How to Organize your everyday life paperwork!

Buy an Expanding File where office supplies are sold. I chose the open top, no flap with the most pockets. You can get them in letter or legal size width. I buy the letter size to fit in my file cabinet. You can get the 1-31 pocket or alphabetical set. I use one expanding file for the entire year.  My labels are in alphabetical order, so it's quick and easy to file paperwork. I have been using this system for many years now and it still works beautifully.

The first label is the year. I place it on the front of the folder to quickly retrieve paperwork as I need it. The others are: Auto, Bank, Charity, Credit Card, Dental, Home/Life/Auto Insurance,   Medical, Mortgage,  Payroll, Receipts, Savings/401k, Taxes & University Expenses, and  Utilities.
You can modify these labels as needed to customize to your household. I used to have a pocket for every little thing. Electric, Water, Cable. It was just overkill and unnecessary.

At the end of the year, I replace the expanding file with a new one. The most current papers are filed at the back of each corresponding pocket.

I do have separate file folders for cars and household repairs. The auto files are by year make and model. The household files are by address.

We are required by law to keep our personal tax records  for 7 years. This system should help simplify your life and your documents. Additionally, I do keep most receipts for a minimum of 30 days just to be safe.

Cook Bacon in the Oven!

Preheat Oven to 375 degrees. Turn on Oven light and leave it on until the bacon is finished cooking. Line a cookie sheet with Parchment paper. Place about 8 pieces of bacon (1/2 Package) side by side on the cookie sheet. Cook for 7 minutes. Turn bacon over. Cook 7 more minutes. Look it over to see if it is cooked enough to your liking. Cook 3-5 minutes more until desired crispness.

Easy Peppermint Bark

The secret is QUALITY ingredients. It will cost approximately $12 for 1 1/2 pounds. One hour is all you need for a FABULOUS holiday treat. 

You will need:

     12 ounce bag of Ghirardelli Dark Melting Wafers

     12 ounce bag of Ghirardelli White Melting Wafers

     Andes Peppermint Crunch

     Pure Peppermint Extract

     

(You can find these items at your local grocery store or Walmart)

How To: Christmas Wreath Lights

To add electrical power, hang your wreath with the plug pointed towards the hinged side of the door.  You can feed the end of the string of lights through when the door is wide open.

Use removable painters tape to secure the lights cord to the door.

Attach the indoor extension cord inside the house, and then plug it into the wall. You can use an indoor timer ($10) to program the lights to come on and go off when you choose.

*Make sure the extension cord is long enough to run along a wall so that Santa won't trip and fall when he brings the bag of gifts. ;-)

Light up your house with Automatic Timers!

Sure I can fumble around in the dark to flip on my light switch, or I can set my lamps to come on when I know I need light. I found these cool inexpensive timers at Lowes for $9.99. There are two outlets for two lamps or you can pay a little less for one outlet. So easy to use. Just turn the dial to set the correct time of day. Then press in the pegs when you want the lamps to come on and go off. I like them on at dusk and then off at 10:00pm. I can also set them to come on in the morning for the time frame I choose. Mine are set for 6:00 to 7:00am. If it's dark outside during daylight hours, you can override the timer and turn the lights on with the switch at the top of the device.

These are so wonderful. You can use them on indoor Christmas lights and it's not a bad idea when you travel to make it appear as though you are home.

Organizing the Kitchen Utensil Drawer

Step 1: Empty the drawer completely. Wipe out or vacuum the drawer to remove crumbs or small particles.

LifeLiner Shelf Liner

Step 2: Line the drawer with a nice liner. I like the ribbed LifeLiner. It is available in clear and white. Just measure the drawer, and cut to fit. You can find it at Bed, Bath & Beyond. It comes in two sizes. 12" x 25 feet $14.99, and 24" x 10 feet also $14.99. Bring your coupons! *This product can be used in-between teflon pans to prevent scratches.

Step 3: Sort your kitchen utensils by type. Spatulas, spoons, tongs, etc. As you do this, discard or recycle any unused or broken items. Just keep what you need. 

Step 4: Place the items in the drawer with the serving end at your fingertips. If you can see the actual utensil, you will save time by not having to search for it.

If you clean up just one drawer or shelf per week, you will simplify your kitchen in no time at all.