March 2011 Keep-It-Together Checklist

Cans of soup past their prime. Open bags of pasta from last July. Leftovers you don’t even remember wrapping up. If this sounds familiar, then it’s time to purge your pantry (and your refrigerator). Once that project is complete, you can focus your energy on organizing the kitchen. Need some tips? Turn to a lazy Susan for easy access in the cabinets, create a cooking zone with the items you use most frequently, and tackle your abundance of plastic containers once and for all. See all 24 kitchen organizing tricks.

Is it worth buying the expensive night cream or mascara? Find out when you should spend a little extra on your cosmetics, and when you can count on the bargain brand.

After a busy day, who has time to get a healthy meal on the table fast? Pick up a rotisserie chicken from the grocery store to save you a lot less time.

You’ve probably seen it popping up in stores—orange is the color for spring. Find easy ways to pair it with pieces you already own.

In the age of email, texting, and tweeting, it’s easier than ever to stay in touch. But, for those times when electronic communication just won’t cut it, brush up on your note-writing skills. Whether you’re sending a birthday card, a celebratory note, or writing to express your condolences, this guide will help you find the right words. Plus, nothing beats getting an unexpected card in the mail, and who knows you just might get one in return.

Whip up one of these meals and you’ll have enough left over to serve another dinner later in the week.

What do cornstarch, rice, and tea all have in common? Aside from being pantry staples, they can all be used as natural household cleaners.

Medicines can be one of the highest health care costs, but with these four tips you can save some money while staying healthy.

Between the sorting, the folding, and the time it takes to put it all away, catching up on the laundry can be challenging. But no matter how pressed for time you are, there are simple tips for integrating it into your routine. If you lose your weekend to laundry, make a schedule (sheets on Monday, towels Tuesday). If you have trouble getting your kids to corral their dirty clothes, post reminders by the hampers. With the minutes you’ve gained, you might even have some time for yourself.

Sit up straight now to help prevent future issues down the road. These five easy moves will help tone your core and make good posture a habit.

If you’re beginning to think about spring flowers, now is the time to plan (not when it’s time to start planting). Follow these tips to save time and money at the nursery.

You can’t fight your cravings all the time, but you can be smart about what you choose to eat. These snacks will let you eat your sweets without derailing your healthy eating plan.

With the income tax deadline looming (the IRS has given us until April 18th this year), you’re probably thinking a lot about your finances. It might be time to get some help planning for your future expenses. Get the inside scoop on the six major types of money gurus to find out whether you need to talk to a financial planner, an insurance agent, a mortgage broker, or someone else.

It’s the little things, like not smoking, exercising regularly, and watching your sodium intake that will help prevent bone loss, as you get older. Start those healthy habits now.

Don’t wait until you start planning your first get-together to restock your liquor cabinet. Find out whether to save or splurge on these cocktail-making essentials.

For many household cleaning tasks, look no farther than your pantry to find the supplies you need. Lemons, baking soda, and vinegar are just a few of the multitaskers you probably already own.