HOME & GARDEN CONSUMER GUIDE

Being Prepared Is Not Just For The Scouts Anymore

Although I was never a Boy Scout, many of my friends were, and they told me that being prepared was a big part of their motto, to plan ahead and be well organized. I guess that makes sense, because the last thing you want when you're hiking ten miles through the wilderness is to discover that you've forgotten bug repellant or Band-Aids (tm) for the blisters on your feet!

I think we as parents can all learn a lesson or two from our past. Being prepared is one organizational skill that we can never learn too late and consequently pass on to our children.

Gas Up!

Don't wait until Monday morning when you're running late for a management meeting to check the gauge of your gas tank. When Dad sent me off to college in my little 4-cylinder hatchback, the first thing he told me was to keep it a quarter full. It seemed really silly and father-like at the time, but now that I have a busy life of my own, I respect his sage advice. If you have 1/4 of a tank at all times you don't have to rush to a meeting, soccer game, or to pick up the kids from school.  You don't have to stand out in the rain pumping gas when you'd rather be warm and dry inside listening to Raffi on the tape player. And now that you're a parent carrying precious cargo, you won't have to worry about walking down the street with a gas can in your hand because you forgot to put gas in the SUV.

Take Stock!

Most corporate offices, regardless of their size, have a supply cabinet. And a well-organized coworker has posted a spreadsheet Inventory Form on the inside door for you to check off items as you remove them. This usually causes a lot of whining from coworkers, but it sure streamlines the inventory process at the month's end. You can see at a glance what items need to be ordered, and can avoid running out of important supplies.

Use this system in your own office at home, and never run out of press kit folders or fax paper again. This form doesn't have to be fancy; in fact it can even be a handwritten list on note paper. The main thing is to USE it. Write a list of your supplies, quantity, and then cross off with an X each time you use one. Be sure to post this where you will see it, perhaps on a clipboard with a pencil attached by a string. Not enough time to keep an ongoing inventory of supplies? Then just tape a piece of paper near your desk or on your bulletin board and jot down items when you run out of them. When you're ready to shop for office supplies, grab the list and go.

Ditto!

Toiletries, medications & first aid supplies can all be managed using the same system or form. Create a separate list for each category, post it where the items are used, and grab the list when you're ready to shop at the discount store or order from the pharmacy. Personally, I like to consolidate my lists (another favorite organizing tip), so I have a multi-purpose list posted on the fridge with a large magnetic clip. It's nothing more than a spreadsheet with categories of my groceries, and I have extra room for Toiletries and Miscellaneous. To make this single form work more effectively, I use a coding system. By placing a T, W, or K beside the item, I know it is not a grocery store purchase, but merits a trip to Target, Walmart, or K-Mart instead. When I see more than 3 of these on my list, I make a trip to the discount store. If there are less than 3, I buy them at the grocery store. Sure, I may spend a nickel more per item, but it's worth the savings of gas and time to just make one trip rather than two.

By using these and other simple tools for effective planning, you can stay one step ahead of the time goblins, and add a few minutes to your already hectic schedule. And who knows? You may be able to teach your little scout a thing or two about being prepared. Just don't forget to add Industrial Strength Monster Spray to your supply list.

About the Author: Debbie Williams is an author, speaker and radio host who offers tools and training to help you put your life in order. Learn more at www.organizedtimes.com