Conquering lateness + an awesome giveaway
[This is a sponsored post from BlogHer through Citi, which includes an incredible giveaway opportunity. As always, all opinions are my own]
I’d always been one of those “late for everything” kind of people. I know it’s rude, it’s embarrassing, but unless it was a job interview, you could pretty much guarantee that I’d show up at least 15 minutes after the event time. It’s in my blood. I thought that having a baby would make this exponentially worse, but on the contrary, I’m usually on time now.
Why? It’s forced me to become more organized. There’s no time for last-minute fashion crises or failing to map out our event location. With everything I need to pack and take with us, it can be more difficult to do it with an active toddler at my side. Instead, I prep ahead and do as much as I can in advance.
Here are some of the things I’ve found to help:
-Make snacks and drinks the night before. I’ll pack up snacks for both of us -mama gets hungry too!- and drinks in the fridge so that I can grab them in the morning and go.
-Pack the “hit and run” bag. I used to carry a giant diaper bag around, but realized that it was loaded with heavy things we no longer needed and… crumbs. Lots of crumbs. So now, I put our snacks, a few diapers and sunscreen in a small lululemon bag that we tote around with us. It’s not fancy, but it works
-Have outfits planned in advance. Even though I don’t set them out (let’s not get crazy now, haha), I have an idea of what we’re each going to wear and where they are.
-Waking up before she wakes up. This was a hard one for me, as I’m not a morning person, but it’s the perfect way to get in a short workout and some work before we start the day. She’ll usually be up between 7 and 7:30, so my alarm will go off at 5:30 to do what I need to do. As much as I dislike waking up early, I love that I’m able to get in some quiet time, maybe a sweat session, and also get dressed and ready before she’s awake. If I have a head start on work stuff, I’m able to be more present while we’re hanging out and save the work until she’s sleeping.
I’ve found that as our family continues to grow, it will be important for us to stay organized. With all of the upcoming fall events, I’m doing my best to remember everything, be where we need to be (on time!) and pick up appropriate gifts for upcoming weddings and holidays.
Some of our current organization strategies:
-Our magnetic calendar. On our fridge, we have a dry erase board where we write work schedules, the Pilot’s flying schedule and any events. This way I know if he’ll be working late (and Liv and I will be getting hot bar for dinner…) and important events on the horizon.
-Alerts on my phone. Birthdays are set on annual renewal, and if an event is coming up, I’ll have an alert go off a day or two beforehand.
-Setting up automatic bill pay. Back in the day, it was hard for me to keep track of all of our bills. They all had different due dates, some companies wouldn’t bill us regularly, and with everything going on, I’d space it. Now, I have a spreadsheet with our monthly finances, our savings goals, and our bill due dates.
Many of them I have set up on automatic bill pay, so all I have to do is check the statement to make sure we’re being charged accurately.
With the holidays coming up, the last thing we want to do is waste time or money dealing with late fees, and the Citi Simplicity card makes it much easier to accomplish this.
Some of the details:
–Citi Simplicity is the only card to offer no late fees, an annual fee or a penalty fee. Ever.
– Citi Price Rewind searches retailers’ sites for lower prices when you buy and register an eligible item with your Citi credit card. Save your credit card receipt each time you shop. If Citi finds your item at least $25 lower than what you paid within 30 calendar days, you can get the difference in price back, up to $250. The average refund is $80.
-Your Citi Simplicity card offers discounts on travel, shopping, restaurants and gift cards, too with Citi Easy Deals.
Another reason they’re awesome? They’re giving one lucky Fitnessista reader a 16GB Mini Tablet LOADED with financial apps to help you stay organized this fall. Enter the sweepstakes for a chance to win.
Here’s how to enter:
Sweepstakes
The Conquering Lateness Sweepstakes (“Sweepstakes”) is open to legal US Residents, age 18 or older. Void where prohibited. Sweepstakes ends at 5pm (PST) on October 24, 2013. More details are available here. No purchase necessary.
Only two entries per participating blog per household; if the same or substantially similar comment (as determined by the Sponsor in its sole discretion) is posted twice, it may only count as one Entry. Eligible persons may enter this Promotion by taking any of the following actions, each of which counts as one entry:
1. Leave a comment in response to the Promotion prompt on this post (how you conquer lateness and stay organized)
2. Tweet (public message) about this Promotion, including exactly the following unique term in your tweet message: “#SweepstakesEntry”; and leave the URL to that Tweet in a comment on this post.
3. Blog about this Promotion (including a disclosure that you have received a sweepstakes entry in exchange for blogging about this Promotion), and leave the URL to that post in a comment on this post.
4. To enter without commenting, follow this link, and provide your email address and your response to the Promotion prompt.
Be sure to visit the Citi brand page on BlogHer.com where you can learn more about conquering lateness!
Happy fall!
xoxo
Gina
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I prepare kids lunches and cut up fruit for breakfast the night before. I stick the fully packed lunchboxes in the fridge the night before and just pop the ice packs in before heading out the door. The kids always have fresh fruit ready for breakfast (and so do I) so they start the day out eating something healthy.
I hate being late- it makes me anxious! I plan ahead for meals and snacks as much as possible, get homework done quickly after it’s assigned, and use the calendar/alerts in my phone often.
Since I had Baylie 15 months ago, I am failing at conquering lateness. I’ve always excelled at organization and cleanliness (and budgeting time, finances, etc.). But that little toddler, plus working full-time, has been getting the majority of my time and attention. I need my organizing mojo back!!!!!
I HATE being late so to make sure I’m not, I plan ahead so I will be on time. I’m big on planning things. My husband not so much, but he’s working on it. 😉 I also write everything down and use planners and make lists for everthing.
I tweeted: https://twitter.com/LSCorduan/status/383634132632227840
My iPhone calendar as been a life saver! I also use the notes app for meal panning. I’ll write out meals for the week and a shopping list. Then after each grocery run, I delete items I’ve already bought. It’s super helpful!
I use google calendar and get alerts about upcoming events and meetings on my phone and via email. That way I’m able to check it when I’m at work and not using my phone, or when I’m out and about. I also make little notes to myself, like to do lists, and recipes/grocery lists and save them in my drafts folder in gmail. Sometimes for smaller reminders to self I go low tech and write a mini post-it and stick it to my phone. It’s annoying to have on there and I can’t get rid of it until I address the action item on the note! I could be more organized, but this system seems to work.
I always pack my lunch and set up the coffee pot the night before to streamline my morning. I also keep a small calendar of the fridge with birthdays and important dates marked on it so I can check them at a glance.
I’ve started using apps and online calendars, with alerts, to stay organized. I love mint.com for finances, and I try to take advantage of auto-pay for any of my bills that offer it! With student loans and other finances to worry about, it’s very important that I stay on top of it. I also love the google calendar that syncs up with my personal email, work email, and can be accessed online. It helps me remember client meetings, personal trips, birthdays, etc! & lastly, every morning in the shower, I make myself pick out an outfit in my head, if I haven’t already…it’s a definite time saver!
I plan ahead and set my watches/clocks ahead a few minutes so I’m always out the door before I need to be
We are expecting our 4th in 4 weeks so I have to be somewhat organized. I use a planner to keep my mind sane!
I use google calendars and themint.com to keep myself organized 🙂 Tablets are always a plus! LOL
I conquer lateness by NOT reading blogs before work! It’s an after work only thing. 🙂
I set an alarm on my phone for a few minutes before I am supposed to be out the door, so I can know to wrap up what I am doing!
I put everything into our Outlook calendar, which I have organized by person (each person gets their own color). I still miss things sometimes, but I’m continuously striving to get better, which is what matters!
I just use a regular old planner and pen. I have tried using my iPhone calendar, but feel like I remember it better if I actually write it down. Thanks for the giveaway!
I tell myself it takes at least 10 minutes longer to get some place than it actually does. I generally leave thirty minutes out from any appointent that is 15 minutes away. I also compusively check my on line calendars.
I am a stickler for being on time… Being late is a lack of respect for your time, as well as of the time of those who you are meeting ( regardles of business or personal). Yes there are emergency situations when being late is pardonable , but better to be on time. …. I use google calendar to be on time for everything, and am known among my friends to be AHEAD of time sometimes even before the hosts area ready! Haha! I use autmatic bill pay as well as excel templates to keep organized, and do it on a routine basis, weekly. That way theres not a lot of catching up to stay on top of things.
I would love to win the tablet pc. Please pick me!
I conquer lateness by preparing the night before so I am not running around with my head cut off in the morning. I pack lunches, lay out clothes, get backpack in order, and anything else I can do ahead of time. Being late gives me huge amounts of anxiety so it is best for me to keep it in control.
i live by the calendar on my phone. I literally put everything in there with tons of reminders.
I have a go-to spot where I keep my purse, keys and anything else that needs to leave the house with me. Having that consistency saves TONS of time and prevents having to spend time trying to remember “where did I put my ___”
I always get as much together the night before as I possibly can (food, clothing, work papers), and whatever I can’t I make sure to write down. Iphone apps for listmaking and calendar are also life savers.
My iPhone/Gmail calendar! It is so great to be able to update my calendar from anywhere.
I make to do lists and utilize the alerts feature on my phone to stay organized!!!
To conquer lateness, I make my breakfast and lunch the night before. To stay organized, I use my iPhone calendar to track my work schedule, events, appointments, etc. I’m also a big list maker 🙂
Hi Gina! I also blogged about this here:
http://fitzala.com/farmers-market-weekend-giveaway/
I hope I win! This would make a great gift for my mom!
I love google calendar for staying organized! i have multiple calendars for everything from bill due dates, menu planing for the month, freelance and work related due dates, and of course a workout calendar as well! I have them all synched to my phone so i can check it easily!
Great giveaway! Being organized in advance is the only way to go, though, it is not my strong suit!!
I have yet to conquer the lateness but I try to set an alarm for 10 minutes before I need to leave as a 10 minute warning so that Im a bit more prepared.
https://twitter.com/bogganlindsay/status/383628924967985152
I keep everything organized on my iPhone with the calendar and list apps. I am big into lists so it is helpful to have my list everywhere I go. I’d love to win this!
Planning an outfit, a workout (and outfit), packing lunch, planning breakfast/doing any possible prep the night before, and setting the coffee pot before bed helps me get out the door on time.
I definitely use my planner to stay organized! I also make all my lunches the night before and get my work things (purse, outfit, etc) organized before going to sleep because I know I won’t get anything done in the morning (I’m definitely not a morning person!).
I was always fashionably late and hated the feeling of walking into a room late. I also had trouble paying bills in a timely fashion because I was not organized. All of that changed when I started using apps, notes and Outlook. I input everything in my Outlook calendar with reminder alerts. When I enter a meeting\event on my calendar, I include all details (addresses, parking info & phone numbers) so that I am not delayed.
I exercise in the evenings and have a small window to run out of the office and make my cross-fit, bootcamp or whatever I am doing. I now set my clothes for the week on Sunday and pack at 2-3 days worth of exercise clothes in my gym bag.
For bills, I now have an excel spreadsheet that lists all monthly expenses, for 3 months, as well as due dates. This helps me pay bills timely and stick to a budget.
I stay crazy organized by having my schedule in 2 different places. First I keep track of my schedule in a leather bound date book. I’ll write down concerts I already bought tickets to, job interviews, my work hours (since they change every week) and anything else important. On Sunday of every week I write out a more detailed schedule for the week on a piece of paper. I’ll add things like when I’m working out (and what the workout will be), ideas for dinner, my class schedule, etc. It’s really helped me stay on top of things so I always know what’s coming up and what I need to have prepared
I’m a pencil and paper kinda gal. I have an old fashion organizer and jot things down as they come up. I found it was faster than putting in my smart phone for me.
I also plan in advance what I can with a toddler. Clothes picked out, bag packed, and always a few extra “oops” things in the car like diapers and clothes for both of us in case something gets spilled.
I plan ahead! I’m an accountant, so I’m very into details & being on-time!
I’m always late for anything besides college classes lately, but being early or on time for those is surprisingly easy when you wake up and give yourself a deadline of 45 minutes to get ready and then you have to leave, then you leave. It’s enough time for me to do what I have to do and leave!
I depend my my old fashioned planner. It has to be the kind that has the monthly layout with weekly in between. My husband teases me that I love it too much but I need it to stay organized. I hate being late for anything and the fear of doing so makes me obsess about leaving on time. I always map out where I’m going and prep the night before. Type A anyone?
I lay out clothes the night before- mine and my 6 months old- get her bottles/cloth diapers ready, snacks, etc. I try to prioritize what is important and what is not as far as my energy. I realize after having a child that all things cannot be done by me alone and sometimes I need help or help being realistic!
My secret weapon is pre-packing. I used to “sort of” do this, but now that I’ve got a lot more going on, I’ve forced myself to prioritize at least 5 or 10 minutes each night to pre-packing my work bag (no more forgetting my laptop!), lunch, and gym bag. As a bonus, I spend less money eating out, eat healthier, and go to the gym more (no more forgetting sports bras/socks in a packing rush).
For client meetings in new buildings (I work with Microsoft, so it can be a nightmare) or job interviews, I always make a trip to find where I’m supposed to go ahead of time, and identify where I’m supposed to park. The last thing I need to be worrying about ahead of a client presentation is if my car will be ticketed/towed.
I compulsively make lists all the time to help me stay organized.
Well, I’m an early bird by nature (I have quite a reputation among friends). If I ever show up to something on time (rather than 5-10 minutes early) you can bet someone is going to comment on it. I’m beyond paranoid about being late to anything, so that helps, haha. Something that’s a little more concrete though is that I make my breakfast (overnight oats) and lunch every single night so I don’t have to think about it before work in the mornings.
My husband and I have shared our Google calendars with each other. It’s been brilliant. We can see each other’s events so we don’t accidentaly double-book, we can invite each other to things such as well baby checkups, and we can view our own personal appointments for workouts and stuff so we can coordinate our schedules. And now I’d like to win a free tablet.
I try to wake up earlier, make breakfast the night before (Yay, overnight oats and breakfast cookies!), and of course, lots and lots of lists and schedules 🙂
I am also perpetually late! I have improved in recent years which I credit mostly to technology. Aps and online bill pay have helped me stay caught up financially, while my smartphone/Outlook calendar and notifications have helped me stay on track with commitments and appointments.
I pack my bag for work/the gym the night before.
In my closet I have reorganized by item type so that I know where in my closet to grab from depending on where I am headed for the day.
Planning ahead is key – my phone’s calendar alerts me to birthdays, and I have a morning routine that I never stray from- no forgetting anything and because it’s a practiced schedule i am efficient.
I had to use Excel to track all of my expenses and prevent lateness because my schedule with full-time work and working on a master’s degree full-time because too hectic to keep up with everything. I still need help to manage everything. Awesome giveaway!
Auto bill pay is the very best way to conquer the dreaded bills! I don’t know what I’d do without it! Keeping things in the car keeps me on time, for example, a few extra make up essentials. That way if I rush out the door without mascara I can throw some one – after I’m safely parked of course!
I try to prep ahead as much as possible, and I still use my old school pen and paper planner. It works for me though!