It’s finally setting in for me – even though I did use last 2016 on a check today – 2017 is here. I want to make the most of every minute, hour, and day I have on the planet. There are things I have to get done for my family, my home, my job. And there are things I long to do for myself. Each day seems packed to the brim. So to be more productive in the new year, I’m upping my game and making these practices a routine part of my life.
Set Out Breakfast the Night Before
I wouldn’t say I’m not a morning person, but it definitely takes me a cup of coffee and a few minutes to get my engine running before 6 AM. For this reason, I try to make life easier by getting organized right before I go to bed. I LOVE my programmable coffee pot and set it to begin brewing before my feet hit the floor. When I can, I also get other breakfast items in order before I go to bed. One of my favorite tricks is to line a pan with aluminum foil and get bacon ready to toss straight into the oven. Use your nighttime energy to fuel your morning.
Check Out the ALDI $50 Breakfast Meal Plan for more ideas!
Throw in A Load of Laundry First Thing
Taming the laundry beast is a challenge for any family. For this very reason, it’s a great idea to throw in a load of laundry before you do anything else in the morning – before your coffee, before your breakfast, before your first scroll of the day through headlines and social media. It’s probably a good idea for the load to be something that’s low maintenance, like towels or jeans so that you can transfer them into the dryer before heading off for work.
For more ways to save on laundry, read 4 Ways to Save Money While Doing Laundry.
Invest in a Good Calendar
You need to have a plan for this week and the rest of the year. Whether you use the calendar on your smart phone or go analog with a pencil and paper version, you need to be able to remember and communicate important dates. My favorite method of calendaring involves a large desk blotter (I bought my for $3 at Target this year) and some heavy duty magnets. The calendar hangs on the side of our refrigerator so everyone in our family can track what’s going on during the week during meals. There’s a whole culture of planning out there. You don’t have to pay big bucks for a planner (again, Target’s dollar section works for me), but you do need to have a calendar and regularly update it so you don’t miss out on the important events!
If you’re a planner, be sure to read 5 Things to Do at the Beginning of Every Month!
Set Aside Time to Meal Prep
Each week, you need to set aside time not only to meal plan but to also to do some prep, too. Chopping fruits and vegetables, precooking meats, and even cooking rice and pasta in advance can help you pull together dinner in a snap. The best time for me to do this is Sunday night. I usually peel and chop veggies, pop popcorn on the stove and bag it into individual bags, and sometimes even make sandwiches to use in lunch boxes.
Meal planning can be a snap when you have 15 Grocery Items To Buy at the Beginning of Every Month.
Set a Bedtime Alarm
Sleep is so important. You need to get your 8 hours a night! But it’s easy to get distracted at night. Maybe I just can’t be a responsible adult, but I set an alarm on my phone that reminds me to begin getting ready for bed. This handy tool helps me shut down Netflix and brush my teeth. It’s simple but can be a game changer!
Want other New Year time ideas, don’t miss 5 Things to Do at the Beginning of Every Year!
From setting a new fitness routine to choosing a new book to read, make your year work for you. You just need to take charge to be more productive. You can do it.
My book is now available: Slaying the Debt Dragon: How One Family Conquered Their Money Monster and Found an Inspired Happily Ever After. You can also check out The Debt Free Devotional
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