4 Tips for Managing a Busy Family
Friday, January 29, 2016This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and Walmart Family Mobile. All opinions are mine alone. #DataAndAMovie #CollectiveBias
If you're reading this blog, you're most likely a parent, and if you're a parent, you're also most likely so busy you don't know how you'll manage most days. Take adults, children, work, school, play, housework, groceries, friends, family, appointments, obligations, taxes, birthdays, vacations, holidays, and everything else, mix them all together, and you have a day in the life of any parent.
Being able to work from home is a blessing. I'm able to drop off and pick up my children from school, and I'm able to shuffle obligations around more easily if something unexpected pops up, but working from home can be a curse too. By design you've taken on all of your normal daily tasks while still stuffing work into every free minute. It can be hectic, but oh-so-rewarding when you can take the kids for an after-school treat and still get a paycheck.
I've learned some organizational tricks over the years that I'd love to share with you, and I'd also love to share a new service: Walmart Family Mobile Plus. With unlimited everything at one of the lowest prices you'll find anywhere, it can help you multitask like a pro for less, and with a free Vudu movie every month, it can help you unwind like a pro too.
I've learned some organizational tricks over the years that I'd love to share with you, and I'd also love to share a new service: Walmart Family Mobile Plus. With unlimited everything at one of the lowest prices you'll find anywhere, it can help you multitask like a pro for less, and with a free Vudu movie every month, it can help you unwind like a pro too.
One of the most important aspects of getting things done is coffee. Just kidding! While coffee may help you stay awake and keep you going, the #1 secret to managing a million tasks is organization. Developing this into a habit will pay off big in a lot of areas of your life.
You will need 2 things: A calendar and a To Do list. Get in the habit of putting everything in a calendar from birthdays to appointments. Then use that calendar to help you write your To Do list. It can be a daily or weekly list, but write down everything you hope to accomplish, big and small, then check them off as you do them. You'll make sure you don't forget what needs to be done and you'll get a little confidence boost every time you complete a task.
My second biggest tip for managing busy lives is multitasking. Learn which tasks can be done during other tasks. For instance, when I pick my children up from school, I end up spending at least 15-20 minutes sitting still in the pickup line. I can better spend that time writing, planning, or just responding to lovely Facebook comments. When it comes to free time, I'd rather spend it with my family than staring at a line of cars. If I can check at least one item off of my list that will get me finished with my tasks sooner, bonus!
I couldn't multitask like a pro without a good smartphone and an unlimited data plan, and "unlimited" doesn't have to mean "expensive." I'll tell you about Walmart Family Mobile Plus in just a minute. (Psst! You'll want to hear this!)
My third tip is to budget for failure. Maybe the word "failure" is too harsh. Maybe "un-success", "slight oversight", or "unforeseen events" might work better. Stuff happens. Maybe you didn't get the chance to go to the grocery store, maybe that football game ran long, or maybe, just maybe, you are exhausted. If you believe that one person can completely meet the needs of three or more human beings, then this last one is most likely. Let it go. Take a deep breath. Google "restaurants near me."
Are you ready for the 4th tip? It's the biggest, most important tip ever: Take the time to relax. You are no good to anyone, much less yourself, when your brain is on overload. Stop to take a deep breath, take a hot bath, get a massage, do your nails, play a game, or watch a movie. You'll be glad you did and it will help you reset your brain so you can tackle everything again tomorrow. My favorite relaxing moments are unwinding with a movie after the kids are in bed; I love to curl up on the couch and stream something new over our Apple TV. Also relaxing: Staying within budget. You might not realize it, but that can be a two-fer.
Walmart just unveiled a new plan in their lineup: The Family Mobile Plus plan. If you didn't know Walmart did mobile service, you do now. They partnered with T-Mobile for fantastic coverage, and they do it for less, but this new plan has some added benefits: Unlimited Talk, Text, & Data (which includes up to 10GB of 4G LTE data) PLUS a free new release rental movie on VUDU every month per line for $49.88.
There are no annual contracts and no credit checks. It's not a pre-paid service either, so you're billed one monthly amount, and since it's unlimited, there are no charges for going over your minutes. It's also a Family plan, and you can save $5 on each of up to five additional lines, so your whole family can talk, text and more for less.
To get started with Walmart's Family Mobile Plus plan, visit the Family Mobile display in your local Walmart store in the Electronics department, or go online to Walmart.com. You only need 2 things to set up service: a phone and a SIM card Starter Kit.
You can purchase one of their phones, or bring your own (you can bring any unlocked GSM phone.) You'll also need the SIM Card Starter Kit for your phone model. There are 2 Starter Kits, the Nano kit for iPhones and the Standard/Micro kit for everything else. Follow the directions inside to activate your phone and you're all set!
They've got phones as low as $19.88 up to $179. I chose the Samsung Galaxy Core Prime. Our current phones are Samsung and I wanted something similar that didn't cost an arm and a leg. This one is on rollback right now for $79.92, so it's a pretty great deal on a great phone. (Disclaimer: All prices for phones and plans included in this post are accurate as of the date of posting; however, these prices are subject to change. Please refer to this page or your local Walmart for current pricing.)
Setup was easy and quick. You can call to activate, or go online and set up your phone in just a few minutes. There are no activation fees or pre-payments, so you can get a new phone number and start using your phone immediately without breaking out the bank card. You also have the option to transfer your current number to your new phone.
Sounds easy? It is.
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