Do I really need that?

Easier said than done. But asking "Do I really need that?" on a regular basis can cut down on cost and chaos. Target and Costco are two of my favorite places for a good deal. But they are also the two places where I buy the most stuff I don't need!

Do I really need that? What if I bought only half of the stuff I don't need (that's already in my cart, of course) and put the money I would have spent on the other stuff in a savings account? Makes it easier to splurge when it counts - upgrade to first class without guilt. Stay an extra night on vacation. Make a larger donation to your favorite charity.

The guilt-free possibilites are endless.

Who said that?

If you have kids, especially young kids, you know they are often saying some pretty funny stuff! Here's a quick tip for keeping track of who said what - open each child their own e-mail address.

Use Gmail, hotmail, yahoo, etc. and set up an e-mail account with the child's name. When they do/say things you'd like to remember, just type them a quick e-mail.

Think of how much fun it will be when they are 15 and you give them access to this e-mail account!

Constant communication

Ever feel like you spend more time posting updates on Facebook, e-mail, twitter, etc., than actually doing anything? Check out: http://www.digsby.com to keep track of all your communication in one place. You'll literally cut hours of updating out of your life.

Maybe today you'll have time to read that old fashioned newspaper that keeps showing up on your doorstep.

Start with less.

It's time to clean something out - your closet, your computer files, your pile of mail.

Less is truly more. Small victories in this area will get your day started right. If you haven't worn it, give it away, if you won't read it, throw it out. Find the top of your kitchen table so you can actually sit there for dinner tonight!

Simplicity.

Let's face it. We all make a zillion decisions a day, many of which cause us more trouble than they are worth! Creating simplicity out of chaos is essential.

Architecting Simplicity is not simple (thus the complicated name). However, a streamlined approach to the most mundane tasks leaves our lives refreshed with time.

Join me.