National Network for Child Care www.nncc.org
Organize Your Time
* Decide what really needs done each day. Say "no" to activities that don't fit in with the most important parts of your life.
* Make "to do" lists every day. Put the most important things at the top of the list. Start with the "musts", then list your "wants".
* Break down big jobs into smaller parts. Instead of doing everything all at once, do one small piece at a time.
* Try to do several errands in the same trip to save time and money. You may want to buy more groceries during a trip to the grocery store, if you can, so you won't have to make as many trips. Big packages of food (in bulk) sometimes cost less per serving, last longer, and save you time.
* Plan the errands you will run and make a shopping list of what you will buy before you leave the house.
Planning and Scheduling
* Put up a family calendar and message board in your home. Each family member can write down activities or things tat need to be done on the family calendar, as soon as they know about it.
* Put notes, reminders, and messages for family members in once central place, like on your message board. Help everyone get in the habit of checking it often. Put it in a place where everyone will see it, such as in the kitchen or near the telephone.
* List emergency numbers and other numbers used often on the message board. Make a plan for emergency situations.
* Avoid rushing to get ready for work. Set your alarm clock early enough so that you won't have to rush. Decide on work clothes ahead of time, make sure they are clean, and lay them out. Keep things you need for work in one place.
* Plan on having a happy morning with your children. Some children are more active in the morning and some are still half asleep! A smooth morning can set the pace for your day and theirs.
Budgeting
* Be prepared before you start work. Make a list of all the new things you will have to pay for when you start working. Think about whether they really have to be "new" ad were you can get the best buy.
* Think about what you spend money on now. What you could cut back on in order to handle new work expenses?
* Create a budget (a plan for how to spend your money). If you need it, get help in learning hw to budget. Many community agencies can help, such as the Cooperative Extensive Service.
Basic Steps to Budgeting:
1. Figure out about how much income you expect to have in the next month.
2. Create a spending plan, based on everything you think you will need to pay for in a month. Decide how much you expect to spend on different areas, such as food, clothing, rent or housing, electric or gas bills, transportation, child care, medical care, and savings. Make sure the total spending isn't more than your total income.
3. Try to follow your spending plan for a month, and keep track of how much you really spend in the different areas. You can do this by writing down everything you spend in a notebook, or by keeping all your receipts in a special place (a box, an envelope, or a drawer).
4. After a month, compare your actual income and expenses to your spending plan. Did you follow your spending plan? Did you spend more money than the income you received? Do you need to change your spending plan, the way you shop, or both?
* After a few months of working and trying out different spending plans, you will probably be able to make a spending plan that helps you spend less and save more.