CVS: Go Paperless with "Receipt You Later" + 7 Best Practices for Organizing Your Life

This post was sponsored by CVS.  All views and opinions are my own. 

Is your cluttered life trying to tell you something? Some of us do best when our life is organized, home is tidy and things run on schedule. However, December is not the time for that to happen. Planning events, parties, holidays and school breaks alone is a juggling act. Add in the rest of everyday life and some surprises and we're bound to end up unorganized.

Hacks for staying organized

1. Have a place for everything and everything in their place. Easier said than done, right? Ask for organizing tools for gifts this year and you may find it to be easier. It'll make you less stressed and you'll find that a cluttered desk isn't the way it has to be! You can still have a secret junk drawer: I won't tell!

2. Have a 2 in, 1 out rule (or start with the 1 in and 1 out rule.) For every item you bring in, you need to get rid of one or two items. It may not seem like a big deal to you, but tell that to your five year old! Yep, it is easy to accumulate more but in the long run, you'll be happier without the 16 pairs of toddler shoes that were so cute for the 3 months your child fit them!

3. Streamline your shopping. Find the best deals, keep a list of what you need and use digital receipts when you can.  CVS Pharmacy says "Receipt You Later" and it allows you to empty your purse of all the paper receipts. Wondering what price you paid when you got that screaming deal on pantyhose?  With the Receipt You Later digital receipts from CVS, that information is available right on your phone! Personally, I don't mind having the long paper receipts with the coupons whenever I shop at CVS. But apparently, a lot of people reacted to the long receipts and CVS listened. So last June, they offered the option for shoppers to go paperless- which means, instead of getting printed receipts, you'll get receipts via email. 

Personally, I still really like the idea of seeing my own paper receipts and coupons whenever I check out at CVS. So I'm glad I can still have that option. But for those of you who want to take advantage of digital receipts, you can sign up by completing a simple, one-time opt-in process in store that includes enrolling in the ExtraCare Rewards program (if you're not already a member) and providing a valid email address. Once enrolled, you will have all receipts delivered digitally via email and continue to receive exclusive benefits, personalized savings offers, available ExtraBucks Rewards and more, which can be redeemed in store by using a smartphone, tablet or computer!  And here's a cool thing: if you're like me who likes printed paper receipts, you can still request a paper copy of your receipt at the time of the transaction. I like that!

ExtraBucks Rewards and special offers are also available through the CVS Pharmacy app, making it easy for interested customers to go paperless, without having to worry about losing or forgetting paper rewards and coupons, or missing out on opportunities to save.

PS: If you are not already a part of the ExtraCare Rewards program, be sure to enroll with easy sign up either online at CVS.com or at your local CVS Pharmacy. Once a member, you will automatically start to earn 2% cash back on each and every purchase along with personalized deals and coupons based on your shopping history.

4. Don't save important things until the last minute. Things like Pharmacy refills and doctor's appointments should be managed early on so that you don't end up stressed.  *Stress and feeling unorganized go hand and hand.
5. Donate more often.From the boots that your children have outgrown that can go to a Foster Closet, to the 36 tubes of toothpaste that you got for virtually free due to couponing, you'll feel good about giving, and you'll also have more space for stuff you need.
6. Use an online calendar, but keep some important things written down in a small calendar that fits in your purse. If you have a lot going on, you can set up automatic reminders in your online calendar synced to your phone so that you won't miss appointments, but also so that you can "write in" your exercise or time to call an old friend and catch up.
7. Have appropriate expectations. If your child can't handle picking up their toys, perhaps you need to rotate toys so there are fewer to actually create a tornado's wrath worth of mess. If you find yourself overwhelmed with keeping up with laundry, don't get more clothes, it just gives you more to get in the "to be folded" pile. Keep your clothes rotated just like toys so that you can keep up with what has to be done. And, it may not be "cool" these days, but kids as young as elementary school can definitely help with washing their own clothes and even putting them away.

When it comes to making life easier, a lot has to being physically and mentally organized. If you know what needs to be done, but don't have time to do it, something needs to change. Prioritizing your needs can help make time for being organized so that, in the long run, you have more time to relax!

*Source: Psychology Today. Why Mess Causes Stress: 8 Reasons, 8 Remedies. Sherrie Bourg Carter Psy.D