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Google Keep: Learn the Basics + Use Key Features

By Blog, Checklists, Digital Minimalism, Digital Organizing No Comments

 

 

Are you someone who makes it all the way to the grocery store before you realize you forgot your shopping list?

 

Or do you just like to wing it? No list at all, taking the risk of wasting money on duplicate ingredients that you already have at home?

 

If you fall into either of these categories or you’re just looking for ways to uplevel your grocery process… then you definitely need this time-saving, note-taking, checklist Google Keep app to simplify your life today.

 

Plus, I’ll be showing you how to share your shopping lists with others so that you can delegate tasks and free up your own time!

 

What is Google Keep used for?

 

If you’re anything like me, I’ll often remember while I’m out and about that I had to pick something up, but then realize I left that sticky note at home so I’m not too sure what it was. This happens so often when I’m driving by a grocery store, hardware store, or in an area of town that I know I had some errands to do in.

So I’ll let you in on my secret… I have a favorite app for shopping lists, errand reminders, and notes, all in one place.

 

This magical solution is called Google Keep!

 

I’ve used this daily and consistently for many years and have found that it saves me so much time and stress on my weekly shopping trips.

 

I’ve tested many other apps but they just didn’t work for me. They weren’t easy to share with others, they costed more money than I felt they were worth, and they weren’t simple enough to use on all kinds of devices.  

What I love about Google Keep is that it works on iOS and Android devices, as well as the good ol’ fashioned desktop computer!

During the week when I notice I’m running low on my favorite coconut yogurt, dish soap, toilet paper, batteries, or other household items, I can simply add them to one of my Google Keep Lists.

 

If there’s a specific brand I like for something, I can also snap a photo and add it to the Grocery List in a pinch.

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How to use Google Keep Notes

 

I’m sure you shop at a few different grocery stores, so I recommend you have one running grocery list. This way, you can refer to it while you’re out at any location. Now if you decide to pick up a few items for dinner, you’ll have your handy list at your fingertips and can cross things off at the same time!

 

I recommend you create shopping lists for the types of stores you frequent on a regular basis.

 

The lists I love to have and recommend you make in your own Google Keep are the following,

  • Costco
  • Home Depot or a Hardware Store
  • Drug Store
  • Garden Center
  • Office Supplies
  • Errands  

 

You can even add your packing lists and other notes in here too, but that’s a whole other story for another time 😉

 

 

Can you share Google Keep with others?

 

Now, here’s the best part of Google Keep. This feature saves me time and it’s how I’ve been able to delegate household grocery shopping to my husband so I don’t have to do it every week!

Also, when he’s at a hardware or drug store he can simply check the lists to see if there’s something specific that I need and easily see which brands I like. In turn, this saves me from having to drive to those same stores again and we don’t have to text back and forth about what I’d like him to pick up.

 

Inside Google Keep, you can share your created lists with family members, teenagers, your nanny, or anyone else that does errands and may help out with your shopping.

For uses in my business, I’ve even shared project lists with clients, team members working on the project, or my client’s nanny who does the grocery shopping. Then when I’m organizing an area of their home and notice that they are low on cleaning products, batteries, or pantry items, I can easily add the items to their grocery list.

 

It’s a time-saver for everyone involved!

 

This app is a great assistant for someone who’s doing grocery shopping for their elderly parents or caring for a loved one. It’s really simple to use and anyone with a phone can learn how to add an item to a list if you show them how, all they need is a Gmail address.

 

They don’t even necessarily need to use the Gmail email. I’ve helped set up many accounts over the years just so someone could be added to a Google Keep List!

 

When adding a collaborator to a Google Keep list, make sure they understand how to add items to the various lists. Then whoever is doing the shopping knows what they’re supposed to buy. This will help you avoid wasting money on the wrong printer toner or kitchen pantry items that you may already have enough of on hand.

 

Keep in mind, that if you want to own the Google Keep List or Note (meaning keep it on your account), the best practice would be to set up the list on your mobile device first, and then add others to it. That way you can manage who is added and deleted from each list.

 

You can also add Google Assistant for a voice-activated, hands-off feature. Add items to your list by saying, “Hey Google, add Almond Butter to Grocery List” then it’s totally off your mind!

 

 

Could you see this saving you time and money?  

 

Let me know in the comments below what shopping lists you’re going to create!

 

 

 

 

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gym bag organization

Gym Bag Essentials Checklist

By Blog, Checklists, Closet Organizing, Home Organizing, Time Management No Comments

Have you ever gone to the gym, worked out, showered and realized you forget to bring your towel?  Ooops, that’s no fun trying to dry yourself off with your sweaty workout clothes or sweaty gym towel.  Yuk!  Or have you ever forgot to bring body wash, realize your shampoo bottle is empty, forgot your flip flops, hair brush, blow dryer or the one thing you hope never happens to you, undergarments (oh my that’s uncomfortable).  A gym bag essentials checklist saves the day!  I’m sure you can relate one way or the other.  I know I can.  “Been there, done that” as they saying goes!

Create a Checklist for Routine Tasks

Going to the gym at 5:30 am is very early for me and I’m hitting the snooze button a few times to squeeze every last minute of shut eye that I can possibly get before I need to jump out of bed, get dressed, brush my teeth, grab my gym bag and go.  Just ask my husband.  I know I’m not alone on this one. Maybe you can relate to this as well.

Use Checklists for Routine Tasks

Since going to the gym was a new routine and I didn’t like wasting time in the morning or having a really bad hair day, the logical side of me decided to create a gym bag essentials checklist. One of my top tips on how to organize your life is to create checklists for routine tasks you do on a regular basis, like packing your gym bag three times a week.

So I sat down at my computer and created my first gym bag essentials checklist and you can download it here and create your own. It’s super easy when you have something to look at and follow. So take my Gym Bag Essentials Checklist and make it your own.

Create Multiple Copies

Getting organized is easy when you know what to do and how to do it. This leads me to another one of my top organizing tips when using checklists. Create multiple copies and place them where you’ll see them. Place a copy of your checklist in your gym bag, by your toothbrush and in your toiletries bag. These are all logical places and great reminders to help jog your memory so you don’t forget to pack what you need in your gym bag.

Time-saving Workouts

Organizing your gym bag is one thing to accomplish, it’s another to actually go and work out!  Driving to the gym, working out for an hour, then driving back home or to work can take 1.5 hours out of your day and frankly who has that kind of time when there is so much to get done today.  Thankfully there are some very effective workouts that you can do at home or when you travel.  My favorite workout is JJ Virgins 4×4 video’s that I can watch on my laptop, iPad or iPhone if I really wanted to.  JJ’s Fit Clut 4×4 video’s pack a whole of of workout in 15 minutes and you can modify them when you’re travelling.

Gym Bag Essentials Checklist for Peace of Mind

The next time you forget to pack something, ask yourself “do I have a checklist for that?”  And in case you’re one of those people who are always running late and dashing out the door wondering if you forgot something, take 15 minutes now to create a simple checklist for certain routine tasks.  Checklists are one of the best ways to getting organized and will give you peace of mind that you’ll have what you need when you need it!