Strategies for Getting Organized

Journaling has been used since ancient times to capture thoughts, keep reminders, and record events. It is also an effective way to express gratitude about good things in life. Gratitude journals bring happiness and improve mental well-being. Below are tips for keeping a gratitude journal and resources for putting them into action.   Tips   Alternatives   – show gratitude with contributions, journal entries, volunteering, and notes. Content  – write details of events, people, or things for which you are grateful. Device  –  use a journaling app or other product (e.g., diary, jar, or notebook). Format  – organize your thoughts by category or date. Frequency - journalize on a daily or weekly basis. Privacy – avoid putting embarrassing details in case hacked or inadvertently made public.  Reminders – prompt yourself with an alert on your phone or a note on your calendar. Review – periodically review the journal to remind yoursel...

Below are suggestions to avoid phone problems while traveling.  Plan ahead to stay connected with friends and work while traveling domestically or abroad. Tips Adapters  - bring a gadget bag with adapters and charters. Backup - backup data on your phone prior to travel. Battery - bring a backup battery to power your phone. Data  - bring your itinerary, a list of important phone numbers, etc.  Device - bring an additional device (e.g. iPad, laptop, etc.)  Documents  - bring physical documents (credit cards, driver's license, etc.) Update - turn off automatic updates to avoid unexpected phone problems. WiFi - limit calling to WiFi areas to avoid expensive charges. Accessories Adapters Batteries Cases Chargers Headsets Organizers Articles Avoiding Travel Problems Bringing a Backup Battery Preparing Phones for International Travel Protecting Your Phone Traveling with a Burner Phone Using Phones Overseas Books Guide to Android Phones iPhone for Dummies

Travel apps and websites make modern travel easier than ancient times, but problems can still arise. Below are tips and resources to help you solve travel problems and have an enjoyable trip. Be resourceful to solve problems you encounter along the way. Tips Adapters – bring a gadget bag with adapters and chargers for smartphones and other devices. Batteries - don’t put lithium batteries in checked bags Baggage – put a tracking device and contact information inside and add distinguishing marks on exterior. Budget – set aside money for emergencies, entertainment, hotels, meals, tours, and transportation, Currency – purchase foreign currency before departure; research ATM networks in advance. Distractions – avoid distracting calls, notifications, and texts, especially in public areas. Flights – arrive early, enroll in flight notifications, and remain in boarding areas. Health – wash hands, wear compression socks, and use hand sanitizer while in transit. Insurance – purchase ...

Artificial Intelligence apps  can provide assistance,  entertainment, and organization to personal life. Below are some uses for AI at home and resources for implementing them.   Uses for AI Agents - create an AI agent to automate, organize and streamline.  Assistants - use Amazon, Alexa, Apple Siri, Google Gemini to control devices,  communication, companionship, entertainment, and reminders.   for communication, companionship, entertainment, and reminders.  Calendars - use AI to assign, track and prioritize tasks for family members. Decisions  - use AI to analyze information for decision making. Notes  - use AI to record, transcribe, and organize notes. Productivity - book  flights, file taxes, schedule meetings and act as smart assistants. Recommendations - use AI for recommendations for meals, movies, travel, etc. Research - use AI to answer questions about careers, health, repairs, etc. Routines - use AI to create to...

Cooking at home is less expensive, more convenient, and healthier than dining out or ordering in. Stay healthy by dining at home and inviting friends to cook and dine with you. Consider using a grocery delivery service if you're too busy to shop. Below are tips for preparing healthy meals at home and links to apps, articles, books, and websites for more help. Tips Apps - use apps to create grocery lists, plan meals, and reduce costs. Batches - prepare meals in batches to freeze in meal sized portions and serve in future. Cooking - bake, grill, steam, or stir-fry instead of frying. Fats - use foods containing good fats like avocados, chia, eggs, and fish. Fiber - improve gut health with fibrous foods like grains and vegetables. Ingredients - stock kitchen with fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Oil - cook with virgin olive oil; avoid oils made with corn and canola. Planning - use a meal planning app to organize meals for the week. Portions - use portion control to avoid ov...

Following are strategies for cutting the cost of living. For additional help, consult the apps, articles, books, forms, videos, and websites at the end of this article.   Strategies Advisors – ask your accountant, banker/broker, and insurance agent for money saving ideas. Downsizing – downsize cars and residences to reduce cost of ownership. Drinking – drink more water and less alcohol for health and thrift. Energy – reduce energy costs with LED lights, smart thermostats, and weatherproofed windows. Entertainment – cancel or reduce cable TV; substitute streaming for live concerts. Learning – attend free educational programming offered by bar associations, colleges, and libraries. Rewards – switch to a credit card that offers money back and other benefits. Shopping – buy in bulk, comparison shop, and limit purchases to budgeted items. Subscriptions – check credit card statements to eliminate unnecessary services and subscriptions. Travel – take vacations during of...

Travel insurance protects against financial losses caused by travel emergencies. It can pay for problems caused by interruptions and health emergencies. Coverage can reimburse travelers for non-refundable trips, pay hotel expenses caused by flight interruptions, and help with increased transportation costs caused by airline bankruptcy. Below are tips for purchasing travel insurance and resources with more information.   Tips Alternatives – contact your credit card issuer to determine coverage for lost luggage and canceled trips; consider an annual policy. Bankruptcy – request a credit card refund within 60 days of purchase of airfare and tours. Cancellation – most policies limit coverage to unforeseen events and exclude “cancel for any reason.” Claims – determine requirements and timing for filing claims, appeal denials with insurer and regulators. Cost - comparison shop prices and check for complaints. Limitations – check policy for dollar limitations, excluded items, and pers...

Below are texting tips for group chats from a Reader's Digest article.  For a deeper dive, read the entire  RD article . Also see articles about managing texts , silencing chats , and  texting etiquette ,  typical problems ,  tips for emailing . Group Chat Tips Departure - exit conversations when busy and alert others that you are leaving. Discussion - stay on subject and don't rush the conversation. E-mail  - consider using email instead of texting unless immediacy is essential. Group - limit the group to people who know each other and share same interest. Individual  - use one-on-one texting for messages directed to an individual. Overload - don't flood the group with messages.  Privacy - turn off notifications to avoid distracting yourself and others nearby. Participating  - participate in the conversation and leave the group if not interested. Replies  - don't reply all when your message is intended for one person. Terminating ...

Following are strategies for preserving digital photos from an article about saving photos . For more tips, read articles about digital picture frames , managing photo libraries ,  organizing photo files ,  sharing photos  and storage alternatives . Regularly Backup Your Photos Create duplicates of your photos and store them in multiple locations, such as external hard drives, cloud storage, or online photo sharing platforms. This way, even if one source fails, you still have access to your cherished memories. Utilize Cloud Storage Services Take advantage of cloud-based storage solutions like Google Drive or Dropbox to store your photos. These services offer automatic syncing, ensuring that your photos are securely backed up and easily accessible from any device. Organize and Tag Your Photos Properly categorize and tag your digital photos, making it easier to search and retrieve specific memories. This saves time and minimizes the risk of misplacing or losing photos. Main...