information at your fingertips when the worst happens can be reassuring during an unsure situation.

Here are three steps to prepare your family for anything:

No. 1. Make a plan.

Have a family emergency plan. Designate specific meeting places both close to home and farther away, such as a neighbor’s home and Grandma’s house in the next city. Make sure each family member has a telephone number and e-mail contact for an out-of-state person whom everyone can contact and relay news to. In addition, prepare a list of pet-friendly family members or hotels, in case you have to evacuate. Keep these resources in mind when stocking up extra food and first-aid supplies.

No. 2. Have the right supplies on hand.

Keep a supply of water, food and batteries in a waterproof container; replace this supply every six months. Store at least 3 gallons of water per person per day, canned food and a can opener in a dry, accessible place. Keep at least half a tank of gas in your car at all times in case of an evacuation. Know the best routes, avoid roads that easily flood and keep maps of alternate routes. Have enough prescriptions and over-the-counter medications on hand to last six weeks. Keep some cash on you, because ATMs and banks may be closed or not working.

No. 3. Get insured.

Find out the best ways to prepare your home for flood, wind, earthquake or any other elements. Be sure you document the valuables in your home, taking inventory of its contents with photos and video. Photograph the home itself, inside and out. Be ready with the proper insurance and ask what is covered and what is not. For example, with Florida basic insurance, you may be covered for tropical-storm wind damage, but flood insurance is an extra premium. If you rent, purchase renter’s insurance to cover your possessions; your landlord’s homeowners insurance will not cover it.

We are the co-founders of Buttoned Up, inc., a company dedicated to helping stretched and stressed women get themselves organized and co-authors of “Everything (almost) In Its Place.”  We welcome your thoughts!  Please send ideas and questions to us at:  yourlife@getbuttonedup.com or visit us at www.getbuttonedup.com

College students all over the country are putting away the sunscreen, packing up their possessions and heading back to school. For parents, this can represent a period of high anxiety because for many it means that monthly expenses are about to go way, way up.

In times where family budgets are tight, it pays to get your college students organized and primed to help keep the costs down wherever they can. The good news is that a little Economics 101 will go a long way to keeping those costs contained.

Alicia on “A Balanced Budget”:

It can be hard to say no, especially if your child is surrounded by others with more means. Before your college student takes off this year, take a moment and tell him that your goal is to provide an education, not enable a lifestyle. Remind her that in a dream world, you would be able to cover every incidental — from new clothes to sorority dues — but doing so deprives her of the gift of responsibility. Then give your student a budget to manage. Instead of paying for things as they come along, put the amount you can afford on a card. Then, have your student list all the things she needs and start creating a budget. Your role is to ensure she sticks to that budget. If she calls asking for more on the card, explain to her what a budget means in real terms and tell her she will get a new card next term.

Sarah on “Buy Low”:

Point those newly in charge of budgets to big savings on basic school supplies. The office superstores and big-box retailers like Wal-Mart and Target are looking to lure shoppers into their stores with unbelievably priced back-to-school items. We found notebooks for a nickel and packs of pencils and pens for a penny. This is the time to stock up on school supplies like tape, paper, pens, markers and notebooks. Buy enough of the basics for the entire year, as they are cheaper now than at any other time of the year. Remind your student that every penny saved on the basics can be put toward more fun purchases. Here a few additional ways to help your college student get organized to manage those debits and credits more effectively.

#1: Buy Used

Depending on whether a school goes by semesters or quarters, your student will have to buy anywhere from 25 to 60 books in a year. Fortunately, there are a lot of great strategies for saving money on books. Most campuses have used-book sales that are fantastic sources for good-quality used books. Another possibility: shopping online for used books. Another: library books. They are free and have a side benefit of increasing visits to the library, which is a great place to get work done anyway. Since no library can have all the required books, another option is international editions. They are substantively the same as the American editions and are almost invariably less expensive. For those, go to sites like AbeBooks.com or TextbooksRus.com.

#2: Buy — Don’t Rent

Cut costs on fleshing out the dorm room wherever you can. Avoid rental companies like the plague. It may seem like a good short-term solution to rent, but you will pay twice what it costs to buy things — like TVs, microwaves and fridges — and you won’t own them at the end. Instead, buy appliances at places like Goodwill or other secondhand stores. Remember that most items for the dorm room aren’t likely to end up as family heirlooms.

#3: Earn It

If your student needs an income to make ends meet, there are many work-study opportunities available on campuses. On-campus jobs provide the extra spending money, while dorm advisory roles may actually cut the rent cost. Or you may want to have your child work for a year before starting school. AmeriCorps, for instance, provides valuable work experience and money while also doing important community services. The ancillary benefit is that it allows a person’s head to clear and be more focused heading into college.

We are the co-founders of Buttoned Up, inc., a company dedicated to helping stretched and stressed women get themselves organized and co-authors of “Everything (almost) In Its Place.”  We welcome your thoughts!  Please send ideas and questions to us at:  yourlife@getbuttonedup.com or visit us at www.getbuttonedup.com