Putting return address labels on things you lend out was a good tip, but I also keep a sheet of
return address labels with me when I go to a carnival or church picnic and have to put my name
on a lot of tickets for tricky trays etc...easier than writing your name so many times.
Buy chicken when on sale. Cook all the chicken at one time. Dice or shred chicken and freeze in bags. Chicken freezes very well and you can prepare quick, easy meals. We often make enchiladas, casseroles, calzones, pizza, burritos, etc... thats 15 min. prep and into the oven. You get a hot home cooked meal in less time than it takes for delivery.
I had a big water puddle in the basement. Using a sponge mop was too slow so I cut the elastic on a couple disposable diapers, put them face down in the puddle and VOILA no more water, and they didn't drip!
Buy a large package of Ground Meat at a low cost. Make small meat balls in any amount. Package the number of meat balls for one meal for your family. When making any meal take out the amont you need and supper is on.
I keep two small rectangle trahs cans on the opposite side of my garage steps...I put plastic bags in one and brown paper bags in the other...They can be used for garden projects, recycling, yard waste or just for stuffing fall boots...Anytime I reach for one they are there... I place the tall recyle yard waste bags down the side of the brown paper trash can and they are ready in a snap!
When on a road trip as a passenger, use your time to catch up on those "forgotten" tasks... file your nails, pluck your eyebrows, clean out your wallet, purse or diaper bag, tidy & dust what you can reach of your vehicle. I keep a roll of Scott towels , some wet wipes, a nail file and tweezers in the front of my vehicle for this purpose.
I barbecue for one whole day every 2 to 3 months. I barbecue all different types of meat: ribs, pork tenderloin, chicken, hamburgers, bratwurst, country ribs and pork steaks. After barbequing all the meat I put the amount needed for a supper into a zip loc freezer bags and put into the freezer. Whenever we feel like having barbeque it's already done. Just take out of the freezer and thaw. Put the meat on a cookie sheet and in the oven at 250 degrees; in 30 to 45 minutes the meat is heated through. It's really a time saver, and it's a lot nicer to have it done without having to barbeque all the time.
I enjoy some cake for a snack occassionally. But living alone, I don't often make a full-size mix unless it's for a special occassion. Instead, I keep the small Jiffy cakes in my cabinet. Rather than pull out my mixer & bowl, I mix the cake by whisk in a square glass dish. Make sure the dish is clean & dry then use cooking spray. Add the egg & water together & whisk well, adding the cake mix little by little until mixed completely. Pop it in the oven & you've got cake, with very little cleanup. Yum!
