Start your morning the evening before
Hectic days often start with hectic mornings.
Premeasure your coffee for the week and set it aside in filters, ready to go.
Pick out your outfit, set out your shoes.
ensure your bag or purse has everything you need and keys are ready to go.
Anything you might do the night before is going to make the next day easier, Mahanna says.
To get a handle on your possessions, she recommends arranging similar items together.
Grouping like with like in your clothing closet saves you time and energy getting dressed in the morning.
If you dont have a place for everything, youll need to create it.
Coffee mugs near the coffee maker.
Hand towels near the sink.
Moving it closer to where you need it creates less mess, time and effort, she says.
Set time each week to declutter one small space in your home, she says.
I recommend starting with a medicine cabinet or one category of clothing, such as coats.
Also: Read ourSmart Guide to Declutteringfor tips on getting rid of what you dont need.
This not only frees up storage space, but also improves digital productivity and reduces distractions.
Digital photos, in particular, have a tendency to clog your phones arteries.
That way, you are not making additional trips.
Do this for both inside and outside your home including the attic, garage, basement and shed.
This includes appliances, furniture, clothing, valuables, toys, electronics and tools.
An extra step is to keep a record in your safe with receipts for high-dollar items.
Include all home systems, including HVAC heating and cooling units, hot water tanks and generators.
Preventative home maintenance is a great way to help make your life run smoother, Sanders says.
These devices, often called dashcams, record and save road activity in and outside of your vehicle.
They also could help in claims that include vandalism and car theft.
