Bending Reality Magazine November | Page 7

2. SAY NO.

You don't have to say yes to every single request for your

help. Schedule a set amount of time each week for random

requests. Once that time slot is filled, don't take any more requests for your time that week.

4. SET UP A BILL PAYING AREA.

Keep a set of bill paying supplies--your bill paying

organizer, a calculator, pens, pencils, your checkbook,

stamps, envelopes and address labels--in one defined place.

Next time you want to pay bills, you'll be done in a jiffy.

7. CALL BEFORE YOU GO.

Hate driving all the way to the video store or library and discovering that the video or book you wanted is already

checked out? Next time, call before you leave home and ask if that video or book is available. If it is, great! If not, you've saved yourself an unnecessary trip.

10. STOP CHECKING E-MAIL EVERY 5 MINUTES.

E-mail is great, but if you're checking for new mail every five minutes, you can easily get distracted and time is going to quickly slip away. Check for e-mail only once or twice per day.

14. GET READY THE NIGHT BEFORE.

Stop wasting morning time frantically running around like a madperson trying to get done to get to work on time. Do

whatever you can to prepare yourself the night before. Set the breakfast table. Lay out your clothes, and your kids'

clothes. Have the coffeepot start automatically by using

the timer.

11. MAKE LISTS.

Stop trying to remember everything you have to do. You're bound to forget something, and it may result in lost time or a missed appointment. Write it down and let your list remember for you.

15. RESTRICT TV VIEWING TO YOUR FAVORITES.

Use your VCR to tape your favorite programs. Then, watch them during a designated time each night, or each week--and zap through the commercials!

15 Top Timesaving Tips