Featured in January 2009

See what was in this issue of Real Simple.

On the Cover

Feel calmer now: 20 essential lists to organize your life

• Make dinner faster, p. 106
• Save on home repairs, p. 80
• Find time to exercise, p. 75
• Make your clothes last longer, p. 63
• Simplify your beauty routine, p. 57
• Plus the ultimate not-to-do list, p. 25

In This Issue

Thoughts, p. 4
 
 The Simple List, p. 8
 
 Contributors, p. 18
 
 Editor's Note, p. 23
 
 

Your Words
What is on your not-to-do list for 2009?, p. 25
 

Solutions

• New Uses for Everyday Things, p. 32
• Easy Upgrade: paperless lists, p. 34
• Uncommon Knowledge: lists you always forget, p. 36
• Products of the Month, p. 38
• Checklists on realsimple.com, p. 40

Special: Real Simple on TV
A look behind the scenes at an episode of Real Simple. Real Life., p. 47
 

Life Lessons
Writer Julianna Baggott shares her (overprotective) mother’s top-10 rules for her family’s survival, p. 42
 

Credits, p. 133

 

Reality Check
A to-do list that you can actually complete (no, really!), p. 136
 

Real Simple To Go, p. 138

 

The Guide

Beauty 

Seventeen fresh beauty essentials, p. 57
 

Style

Twenty tips to make a wardrobe last, p. 63
 

Home

Twenty-five annual home-maintenance suggestions, p. 66
 

Life

Seven steps for hassle-free returns, p. 71
 

Body

Fifteen ways to fit in fitness, p. 75
 

Moneywise
How to save money on home repairs and text messages. Plus, the best online finance calculators, p. 80

Personal Best
Ben Schott looks to history to help you rethink your list making, p. 84

Features

• Seventy-eight chairs―all $100 or less, p. 88
• The top-four styles perfect for your body type (and the ones to avoid), p. 96
• Imaginary to-do lists of six legends―past and present, p. 102
• Eighteen fresh upgrades for six convenience-food favorites, p. 106

Cooking

• Your 50 Favorite Recipes, p. 121
• Nutritional Index, p. 130