Lighten Your Summer Load

Ahhhh, summer time. Many people are staying closer to home with high gas prices taking a chunk of their travel money. And in staying closer to home they're taking short trips to the beach, park, movies, etc.

Even if you're traveling by plane, there are ways to make travel easier. For example, plane, train, or automobile ­ a travel pillow is great for when you fall asleep. It keeps your head from falling to one side, straining your neck. Then there is a "Cooler Organizer" that attaches to the back of a bucket seat in your car. You can put ice, drinks and other cold food inside. Then when it's time to head out to the sand, just unclip and swing over your shoulder. (We also have a new Car Cooler.)

Ease and organization is what we're looking for here. If you have bags that are always packed with what you need and sitting by the door or a standard location in the house, you'll always be ready.

We've written a group of articles to help you do just this. Here is the second of a series of 4. Investing Time ­ Week 2 was the perfect fit for this issue.

Investing Time - Week 2

Think back on all the times you were out and about and wished you had a Band-Aid, scissors, flashlight, hand lotion, sunscreen, ice pack or other necessities that are needed only in emergencies. If you invest a little time up front arming your purse (or car for that matter) with emergency supplies, you will not only save time and avert disasters; you might become someone's hero! I remember when I was at softball practice and one of the ladies got hit in the nose with the ball. I quickly ran to the car, opened my emergency supply kit, got a travel ice pack out, ran back to the field and held it on her nose. Her nose turned purple before everyone's eyes, so she was whisked away to the hospital. The point is, how often have you thought to yourself that if you only had this or that, what a big help it would be? Another time, I was at the park with my 3 children when my youngest screamed out in pain. She had stepped on a bee with her bare foot. Again, I ran to the car, got out the bee sting kit and took care of it.

All too often, we aren't willing to invest time in what matters most. It's so hard to see what isn't in front of us at a given time. Start a list at the beginning of the week writing down everything you can think of that would make your life a little easier or that you have needed in the past and haven't had on hand. Then, set aside a day to do a complete shopping trip. Stock up on everything you wrote on your list. When you get home, make up a car box that always stays in the car and a purse kit to have with you at all times.

Here's a partial list to get you started:

FOR YOUR CAR BOX (or trunk organizer)

* Band Aides
* Pocket size sewing kit
* Nail file
* Retractable razor
* Sunscreen
* Antihistamines/Benedryl (for insect bites and stings)
* Neosporin
* Cough drops
* Ibuprofen
* Tylenol
* Pepto-Bismol
* First aid cream
* Cotton balls
* Hydrogen peroxide
* Safety pins
* Ice packs (you break them and they become cold)
* Glue
* Tape
* Pliers
* Screwdrivers (flat head & phillips head)
* Jumper cables
* Flashlight
* Napkins
* Plastic trash bags
* Eating utensils (just a few)
* Paper cups
* Water bottles
* Lip balm
* Saltine Crackers

FOR YOUR PURSE - (All of these items come in sample size packets)

* Mini sewing kit
* Band Aides
* Antihisthamines/Benedryl (for insect bites and stings)
* Neosporin (the drug stores have small pocket sized packs)
* Tissue
* Cough drops
* Ibuprofen
* Tylenol
* Pepto-Bismol
* Safety pins
* Lip balm
* Nail file
* Small flashlight
* Small sturdy pair of scissors
* Pocketknife

Copyright © 1999 - 2005 Susie Glennan

BIO: Susie Glennan is the President of The Busy Woman, Inc. - DBA: The Busy Woman's Daily Planner®. The company provides daily planners, car & home organizers, Memory Books, and MORE! Susie teaches time management & scheduling seminars, offers FREE consultations with your order. She will help you set up a schedule that's right for YOU.

Her products have been featured in Real Simple and Parenting Magazines, CBS Early Show, San Antonio Living Show and many more!

She is the editor of Organizing Round-Up which can be found at:
<a href="http://www.thebusywoman.com/time-management/newsletters.php"> http://www.thebusywoman.com/time-management/newsletters.php</a> as well as Busy Woman Tips & Article.

Susie has been happily married since 1982, is mom to 3, and is a Home Maker, Teacher, Toastmaster, Speaker, Author of numerous articles that have been published in magazines and across the web.

You can reach Susie at 800-848-7715 or visit her website for great organizing products at: http://www.thebusywoman.com.