As a busy mom, I know how hard it can be balancing family, work, home and more! Here is how I get through each day:

1.       Work the plan. I have a day planner and each day I write down errands I need to run and things I need to take care of.

2.       Have an organization system. I am not the most organized person, but this year I have been working more on putting things in the proper place. I also reorganized my stockpile downstairs, so I could find items faster.

3.       Buy in bulk. Costco, Sam’s Club and more are a busy mom’s friend. Stocking up and not having to run to the grocery store really helps save time.

4.       Paying bills online. Besides cutting down on the mail coming into the house, paying bills online is an easy way to reduce financial clutter and keep records organized.

5.       Have a donation box. I donate clothing and household items about once a month, and having a box in the garage ready to go helps me to collect donation items easier.

6.       Keeping coupons organized. Couponing can become an overwhelming hobby, if not kept in check. I only clip the coupons I know I’m going to use and keep them organized in a 3-ring binder, with baseball card pages.

7.       Plan get-togethers, parties, etc. ahead of time. I like to plan parties and other events at least a few months ahead of time. I also stock up on party supplies ahead of time, when they go on clearance.

8.       I also like to shop at off-hours, like mid-mornings and I always avoid Costco on the weekend, it’s a nightmare!

9.       Taking advantage of apps. There are so many great apps out there, like Starbucks new app- With it, you can:

Pay with your phone: Enjoy the fastest, more convenient way to pay at nearly 9,000 Starbucks locations.  Just download the app, enter your Starbucks Card number, scan and go.

Manage your card account: Access your Starbucks Card balance directly from your phone.

Reload your card balance: Use your smartphone to reload your Starbucks Card using any major credit card.

Check your My Starbucks Rewards status: Find out how close you are to earning your next free drink.

Find nearby Starbucks stores: Save time by finding a Starbucks store near you.

10.  And finally, I often remind myself that sometimes everything doesn’t get done, but it’s important to just enjoy the day!

I wrote this blog post while participating in the SocialMoms and Starbucks blogging program, for a gift card worth $30. For more information on how you can participate, click here.