Checklists include all the steps, activities, or items needed for a given project. They make it easier to complete tasks and the need to memorize virtually unnecessary.

I find that printable daily routines help me be more efficient, especially when I have a lot of distractions. Tasks that I only complete once a year can cause me to forget all of the parts involved and inadvertently reinvent the wheel. However, with these eight checklists, I can stay on top of things.
- Packing :: I’ve used the same list for over ten years. I have one for me and one for each child. You will never forget anything.
- Cleaning :: I like this Daily Cleaning Checklist by Real Simple or a basic house cleaning checklist . It reminds me of how little time it takes for routine maintenance and cleaning. Moneysavingmom’s 2-Hour Holiday Cleaning List also helps me whip a disaster into shape.
- Grocery List :: Working through my grocery list like the store’s layout makes it a breeze. It also serves as a “trigger list” for items I may have forgotten.
- Back to School : Everything from preparing for a new school, school supplies, and how to end the year right.
- Holiday Planning :: Thanksgiving and Christmas lists for shopping, cooking, gift-giving, and more.
- Birthday Party Planner :: Planning the theme, venue, guests, and supplies.
- Daily Routine :: A daily printable checklist for important tasks, chores, meal planning, health, and more.
- Meal Planning :: I recommend using Crystal Van Tassel’s method in How to Meal Plan: A Step by Step Guide for Busy Moms
- Moving :: This Moving Checklist provides a list of tasks to complete, week by week, beginning eight weeks before you move until you’re all moved in.
What checklist(s) would you add to this list?
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![<em>Checklists include all the steps, activities, or items needed for a given project. They make it easier to complete tasks and the need to memorize virtually unnecessary.</em> <img src="https://outsidetheboxmom.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/checklists-to-save-time-sq.jpg" alt="Checklists include all the steps, activities, or items needed for a given project. They make it easier to complete tasks and the need to memorize virtually unnecessary." width="1000" height="1000" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-15779" /> <img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-15779" src="https://outsidetheboxmom.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/checklists-to-save-time-sq.jpg" alt="Checklists include all the steps, activities, or items needed for a given project. They make it easier to complete tasks and the need to memorize virtually unnecessary." width="1000" height="1000" /><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-15779" src="https://outsidetheboxmom.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/checklists-to-save-time-sq.jpg" alt="Checklists include all the steps, activities, or items needed for a given project. They make it easier to complete tasks and the need to memorize virtually unnecessary." width="1000" height="1000" />I find that printable daily routines help me be more efficient, especially when I have a lot of distractions. Tasks that I only complete once a year can cause me to forget all of the parts involved and inadvertently reinvent the wheel. However, with these eight checklists, I can stay on top of things. <ol> <li><a href="http://www.travelsmith.com/TravelSmith/US/TravelCenter/guide-packing-checklist/landing-path?redirect=y" target="_blank">Packing</a> :: I've used the same list for over ten years. I have one for me and one for each child. You will never forget anything.</li> <li>Cleaning :: I like this <a href="http://www.realsimple.com/home-organizing/cleaning/daily-cleaning-checklist-00000000000953/index.html" target="_blank">Daily Cleaning Checklist</a> by Real Simple. It reminds me of how little time it takes for routine maintenance and cleaning. Moneysavingmom's <a href="http://moneysavingmom.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/2-hour-house-clean1.pdf" target="_blank">2-Hour Holiday Cleaning List</a> also helps me whip a disaster into shape.<a title="How to Make a Grocery List" href="https://outsidetheboxmom.com/2011/11/12/how-to-make-a-grocery-list/" target="_blank">Grocery List</a> :: Working through my grocery list like the store's layout makes it a breeze. It also serves as a "<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trigger_list:" target="_blank">trigger list</a>" for items I may have forgotten.</li> <li><a title="Back to School" href="https://outsidetheboxmom.com/tag/back-to-school/" target="_blank">Back to School</a> : Everything from preparing for a new school, school supplies, and how to end the year right.</li> <li><a href="http://printables.yourway.net/holiday-printables/" target="_blank">Holiday Planning</a> :: Thanksgiving and Christmas lists for shopping, cooking, gift-giving, and more.</li> <li><a href="http://printables.yourway.net/birthday-party-planner/" target="_blank">Birthday Party Planner</a> :: Planning the theme, venue, guests, and supplies.</li> <li><a href="http://moneysavingmom.com/2010/12/free-customizable-daily-docket-now-available-for-download.html" target="_blank">Daily Routine</a> :: A daily printable checklist for important tasks, chores, meal planning, health, and more.</li> <li>Meal Planning :: I recommend using Crystal Van Tassel's method in <a title="How to Meal Plan: A Step by Step Guide for Busy Moms {Review}" href="https://outsidetheboxmom.com/2013/02/26/how-to-meal-plan-step-by-step-guide-for-busy-moms/" target="_blank">How to Meal Plan: A Step by Step Guide for Busy Moms</a></li> </ol> <h4>What checklist(s) would you add to this list?</h4> <h4 style="text-align: center;">Read other posts in the <a title="31 Days" href="https://outsidetheboxmom.com/tag/31-days/">31 Days to Make Being a Working Mom Easier</a> series.</h4> <a title="31 Days" href="https://outsidetheboxmom.com/tag/31-days/"><img class=" size-full wp-image-6010 aligncenter" src="https://outsidetheboxmom.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/31-days-to-make-being-a-working-mom-easier.jpg" alt="31-days-to-make-being-a-working-mom-easier" width="125" height="125" /></a> <p style="text-align: center;">Don't miss anything in this series, <strong>SUBSCRIBE:</strong></p> <div id="mc_embed_signup"><form id="mc-embedded-subscribe-form" class="validate" action="//outsidetheboxmom.us8.list-manage.com/subscribe/post?u=d59de7986cdd8b86db1ecb432&id=d4a0eb39a8" method="post" name="mc-embedded-subscribe-form" novalidate="" target="_blank"> <h2>Enter your email address to get the best time-saving tips and solutions for busy, working moms in your inbox.</h2> <div class="indicates-required"><span class="asterisk">*</span> indicates required</div> <div class="mc-field-group"><label for="mce-EMAIL">Email Address <span class="asterisk">*</span> </label> <input id="mce-EMAIL" class="required email" name="EMAIL" type="email" value="" /></div> <div class="mc-field-group"><label for="mce-MMERGE11">First Name <span class="asterisk">*</span> </label> <input id="mce-MMERGE11" class="required" name="MMERGE11" type="text" value="" /></div> <div id="mce-responses" class="clear"></div> <!-- real people should not fill this in and expect good things - do not remove this or risk form bot signups--> <div style="position: absolute; left: -5000px;"><input tabindex="-1" name="b_d59de7986cdd8b86db1ecb432_d4a0eb39a8" type="text" value="" /></div> <div class="clear"><input id="mc-embedded-subscribe" class="button" name="subscribe" type="submit" value="Subscribe" /></div> </form></div> <script src="//s3.amazonaws.com/downloads.mailchimp.com/js/mc-validate.js" type="text/javascript"></script><script type="text/javascript">// <![CDATA[ (function($) { window.fnames = new Array(); window.ftypes = new Array();fnames[0]='EMAIL';ftypes[0]='email';fnames[1]='FNAME';ftypes[1]='text';fnames[11]='MMERGE11';ftypes[11]='text';fnames[2]='LNAME';ftypes[2]='text';fnames[3]='MMERGE3';ftypes[3]='text';fnames[4]='MMERGE4';ftypes[4]='text';fnames[5]='MMERGE5';ftypes[5]='text';fnames[6]='MMERGE6';ftypes[6]='text';fnames[7]='MMERGE7';ftypes[7]='text';fnames[8]='MMERGE8';ftypes[8]='text';fnames[9]='MMERGE9';ftypes[9]='text';fnames[10]='MMERGE10';ftypes[10]='text'; }(jQuery)); var $mcj = jQuery.noConflict(true); // ]]></script> <!--End mc_embed_signup-->](https://outsidetheboxmom.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/checklists-to-save-time-fb.jpg)

This is great planning advice for life! Your post reminded me that I need to pack my bags 8 hrs before and I almost need a separate bag for everything. I am always looking for ways to organize. Great post!
yep so agree with you all is easier with a plan
I hope you plan to come see us at http://shopannies.blogspot.com
Great list! I always start my packing list about a week before so that I don’t forget anything. If I just pack the day before the trip, something always gets left behind.
I need to be better about writing grocery lists though because I always forget one important thing.
These are some awesome lists. I have a morning routine list I follow each day to help make sure I start out on the right track.
Hey, Anything that helps save time is good for me, and many others.
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