Two Goals (103)In addition to working full time jobs, Fred and Maria Lampe live a hectic life — they struggle to get their son to two different hockey team practices, their daughter to ballet rehearsals and both the kids to school on time. To help organize their frenzied schedules, Scheduling Expert Molly Gold develops a family plan that allows for more time and less stress.
The Lampes are not only looking for ways to manage their time, they also need assistance managing their budget.
Overbooked Family Facts:
- Kids in extracurricular activities participate for about four hours per week.
- American Moms are planners. They organize three out of four activities for their kids.
- In the past 30 years, the percentage of Stay-at-Home Moms has dropped from 20 percent to 7 percent.
Tips: These five tricks help you save time.
- Try an Internet reminder service to keep track of important dates. You can program them to receive calls, email, or pages to remind you of anything you don’t want to forget or miss.
- Ask for the earliest morning appointment when making medical and dental appointments, before things get backed up in the office.
- Stock up on nonperishable groceries and household goods in quantities that last at least 2-3 months, especially if they are on sale.
- Keep lots of postage stamps, greeting cards and wrapping paper on hand so you won’t have to run out when you need them.
- Get rid of clothes that you don’t wear and save time in the morning. When you wear an outfit, turn that hanger around. After nine months if the hanger isn’t turned, you can probably get rid of it.
Problem: Overbooked Family.
Solution: Find time in unexpected places.
- Streamline the family calendar to centralize all the family’s activities.
- Reduce your expectations and let go things that are not essential, like making a full course meal every night. Recognize that the value of a family dinner is sitting down together and connecting.
- Assign tasks to your kids and put a little more time back into your schedule.
- Enjoy your commitments and strengthen your relationship with your family during your new-found, extra time.
Contact information:
Molly Hayden Gold
Go Mom INC
26037 Talamore Dr
South Riding, VA 20152
703-327-7722
mgold@gomominc.com
www.gomominc.com
Resources:
Working Parents Can Raise Smart Kids: The 'Time-Starved' Parent's Guide to Helping Your Child Succeed in School
by John E., Ph.D. Beaulieu, Alex, Ph.D. Granzin, Deborah S. Romaine (Contributor)
For more information: Search keyword(s): working parents, time management
Save Money Everyday Facts:
- One out of three women spends compulsively.
- One out of five men spends compulsively.
- Nine out of ten working moms have expressed "mommy guilt."
Problem:Overextended finances.
Solution: Optimize the money that you do have.
- Although obvious, try to be disciplined.
- Teach your kids about money. Have everyone take ownership of the family finances. For example, give your teenage kids a budget for getting their own school supplies or athletic gear with the incentive to keep what’s leftover.
- Build in "Wiggle Room" into your budget. After crunching the numbers, put a little money aside as a pad for any miscellaneous expenses and a little mental relief.
Contact Information:
Ellie Kay
Author, Speaker, Household Financial Expert
ellie@elliekay.com
www.elliekay.com
Resources:
How to Save Money Everyday
By Ellie Kay
For more information: Search keyword(s): money management
