When you set a schedule and stick to it, you can usually fit in some time that's designated just for you.

Staying organized can be a great help when you want to make some extra time for yourself. When things are running smoothly, you don't have to waste time backtracking, fixing mistakes, and looking for things that have been misplaced.

• Some families have way too much "stuff." If your family falls into this category, do something about it. Have a de-junking of your home or apartment and rid yourself of all the non-essential items that are causing clutter. Throw away things that are useless and donate anything that might be useful to someone.

• Create a family schedule. If rushing around to make appointments is eating up your day and slowing you down, creating a family schedule might be just the thing to help. Pick up a dry erase board from an office supply store and write out the highlights and reminders for the week. You can do this on Sunday nights so that the new week can start off on the right foot.

• If your kids' rooms are a point of contention, do some basic organizing. Buy plastic tubs or stacking drawers and mark them to hold toys, clothes and other items. Make sure each child has a laundry bag for dirty clothes, too. Work with your children to help them learn to put items in the correct places.

• Make some meals ahead, if you can. Cooking can take up a lot of your evening. If you cook several meals on a weekend and freeze them for later use, you can come home to delicious meals that can be quickly warmed up in the microwave or oven. Do some research first to choose recipes that freeze well, and follow directions for proper wrapping and storage.