I’ve shown you guys this Cupcake Courier before. It’s been awhile, but I still love it and I wanted to show you a couple more ways you can enjoy it.
First and foremost, it carries cupcakes.
It can hold 36 cupcakes. Or 24 or 12 or any amount in between. Just remove the stackable trays to suit your need.
Perfect for larger batches of cupcakes or taking them to a holiday party or get together.
And if you remove all three trays…
Then you can use it for cakes. And pretty big ones, too.
But here is the best part. The real reason I have fallen deeper in love with this carrier. It allows me to do much more when it comes to carrying my baked goods.
I am talking specifically about cake pops here. Yep, because the courier is so tall, it triples as a handy dandy cake pop courier, too.
It serves multiple purposes. One… it simply allows you to store them upright without having to wrap them in treat bags.
And two… it allows you to carry them more easily to happy recipients. With or without treat bags.
Here … let me show you what I mean.
Tah dah. Perfectly protected pops. Of course you’ll have to imagine them made for full effect. I just used sticks and styrofoam to illustrate the idea.
If you use 6-inch paper lollipop sticks (8-inch sticks would be too tall) and some styrofoam, it will fit just fine in the base of the courier.
Styrofoam blocks come in many sizes and one of the common sizes is 4 x 12 x 2 inches high. Grab two of them and place them side by side on the base and then make 12 holes in each block. You can then easily carry 24 cake pops. And if you can’t find the styrofoam in that size, then cut down a larger piece of styrofoam to 8 X 12.
Either way it’s a great way to get more out of an already handy product. You can find them on amazon.com.
Hope that helps all you guys that are cake popping and cupcake making… and of course, carrying.
And to celebrate finding ways to do more with less, here’s a fun giveaway.
- This giveaway starts November 15 and goes until November 29, 2010. Time’s Up! Winner Announced below.
- To be entered in the giveaway, just leave a comment on this post and describe something you’ve found to be more productive or some way you do more with less. That’s it.
- One winner will be chosen at random using random.org and announced on this post at the end of the contest period following verification. See complete rules for details.
- The prize is one (1) Windows Phone 7 (all features and details of the phone will be determined by the Sponsor.)
Okay, here’s the winner, chosen at random.
Congratulations Wendy! Have fun with your new phone.
And thank you everyone for so many great ideas to do more with less. You guys are really resourceful. I’m impressed.
This giveaway is brought to you by the new Windows Phone 7. Less tech tired. More tech trendy: Learn about Windows Phone online and see it in person at local T-Mobile stores today.
I wait to do housework until my tornado son and husband are asleep. I get things accomplished when I don’t have someone coming behind me making a bigger mess
My Kitchenaid mixer is the most indispensable machine in my kitchen. I use it for everything: candymaking, cakes, icings, mashed potatoes, pasta making, pureeing tomatoes for canning marinara sauce, grinding meat, fresh pasta…. Now I just need to get the ice cream maker attachment!
I’m more productive when I’m on tight schedule and time frame.
As we are in the middle of a cross country move (thanks USMC!) :) I’ve found that using bath towels as bubble wrap saves money & it’s a plus for the enviroment!
I am more productive at work when I put on my ipod and listen to music. It keeps me from getting sucked in to what’s being discussed around the cubicle farm.
cardboard, plain ol cardboard has always helped me. fold them into boxes, use as a make shift table, line areas for crafts. always works for me :)
Well, I tend to be productive when I’m supposed to be doing something else, or under a time crunch! In high school I had a poster that said “A clean room is the sign of a procrastinating student.” Still true about my apartment – procrastination or approaching guests = cleanliness!
As for a specific product that helps me be more productive, I’d recommend MS Office’s One Note program combined with the free service Dropbox. I use One Note for my lesson plans and it keeps everything in one place (I can even drop in files and save them right on the One Note page), while Dropbox keeps it all synchronized between home and school. LOVE, LOVE, LOVE them!
My family absolutely LOVES my Mexican rice! Sometimes, to save time and money, I will use leftover steak or chicken breast cut into thin, small slices and throw it into the rice before I put the lid on to steam. It is a whole meal in itself, so there is no need for making a main or any side dishes to go with it. Filling and delicious!
I have the exact same carrier, colour and everything and I love, love, love it!
This is simple but true, music makes me more productive. It helps me focus. Without it I get distracted by my thoughts or the overwhelming desire to take a nap. : )
Awesome giveaway, thank you!
I love to get away and read books. That helps me to transition my stress into another realm. I feel more calm and able to deal with life when I can just get away for a few minutes each day.
I’m most productive when I just decide to be. Everything gets done!
I LOVE cooking with garlic, but it leaves my hands smelling strongly after. Most of the time soap won’t cut it, so taking something stainless steel and washing my hands with that takes care of the problem! A word to the wise, washing your hand with a knife would not be recommended! :P
I am so much more productive when I get up early in the morning listening to music. It helps to energize me for the day ahead!
Sticky notes keep me on track and produtive!
I figured out how to be more productive by figuring out my DAUGHTER is a great baker! It frees me up to do so many other things, like clean the mess she makes! But seriously, she is 20 and makes awesome pies, cakes, fudge and cookies. I’m thrilled to have someone in the family that loves to do it and is creative. I’d love to win this carrier and present it to my personal baker! :)
I recently went through every room in the house and got rid of exces “stuff”. THe kids thought I was crazy but I can tell a big weight has been lifted off all of our shoulders. I want to live more simply and do away with the clutter!
Every week (and sometimes every other week) I sit down with the grocery ads and plan out a week’s worth of meals. Then I do my grocery shopping in one trip. This helps me avoid the 5 pm “what should we do for dinner tonight?” blank stare into the fridge or pantry! It also helps the budget to avoid last minute trips to the grocery store for unplanned items.
I love ice trays! There are many ways to utilize it. Frozen lemon juice cubes, frozen herbs for freshness etc.
I learn cooking in big batch save time and money. I purchase when it is on sale an freeze the leftover for weekday meals.
I have found, it doesn’t matter what you are baking, a big mixing bowl, fork, spoon, spatula, dry measuring cups, liquid measuring cups, a square cake pan, a round cake pan, and a rectangle cake pan and imagination, can make you just about anything you can think of. No fancy cakepans, cupcake pans, fancy cookware, or electric mixer needed.
im most productive when i make lists! another thing- im most productive when my 2 1/2 year old son is watch a little kid movie so can cook or clean! hee hee!
I have my kids help me to a quick pick up of the house when it gets to messy. I have a hard time doing anything when it’s a mess and having 5 other sets of hand helping makes it get clean much faster. Unfortunately, my youngest follows around and pulls everything back out about 50% of the time. lol
I need to learn to do more with less. We have way to much stuff. I have been purging toys and clothes and have 6 garbage bags to go to goodwill in the back of my car.
I have a small house with two bedrooms. My 3 boys share a room. Not always good but I think one day they will look back to remember the amazing times they shared with one another. I really do feel that love blooms and grows stronger in small houses!!!
Hi! After we repainted our kitchen, I had trouble finding valances for my window and slinding glass door. One day, I happened to find about 5 packages of patterned cloth napkins (on clearance!) that went great in the kitchen. I bought alligator clip rings to hang the napkins from the curtain rod on the window over my sink. For the valance of the vertical blinds for my slider, I was able attach the napkins with the clips that hold the valance in place. So inexpensive, and I get compliments all the time!
Save up old glass jars/bottles from jams and other items. Wash them and give them a good soak in hot water to peel off the label. Then they can be used to store and sort anything from coffee beans and candy to beads or loose change. You can also use them as decorative items if you fill them up with flowers or shells, or give them a nice paint job. This keeps bugs away from my food, gives me an opportunity to be creative, and saves me money spent on purchasing plastic storage containers that just don’t look as nice.
I use vinegar a lot, to clean with, wash windows and as a fabric softener. It’s a tip, don’t know if it actually makes me more productive.
I’m obsessed with using zip-lock bags. I literally use it for EVERYTHING. you name it, I bag it.
Something I’ve found more productive is rolling sugar cookie dough between 2 pieces of parchment. No more mat, flour or cleanup.
Put a Ziplock bag in the paint cups my kids use. Then put in the paint. When they are done painting I can zip the bag closed, cut off a corner and pour the paint back into the original container. Saves paint and makes the clean up much easier!
To be productive i make list and try to stick to them :0)
twist ties and ziploc bags are a lifesaver for me. cheap organization!
What do I do to be more productive? I close all my extra tabs on my browser, pack everything up and go to the library (campus library). Being in that kind of environment helps so much!
Ice cube trays. Once I started making my son’s baby food, I found ice cube trays were so versatile. Sometimes I even make ice!
i stick old socks on my kids hands, and set them free in the house to dust, or to wash windows!
they think it’s a game, and i get some cleaning done!!
The most productive thing I have and the thing that has the most uses is MY HANDS! I bathe kids, make cakes, clean the house, type reports, wave at friends, etc. And because I’m so good at using them I’m able to save TONS of money by making homemade gifts and such!
I make a list and stick to it!
I find im most productive when im under stress…which is probably why I work for an emergency service
My lovely aqua Kitchenaid..
; )
I have this carrier! It is AMAZING! I get asked about it all the time. I bought it in Costco last year and regret not buying at least 2 more. I’ve even had people try to take it from me. LOL
not that creative, but i always take a box from costco (i go every week for produce shopping) and then use the box as a carrier for baked goods. alternatively, if i get fruit that is packaged in a box, i’ll use that as a carrier.
Making an extra-large batch of cookies and then freezing the extra allows for quick baking whenever! and midnight snacks from the freezer…
I have this great melamine tray with a pretty pink floral print that I use for everything. When I’m not using it, I keep it in my dorm room with some flower vases on it for decoration. I use it to tote cupcakes and cake pops. I have used it for cheese and crackers, everything!
We cycle the kids’ toys so they always think they have new things! We just put them away in tubs and rotate the toys every month or so when they get tired of the ones they have.
I’ve found that listening to jazz and blues music really helps me focus on my reading and studying for my classes! I always turn it on when I want to have a poductiv study session!
I like studying/working to music, but I’m way more productive when I turn it off.
For cupcakes, I just reuse those lovely tin pan things.. slightly awkward, but hey, it all works as long as it tastes great, right? (:
I make handmade Christmas cards for my close friend and family and write a meaningful line of inspiration and love. I work for a school district and get 3 weeks off for Christmas and New Year vacation so I have the time and its therapeutic.
SlimQuick. It’ll help me lose weight, but the energy I get from it make me very, very productive. In fact, I look for things to do. Except maybe for tonight. It’s Friday, I don’t necessarily care if the laundry gets done or not.
Baby wipes! I use them for everything! From the obvious – changing diapers – to cleaning little ones’ hands and faces, cleaning furniture and walls, removing eye make-up. I buy the cloth unscented ones for sensitive skin, and they’re amazing! :)
I use a gallon ziplock bag for each kid with a change of outfit in it, I then leave this in a box that I keep in the car for odds and end that I don’t want to be stranded from home without, and then if my kids have accidents while we are out and about (which happens sometimes with my 5 and 3 year old and even my twins that are 22 months old) I have an outfit for them. This saves room in the diaper bag (and makes it so I can leave with just diapers for the babies) and then if I left without the diaper bag I know I always have something incase of an accident. The ziplock bag then works great to put the dirty cloths in so I can take them in the house and wash them. Then I wash the bag and reuse it for another outfit.
I’m usually productive when the tv is on, but muted. Weird, I know…
What an awesome giveaway! I was hoping you were giving away one those carriers! LOL! Well, what the heck I’ll try for a phone…… I recently shared your site with a friend who now worships you LOL. she my new baking buddy…….get more done and more fun too! thanks bakerella
When I cook a meal, I cook enough for two meals. One is then frozen. It typically is cheaper!
I buy mini makeup brushes and use them to dust those hard to reach places, like my laptop keyboard. Works like a charm and you can buy many sizes from dollar stores!
I’ve found that I’ ve been able to be more productive and CREATIVE in my baking because of an AWESOME baking website called “BAKERELLA.COM…TIMING COULDN’T HAVE BEEN ANY SWEETER!!!
having a to-do list was always corny, but works. so was writing out a schedule with timeslots, so i can pressure myself to work harder/faster. in fact, i should be doing that right now. enjoy the weekend!
I go to the library…I’ve met some cool people and great books there…beats shelling out $$ at the bookstore for sure…
I volunteer as a tutor and I find not only am I helping students learn, I’m learning with them and helps keeps things fresh. It’s a great way to review!
homemade laundry detergent – great – goes far – cleans very well – super cost effective – smells good but not strong.
Trying to stay organized! Works wonders when I need to find something in a flash and helps me to be much more productive :)
I use my cooling racks for tons of uses!! Of course for cooling baked goods… but also I stack them for letting my kids art projects dry, I put a sheet pan under them and use them to let glazed things drip and harden. I use them for my cake pops as well, I leave the legs folded under one and set it flat on my counter, then open the other one and set it over the first. I put the cake pops through a hole in the top and bottom. Holds a LOT of cake pops!!
My husband and I both teach in a Catholic school. We make far less than we did in the public school sector but I would not change my life for anything. We have less money, a smaller house, less fancy cars… but my girls know the value of a dollar. They are thoughtful and generous, and that is truly MORE than I could ever buy.
Whenever I make rainbow cookies, I use a 5# bag of rice to press on the layers while they rest in the refrigetaor for 8 hours. I wrap the layers filled with raspberry jam in plastic, then put them inside a pan (same pan I used to bake one of the layers) and put a second pan on top with the rice on it laying flat. It works great.
I dust with those swiffer thingys….they work so well! Better than on the floor! ha :)
Well you don’t get more from less with this but I find it to be productive to create one pot meals during the week. For those who don’t know what that means it is any meal made entirely in one pot or pan. All that is left to clean up are preparation tools (normally just one knife and chopping board) and the dinner dishes. So you get a great meal with out the stress of a mess.
I use used dryer sheets to wipe down my laundry and to clean up stick messes. They always make a yucky job quick and easy!
I quit buying box cake and brownie mixes- already have the stuff to make them, saves money and space, and I think homemade tastes wonderful!
I do more with less by flipping the recycle pyramid around. Instead of recycle, reduce, reuse – I reuse, reduce, then recycle. If I use less, then I can recycle less!
my dishwasher….has made my life so easy- saves me so much time and hassle every day.
I love it!!!!! :)
I always keep a notebook with me to jot down all my ideas. That way I am constantly thinking and imagining…even if I’m standing in the supermarket line.
I’ve found that if I plan my menus for the week and cook from scratch, I save money and my family eats healthier!
I do more with less by riding a bike to run errands. This lets us have only one car and saves tons on gas and other auto-related costs.
i’m most productive when the kids are playing in their room and the computer is shut off. i’m a huge fan of lists which turns into a master list. im an extremely detail oriented individual so the more mapped out everything is the better i work
I no longer buy picture frames, instead I dry mount them on foam board which gives them a great 3D effect and is WAY cheaper than the countless frames I purchase for every great kid photo.
I heat my crock pot on low, when it’s hot I turn it off, line it with a towel, and I put my different colors of chocolate in either plastic squeeze bottles or disposable icing bags inside and they stay just the right temperature and melted. You can keep working with chocolate molds or cake pops and all your different colors with no slow down to remelt your chocolate in the microwave!
I used an old 5 gallon paint bucket to store my most frequently used rolls of wrapping paper and cellophane. They can be tucked in a corner and are easy to see and get to when I need them!
I love baking, but I’m not really a start from scratch girl. : ( So, to make things easier, I buy cake mix from the store.
This is so useful, I’m always bringing cake to my mothers house!
I use a Google Doc to keep track of all my expenses so I can make sure I’m not overspending. :)
Dang, that is cool!
Everybody has such amazing ideas, I’ve really learned a lot just reading the comments. For me, my crockpot is my best friend in the ktichen. As a working Mom, I use it all the time for almost everything. Stews, chicken, roasts, veggies, cakes. Love it!
I love using a Ziploc baggie with the corner cut off for decorating with icing. It’s so much easier to clean than the reusable bags!
I buy one box of borax, one box of washing soda and one bar of fels naptha soap and with that I make 10 galons of laundry soap and enough dishwasher soap for over a month. all for about $5.50
When cleaning I am most productive if I just go room to room and make sure each room is completely done before I move on. Nice to know that I won’t have to come back once I finish one :)
I make lunch for my daughter and myself—much tastier, more nutrious….and best of all, this saves about $8 a day!
Doing more with less … I use every scrap of fabric I have to make quilts, kids clothes, gifts, etc. Thanks for the great giveaway!
my friend told me this: if you take dinner to someone and have multiple dishes to carry, use a laundry basket. Put a towel in the bottom to prevent dishes from sliding around.
I get so much use out of the baby spoons I have for my daughter not only feeding her but they are perfect for small icing projects, sprinkling powder sugar, putting in a sugar bowl, I keep one in my spice cabinet for the bottle with no shaker, I also use them when I am crafting and I have lots of small beads in a baby food jar or something easier than trying to pour that out and making a mess
I use empty toilet paper/paper towel rolls for wrapping presents, making rattles for the baby, and toys for the cats/rabbits.
I arrange all my dishes from biggest to smallest and by type of material before I wash them. I also wash and rinse them at the same time.
i find i’m always more productive (and the outcome is 20x’s better) if i have sweet tunes playing to sing and dance along with. though it’s distracting for some, it totally helps my creativity be more pronounced which helps my natural self stand out!
Giving away baked treats for christmas takes out the all the stress of shopping for the holiday
instead of running to the store everytime the kids want buttermilk pancakes (at least once weekly), i add a tablespoon of plain vinegar to whole milk to make my own. kids love it, and we always have milk in the fridge for the baby.
I set my timer for chores that I hate…like doing windows and floors. I race to beat the timer and shout “I win”. Call me crazy.
I plan supper for a month at a time, then I’m not left wondering what I’m doing for supper every night and I can make sure food doesn’t go to waste in our refrigerator.
Goodness, will a new smartphone make me smarter? I need 6!
Maybe then I’d be able to come up with a good answer to this question…at the moment, all I can think of is the footstool in my kitchen. A leg up somewhere, a resting spot for my purse, or a time-out chair for my toddlers…it’s perfect!
I can’t think of anything extrodinary, but I like to use metal cookie cutters to make pancakes… for a special day you get to eat heart shaped, christmas tree shaped, or whatever kind you like, pancakes. Yay!
Turning off all electronics. I can get so much more done!
I buy posters for my wall instead of expensive art. I just hang them on the wall and hang a frame over it. I get the frames from thrift stores and don’t bother with actually mounting the poster in them. I sometimes even pair a poster with a frame that is much larger so you can see the wall between them.
Making the same Christmas present for everyone – raspberry jam this year!
As a teacher, I’m always trying to find new ways to reuse stuff, becuase I just don’t have a big budget and I’m always trying to keep my classroom more organized. I’ve found an 18 ct egg carton to be the best tool to keep the bobbin cases for my sewing machines so that I know if a student forgot to turn theirs in or not.
With several families in the area we take turns fixing dinners so that we don’t all have to cook each night. with a family of six whats a few more more portions.. nice to have a night off and the kitchen cleaner a few extra days a week.:}
Oh my… one thing? Hmmm…most likely I would have to say a parmesan shaker filled with flour. I use that with dough, hands, pans, sauce… a lot of stuff!
I manage to makeshift some of my baking tools because, as a student, I can’t afford to buy them. So instead of dessert rings, I use parchment paper to frame them. The traditional use of the industrial torch for creme brulée in the garage so I down burn the house down.
After living in Asia for 3 years ‘living with less’ just became a way of life for us and our children. Before I make a purchase, of anything really, I think how it’ll impact us on all levels (where am I going to store it, how often will I use it, can I buy it used/cheaper, will it clog a landfill in a short amount of time, do I really need it?). As you can imagine, most things I want/think we need don’t get purchased once I realize it was just a fad or fleeting desire.
I’ve found that giving more during this time of need makes me feel more productive – giving back. If that means we don’t have steak for a couple of weeks so a needy family can have more of what they NEED – then we will do without. Isn’t that it’s all about anyway. Well, it should be.
I’m more productive when I have procrastinated until a day or two before something is due.
In our new house, we do not yet have a dishwasher. Rather than stacking dirty dishes, we have a rule that if you use a dish, you wash it. With five people in the family, it really helps cut down on the workload for one person.
I have been trying to reduce the number of emails that I receive each day by unsubscribing to certain lists, etc. It is amazing how draining it can be to never get through your emails! I have also been cooking multiple batches of food at once and freezing the leftovers so that I am making two (or more!) meals in the time it takes to make just one!
My friends think I’m weird for washing ziplock bags, but I do it anyway! You really only need to throw them out when they start leaking all over the place, so I just reuse them.
Being in college with a tiny apartment you have to be creative to be productive and cheap in the kitchen. My blender is my food processor and on occasion a mixer of sorts. My muffin tin is my cookie sheet and my one knife (Little Red) minces garlic and cuts steak. It’s a challenge sometimes but it’s also fun to figure out new ways to make things work.
having a really good phone helps! taking notes, pictures, scheduling on a smart phone dispenses for separate items like notepads, cameras, GPSs, etc.
as a mom to an active 10-month old, i’ve learned to LOVE our slow cooker and the meals it produces for us. i use it at least twice a week, often double the portions and feel better knowing we have a homemade meal – soups, stews, chilis, chicken and even meatloaf. i just don’t have time to everyday cook the way i used to, so slow cooker meals are a must for us.
Well, its getting closer to the holiday season and like most people I HAVE ALMOST NO MONEY! So, Ive come up with the idea to keep me more organized AND also have gifts for all my loved ones! I’ve decided that I needed to organize my cooking recipes and turn it into an electronic file so I can add/delete recipes all while keeping them organized, then I realized that it can double as a sweet gift for my family and friends this holiday season (I will give out printed copies of course!).
yay cupcake holders!!!! :) I can’t wait till thanksgiving break so I can start baking!!!! :)
I use those big 16 ounce red plastic cups when I’m painting! I cover them with plastic wrap when I’m trimming out a room and have to take a break! Then I can just pitch ’em when I’m done!
Wow. . . this one can be tricky. . . . how about this. .. I SMILE and the world smiles with me !!! That is a tool, right ?!?!? I use the saying . . . if you can’t laugh at yourself, who can you laugh at . . . it allows me to be silly, goofy, and relieve stress in the office without others passing judgement – – well, I am sure they still pass it, but who cares because I am SMILING !!!
I am no longer allowed to look at websites while I have work to do at work. It helps!
I find that, the busier I am, the less time I have to waste. Knowing that I have limited free time, I am more likely to make a schedule or a deadline because that time is precious and I need to get things done.
I make my own vanilla, with exotic vanilla beans, whiskey or vodka, bottle them up and give them as gifts all year.
The best way to be productive is to do all the cookin’ by the book….so much productivitiy!
The big boba tea straws can double as dowels for a stacked cake! They are easier to cut and cheap!
Thanks for posting this. A great way to use the carrier in different ways.
I do more with less by finding free entertainment in my home town. There are lots of free concerts, gallery showings and events nearby to keep me entertained without spending a fortune!
Baking soda is my new multitasker. Laundry, cleaning and deodorizing. It gets a lot of things done around my house and it’s cheap.
I brown a whole pack (or 2) of hamburger meat at a time and then freeze it. Doesn’t sound like much, but it helps when I’m in a hurry for dinner! Great for tacos, soups, etc.
If I turn off the TV and turn on some high energy music…it’s an instant energy boost, hello productivity!
I love to cook when I have someone to talk to, I’ll have skype up, or my phone on speaker, that way I can focus and still be social! I love cooking for people and being with them while I cook makes the food taste better!
Dinner time is the hardest time. I have found it easier to make multiple meals in one day and freeze them to use at a later date. My hubby gets a home made meal on the days I work which = happy husband = happy wife. Love your blog.
I chop all of my own vegetables, and don’t rely on pre-washed, pre-sliced anything. Saves a lot of money without that much of a time expenditure
I do a little laundry every day, with two kids that isn’t difficult to have at least one load a day, that way on the weekends we can spend our time together rather than doing chores!
I use old worn or holey socks to dust around the house instead of buying lots of paper towels :)
I use hair conditioner for shaving, rather than buying a bottle of shaving cream. Does the job, and conditions my legs! :)
Whenever I get mail, I am typically very disappointed. It is usually junk mail, with the occasional “suspicious package.” What I usually do is keep a sort of “incinerator” out back to burn all of my junk mail. Great way to do less with more!
I use post-it notes to keep my life organized, to leave “Honey-Do” notes for my husband and to communicate with the children. Not the office setting I believe they were made for but they work for me!
When I don’t have a proper way to transport baked goods such as cake, cupcake and everyone favorite cakepops I improvise using cardboard for the cakes and cupcake with foil placed on the flat cardboard. It works evertime and saves^_^
I follow Flylady daily missions to keep the house in order and do alittle bit every day to keep it under control. check out Flylady its the best!
I find that I’m most productive when I listen to Beatles music…weird, but it works!!!
One thing I have found helps me be more productive is to do something fun while I do something I don’t like. For example, have cookies baking while I clean the house!
I have a 3 ring binder that I keep my monthly bills, coupons, shopping lists.. ext in. For my coupons, there are inbetween dividers with sheet protectors. It really helps to keep me organized and have everything at a quick grab!
Ketchup on pennies to make them look new, its not just for fries anymore!
I use canned soup as a base for most of my pasta sauces…it makes things quicker, but I can get a lot of variety and still make each soup my own by adding my own spices and vegetables!
My husband is a full-time student and I’m a stat at home mom so money is tight. So to help save money we use less meat in our recipes than the recipe calls for and add either more vegetables or beans depending on the recipe. It has made a big difference!
being in complete silence helps me be productive especially studying for exams !
In front of the tv of course!
Coupons, coupons, coupons! by using coupons and following some blogs dedicated to helping me save money, i’ve saved hundreds of dollars on food, toiletry items, and even clothes and toys!
I use a cereal container with a one-cup measuring cup topper to dispense my laundry detergent. So very handy!
I love this cupcake carrier. I got mine from Costco for $16.99! I am most productive when I make a list and stick to it. It is so easy to get distracted then an hour later, I remember that I needed to do something an hour ago. Though right now, with 1 year old twins (birthday is today!) and a 3 year old, productive for me can be making sure they’re fed and changed. It doesn’t always mean feeding or showering myself. Sometimes I rely on my blood sugar to remind me at 3pm that I haven’t had anything but a Diet Pepsi today.
My house has been on the market for over 200 days, and I’ve gotten really good at cleaning as I go. For example, after my oldest has taken her bath and is drying off, brushing teeth, etc, I am scrubbing the tub, dusting the baseboards,, around the toilet, etc in the bathroom. After the twins have gotten up and I’ve changed them and given a bottle, I throw in laundry or whatever. Basically, I’ve learned to never ever go from pt a to pt b in my house with only one thing to do or one thing in my hands. Hands are always full as I am reminded every day that I take my kids out in public. I plan ahead mentally too. If I have to go downstairs for something, I think about what I can take downstairs with me and what I can bring back up. This is really a necessity with 3 levels of living space and baby gates everywhere.
I love it!! I make slippers everyday…and I found a way that works for me to get each pair done in about 45 mins. :)
Every once in a while I dedicate a week to clean up our pantry and fridge ,it saves money and make space for fresh stuff.
I use a plastic wrap over my recipe to protect my cookbook while I’m cooking.
I use the big roaster to make chex mix, the one that sits on your counter top and plugs in, this is so much easier than opening the oen every 15 minutes!!
I use old newspapers to wrap presents, it gives them a graphic design when paired with a colorful bow and is unique to boot!
Gosh i feel like some red velvet case. I think i can do more, with more red velvet?
I’m more productive making a list of things to do every morning and prioritizing them. This way I know what to expect throughout the day and be okay with anything unexpected! =)
I use the plastic bag that my newspaper comes in as a “pooper scooper” for my dog!!!
One way that my boyfriend and I have found to be more productive is to plan ahead recipe wise for the week. Then go to the store and get what we need. It saves us the hassle of sitting around for hours being indecisive about what we want to eat like we used to. Haha.
My pizza cutters serve a dual-function at our house. We use them to quickly cut up pancakes, burritos, etc. for our four small children.
I am trying to get out of the thinking that new is better. So in that pursuit, I’ve found a great second hand kids’ clothing store that I trade outgrown clothes for “new to us” clothes – great, brand name items for mere pennies (to cover tax). What with three girls, this has been a huge money saver for us. I also feel good that I’m not accumulating more junk to store in my home.
I try to only buy kitchen tools that have more than one purpose. I don’t own a garlic press since my knife works just fine.
When I’m finished juicing lemons, I used the leftover halves to clean the kitchen- it works wonders!
I find that clay tools are great for cooking decorating and it goes both ways! All my cookie cutters are in my art building used for clay!
I love using the Lock-and-Lock containers for packaging leftovers. So easy to grab one out of the refrigerator to take for lunch or dinner for my daughter in between musical theater rehearsals after school and her evening ballet classes.
After two babies, the thing that helps keep me productive are stickies! I have post-its everywhere since I can’t seem to remember a thing these days.
I’ve learned to use those cardboard paper towel rolls so that my icebox cookies stay circular. The tip is from Martha Stewart, of course. :)
Couponing is one way that I do more with less. I’ve found some great websites to assist me in finding new ways to use my coupon hobby. Getting great deals and name brands for LESS on things my family can use and enjoy makes me one happy Momma. :)
Omg these cupcake carriers are the coolest things ever! i want one! I’m most productive when i’m eating! food for the brain!
Setting the timer for 15 minutes—especially for tasks that I really don’t want to do! You can do anything for 15 minutes and, actually, most times the entire task is finished before the timer goes off. Then, I have more time to do the FUN things!
I use the rubbery stuff that lines shelves in the trunk of my car when I’m transporting a cake. The rubber keeps it from sliding around!
Cookie rolling sticks! My husband made them for me. 20 inches long. 1/2 inch wide. 1/2 inch tall. I use them for all my rolled cookies, cookie pops and gingerbread houses. The dough is always the same thickness and rolls out in a snap!
I unplug. It saves so much time somehow!
I am a stay at home mom and I have found that getting up and getting completely ready before my kids get up helps me be more productive throughout the day.
Using the clamshell cupcake carriers they have at the bakery to transport 4 dozen cupcakes to my friends party. They sold me 9 of them for 75 cents!
Doctoring cake mix up instead of baking cakes from scratch – thank you, Cake Mix Doctor! :)
I would have to say my scoops are the best. I use a large ice cream scoop for muffins and cupcakes, my smaller one for cookies. They all come out the same size, perfect everytime.
I have to turn off the tv and shut down the computer to get anything done.
I am most productive late at night when everyone is asleep.
One way I’ve found to do less with more is to avoid buying all the kitchen gadgets guaranteed to make my life easier. These amazing products call to me from the shelf and are wonders of innovation and design. The only problem is that most only do one thing and I do that one thing every once in a blue moon. I found that you can get by with a few good tools and clear the clutter and confusion.
Potato peeling gloves… in the trash!
I love being productive and find that the best way for me to do this, whether it be following a recipe, an assignment for my degree or cleaning the house is to colour code everything on my list with Sharpies! Each item gets written in a colour according to importance. It also makes lists that I stick to the fridge much more aesthetically pleasing!! :)
I dilute my fabric softner 2 parts water 1 part softner and dip a household sponge in it and squeeze out excess and throw in dryer in place of a dryer sheet. The fabric softner works great this way and saves alot of dough!!! Got this idea from the Duggars website!
When we moved into our new home, we knew that something had to give, financially, to survive. One of the things we cut out was cable tv. We enjoy more family time and if there is something we really want to see on tv that we don’t get on the one or two stations we receive, it can usually be found somewhere on the internet.
I have the whole kitchen island set up as a creative station for the kids. That way I can still be with them, while I cook and do dishes – and they’re happy cutting, drawing and writing. I have 4-year old triplets.
My husband and I have recently committed to a budget. We have budgeted less money per month than we are used to spending. I really have to get creative with my grocery money to make it go further each month. I am using coupons and cooking more from scratch rather than spend money on convenient already prepared food. My ultimate goal is to get my grocery bill below the budgeted amount. Wish me luck!
I concentrate the most when i have my dogs barking listening to music and eating cake-pops that my sister loves making
I feel like when I listen to music, i move faster :)
Pizza Cutter! With little ones in the house I use it to cut pancakes, bread, hot dogs, cinn roles – pretty much anything that needs cut! Works way faster than a knife & fork.
I have found that preparing/freezing the weeks dinners, I have so much more time to spend with my kiddies!
more productive…hmmm…if I can wait for my husband to come home and watch the rugrats while I go grocery shopping I can get it done twice as fast and I think I spend less money too.
I try to repurpose when I can. I’ve reused small flower pots and planters as sponge, scrubber, and towel holders. I’m always looking for creative and green solutions, especially in the kitchen.
As a crazy, busy working mom of 3 girls under 6, I take whatever I can get to be more productive or do more with less! :) I find that when I am baking any of the hundreds of treats I do each year for various class parties, I love my chinois strainer. I use it as a small collander, a sifter, I can decorate baked goods with powdered sugar using it. I can’t be without it in the kitchen! Turning the TV off helps too. LOL!
I find that I’m more productive when I’m not pregnant! Which means I’m about to get WAY more productive, since my first baby is due in a week. :) Although…with a newborn, I suspect my productivity will be even lower…guess that doesn’t work so well. :-D
I use a pizza cutter to cut my granddaughter’s waffles or pancakes when they spend the night. It’s so quick and easy to do.
Listening to music always makes me more productive. I would also like to think I am extremely organized, which always helps.
My Kitchenaid. It’s my life.
Just made thhe Christmas tree pops from book for holiday fair. So cute! Husband made me a wooden block stand. I fould filling a tablespoon with the melted choc and laying the tree in it front, back sides covered it well without total dipping. Attached star immediatly. Cute.
I need to flip my mattress
woah i had no clue you were giving away the phone! I thought it was going to be a giveaway for the carrier!
I just bought a new electric mixer, im in love!
I stopped using a clothing dryer:) It saves money on electricity and helps the environment too:)
By using Quick Steps in Microsoft Outlook, I do more and do it quicker.