12 Ways to Make Your Life Easier

1. Simplify your life
        Follow these easy steps to help.
2. Learn to say no.
    Sure, you'd love to make that extra plate of cookies for the school bake sale, but you have 50 million other things to do, it OK to say no sometimes.
3. Create a place for everything.
    A place for everything and everything in its place. Have you ever finished organizing a room in your house and had that trumpeting sound from heaven? Life is so much easier when you know where things are.
4. Pay Bills Automatically.
    Online billpay is DA BOMB! I swear by it. First off, go green! Save a tree. Some companies will offer discounts for going paperless. You can also save money on the every rising cost of stamps.
5. Stop being a slave to email.
    ::raising hand:: Guilty as charged. "The average person spends about seven hours a week on e-mail. Needless to say, not all of that time is spent wisely. If your job allows for it, turn off your e-mail alerts and check e-mail only a few times a day. Second, create an e-mail account that is solely for your subscriptions (such as sales notifications, frequent-flier updates, newsletters, and so on) so they won't clutter your in-box" http://www.everydayhealth.com/photogallery/stop-being-a-slave-to-email-12-ways-to-simplify-your-life.aspx  Maybe this part won't fit into my part of simplifying my life.
6. Clean out your closet.
    I swear by this one too. I clean out my closet with the change of every season. I either yardsale it or take it to Goodwill. If you haven't worn it in a year, if it doesn't fit (I don't care if you think if you might be able to wear it in a couple of months), if it's out of style, dump it like a hot potato.
7. Save time with speed dial.
    Running late from work and don't  have time to make dinner? Not sure what you're going to have. Betcha wouldn't have that problem if you had the number to your favorite restaurant on speed dial! That's right. It you go there, save their number, it will save you time (and 411 fees) in the long run.
8. Book ahead.
    Finishing up at the dentist's office, go ahead and schedule your next appt.
9. Prep your gym bag.
     As soon as you get home, please please throw those nasty gym clothes in the wash and put clean ones in the bag. That way the next time you're ready to go, so is your bag.
10. Stock your desk.
      Keep extras of those basic supplies in your desk: hand lotion, feminine products, pantyhose, contacts, healthy snacks, tissues, a small first aid kit, etc.
11. Clean out your purse
      Throw out old gum wrappers, grocery lists, and other trash from your purse on a weekly basis. Designate a safe place in your wallet for receipts, in case you need them later. A clean, lighter purse makes it easier for you to find your keys, lipstick, and other essentials and will save your shoulder from excess strain. http://www.everydayhealth.com/photogallery/clean-out-your-purse-12-ways-to-simplify-your-life.aspx
I love to compartmentalize. I have a separate small bag for my make-up, feminine necessities, etc.
12. Ask for a helping hand.
      Women, especially, have a hard time asking for help. We think we can do anything and everything. Maybe that's why more women die from heart disease and suffer from strokes. Ladies, don't be afraid to ask for help. If you work full-time and your budget allows, hire a housekeeper to come in at least once a week to help out. Don't have time during the weekend to do your laundry because you're busy with ball games, etc, send your clothes out to a laundry for a wash, fluff and fold. Have older kids (ages 5 and up)? They are certainly old enough to be delegated chores to. My 11yo daughter is responsible for unloading the dishwasher, cleaning her own room, washing her own clothes and cleaning her own bathroom. My 8 yo son has to clean his room, and clear the dinner table. If you're at your wit's end there is nothing better than having your best friend come to your rescue. I've been up to my neck in kids screaming, dishes piled up in the sink, toys all over the floor, a fever of 102F and my best friend was there in 10 minutes flat to save my butt, all because of a phone call.