‘Checklists’ Can Help Organize Your Time

Fri., Jan. 7, 2000

By Susan English susane@spokesman.com

The world’s divided into those who make lists and the rest of us who just wing it on through our days.

A new book with a vast array of organized advice will appeal to list-lovers and wannabes alike.

“Checklists for Life: 104 Lists to Help You” by Kirsten M. Lagatree (Random House, $12.95) contains advice for just about any situation you’re likely to encounter sometime during your life.

Buying a car? Turn to the chapter titled “Your Car,” where you’ll find a list of issues to consider before buying as well as lists for items that you should carry in your car, tips for finding a good mechanic, a checklist for what to do in an accident and a car insurance rate reduction checklist.

Other chapters range from dealing with money (bank accounts, accountants, credit cards and stock trading), computers (buying, e-mail etiquette, viruses), travel and law to health and correspondence.

The first 11 chapters address household issues ranging from home safety and maintenance to personal safety to lists for moving or throwing a party.

Be aware that regardless of how organized you think you are now, you’ll feel like a slacker after reading this book. But “Checklists for Life,” will free up time that you might otherwise have spent making your own lists. With all this newfound time, you can really get organized.

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