Workaday Superstar

WORKADAY TIP #20: How To Pay Down Debt

Attacking credit card debt can be an overwhelming process and while I am all for creating a budget spreadsheet to track your spending and all of that, I appreciate that I may be a little more of an organizational freak than most. 

So my suggestion would be to start simple.  The easiest trick I ever learned was to look at all of your bills and check the interest rate on each.  First start by calling all of them and asking for a lower rate.  Once you've done this work to pay off the one with the highest interst rate first. 

So this means you'll only pay the minimum on all of the rest of the bills but that is okay.  Focus on the one with the biggest interest rate first so you can limit the interest your are paying to the credit card companies.  Also, be sure that you try and avoid using credit cards at all cost but if you must, use the one with the lowest interest rate people!

WORKADAY TIP #19: Have Breakfast Together And Get More Done

So I used to think that if I could eat breakfast while I was getting ready in the morning, I'd save time.  What I've learned recently is having breakfast with your loved ones will actually save you time and you'll get to spend some quality time together in the process!

My beau and I have breakfast together every morning.  It allows us to touchbase and divide and conquer before we both begin our hectic days.  Who's picking up the dry cleaning?  Should go out of town this weekend?  What time will you be home?  Who's making dinner?

And most importantly we find out what each other has on their plate that day.  It prepares us for any bumps in the road that day and allows us help each other out if we can. 

It's nice when you can spend time together and still be efficient!

WORKADAY TIP #18: Make A List

Make a List. Check it Twice.   This isn't just for Santa.

ALWAYS MAKE A LIST BEFORE YOU GO SHOPPING.  If you don't you'll wind up spending twice as long trying to figure out what you are supposed to be buying and you'll end up spending twice as much on a bunch of stuff you didn't need and had no intention of buying.  Before you head out the door Saturday morning to run those errands, sit down with your coffee for 20 minutes and jot down a list of what you need to do.  That quite time will actually allow you to save time!

ALWAYS MAKE A LIST FOR WORK PROJECTS. With out a list, you'll end up aimlessly answering emails and putting out fires rather than focusing on the core projects and responsibilities that are critical to your success and your companies.  I have a project roadmap at work that my team follows and while it seems like added work to put everying you work on in a project list, you'll always know what your goals are and you'llbe able to quickly showcase for your boss all of the amazing things you've accomplished. 

WORKADAY TIP #17: Be Smart About Take-Out

When you order take-out there are a few tips you should know that will save you time, money and the environment.

1. Order In Advance.  Order food during your commute so you don't have to wait.
2. Check Your Order.  Noone one wants to waste time going back for the right order.
3. Take The Napkins:  You'll use them so take theirs and save some cash on your own.

4. Say No To Plastic Utensils:  Be kind to the environment, use the metal ones at home. 

My general rule when picking up take-out is to take what I will use and leave what I won't.  In my case, I take the napkins, soy sauce and the pepper packets but I leave the plastic utensils and parmasean cheese packets.  This way I save a little on the things I'll use and don't end up with a drawer full of plastic knives.

WORKADAY TIP #16: Foundation Can Be Multi-Functional

Once your under-eye concealers runs out, think about using your foundation as a replacement.  With the right brush, foundation can be just as effective at covering up dark circles as a under-eye concealer.  Plus, concealer is cheaper and since it comes in a much bigger container you won't need to replace it nearly as often!