This might not work with club aircraft, particularly if you fly several different ones, but I was taught to "learn" the correct power settings for the various configurations.
So written on my pad is that X is so many knots trimmed straight & level; Y (no trim change) will get me a 500fpm descent; gear and flaps down and Z will get 80 knots and 3 degrees down; and so on.
Using those, I can "set" the power and know it's going to be within a spit of right. There may be slight adjustments needed, but not a lot. It's a bit more to learn, but once you have it, flying is a lot easier.
You might need a weight adjustment - solo vs loaded, full vs empty tanks. Actually makes very little difference in our particular beast.