Every August, I buy a weekly calendar. I jot down all the traditional things — school events, birthdays, appointments. But I also use it to keep track of nontraditional things. I write down bills that come through the mail and mark their due dates six days ahead. I'll plan up to four dinners a week and write them on the calendar. I also use my calendar to record my daughter's long-term assignments. That helps prevent those evenings of racing around to do everything at the last second.

Cindy Olson, 36, Guilderland, New York