Telephone tips

Get a cordless phone and carry it with you around the house. If you can't get a cordless phone, or install jacks and phones with long extension cords around the house so you can talk whenever and wherever you are in the house, and can still do chores while you're talking on the phone, like cooking, watering plants, or putting dishes in the dishwasher.

To save time, and frustration, when possible use the phone instead of making trips. Phone to confirm appointments prior to going. Call the store to find out if they have the item you want if you're not sure, before you go, to find out when they're open, to get directions, etc.

It's OK to end a conversation when you should be doing something else, just do it with tact. You can say something like "This is a bad time for me to talk, can I call you back?", or "I'd really like to talk with you more, but I have to... (run errands, get dinner started, clean the house before company arrives, etc. - you don't have to tell them anything too personal). I'm not suggesting you lie to them, just let them know that they are important, but you have things you have to do right now. Be sure to call them back.

Sometimes a call is more effective and timesaving that writing a letter or an email. Even a long-distance phone call can be cheaper than a letter, considering how long it takes to write a letter, the cost of the materials and mailing. The personal touch of a phone call can make it worthwhile also. This doesn't apply to sending an update of everything that's going on in your life, or giving them something to read and digest.

Resist the temptation to leave the phone off the hook during times when you don't want to be disturbed, instead turn down the ringer, or even turn it off. Leaving the phone off the hook can interrupt phone service even after you've put the receiver back on the hook.

More organization tips

• Lists Setting up a calendar and lists to assist in the organization process.
• Message Center Setting up a central place for messages and important information.
• Are you organized? A quick quiz to find out how organized you are, and how much you can do to make yourself more organized.
• Make your own organizer Making your own organizer to track tasks and dates.
• Telephone tips Ways to save time and frustration with the telephone.
• Errands and appointments Making the most out of errands and appointments.
• Using short periods wisely What to do when you only have a few minutes.
• Mail How to handle mail efficiently.
• Housework Make housework more productive and effective.
• Company Preparing for, and entertaining, company.
• Company Kit Setting up a kit for when company arrives on short notice.
• Each evening Preparing for the following day.
• Simple tidying Life can be easier if you set up areas for situations, tyding up the whole house.
• Laundry Ways to save time and money with the laundry.
• Distributing the Burden You don't have to do it all yourself, you can share the load.
• Delegation How to delegate effectively.
• Child's room Keeping your kid's rooms tidy.
• Storage Where to put things.
• Pack rat How to avoid being a pack rat.
• Messy Closet Cleaning out a messy closet.
• Garage Sale How to have a successful garage sale.
• Moving Sorting through your stuff for a move.
• Prevention Some ideas to prevent cleaning chores.
• Odds and ends How to deal with odds and ends that just kind of show up to clutter a room.
• Organizing Your Home Basics of organization.

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