From monthly chore charts to daily speed-cleaning suggestions to reward trackers, here’s how to keep your house under control (whether or not you have kids!)

Chore Schedule Generator- automatically creates a chore schedule for you based on the information you provide, such as the time you have available, and tasks you most want accomplished. It will even email you daily/weekly chore updates!

Chore List Checklists

Room-by-Room- A list for housecleaning chores divided by which room they occur in the home

Basic Blank 7 Day Chart

Chore List Calendars

Tasks by Day(Blue and Orange)

Tasks by Day (Pink and Green)

-Fill in the blank weekly/monthly calendars

Weekly Schedule- An already filled-in weekly calendar you can add to as needed

5 week Calendar- No dates. Number the days and add chores for the month, beginning any day you’d like.

Chore Incentives/Rewards/Point Trackers

(Designed for Kids But Work for Adults ;o)

Superstar Weekly Reward Chart- Different numbers of stars equal different rewards for the week. (Scroll to very bottom of page)

Weekly Goal Chart- Child writes in the goal they want accomplished and their chosen reward, keeping track of their progress each day of the week

Chores on Commission- In order to eliminate a work-free allowance, this dad created a commission-style chore program.

About Real Life E®

Elizabeth Saunders was recently featured on the Radical Parenting website with tools and helpful advice on how to set clear expectations and create a manageable plan of attack for your teens’ chores. Check out the introduction to Elizabeth’s article below for practical advice on creating and sharing a cleaner home with a very happy family!

How to Take the Stress Out of Weekly Chores

Chores: One of the most dreaded words for any teenager and one of the most frustrating ones for any parent.

Is there a way for families to split up tasks without major fights and headaches? Fortunately, the answer is, “Yes!” But how you achieve that goal is a little different for each household.

That’s why Elizabeth Grace Saunders, the founder of Real Life E® time coaching, has developed this choose your own adventure-style guide for making (and keeping) a chore schedule based on her experience coaching many parents on time management.

Let the adventure begin!…

To read the rest of Elizabeth’s insightful article, please visit the Radical Parenting Website!

About Real Life E®

Inside My Mind

I hesitate to talk too much…about the specifics of how I personally organize my day for a few reasons:

• I don’t want to seem self absorbed.
• I know from coaching clients around the world that custom plans based on the right strategies work better than copying someone else’s exact techniques.
• I’m an ENFJ and not all–but many–of my clients are Myers Briggs INFP or ISFP so they sometimes need a bit different approach.

But that being said, much of what I do is teaching people how to develop the mindset and skill set of an organized person so I’m pulling back the curtain on my life. In the upcoming posts, you’ll learn about not only what I do on a daily basis but also get inside my mind on what I’m thinking throughout the process.

See below for a close look at how I start my morning…

I hope this helps you and demonstrates that I’m authentically living a life of accomplishing more with peace and confidence!

Elizabeth’s Morning Routine

My internal clock is set to 6 a.m. This is awesome on weekdays because it’s usually not a problem for me to get up when my happy nature sounds alarm goes off. It’s not so awesome on the weekends when I’ve stayed up later than 11 p.m. and want to sleep in–but can’t.

If I wake up with unpleasant thoughts in my head (perhaps from a weird dream) I  sometimes lay in bed a bit past 6 a.m. so I can process the negative emotions. I then get up and immediately grab my Bible and my journal from my nightstand and take them downstairs to the dining room and put them in my designated spot.

I love the fact that the house is quiet, and I’m alone at this hour. It’s very peaceful and my mind can wander and get lost in thoughts without interruption. I start my fabulous Bunn coffee maker (only 4 minutes to brew a whole pot!) and then put together a simple breakfast.

As I gather my food, I usually make a rough sketch in my mind of what I plan on eating for breakfast, lunch and dinner. That way, I know that I’m getting some variety in my three meals and enough healthy foods like fruits and vegetables. I also make note of anything that I need to buy in my “Grocery” note in my phone.

Now it’s time to sit down and eat. As I munch, I read a short passage and then take time to ponder what it means to me. Usually during my pondering time, I go back for seconds on breakfast food. (I eat small portions so I can go back for more!)

Next, I take time to meditate. Depending on my mood, this can take many different forms:

• Writing in a prayer journal.
• Listening to an affirmations CD.
• Laying on the living room floor staring at the ceiling and sorting out my thoughts.
• Going on a walk through my neighborhood (usually just on the weekends)

After my meditation time, I’m typically feeling peaceful, energized and in control of my emotions. As they would say in the excellent book Switch, my “elephant” is happy so now the “rider” can start to direct my focus.

Around 7:30 a.m., I start to transition from being to doing… I put away breakfast food and clean up any dishes. I go around the house fluffing pillows, shutting cabinets, collecting up stray items and generally reassuring myself that everything is in order in my physical environment so that I can more or less ignore it for the next 8 hours.

I then shower and get ready for the day completely if I need to leave the house for an appointment during work hours. (I have a tendency to underestimate how long it can take to get ready and get out of the house.) If I’m not going out until the evening, then I just put on clothes for going on a walk at lunch and leave doing hair, make up and jewelry until the end of the day so everything is “fresh.”

Sometime between 8 and 8:30 a.m., I sit down at my computer and begin my morning processing and planning routine… to be fully explained in an upcoming post…

To your brilliance!

Your time coach,

Elizabeth

P.S.-Rest assured! I don’t recommend that all of my time coaching clients get up at 6 a.m.! That’s just what works for me.

P.P.S.–Feel free to share your insights on morning routines.

About Real Life E®

Is your tummy rumbling at the end of a long day’s work?

Then a basic crock pot is one of the best time-saving kitchen investments. Throw your ingredients in the pot, and enjoy being greeted by the smell of a simmering dinner ready to eat when you arrive home. Check out:

• This huge variety of Slow Cooker Recipes
• More Crock Pot Ideas- Feasts to slim-down dinners

To have the discipline to wait for meals that may require a tad more preparation, keep some healthy snacks in your car. That way you won’t be so ravenous on your commute home and be tempted to pull in the drive-thru.

Consider snacks that won’t perish too quickly, such as:

• Nuts (almonds, walnuts, pecans)
• Dried Fruit (raisins, apricots, cherries, craisins, fruit leathers)
• Granola Bars, Rice Cakes
• Popcorn, Sunflower Seeds
• More Perfect Portable Snack Ideas

Now, if you already are home, make the most of your time. Whether you’re writing a report, watching TV, or catching up on housecleaning, make these opportunities to multi-task. For instance, while doing laundry, plug in the crock pot, throw 3 or 4 sweet potatoes in the oven to bake, or even let a turkey breast roast. You can then eat this pre-prepped food throughout the week.

Try freezing your fresh-cooked vegetables in sealable bags (or even just buy already frozen ones). A simple stir fry on a weeknight is as easy as throwing your vegetables in a pan with some oil, a few tablespoons of bottled stir-fry sauce, and some meat from that turkey you roasted while paying the bills!

• 10 Minute Ramen Stir Fry
• 15 Minute Apple Chicken Stir Fry

With an abundance of fresh fruit this summer, use these same freezing tricks with your juicey summer berries. Freeze extra blueberries, raspberries, strawberries, or even sliced peaches in ziploc baggies. For a cool and refreshing breakfast or dinner, put frozen fruit, yogurt, and juice in a blender, and you have an on-the-go or a savor-on-the-patio meal ready in just minutes! Adding a tablespoon of ground flax seed, protien powder, or even tofu will pack an extra punch to your liquid lunch. Have fun and experiment! Check out out these recipes:

• Healthy Smoothie Snacks- not just for kids!
• From Classic to Crazy Smoothies- vegan and dairy-free varieties too!

And here’s a little cheat: If you really can’t bear the thought of making dinner, pick up a fresh salad from store like Whole Foods, or if you’re a meat-eater pick up a rotisserie chicken.  Most grocery stores carry these in their deli department. You can eat the chicken as-is the night you pick it up, but you will most likely have plenty of leftovers for these type of chicken dishes:

• Add mayo, mustard, celery, and you have a quick chicken salad for sandwiches or served on a bed of greens. Get really creative by adding dried fruit and nuts!

• Toss chicken in with a jar of tomato sauce, boil some noodles, sprinkle on the parmesan, and you have an Italian feast!
• Pick up a bottle of bbq sauce, and dip the drumsticks in it, and enjoy with the frozen vegetables you have on hand.

Need More Inspiration? Try these:

• Luscious Leftover Chicken Ideas
• 15 Minute Broiled Sesame Cod

Mmmm…Getting hungry? Then get cooking! With a few minutes of well-placed preparation you can enjoy easy and healthy feasts any day of the week. Enjoy!

About Real Life E®

First of all, make planning your meals a part of your weekly routine. While it may seem like a hassle to set aside yet another small piece of time, taking the opportunity to organize your shopping list and plan meals ahead of time will save you not only time in the long run, but also money.

Decide on a day and time when you will do your grocery shopping in order to avoid costly and time consuming trips multiple times each week.

For instance, say you choose Sunday morning as your shopping day and time. Saturday afternoon, take just 15 minutes to sit down and:

• Decide what you plan to make throughout the week.
• Make a list of all the ingredients you will need for these meals.
• Keep your grocery list organized in categories such as dairy, produce, and meat. When you arrive at the store, you can pick out all your food from one department.
• To make list keeping easy, keep a pad of paper and a pencil stuck on the refrigerator, and add basic items such as milk and eggs to the list as you run out.
• Or check out these List Tools:
  • DinnerTool.com: Meal Planning & Shopping List Templates, Meal Ideas, and even Save Your Own Recipes!
  • All-in-One Printable Weekly Meal Planner and Shopping List
  • Tadalist: Lists on the go for your SmartPhone, Computer

Performing to the best of your ability requires nutritious meals throughout the day, so don’t forget foods you will need for a balanced breakfast and power-packed lunch:

• What to Eat to Power through Your Workday
• Breakfast for Dinner: Healthy and Fast
• Cheap and Healthy Brown Bag Lunch Ideas for Grownups

Once you have the food, you still may find it hard to summon up the energy to pull together a delicious, healthy dinner. Not to fear! These websites give some ideas of tasty meals you can whip together in a flash.

The 6 O’Clock Scramble: Recipes, Express Meals, Kitchen and Cooking Tips

Delish.com: Grownup Meals in Under 30 Minutes

Also, look for recipes that serve more than one person or double your recipes so that you have plenty of leftovers. You can bring these leftovers for lunch throughout the week, or even freeze them so you’ll always have something available to defrost in the microwave when you’re in a pinch.

And don’t shy away from preparing these recipes because you’re worried about kitchen cleanup.

“Two Bowl Method” makes Cleaning a Breeze!

11 Tips from a Chef for Easy, Effective Cleanup

Cooking healthfully is one of the best things you can do for your health and well-being. In fact, many people find being in the kitchen to be quite meditative.

Think of preparing dinner as a tasty, welcomed transition between your day and evening duties. Bon appetit!

About Real Life E®

Here are my time saving moving tips in video format. If you’d like to read the related blog post, check out Move Stress Free & $500 From Penske.

This post was inspired by the fact that I won $500 in a Penske Share Your Move sweepstakes with a story and photo of my journey from Des Moines, Iowa, to Ann Arbor, Michigan. To check out my story, and find out how Penske can help you save time and money, go to: Share Your Move

Have a brilliant day! Thank you Penske!

Elizabeth

P.S.–Also, you can find other fun photos of my moving adventure in this Facebook album: Click Here

Elizabeth Grace Saunders is a key note speaker, trainer, and does phone and e-mail coaching on time management for work/life brilliance™ through her exclusive Schedule Makeover™ process. Inc magazine, NBC, and The Chicago Tribune are just a few of the places where Elizabeth has appeared, and she’s happy to offer you tips on savvy scheduling and time management for work/life balance. You can find out more at http://www.RealLifeE.com/coaching or http://www.ScheduleMakeover.com

It was recommended on Twitter by Tim Ferriss of The 4-Hour Workweek fame.

Enjoy cool moves like “the flick” and “the flop and fold” and save time in the process. (Plus when you fold clothes right out of the drier, you don’t need to iron or re-launder them to get out the wrinkles.)

To brilliant–and fun–time strategies!

Elizabeth

Elizabeth Grace Saunders is a trainer who focuses on “Time Strategies to Create a Brilliant Life in a Burnt-Out World.” Women in business and Gen Y professionals enjoy her fresh take on succeeding in business and life by controlling their time instead of letting it control them. Brilliance trumps burn out!