If you're using a new recipe, read through it in its entirety before you begin.

It may seem obvious, but if you're a little scatterbrained at time, like me, you've probably had the experience of skimming over a recipe, thinking it's a piece of cake, and then finding out halfway through that you're missing an ingredient. Sometimes I've gotten partway through a recipe only to realize that it's far more complex than I originally thought.

Reading through the whole recipe first allows me to gather all my ingredients in a convenient location, and think through my process. For example, putting pasta on to boil first and then mixing other ingredients.

Have multiple timers available, or use a multi-use timer.

Trying to remember how many more minutes the biscuits need to bake after the main course is done can add to your stress levels, especially if you're in a rush, with kids underfoot.

Once you've got everything going, start cleaning up while it's cooking.

This tip won't work for every recipe, especially those that require constant attention. If you're making a dish that spends twenty minutes in the oven, it's a perfect opportunity to start cleaning up your prep mess. The chore of cleaning up after dinner is much less intimidating if you've already cleaned up most of the items you used to prepare the meal.

At the grocery store, try combining coupons with store sales.

Buy-one-get-one-free offers for products you use frequently or can freeze are great deals, especially if you have a coupon to add to your savings. You can buy name brand products at a significant discount by taking advantage of store specials and adding coupon savings on top of it.

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