SavvySugar

4 Savvy Things to Do This Weekend

Emily Co — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 00:15:00 PST

We usually come up with plenty of fun, social activities for you to do over the weekend, but let's get savvy and down to business this weekend. It may feel like a chore to complete these tasks, but you'll feel so much better after you're done with them!

Do Your Taxes: Crank that music up and get to it! If you've been procrastinating on filing your tax returns, pull up your sleeves and tackle them this weekend. It's better to do them on the weekends when you're relaxed rather than a workday when you're all weary from working the 9 to 5. Set aside Sunday night to do them, and you'll thank me for it!.
Organize Your Receipts: Dump all the receipts out from your bag, wallet, and pocket, and put them in a designated box or folder. You can also test out Shoeboxed, which is a free online service that can automatically track and organize your online and offline purchases. All you need to do is snap pictures of receipts on your cell and email them to Shoebox or mail in paper receipts to the company, and they will organize the information for you.
Plan Your Work Lunches: If you're resolving to bring your lunch to work every day, you need to craft your meal plan on the weekend so you won't be rummaging around your fridge for scraps during the early mornings.
De-clutter Your Home: Spend the weekend de-cluttering your home and getting rid of the excess things that you don't need. First figure out what areas you need to tackle and take a look at a list of my suggestions.

11 Things You Need to Throw Away

Emily Co — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 03:05:07 PST

The first step to taking care of yourself and de-stressing is to make sure that your environment is in order. Seeing your house full of clutter can affect your mood negatively and make your personal space seem like a place you want to escape from, rather than something to look forward to coming home to. Organize a "throwing out" day every month to make sure that you don't have clutter building up. Here are some things you should consider purging from your home:

Old magazines. Get rid of old magazines you have lying around because chances are, you aren't going to read them again. Find places where you can donate your magazines to such as child care centers, doctor's offices, nail salons, nursing homes, and libraries. If there's an article that really speaks to you, scan a digital image of it and keep it in your computer. Or keep a folder of magazine clippings if you like saving magazine articles.
Receipts, bills, and documents. Throw away receipts for items that you aren't planning on returning, and ones that you won't need to use come tax time. If you're wary of throwing away receipts, you can make a digital copy of them with a basic scanner, a pricey specialized receipt scanner ($174), or a smartphone app ($2). See here for a full list of documents you should keep forever or temporarily.
Clothes. Use the two-year-rule for clothes - get rid of apparel that you haven't worn in two years. Sell them to a thrift store (find a thrift store at thethriftshopper.com) or donate them to the needy.
Books. Go through your bookshelf and gather together books you haven't touched in months and ones that you aren't planning on rereading. Be realistic and make sure you're ruthless. If you haven't touched it in a year, you're most likely not going to read it again. Sell the books on Amazon, Craigslist, or eBay. You can even trade them for something else on swap.com. You can always donate them as well!
Medicine and vitamins. Take a look at your medicine closet and clear out drugs that have expired, medicine that has sat on your shelf for too long, or ones that you no longer use. First, check to see what the proper disposal methods are for the medication, and if you can't find any, check to see if your community has a drug take-back program. If there isn't a program near you, then the FDA advises mixing medicine with "used coffee grounds or kitty litter" in a container or sealable bag before throwing it away to make the drugs less appealing.

For more things to throw away, read on.

12 Clever Yet Pretty Media Storage Ideas

Sara Yoo — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 03:00:32 PST

Thanks to the rapid proliferation of media technology, it can feel as though new gadgets are determined to overthrow our homes. We shove them in cabinets only to find cords sprouting from every hinge; we cringe at the futuristic flat screen looming over Louis XVI chairs. Make peace with your televisions, DVRs, game systems, and DVD players with these pretty and functional storage ideas that will make them feel just as much a part of your home's decorating scheme as your entertainment center.

Source: House to Home

Pack These 6 Travel Essentials to Save Money

SavvySugar — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 15:34:47 PST

You may not know what you need 'til you need it. I've had to purchase these four things while on vacation, and trust me, you'll save money if you bring them along in the first place. For things you could need a bit of but not enough to warrant the full package price, start this guide and get some packing inspiration.

8 Ways to Turn Storage Into Design

CasaSugar — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 06:00:23 PST

Rather than hiding extra clothes and accessories in boxes or drawers, why not opt for exposed storage that transforms into decor? You don't need to sacrifice style for function. Check out these eight great ways to turn your storage into design, from storage for shoes to dishes to linens.

Organize Your Life: 5 Ways to Get the Kids to Help

Rebecca M Gruber — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 10:07:46 PST

A place for everything and everything in its place - so said Benjamin Franklin. With the New Year well under way, we've shared some of the best tips and tricks for organizing your life and making the most hectic hours - the morning rush and dinnertime - run a bit more smoothly. But leave it to Martha Stewart to show us exactly how it can be done. Next week, the Martha Stewart Living Organizing 2012 Special Issue hits newsstands, and it is packed with the editors' best strategies for combatting clutter. We got a sneak peek at the issue and loved the suggestions for involving the kids in home organization. Keep reading for five tips that are sure to get kids in on the action.

Cute Passport Covers For Any Personality

SavvySugar — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 03:05:50 PST

Are the Wintertime blahs triggering a feeling of wanderlust? Satisfy your globe-trotting desires by shopping for a cute passport holder, then plan a fun trip with friends and prepare to travel in style.

Fresh Start Resolution: Get Rid of the Stuff You Don't Need

Emily Co — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 14:00:22 PST

It's a new year and a new you! We're highlighting 12 helpful tips to start off the year right, from quitting your caffeine addiction to mastering time management. Here's another way to start afresh in 2012.
Starting a new year means clearing out the old. It's a good idea to get items you don't use out of the way because they will fill up valuable space in your home. Get ready to sell your stuff with these tips:

Electronics. If you're thinking about selling your electronics, consider Gazelle.com, buymytronics.com, and nextworth.com. These sites are great because they'll quote you a price for the item you wish to sell. You can always consider selling it back to the original retailer itself if you're wary about third-party sellers. For instance, Apple has a great recycling program.
Receipts and documents. Nip your pack rat tendencies in the bud and start sorting out documents to trash or stash. Throw away receipts for items that you aren't planning on returning, and ones that you won't need to use come tax time. If you're wary of throwing away receipts, you can make a digital copy of them with a basic scanner, a pricey specialized receipt scanner ($174), or a smartphone app ($2). See here for a full list of documents you should keep forever or temporarily.
Books and things. If you have some books or other miscellaneous items you want to get rid of, sell them on Amazon, Craigslist, or eBay. You can even trade them for something else on swap.com.
Clothes and accessories. Sell these goods at a consignment store, but make sure they are in good condition. Repair clothes before selling and make sure you wash them carefully, or even launder them. Find a thrift store at thethriftshopper.com. Other options include selling them to family and friends, online at sites like eBay, and at flea markets.

Read on for more.

Organize Your Life: 6 Ways to Tame Your Kitchen Drawers

Anna Monette Roberts — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 08:38:53 PST

The New Year means it's time to start organizing the areas of your life you've neglected, including out-of-sight (but awfully cluttered) kitchen drawers.

Are you guilty of buying more than one measuring spoon set, just to avoid hopelessly digging around your disorganized drawers? Has your junk drawer reached capacity? Speed up your search time and make your kitchen drawers safer and neater with our quick tips. Better organization cuts down on cleanup time for the whole family - and you won't drive yourself crazy searching for the liquid measuring cup ever again.

Click here to check out our drawer-organizing tips.

iDapt Aims to Be the Only Charger Dock You'll Ever Need

Kristy Korcz — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 11:55:42 PST

Charging stations and docks are fab because they can manage your cable clutter and save you precious outlet space, while keeping multiple gadgets juiced. The downside is regular docks and stations can sometimes get bulky to make room for a hidden power strip and multiple charging cords. Sure, they keep things tidy, but who wants a breadbox sitting in their entryway?

For those who want to cut down on clutter and maximize usable space, there's the iDapt line of chargers. Coming in two ($40), three ($50), or four ($60) port styles, the iDapt uses a patented interchangeable tip system so you can customize which gadgets you charge, and eliminate the need for charging cables altogether. The charging tips are small, inexpensive (charging tips are only $10 each), and can be inserted into any available port on the iDapt charging dock. With over 4,500 compatible tips, you're covered no matter which gadget you own, even when you upgrade or switch devices in the future. This includes phones, tablets, gaming devices, and more. There's even a USB connector on the side so you can charge your tablet, camera, or other USB-compatible devices. Learn more about the iDapt, and take a closer look at the system in the fresh-from-CES-pics in the gallery!