Carolina Pad

Heather Hale              

Godfrey, Illinois

To help keep track of my children's activities, I assign them each a color. That way, when we look at the calendar, we can tell who has what planned that day by the color it is written in, rather then having to put the child's name by their activity. It saves time and makes each child feel special because they have their own color

Patricia Hill                  

Palestine, Texas

Organizing starts for me with my mail. I have a small desk right by my front door where I sort the mail according to bills,etc., and file in different colored folders. All stamps, paper, and envelopes are kept there, also. I have a small cork board there for messages, phone numbers, and a calendar for appointments with colored dots for everyone.

Jennifer Barnett           Nashville, Tennessee

I have my office set up in a "clockwise" manner. All of my work begins on the left at about 9:00 and continues around to the right as it is completed. This keeps everything in a definite order so that I know which projects are at a particular stage of completion.

Kim Prario-Bellizia        

Suffield, Connecticut

Recipes: I have several three-ring binders full of sheet protectors. When I see a recipe I want to try (especially in Real Simple!), I rip it out and put in the appropriate binder: "First & Last" (apps & desserts), "Holidays & Entertaining", "Grilling & Stir-Fry", "Soups, Salads, Sandwiches", "Tips & Tricks" etc. No need to copy longhand or on computer!

Gregory Darrell Alan Husz     
Largo Florida

Write down Important phone numbers, addresses, and important dates on an index card and put in three places. Your car glove box, wallet, and in your briefcase. [If you] lose your phone or [if the battery goes] dead and you left the charger at home, you will have all the important info at your disposal...

Lisa Enz

Toms River, New Jersey

Never touch a magazine twice. While I am reading a magazine, I rip out articles that I would like to reference later, recipes I might like to try, coupons, etc., and put them all into labeled folders. I then throw out the magazine carcass with the recyclables. I do the same with catalogs.

Elizabeth Buchan                

Spencer, Iowa

Putting a calendar in the front of every binder helps you keep track of when assignments for that particular class are due. I usually add pictures of my friends to my calendar each month to keep it [fresh] and exciting!

A Moore                        

Montvale, New Jersey

Colors help me recognize something quickly. I use 3sided folders for each subject. Green folders for money;blue for friends,friends are'true blue';medical stuff:turquoise;red for important.Pink:daughter,navy:son.I look for odd colors,distinctive graphics,flowers(gardening).I insert cardboard in each folder to separate 'to do', & completed.

Jennifer M. Wanderman

Moodus, Connecticut

Home office tip:  hang an inexpensive shoe holder on the back of your door and use it to store post it notes, pens, your stapler, label maker, and all kinds of office supplies that you like to have on hand, but that you don't want to have cluttering up your desk. The pockets are clear so you can see what's inside. Nice and neat!

Amy White              

Monroe Michigan

Use a file folder to keep track of sticky notes. On the cover of the file folder write "To do", on the inside, stick all of your chores for the day, including phone calls, errands, or e-mails that you need to answer. When you complete the task, throw the sticky note away, or store on the back cover for generic chores that you might do again.