If you've instructed your invitees to respond using an included card or to call, it may be easiest to create a manual RSVP list. This can be as simple as a printed guest list with check marks to indicate attendance or 'X's to indicate those who are unable to attend. Conversely, you can create a more advanced manual tracking system using a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet or online spreadsheet tool to tally the total number of RSVPs, plus ones, the number of adults or children, type of meal, and other predetermined factors. If you determined digital invitations are the best solution for your event, you will more than likely be given access to a digital RSVP tracking program. This is one of many reasons people choose digital invites. However, if you choose traditional paper invites, you can still plug your invitation list and RSVP information into digital tracking systems to streamline the RSVP process. Eventbrite, Evite, and other similar RSVP resources are available at minimal or no cost to use. Once you have a good idea how many of your guests can attend the event, make sure your venue, food vendor, and other accommodations will meet the needs of your guests. Double check the number of meals you've ordered, any maximum occupancies in buildings, and other possible concerns to make sure you're providing for your guests' needs to the best of your abilities. Whether or not you receive gifts from those in attendance, it's important to let them know you appreciated them taking time out of their schedules for your event. Use a guest sign in sheet or have someone at the door keeping track of who was in attendance. Then, send thank you notes. Thank you notes can be as simple as, "Thank you for attending my birthday party!" If you do receive a gift, make sure to include a specific reference within your note by saying something like, "Thank you so much for attending my graduation reception. I look forward to putting the pen set you gifted me to good use in my future career!" Like the invitations themselves, these can be digital or traditionally printed depending on your unique situation.
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One-sentence summary -- Keep track of RSVPs manually. Use an online RSVP system. Prepare for the appropriate number of guests. Send thank you notes.

Organize your obligations into "Do," "Don't Do," and "Delegate." Instead of trying to do it all, figure out which household tasks need to be done (your "Do" list), and which can wait (your "Don't Do" list). If there are things you could get your partner, your kids, or a hired hand to do washing the dishes, walking the dog, and so on separate them into your "Delegate" list. This will rebalance your family's time in such a way that you all have the ability to spend more time together, instead of you and/or your partner taking on a disproportionate amount of housework. Be realistic and honest when evaluating your time. Don't add something to your "Do" list just because you feel guilty. Organize your work tasks, too, so that you can identify which things need doing and which you can delegate to a coworker. You can lose a lot of time that can be spent with your family (or on yourself) by searching for misplaced keys, remote controls, and other essential belongings. Choose a convenient location for your wallet or purse, your keys, and your glasses. Get in the habit of placing these essentials especially the things you seem to lose frequently in the same place every day. For instance, you might choose to always put your glasses by the bedside, and your keys by the door. Look for ways to save time and use them whenever possible. For instance, if your dry cleaner offers free pickup, or you can get your pizza delivered instead of picking it up, spring for these convenience services. This will help you maximize your family time. If you're enrolled in university, use the campus gym instead of trekking from school to the gym and then home. If you're the type of person who rises to a challenge, you might benefit from trying to make and meet unique family-related goals. Set a minimum amount of time to spend with your family each week for instance, 15 hours. Or you could try a qualitative goal like making your child smile at dinner. Change your family-time goals regularly to keep the contest fresh. Instead of checking email, working on projects, and texting friends or coworkers when you're home, turn your phone off and shut down your computer. This way, your family will get your undivided attention. After your kids and partner are asleep, you can log back on. This is especially important during family outings and meals. You can also use your computer and phone early in the morning, when your kids and partner are asleep. Some people get discouraged because they think, "I could never maximize my family time in the way that my neighbor did." This is defeatist thinking and will not help you maximize your family time. Instead, organize your time as well a possible without passing judgment on yourself. Remember, nobody can spend all their time with their family.
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One-sentence summary -- Prioritize your time. Organize your things. Take advantage of all your resources. Adopt family-time goals. Unplug when you're at home. Don't compare yourself to others.

If you have 3 microtubes, you could create 3 balance tubes and situate the 3 pairs across from one another. Alternately, balance the centrifuge without using balance tubes by positioning the 3 microtubes at 2 o'clock, 6 o'clock, and 10 o'clock. The clock positions work well when balancing a 12-hole centrifuge. Other common sizes include centrifuges with 24 and 30 holes. To balance the centrifuge using 5 microtubes, first fill 1 balance tube with water. Then position 3 tubes at 11, 12, and 1 o'clock. Position the other 3 tubes at 5, 6, and 7 o'clock. The balance tube can be located in any of these positions. Balance the centrifuge with 6 microtubes using the same configuration, but swap out the balance tube for a sample-filled microtube. Place 2 sets of 4 microtubes in a way that the sets will counterbalance one another and center the weight in the centrifuge. Place 4 microtubes (including the balance tube) at 11, 12, 1, and 2 o'clock. Then place 4 more microtubes at 5, 6, 7, and 8 o'clock. You can balance a centrifuge using 8 microtubes in the same configuration. Just replace one of the microtubes with a sample-filled tube.
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One-sentence summary --
Balance 3 microtubes by placing tubes at even intervals. Position 5 microtubes with 1 balance tube. Situate 7 microtubes and 1 balance tube in the centrifuge.