It's Never Too Early To Start Thinking About Thank You Notes!

So much work is put into preparing for the holidays and in the blink of an eyelash, they are over! Though it is tempting to wallow in our post-holiday haze, we still need to complete one more holiday task: writing thank you notes!

What I find is helpful is using all that pre-holiday excitement as momentum for the task at hand. When out shopping for holiday gifts, make a special point of picking up thank you notes. Pick out different ones for each of your children to give as stocking stuffers.

Better yet, let your little ones make their own thank you cards. It is a great way to recycle all those holiday cards! Just give them some scissors, construction paper, markers and glue and let creativity be their guide!

A photograph of your child holding up or interacting with their gift makes a great thank you! Enclose the photo in a traditional thank you note, make a card using printable photo paper, or simply write a heartfelt note on the back!

Unleash Your Organized Me!

Quick Holiday Tip - Gift Receipts

Making sure holiday gift receipts don't get lost in all the wrapping and unwrapping can be a challenge! Try taping the receipt to the gift immediately after you purchase it. For clothing, I like to tape the receipt right to the tags. This will make sure the gift receipt stays put and saves the gift receiver the time needed to locate the receipt (or the embarrassment of asking the gift giver for the receipt!).

Unleash Your Organized Me!

Think Inside The Bin!

Here's a idea that can help encourage your kids to get organized. When shopping for toys this holiday season, pick up some extra canvas storage totes. Ask each child to fill up a tote with toys they no longer need in order to make room for those that are on their wish list (making sure that they give up at least one old toy for each one that is on their list). Donate any toys that are in good condition. The tote can then double as a "gift bag" and organization unit for the new toys.

Unleash Your Organized Me!

Multitasking Holiday Decoration Tip

The holidays have descended upon us once again, making it absolutely necessary to hone those organizational skills. My philosophy has always been to keep it simple. Here is one of my favorite holiday decoration tips. As I purchase holiday gifts, I wrap them immediately and spread them throughout the house to double as decorations. Not only does it make my house look festive, but it gives me a visual of my progress with the holiday shopping. I also find it helps eliminate the possibility of me forgetting anyone on my list. Remember to put out a few small wrapped gifts appropriate for any age or gender so that they are at the ready when unexpected company drop by.

Unleash Your Organized Me!

Awesome Vehicle Dashboard Organizing Tool!

If you are like me, keeping track of my cell phone when I am on the go can get pretty tricky. Yesterday while I was in Staples, I came across a great product that will help me find my cell phone a little easier. The product is called the StickyPad and is made by HandStands. It is a small rubberized pad that clings to the dashboard of your vehicle and keeps cell phones, glasses and other small items in place. Here is a photo:

It was even on sale for $1.50!!! I bought several for stocking stuffers. For other neat gadgets by this company, visit the following link:

http://www.handstands.com/.

Unleash Your Organized Me!

Idea for Green Gift Packaging!

I am always looking for ways to package gifts creatively. Lately while I was wandering the aisles of my local grocery store, I spotted a display of those reusable grocery bags. Instead of the usual basic black, there were some printed in attractive colored designs. It occurred to me that they would make a great gift bag! In the spirit of multitasking, these bags are a perfect way to ensure that gift packaging can be repurposed! They also seem to be a lot studier than your average gift bag and at only a dollar each, quite affordable! I purchased a bunch of these and plan to use them for Christmas.

Unleash Your Organized Me!

A Busy Life Can Be An Organized Life!

Everybody feels like they are short on time these days. If only there were a few more hours in the day! Yet, busy and organized are not mutually exclusive terms. Recently an acquaintance pointed this out to me when she told me I have a busy but organized life (thank you for the inspiration J.M.!). With a little planning, you can be organized within your busy life! Here is some advice on how to do this:

Realize that you can't do everything! Moderation is the key! Use the analogy of eating at a buffet. You only have so much room on your plate! If you want to eat a healthy, well-balanced meal, some prioritizing is in order. Therefore, when mananging your time, think of your top five priorities. These may vary among individuals, but some common examples are family, work, school, home and self-care. If you find yourself not being able to manage activities related to these areas, this is a sign that something less important needs to go!

It is okay to say no! And yes, even professional organizers have times where they need to do this! Time management involves learning the skills necessary to identify realistically what you can and can not accomplish with the time you have (and not the time you wish you had!).

Learn how to do everyday tasks more efficiently! Multitask, multitask, multitask! I can't say this enough. Going back to college has forced me to hone my multitasking skills even more. One thing I do routinely is drink my first cup of morning coffee while I walk my dog. This has helped me shave time off my routine. There is a great website that teaches busy women how to squeeze in exercise while doing household chores. Here is the link:
http://www.squeezeitin.com/.

Never underestimate the power of a crockpot! You can even put meat in it straight from the freezer in case you forget to thaw it the day before. I like to use my crockpot to make pulled chicken. I use one pound of boneless, skinless chicken and add one 8 ounce can of plain tomato sauce mixed with a quarter cup of barbeque sauce. I cook the chicken on low for about 5 hours. Using two forks, I pull the chicken and serve it on rolls or use it to make a quesadilla (quesadilla makers are also a great time saving device). This usually serves about 2 to 3. You can easily adjust the recipe for a larger crowd. It makes for a quick, simple dinner when time is scarce!

Take cues from the status of the economy! In these hard economic times, most everyone is finding ways to save money. Try balancing out the extracurricular load with some volunteering. Not only is it free, but it helps those in need and builds character to boot!

Teach the kids how to cook! This is a great way to spend family time together and it gives them valuable skills they can use later in life. Your digestive system, not to mention your wallet will be much happier with one less fast food meal!

Unleash Your Organized Me!

'Tis The Season for Preparation!

However you look at it, the holidays are approaching. Every year I find myself starting my shopping earlier to help avoid the stress that comes with trying to get everything done at the last minute. October is a great time to start the holiday preparations. What I like to do is start my online shopping. I find I save a lot of time and often am able to get the best price. By starting now, you can reduce shipping costs as there is plenty of time for those gifts to arrive. Aim to purchase about one gift a day. This in turn, helps to spread out holiday spending over a few months. If you purchase multiple items at one time, consider yourself ahead!

Other things that can be started are taking an inventory of gift wrap and bows. These are things that are easy to pick up at the grocery store when you are doing the weekly shopping. This is also a perfect time to start making cookie dough to put in the freezer for later use.

Preparing ahead will save time and stress and make for an enjoyable holiday season!

Unleash Your Organized Me!

What To Do For Those School Paper Blues

Now that the kids have been back in school for a few weeks now, the papers they have brought home are starting to accummulate. Left unmanaged, these can easily become clutter: an organizing dilemma I often encounter. The key for dealing with school papers is to be prepared! Here are some ideas:

1. Container! Container! Container! This is one area where having a container is absolutely necessary. It can be as simple as a box with a few file folders. Use a wicker basket for a nice decorative touch. I highly recommend purchasing some legal size manila folders (available at office supply stores) to accommodate larger sized items such as artwork. As I was surfing the internet, I came across some Corruboard products that would work well for organizing school papers. Here are some links to check out:
http://www.enasco.com/product/9720884H
http://www.enasco.com/product/WA26884H

Lillian Vernon has a great porfolio that can be used to hold school papers, artwork and keepsakes. Here is a link:
http://www.lillianvernon.com/catalog/product_display.jsp?pdId=777

Today in Joann Fabrics I saw large portfolio cases made out of posterboard that were not only eco friendly, but wallet friendly as well ($9.99 each). Each looked as if it could hold a year plus worth of papers/artwork!

2. Give each child a separate folder. Also, create subfolders within each folder for categories such as homework to be completed, homework to be submitted, school notices (policies, permission slips, upcoming activities), and artwork. This will help keep all paperwork in one area and eliminate time being wasted trying to track things down.

3. Create a routine. Build time into your schedule daily to go through paperwork your children bring home. Also, look through the existing folders to weed out papers that can be tossed or transferred to a filing cabinet for long term storage. Creating a routine helps pass on useful organizational skills to your child. Eventually, they will be able to sort their school papers on their own!


Unleash Your Organized Me!

Time to organize those Kodak moments!

Now that summer is drawing to a close and school is back in session, it is a perfect time to get those photos organized! Whether you prefer to use a digital camera or take pictures the old fashioned way, photos have a way of accummulating quickly. Develop a routine to make sure they become cherished memories and not clutter! (something I see quite often). Here are some suggestions to help get those photos organized:

Transfer digital photos immediately from your camera! (or get photos developed immediately). The longer photos stay stored on your camera, the easier it is that they become forgotten! I usually make sure to transfer my images within a day of shooting. Giving yourself a specific deadline helps "cement" the routine into place.

Create a separate folder on your computer for each photo session. For printed photos, put them in separate envelopes and store in photos boxes by year. This helps tremendously when you are trying to find a particular photo. I like to label mine according to a specific vacation or occasion (ex. Christmas 2008, Las Vegas 2009). Once the photos are on your computer, back them up immediately on a CD. You can use one CD to store many folders of photos: sometimes even a whole year's worth. You can then put the CD in a photo storage box along with printed photos if you like. Keep only recent folders of photos on your computer, otherwise you are taking up memory on your hard drive as well as creating electronic clutter.

Resist the urge to print every photo. I actually like to view my photos on my computer like a slide show. CDs take up a lot less space than paper copies! Also, consider purchasing a digital photo frame or put some photos on your IPod. If you prefer printed photos, try to store them in photo boxes instead of bulky albums to preserve space. Photo storage boxes come in an array of shapes, sizes and colors so they can be used for decorative purposes as well.

Convert paper photos into digital. Today's technological advances allow us to turn those paper photos into digital images. Here are some links to digital converters:

http://www.skymall.com/shopping/detail.htm?pid=102592830&c=10280

http://www.frontgate.com/jump.jsp?itemID=16646&itemType=PRODUCT&iProductID=16646&path=1%2C2%2C162%2C113%2C116%2C4631


Unleash Your Organized Me!

Great Organizing Product for Barbie Dolls and Hot Wheels Cars!

Hi everyone! I hope you all are having a great summer! Here's a quick post about an organizing product that may help with the seemingly endless chore of picking up those toys!

I recently received a catalog for a company called The Lakeside Collection (http://www.lakeside.com/). I have to confess that I was originally annoyed when I saw it because it is the Christmas 2009 edition! Even though I like to start my Holiday shopping early, it's hard to think about Christmas when it's 90 degrees outside!

Anyway, as I was flipping through it, I saw the most interesting organizing product for Barbie Dolls and Hot Wheels Cars! It is very much like a shoe organizer that you can hang over the door of your child's room. It also acts as a way to display the toys so that your child can see them (unlike putting them all in a bin). Here is the link:

http://www.lakeside.com/details.asp?I=DC3&R=877227025DC34&Ntt=%3FDC3&N=36.

Unleash Your Organized Me!

Top 10 Reasons it Feels Great to Get Organized!

I know getting organized seems like so much work. But believe me, once you get started, it gets easier!

Here are 10 reasons why it feels great to get organized!

1) Organizing is a good form of exercise! I have been known to break a good sweat when I am in the middle of an organizing session. Exercise is not only good for physical health, but emotional health as well.

2) Organizing is a great way to find items that have been forgotten! Many times people find money, new clothing (sometimes with the tags still on), important papers, momentos and much more.

3) Organizing helps you keep a cleaner house! When there is clutter, sometimes dust and mold follow. Clutter is also difficult to clean around.

4) Organizing helps bring a sense of mental calm! Sometimes people have a difficult time concentrating around clutter. Clutter has a tendency to overwhelm the senses!

5) Organizing helps you sell you home quicker! Ever wonder why home staging has become such a big business? Clutter prevents prospective buyers from seeing the potential in your home. Clutter makes rooms appear smaller, unclean and older than they actually are.

6) Organizing helps make your environment safer! I can't tell you how many times I have found sharp objects such as broken glass, nails and razor blades mixed in with a pile of clutter. Just imagine what would happen to a child or pets playing in that clutter. It's a disaster waiting to happen!


7) Organizing helps you save time! Whenever you spend time organizing you almost always get a return on your investment. Less time looking for items you need means more time for other activities.

8) Organizing helps you save money! This one relates to #7 in that time equals money. Saving time means we have more time to be productive. Sometimes the actual organizing leads to finding money. It is not unusual for people to find loose change they had tucked away (not just coins, but bills!). Other times, people find extra canned goods or cleaning supplies which helps them cut back on that week's grocery list.


9) Organizing helps people to develop new habits! There is nothing like a few good hours spent clearing a roomful of clutter to help one commit to change! It motivates people to work on simplifying their lives. Reoccurring piles of clutter can signify a schedule that is too hectic as well as difficulty establishing boundaries with other family members.


10) Organizing helps keep those kids busy! Time and time again, I find that kids always want to help with the organizing process. It is almost like a new adventure! I always give the kids a specific task instead of asking what they want to do. For example, I recently asked one little girl if she could find ten of her toys she could donate to a child that was needy. Within 5 minutes, the mission was accomplished!

Unleash Your Organized Me!

Think outside the list!

I myself am a big fan of lists. Sometimes I just don't have the time to write everything down, especially if I am in a hurry. Here is a little trick I use to help shortcut the process. I place an item strategically as a visual reminder of a task that needs to be completed. For example, recently, I needed to remind myself to make a jello salad for a picnic. After I did the grocery shopping, I put the boxes of jello on my kitchen table. Other examples of times where I use objects as cues are putting the slips for dry cleaning, postal reminders, etc. in a visible area of my car. This also saves me gas because I don't have to run home to get the slips before completing my errand.

One important thing to keep in mind is to be careful not to overuse this trick or you might find yourself creating clutter instead of reminders.

Unleash Your Organized Me!

Survey...In need of feedback regarding what characteristics of websites attract attention.

Hi everyone!

I am currently taking a survey for a web design class I am enrolled in. I am looking for feedback in regards to what characteristics of websites attract your attention the most. Here are examples of questions to fuel your thought.

Is it the format? If so, what do you like about how it is organized?

How about the way content is written?

Do you feel that the use of graphics helps or hinders your ability to interact with the website?

Do you prefer websites with multiple pages or do you like content to be arranged on one page?

What features do you feel are most important for website authors to include on their pages?


Any feedback is highly appreciated! Thank you!

Unleash Your Organized Me!

Make A Rainy Day an Organizing Day!

It's summer in Rochester and there is no shortage of rain! I can almost hear the litany of children's voices singing the "I'm Bored Blues". Rainy days are perfect for organizing! Organizing is like a puzzle! I know there are some of you who are doubting that your children would be interested in organizing. What I can tell you is that most of the time when I am organizing, the children always want to help. Many times, we uncover a favorite item that was believed to be "lost" but was merely underneath a pile of clutter.

With a few supplies and a little creativity, you can keep your children engaged for hours! Here are some suggestions on how to create "kid friendly" organizing tasks:

Start with areas that have items the kids will use. Such areas might be the basement or garage where sports equipment, pool supplies, and toys are often stored. Summer is the perfect time to take an inventory of what you have on hand so that you are prepared for all those barbeques and sleepovers. It is also a good time to set unwanted items aside for garage sales. You can use the proceeds towards a fun summer activity!

Provide an ample supply of different sized storage containers and shelf space. This can be a little painful if you have shelves that are already full. Nonetheless, you will need to clear them. Start with one section so it doesn't seem overwhelming. I am known to literally "dump" everything on the floor and start from scratch. It lets you survey the array of items that need to be organized. It's like opening a new jigsaw puzzle!

Use that rain water! Set some of those dirty garage or basement items out in the rain to help wash them off. While the rain might not get all that grime, at least you are putting it to good use. Keep a garden hose handy for additional rinsing.

Have snacks and beverages handy. Organizing involves physical activity, so people tend to get hungry and thirsty. While you are at it, put some good music on! Before you know it, everybody is having fun and by then, maybe the rain will be gone!



Unleash Your Organized Me!

When Family Members Sabotage Your Organizational Efforts

A common question that I am asked by my clients is what can they do to get their spouse and/or kids to become more organized. Other family members can often unintentionally sabotage our efforts at organizing. My thoughts on this subject can just about be summed up with the phrase "You can lead a horse to water, but you can't force him to drink". Therefore, we need to provide incentive for those "horses" (i.e. family members) to "drink the water". Here are some suggestions I give to my clients:


Create routines! As behavioral scientists have proven, humans can learn by watching others. Routines give something tangible for other family members to follow. If for example, you do grocery shopping faithfully on a particular day of the week (with limited trips in between), family members are more likely to let you know what they need before you go to the store. By letting the natural consequence occur (of possibly having to do without a favorite food or item for the week), the routine becomes even more powerful.


Create areas for each family member to store personal items! This is very important. If you designate places for each person to keep items, they will be less likely to leave them just anywhere. If a particular family member is having trouble finding space for their items, help them problem solve. Providing a solution is a positive way to avoid conflict started simply by nagging. Less time having to organize means more time to do fun things so hopefully the behavior will be self-reinforcing. If not, issue small rewards from time to time such as taking the kids out for ice cream when they pick up after themselves.

Designate clutter-free and "clutter appropriate" zones. I will say that I am using the words "clutter appropriate" loosely. What you want to do is designate some places in the household were some clutter can be tolerated. A good example is a play room. I do encourage my clients to work with their children on creating routines for picking up toys regularly so things don't get out of hand. What you don't want is for so many toys to be out at once that you can't see the floor. The same principle would apply for a garage or basement.

Good organization doesn't have to be perfect! Having everything look perfect is not the goal. What you do want is for areas in your home to be functional. You also want to be able to find things easily and reduce your stress level. Remember that those famous organization gurus that are on TV and in magazines have access to a staff!

Unleash Your Organized Me!

Coming out of the closet! Closet organizing basics.

When I see those ads in magazines for custom made closet organizing systems, I start to drool like a Pavlovian dog. Everything seems to fit so neatly and perfectly! Closet systems are wonderful, don't get me wrong, but they are not "self-organizing" (if only!). You can get your closet organized and maintain it that way with a few simple rules.

Divide clothing by type of item. Put like items together. For example, put all pants in one place, dresses in another, and so on. Next, colorize them within their groups. Put lighter colored items on the left and the darker colors on the right. I start with whites, followed by creams, beiges, yellows, oranges, pinks, reds, purples, blues, greens, browns, grays and blacks. Colorizing is what a lot of retail clothing stores do to give their clothing stock a neater appearance.

Keep clothing for all four seasons in your closet. I find it much easier to keep all my clothes in one place. It is a lot easier than switching it out every couple of months. Just follow the rule above, keeping like items together. If you don't have room to fit your entire wardrobe in your closet, then this is a cue that maybe you have too much or the existing space isn't being utilized efficiently.

Clear out clothing that isn't worn on a regular basis. I can't tell you how important this is! A lot of people get attached to clothing that they haven't worn in years! If you are having a hard time letting go of an item, try taking a picture of it. A photo takes up a lot less space. The Goodwill has the "one year rule": if you haven't worn it in a year, then it is time to get rid of it. I have a special corner in my closet where I set aside clothing to donate. When the pile gets about a foot high, I take it to the Goodwill. You can even get a receipt so you can deduct it on your tax return!

Corral those accessories! Try to keep accessories in one area of your closet. I like to hang all my belts on hangers. As for purses and other bags, I store these on a shelf. If you don't have shelves in your closet, you can use hooks. Also try consolidating space by storing the smaller bags within the larger ones. Shoes are sometimes difficult to organize. I line these up neatly on the closet floor.

Consider purchasing some organizational units for your closet. There are several inexpensive options available at http://www.spacesavers.com/. One product on their website that I thought would be particularly handy is their children's weekly clothing organizer that allows you to plan and store a whole week's worth of clothing for your child! Check it out at the following link:http://www.spacesavers.com/we.html

Unleash Your Organized Me!

The 411 On Being Prepared for A 911.

A few months ago, my husband and I woke up to the smell of something burning. Fortunately it was not a fire: the control board on the furnace had malfunctioned. I couldn't help but wonder what if it had been an actual fire. Of course my initial thoughts were that I would make sure everyone got out safely. But then I thought about whether I would be able to grab my purse or other important items. What would I do if I lost my license, credit cards, or even my medications? This set me on a mission to be as prepared as I could should an emergency arise. So I started gathering all my important papers and items I would need and put them in a fireproof safe. What you put in your emergency kit will depend on your situation. Here is what I put in mine:

All original identification papers. I made a photocopy of my license as this is one case where the original needs to be handy at any given moment. I put originals of our passports, marriage license and birth certificates in the safe and made photocopies to keep in my filing cabinet.

Photocopies of all credit card accounts. I made sure to copy both the back and front of the cards as most now have a security code that is needed for transactions. The back also contains important customer service phone numbers.

A list of bank account numbers. In addition, I put a few blank checks in the safe just in case I needed to access money. I figured that in the event that I had no ID or ATM card, I could write a check to a family member so I could get cash in an emergency.

Photocopies of important insurance papers. I included both life insurance and home insurance.

A few days worth of medications for all family members. I figured doing this would help reduce stress in the event of an emergency as it would likely take a few days to obtain replacements. Emergencies are stressful enough without the added burden of medical complications. Other papers I included were original health care proxy forms, extra medical insurance ID cards I had on hand and medication lists for both my husband, myself and my dog (don't forget your pets!).

A few important lists. One list was of family contacts. I usually program frequently used phone numbers directly into my cell phone and know I would have a hard time remembering them off the top of my head. I also included a list of all my computer accounts and passwords.

Unleash Your Organized Me!

Take Note!....A Time Saving Study Tip.

It's official! I am a college student again! Being an older adult learner, I was a little unsure of how I would adjust to my new schedule and develop good study habits. Always the organizer, I put myself on a mission to find ways in which I could use my time most efficiently. Here is one study tip I have found to be particularly useful.

As I read through my assigned material, I keep a blank stack of index cards handy. When I come across a term or an important point in the reading, I write it down. That way, when it comes time for me to review the chapter or study for an upcoming test, the cards are all ready! They are also quite portable. I can stick them in my purse and pull them out to look through when I am waiting in line at the bank or during other situations when I find myself with "down time". When the stack of cards gets thick, I store them in a shoebox (separate ones for each course) with dividers for the different books and chapters.

Unleash Your Organized Me!

May Day! May Day! Organized Party Planning!

Next to December, May and June seem to be the busiest months ever! With Mother's Day, Father's Day, birthdays and graduations among the numerous events, party planning skills are essential! I myself am in the process of helping plan my brother's wedding (which of course will be a topic for a future post). In the meantime, here are some party planning survival tips.

Get out your appointment book! If you don't have one already, consider purchasing a nice planner. I highly recommend one that gives you a week at a glance but still has a lot of room to write down daily appointments and tasks. Anything less is not sufficient in my opinion. While we are on the subject, make a habit to write down all personal and business reminders and appointments in this book. Keeping separate books is too confusing and may lead to forgetting something important!

Make a timeline! Once you have a date or even a targeted month for your party, write down all the necessary to do items. I recommend starting backward from the date of your planned party. For example, start with what you need to do that day (ex. pick up cake, decorate, meal preparation). Next, write down those tasks that need to be done in the days, weeks and months before the party. Create a deadline for each task and write it in your planner like you would an appointment. People tend to think they have more time than they do in reality! The last thing you want to be doing is to be scrambling around last minute! Check out http://www.partyspot.com/ for planning tips and checklists for a variety of events!

Pick a theme! I find that picking a theme for your party is quite helpful in the planning process. It helps narrow down decisions when selecting decorations, favors, food, etc. Speaking of which, great places to purchase party supplies online are http://www.orientaltrading.com/ and http://www.factorycard.com/.

Delegate! Don't be afraid to ask for help! If you have a large event to plan and have trouble finding willing friends and family members, hire a professional organizer or party planner. For large events, the fee is often worth it as the knowledge they possess can often save you money!

Unleash Your Organized Me!

Suffering from Writer's Block....New Posts Coming Soon!

Would You Like A Receipt?

It's amazing how such small pieces of paper have a tremendous hold on people. Often times when I am helping clients get organized, we sort through piles of receipts. Here are some suggestions to help manage receipts before they manage you.

Put all new receipts in one place! Put receipts in a centralized location. One good place to keep them is close to where you sort your mail (for tips on organizing mail, see earlier post dated 2/22/09). Keep a manila folder or envelope handy for storing the receipts. This will prevent receipts from migrating into other places where they will quickly be forgotten. Make it a habit to empty receipts from your car, pockets and/or purse daily!

All receipts are not created equal! Purge your receipt file weekly. Toss receipts for groceries, dry cleaning etc. In this file, keep only the receipts for items recently purchased that may need to be returned (clothing, inexpensive household items). Store these in a separate smaller envelope or paper clip them together. After three months, it is usually safe to toss these.

Other receipts will need to be kept longer. These include: 1) Receipts for major purchases (appliances, household repairs) 2) Medical receipts 3) Receipts for bills (credit card, utilities, etc.) 4) Receipts for items you plan to deduct on your income taxes 5) Miscellaneous important receipts like those for jewelry or expensive children's toys. (keep these to a minimum or else you will find you are saving more receipts than necessary).

The receipts that you plan on keeping can be stored in your filing cabinet under the appropriate category (see post dated 2/25/09 for tips on organizing your files). Keep in mind that filing these receipts away does not mean you don't have to deal with them at a later date! Go through your files every couple of months and weed out the old receipts. In general, keep only one year's worth of receipts (with the exception of those pertaining to home and auto repair and other major purchases). Always check with an accountant about which receipts you need to keep for income tax purposes (as well as how long).

Go online! These days a lot of information is stored electronically, making it unnecessary to keep paper copies. I have learned to let go of keeping my paper bank and credit card statements. In fact, many companies are now offering paperless billing options! Not only does this reduce paper clutter, but it is better for the environment!

Unleash Your Organized Me!

A Spoonful of Preparation Makes the Doctor Visit Go Smoother!

Everybody's time is precious, but let's face it, doctors are some of the busiest people we know. The average length of a doctor visit is about 15 minutes. Communicating all your needs and questions in this time frame is a daunting task. That is why it is imperative to spend some time preparing ahead of time. A little preparation goes a long way and can prevent unnecessary repeat visits and phone calls. Here are some things you can do to be prepared for your doctor appointment.

Write down your medications! Make a list of all prescription and over the counter medications you take regularly as well as any vitamin and herbal supplements. What I like to do is to separate the prescription medications and over the counter medications, vitamins, etc, into two separate lists. For all prescription medications, I include the name of the medication, dosage, date it was started and the medical condition for which it was prescribed (as some medications are prescribed for purposes other than their main usage). Include your name and date of birth on the list. Also, write the current date on the list so you will know when it was last updated. Type up lists for yourself and family members and save them on your computer so you can print out copies as needed. Keep copies in your wallet and in the main communication center of your home (I put mine in the kitchen drawer) so that they can be accessed quickly in the event of an emergency. Always give your doctor a copy of your current list so they can keep it with your records. Being prepared with a list saves the doctor the frustration of having to record each medication and ensures that the appointment time will be spent efficiently.

Write down questions! I can't tell you how important this is! Try to limit it to three questions. Also, think of possible solutions. The doctor-patient relationship is a collaborative effort! Doctors like to see that you are taking personal responsibility for your health. For example, if you want to lose weight, research diet and exercise plans ahead of time so that you can discuss these with your doctor. If you have a chronic medical condition, research options on the internet. Although the internet is no substitute for a doctor's medical advice, it can help you become more informed. There are a variety of online support groups for various medical conditions. By joining one of these, you can see what works for other individuals in addition to getting emotional support (one website to try is yahoo.com).

Bring someone with you! Two sets of ears are better than one! Bring along a family member or friend and have them take notes. If you are going to the doctor for a reason other than a well visit, negative emotions can arise. These can affect our ability to be objective. Having another person along can make sure our interpretation of the visit is accurate. It also can't hurt to have much needed emotional support.

Unleash Your Organized Me!

Quick Post...Tax Time is Over, Be Prepared for Next Year!

Today a lot of people are breathing a sigh of relief now that another tax season is coming to a close. It never fails, but each year I hear so many stories of people racing around last minute to gather essential documents and receipts for their tax returns. Here is a tip that might prevent this from happening next year. Each January, designate a folder for tax information for the year (ex. "Taxes 2009"). I put this folder in the section of my filing cabinet set aside for tax information. If needed, this folder can be subdivided into categories such as property taxes, medical receipts, donations, etc. As I come across items that I know I will need for taxes, I file them in this folder. Then, when I am ready to do my return, everything I need is at my fingertips!

Recipe Roundup!

If you home is like most, kitchen space is limited. This is a place where unwanted clutter can become quite the problem. Here are some ways to prevent those cookbooks and loose recipes from turning into a recipe for disaster!

Keep it Simple! Go through all those cookbooks and weed out the ones that you don't use often. Do you really need five books on Italian cuisine? If a particular cookbook has a recipe you like, write it down instead of keeping the whole book. Recycle or donate those cookbooks you can do without.

Go Online! There are many websites that offer a variety of recipes. This helps resist the impulse to save every recipe you find on food labels and in magazines: limiting the potential for these to become clutter. Also, the internet puts unlimited variety at your fingertips. Here are a couple of my favorite recipe websites: http://www.recipesource.com/, http://www.cooks.com/, and http://www.allrecipes.com/ (this website lets you adjust the recipe yield easily by providing an online calculation of ingredient amounts).

Write your favorites down! What I like to do is to keep all my recipes in one card box. In this box I keep all my cherished family recipes as well as favorites that I have tried and want to make again. When I see a recipe in a magazine or on a label that I want to try, I put it in a folder. If it is a keeper, I then write it on a recipe card and place it in my box. That way, all the recipes I use regularly are in one place. Even if a recipe I like can be found in one of my cookbooks, I still write it on a card. That way, if the book gets misplaced, I still have the recipe! Here is a great website where you can print out your own recipe cards: http://www.kayskreations.net/special/recipe.html.

A Quick Post: Tips to Keeping A Dirty Dog Clean!

April showers bring May flowers, but they sure make it hard to keep a dog clean! I have a wonderful white dog named Echo. Keeping her white is a challenge especially this time of year! What I like to do is keep unscented baby wipes handy in the front hall closet for quick clean ups right after her morning walk. I also like to keep other grooming essentials handy in the closet. I have a container with a brush for her fur, her toothbrush and toothpaste, and baby powder (which makes her smell nice in between baths). Here is a picture of her and my little cat Puff!

Getting Rid of Emotional Clutter

When most people think of organizing, the image of physical tasks come to mind. Clutter can also be emotional. Negativity from thoughts, self talk and toxic relationships use unnecessary energy.

Never use the words "I can't"! I always say that perception is everything. Using the words "I can't" sets people up for failure. Instead, say "I am not able to do ______ at this time". This creates a positive mind set and leaves open the possibility for change. You will be surprised at the powerful effect words have on your emotions.

Get Rid of Toxic Relationships. These are those relationships that make you feel "weighed down". Does seeing a particular person's phone number on the caller ID make you cringe? Do you feel drained after talking with that person? Is it a one sided relationship? These are all clues that you may have a toxic relationship with that person. Try to end the relationship if possible. At bare minimum, limit the time spent with them. Negative energy not only causes stress, but can cause physical and emotional illness.

Clarify Your Lifelong Goals. Write down the goals you want to accomplish in your life (raising well adjusted children, starting a business, furthering your education, buying a house). View each behavior in your life in relation to these goals. If a particular behavior in your life is not helpful in meeting these goals, seek to change it. Is having the biggest house on the block going to help you achieve inner peace? Will buying the kids designer clothes help them learn to be better people?

Be A Forward Thinker! Try not to dwell on the past. Change is only possible in the present and future. We can only change ourselves and our response to situations: not others.

It's Okay to Have A Junk Drawer!

There are mixed opinions about junk drawers. Most people are shocked when I actually recommend having one. Sometimes things don't fit so perfectly! Organizing is not a perfect science. Don't let those magazine pictures fool you!


I do think junk drawers are useful and actually quite necessary. I prefer to call them miscellaneous drawers and recommend that people limit them to a few per household. Limiting the number of miscellaneous drawers is the key to making them work well for you. Having a miscellaneous drawer gives you permission to be a little disorganized. This is similar to being on a diet and allowing a cheat day. Giving in to temptation periodically helps prevent a sense of deprivation or the sense that everything has to be in perfect order.

One good place for a miscellaneous drawer is in the kitchen. In fact, I have one myself. This drawer holds bag clips, wine openers, pastry bags, and other assorted odds and ends that are typically hard to organize. Another place where a junk drawer makes sense is in the office: for assorted office supplies. Ziploc bags are great for containing small items within a miscellaneous drawer. I like these because they fit just about anywhere. If you want to get fancy, you can purchase special drawer dividers that can accommodate different shapes and sizes. Spacesavers.com offers expandable drawer organizers which are great for customizing drawers.

Warning! Be careful not to use the miscellaneous drawer as a quick fix. If you find that you have a large amount of one type of item, this is a cue that storage needs to be created elsewhere.

Happy Organizing!

Is Your Car Driving You Crazy? Tips for Keeping Your Car Organized!

My car is like a second office. With everything I need to keep on hand, it can get cluttered pretty quickly. Therefore, I have to be creative with such limited space. Here is what I have learned over the years.

Get a clean start! When doing the initial organizing, give your car a good deep cleaning! Once your car is clean, it will make you think twice about cluttering it up. If possible, use your home vacuum cleaner. The ones available at service stations just aren't up to par. Also, your vacuum cleaner most likely has all the attachments that make it necessary to get into all those crevices. If necessary, shampoo the rugs and upholstery (it might be easier to take it to a professional for this service). When I do a deep clean, I use glass cleaner to wipe down all the windows and surfaces. It really makes the car sparkle. Lastly, get a nice air freshener. Cars can develop odors quite quickly and a nice aroma will make it a pleasant place to be in.

Get down to basics. Think about what you use your car for the most and store only those items that are related to those functions. If you use your car as an office, use a portable case to contain files. Other things to keep handy are a few pens and your cell phone. Invest in a good work bag to contain any other items you might need such as your appointment book, laptop and loose business papers. Use a thin binder for mileage forms and stow it between the seats for quick access. Make a point to write down mileage every time you start and stop your trips. Waiting until later makes for a lot more work.

If you use the car for toting around the kids, you might want to have some activity books, crayons, snacks and drinks on hand to keep the little ones busy. Another handy item to keep in the car is a canister of baby wipes which are great for cleaning a variety of sticky messes.

Be creative with the existing compartments of your car. Use extra cup holders for holding pens and a small pad of paper. I have re purposed the ash tray for a place to store my cell phone. Also remember to consolidate items if possible. Take CDs and DVDs out of their cases and store in an disk organizer. They will take up a lot less space and reduce the potential for clutter. If your car doesn't have many built in storage options, consider purchasing products specifically designed for the car. Here are some links to products that might be useful.

http://www.organizeyourride.com/site/990177

http://www.spacesavers.com/auto-organizers.html

http://www.lillianvernon.com/catalog/thumbnail.jsp?parentCatId=3&catId=31

Check out this cool product! http://www.spacesavers.com/superstickypad.html

Be prepared! There are certain things that are helpful to keep on hand regardless of how your car is being used. I recommend having the following: kleenex, baby wipes, hand sanitizer, a few pens and a small pad of paper, empty grocery bags for garbage (store these in an emtpy kleenex box), first aid kit, emergency car kit (blanket, flares, reflective signs, flashlight), and bottled water.

Regular maintenance. The key to keeping the car organized is regular maintenance. When you leave your car for the day, take a few minutes to gather trash into a plasic bag and wipe down any surfaces that have spills or stains. Also take time to put items back into their places and re stock items like snacks and empty bags. The few minutes it takes will be time well spent! Schedule deep cleanings on a regular basis. I do this on the same day as I do a deep cleaning of my house (refer to previous post..http://simpleorganizing.blogspot.com/2009/03/routine-cleaning.html). Remember that keeping organized is about building habits!

Happy Organizing!

Quick Post.....Think Outside the Box!

Another common organizing challenge I encounter is what to do with all those empty boxes! Many times I feel faced with the temptation to save every box that comes my way: thinking that I might need it someday. To deal with this, I designate one shelf in my hall closet (which thankfully is pretty large) to boxes. When no more boxes fit on that shelf, I make a point to weed out those I can do without. If parting with those boxes is too much to bear, break them down and store them horizontally or vertically so they take up less space. Just make sure to keep some tape on hand for when you actually need the box!

Happy Organizing!

Crafty Organizing.....How to Deal With Art and Craft Supplies

According to a major national arts and crafts store, March is National Crafts Month: a perfect time to take inventory of what is already on hand. Organizing art and craft supplies is essential because there is nothing more frustrating than not having what you need at your fingertips. I've seen many instances where people are "paralyzed" at the mere thought of taking on this type of organizing challenge. Here is some advice.

Just "dive right in". Yes, this will be kind of painful, but worth it in the end. During a recent organizing session, I started in one small corner in the craft area: dumping the contents of every shelf and container on the floor and sorting supplies into like items. Even if there was a shelf or container that appeared organized, I would check it just to make sure. Craft items can be like a contagious disease, spreading quickly to many areas.

Create a special area for storing and working on crafts. I recommend designating an area or room in the house for this purpose. Not only does this confine craft supplies to one area, it makes it easier to access them when working on a project. This is also one organizing project where most likely you will need to purchase storage units/accessories if you do not have them already on hand. Keep in mind that you will need to create a storage environment that can accommodate the various sizes and shapes that supplies come in. Here are some helpful links :http://www.spacesavers.com/popularity-crafts-100.html,http://www.containerstore.com/search/searchresults.jhtml?search=craft+organizers&x=16&y=5, http://www.skymall.com/shopping/detail.htm?pid=102789656&c= and http://www.joann.com/joann/search/search_results.jsp?CATID=cat1110&keywords=craft+organizers&_requestid=1550840. Home Decorators.com is also a great website where you can purchase storage units that look like actual furniture. It never hurts to be stylish! http://www.homedecorators.com/Home_Decor/STORAGE_%26_ORGANIZATION/Storage_Carts_%26_Chests/ .

Now is also a good time to mention that I do not receive any form of payment or compensation from the companies whose products I am suggesting. Part of my work as a professional organizer involves researching options for my clients. This blog is a great way for documenting and sharing the fruits of my labor.

More on storage. Now for some specifics on dealing with the various types of art and craft supplies.

• markers, crayons, paint brushes and colored pencils - cookie tins and lunch boxes (of the metal and plastic variety) work well for these. If you want to have some out on the desk for easy access, use cans or frosting tubs. For a decorative touch, try covering these containers with a little wrapping paper/wallpaper and spray adhesive. You can also re purpose an old picnic caddy for storing these.


• construction paper and drawing paper - try using magazine holders or stack it neatly in drawers. Ask your local pharmacy or grocery store for boxes. Sometimes they have old display boxes that are perfect for storing those large size pieces of paper.


• scrapbooking paper - sort papers according to texture as well as type. Solid cardstock can be colorized and stored on horizontal shelves. Patterned papers should be sorted by color grouping and/or themes (think baby, wedding). Any special papers like mulberry or vellum should be stored separately to preserve their quality. Magazine holders or accordion files work great for separating and storing paper. One of my friends has a useful idea for storing all those bits and pieces of scrap paper she accummulates. She stores them in clear plastic sleeves by color group. Not only does this provide her with a nice visual, but the sleeves can be neatly filed into a bookshelf or storage cube. She also likes to store scrapbook pages in progress in clear plastic sleeves.


• paints - sort paints by type: acrylic, fabric, watercolor, oil, finger paints, etc. I like to use deep drawers for storing these as they are hard to stack neatly.


• activity and coloring books - magazine holders are perfect for these. You can also designate separate holders for each child.


• buttons - sort these by size and separate into clear plastic containers, ziploc bags or mason jars.


• scrapbook embellishments, stickers, and assorted craft odds/ends - put these in ziploc bags then hole punch and store in binders. Another way to keep these separate is to use an empty egg carton.


• yarn and sewing supplies - baskets are great for storing balls of yarn and knitting needles. Sort spools of thread by color and store in cookie tins or lunch boxes, then stash in a drawer. Silverware organizers work well for knitting, crochet and sewing needles. Fabric can be sorted according to size and stored in ziploc bags (which thankfully are now available in extra large sizes) and then placed in a drawer.


• Make a "to go" box - Keep a box or tote bag stashed with some crayons, markers, drawing paper and activity books to keep the kids occupied on long car trips.
  

Don't Keep Everything! I know this is hard, but letting go is an inevitable part of the organizing process. Try having a craft supply swap/give away with a friend, family member or neighbor. Another option is to donate supplies to a local nursing home, mental health agency, or school. Where I live, there is a store that accepts donated craft supplies. You can even claim your donation as a tax deduction. Here is their website: http://www.craftbitsandpieces.com/What%20we%20sell.htm.

Happy Organizing!

A Quick Post.....A Quick Clean up Tip and an "Aww, How Cute Moment"!

Here is on of my favorite quick clean up tips that I use all the time. One of my pet peeves is the mess that cracking eggs leaves on my counters. When I am cooking or baking and I know that I am going to use eggs, I put a piece of tin foil underneath the bowl I will be cracking them into. That way, clean up is a snap! All I have to do is throw away the tin foil.

Now....for the "aww, how cute moment". When my husband was recently going through some of his old school things, he found an award that he had won in the fifth grade. Here is a picture of it!

Happy Organizing!

A Work of Art!...Tips for Dealing with Your Children's Artwork.

Organizing children's artwork is a challenge! Most parents will agree that it is difficult to figure out what to keep and what to toss (if the children will allow it!). With regular upkeep and a little creativity, you can prevent the artwork from turning into clutter. Here are some ideas to try.

1. Purchase a portfolio. Check out an art supply store or one of the many websites online. Look for a product that is durable, portable and adequately sized (to accommodate those large drawings). Also check out engineering/architect supply companies. They offer a variety of storage options for large size documents. There are even websites that sell artwork cases and portfolios specifically designed for kids. Here are some links to products I found online: http://www.engineersupply.com/Portfolios-Cases.aspx, http://www.portfolios-and-art-cases.com/display-easel-handle.html, http://www.schoolfolio.com/, and http://www.chocolatecakeclub.com/myartkiartst.html. Another option (although pricey) is to purchase a cabinet with special map drawers. Try: http://www.homedecorators.com/search.php?search=map+chests&x=17&y=10.


2. Take photos. If saving all your children's artwork is not possible, try taking photos of each piece. Save these on disk or try making them into an album. Some drawings and paintings can be scanned into the computer. The interesting thing about this option is that once the artwork is on the computer, it can be resized, reprinted and used to make such items as greeting cards, invitations, stickers and gift tags.
   
3. Find an alternative use for the artwork. Awhile back I read about a great tip in Family Circle magazine that suggested using children's artwork as gift wrap. Clay figurines make nice paperweights and add a charming touch to an office. Also, consider having drawings laminated for use as placemats. A variety of laminating machines are available at http://www.xyron.com/.


4. Brighten someone's day! Donate some artwork to a local nursing home, hospital, community agency, or mail it soldiers stationed overseas. Let the children select the artwork and have them accompany you to present/mail their donations. Not only will this help spread some much needed cheer, but it will make the kids feel good about helping others.


5. Frame it! What a great way to add personality and color to a wall! There is even a frame available at Skymall.com that functions also as a storage unit for up to 50 pieces of artwork. Check it out at: http://www.skymall.com/shopping/detail.htm?pid=102696469&c.

Whatever options you decide to use, make sure to sort through your children's artwork regularly not only to keep it from creating clutter but to preserve it's quality as well.

Happy Organizing!

Toys, Toys, Toys!

Toys are some of the most challenging items to organize and keep organized! Children's rooms and playrooms are often high on the list of areas to tackle when I am hired to organize. Here are some ideas of how to keep those toys from taking over the house.

1. Designate an area as a playroom. This is an important step in containing the clutter that toys can create. If a whole room is not available for this purpose, try designating half a room or a closet. Even if this area is not organized, at least the door can be shut to hide the mess. Choosing an area helps kids begin to learn about order in the house. Just as it would seem odd to see the blender stored in the dining room, kids will begin to understand that toys don't belong there either.


2. Purchase some storage units. To keep toys organized, purchase some good storage units. I recommend the racks that have different size plastic bins to house a variety of different toys. I would stay away from purchasing regular bins with lids as they are hard to access especially when stacked: creating a barrier. Some toy racks have bins with lids that are optional and have handles for toting the contents. Also good for organizing are shelving units with canvas totes. Here are some great links to websites that offer such units for purchase: http://www.ababy.com/data/toy-organizers-1.html, http://www.containerstore.com/browse/index.jhtml?CATID=77644, and http://www.spacesavers.com/popularity-kids-closet-laundry-100.html .There is also a great organizer available for Legos (Oh, the dreaded Legos!) at http://www.box4blox.com/.


3. Get the kids involved! Kids are good imitators. At almost every house I have organized in, I have seen the children (some as young as 2) imitate my behavior. Designate certain bins for certain toys by placing a laminated photo of it on the front. This helps create a visual aid and works for children who aren't able to read yet. Try creating a routine in the schedule where everybody helps pick up the toys. A good time would be at night before bed. Make it fun by setting the timer and rewarding the kids with a small prize or treat.


4. Clean out toys regularly. There is no negotiating on this one! Make it a point to go through the toys every month or so to weed out those that are broken and out grown. Donate out grown toys to a friend or a local charity. Involve the kids in the process. One of my clients told her children to fill a garbage bag full of toys to donate. The one who had the heaviest bag was given a prize. Another idea that works well is rotating the toys. Put some toys in storage in the basement. After a few months, put these toys out and pull some others to put in storage. The kids will feel like they are getting new toys to play with!

Remember that getting organized is a process that takes time. By making small changes and creating manageable routines, clutter can be kept from cornering you!

Happy Organizing!

Quick Post.....One of my favorite organizing tips

Hi everybody! I just wanted to share one of my favorite organizing tips. I saw this one in a magazine (I can't remember which one) about a year ago and I use it all the time. Since I am always in the car, garbage can build up quickly. Keeping an empty kleenex box stuffed full of empty grocery bags helps make routine clean up a snap. Every time I leave my car for the day, I put all my empty wrappers, cups, etc. in one of the bags and put it in the garbage immediately.

Happy Organizing!

Getting Time On Your Side...Tips for Time Management

Is it just me or does it seem like life keeps getting busier? Modern technology has given us the ability to communicate with almost anyone instantaneously. Unfortunately, this can create the expectation that we need to be constantly available, putting an extra demand on our time and energy. In addition, more and more families are feeling pressured to have two wage earners, meaning there is not much time for managing the home or anything else for that matter. Therefore, good time management skills are needed more now than ever. Here are some suggestions for developing a plan for managing time.

1. List five top daily priorities. Identify what is most important to fit into the day whether it be activities relating to family, work, home, health/wellness, school, etc. This will make it easier to eliminate activities that aren't essential. Make realistic estimates of the time spent on each activity. For example, work not only is the amount of time actually spent working, but travel time as well. Making a family dinner might include the time spent going to the store to purchase ingredients not already on hand.
2. Put it on paper. Write out a schedule that includes the five core priorities. This will provide a visual representation of where time is being spent and is also an effective way to develop a routine that is easy to stick to. Keep a journal of how the plan is working. Writing down behavior is an important part of changing it.
3. It's okay to say no! Be realistic about time limitations. I find that those who have the most challenges with time management are the ones who have a hard time saying no. When there is too much on the schedule, something has to give: hopefully it's not our mental or physical health. When approached with a request that is not going to fit in the schedule, try saying...."I'd love too, but I have a lot of family (work, school, etc.) committments at this time". This politely conveys good intentions while turning down the request at the same time. If more time is needed to make a decision, try saying..."Let me get back to you". I find these work most of the time. If the person making the request is not able to understand, remember that it is not possible to please everybody a hundred percent of the time. In these cases, focus on the people that matter most.....you and your loved ones!
4. Delegate! Let's admit it.....sometimes we just need a little help. If faced with a particulary busy week, it is perfectly acceptable to ask a spouse or the kids (if age appropriate) to help with the housework. The key word is ask, not tell. Sometimes when we are overwhelmed, it seems easier to complain: expecting others to take the hint. This tends to make others resentful. Remember the old adage...."ask and ye shall receive". If this isn't successful, consider hiring someone to help (if finances allow of course).
5. Multitask! Multitask! Multitask! I have my first cup of coffee each morning while I walk my dog. Not only do I find the combination of caffeine and fresh air invigorating, both my dog and I are getting exercise. If volunteering and spending time with friends are competing for room in the schedule, try volunteering with friends.

Developing time management skills is a process. Be patient with yourself. There will be times when it seems like it isn't working: keep trying and you will find success!

Happy Organizing!

A Routine Cleaning

I have a little confession to make. I suffer from a little OCD (a.k.a. Obsessive Compulsive Disorder). My husband says this is because I like to Organize, Clean, and Do it again! Psychologists say that treating OCD involves the process of unlearning obsessive habits (which they call rituals) over a period of time. That same process can be reversed to help one develop better organizational skills. Basically, it is a matter of developing new habits. Think of something as simple as the act of brushing one's teeth before bed. We weren't born knowing that we needed to do that. Through being taught that behavior and then practicing it over and over, it has become like second nature.

Let's apply this to the process of housecleaning. I refer to this as a process because once something is cleaned, it seems to get dirty pretty quickly (especially when there are kids and pets around).

1. Put housecleaning time on the schedule. I find that those people who say they "will get to it" rarely end up doing so. Put cleaning time on the calendar and stick to it like an appointment (cancelling only in the event of an emergency). I also recommend not answering the phone during this time so as to prevent distraction of the task at hand. If answering the phone is a necessary, try to use a hands free device. Also, schedule the cleaning time when the family is at work/school or otherwise occupied away from home.



2. Alternate between a deep clean and an "in between clean" every other week. The extra things I usually tackle in a deep cleaning session are dusting, cleaning out the burners on the stove/oven, and polishing furniture and glass items. For the "in between clean" I pretty much spot clean the bathrooms and kitchen counters in addition to vacuuming.



3. Create a time schedule for daily tidying. Every morning, I spend about 15 minutes making the bed, lightly vacuuming in the kitchen and living room, and wiping down the counter in the main bathroom. Another good time to do this would be before going to bed. The key is picking a time that is easy to stick to. I find that daily tidying helps cut down on the amount of time I spend when I have to tackle the weekly cleaning.
   

Happy Organizing!

Grocery Shopping...It's All About the Planning!

Who would have thought that being organized could help save money? Food costs continue to rise with no end in sight! With a little planning and some organizational tips, saving money at the grocery store is a breeze. Here are some tips!

1. Create a standardized grocery list. Type up a list on the computer. Include categories such as produce, bakery items, dairy, etc. I like to organize mine in the same order as the aisles of my grocery store. That way, I minimize the time I spend walking back and forth (I save time too!). Once the list is created, make copies and keep them on the kitchen countertop or posted on the refrigerator. Write items down as soon they are low. This will save time having to recall everything at once. It also helps to eliminate extra trips to the store for forgotten items.


2. Plan out enough meals for the week plus one day extra. For twice a week shoppers, try to have at least 4 days of meals on hand. Keeping an extra day's worth of meals prevents the temptation of ordering take out if shopping can't be done on the regular day. I try to have a few things on hand to create a fast and easy meal if need be. Here are some good things to try: pre-cooked pizza shells and the fixings (pita crusts work well and the kids will have fun making their own mini pizzas), frozen ravioli (mix with jarred sauce, top with mozzarella then bake for a quick pasta dish that will delight the senses), and shredded cooked chicken (simmer in your favorite barbeque sauce and serve on rolls).


3. Organize coupons by expiration date. Organizing coupons by category tends to make it more likely that they will be forgotten. I only have two categories of coupons at home: one for retail stores/restaurants and another for grocery/drugstore items. Every week I look through the coupons that are going to be expiring soon and try to plan around these. If I know for sure I am going to use a particular coupon that week, I put it in front of the stack in a smaller envelope. This helps to save me time at the cash register as I don't want to be sorting coupons when I am focusing on putting my groceries on the conveyor belt. Try to resist purchasing items just because they are on sale or because there is a coupon. Unless that item is going to be used, it is actually a waste of money and has the potential to create clutter.


4. Clean out the pantry regularly. Every month, try to plan meals using what is already on hand in the pantry. Use the internet to research recipes for unusual ingredients. I once was told that canned beets can be used in a recipe for chocolate cake! Here are a couple good websites to try: http://www.recipesource.com/ and http://www.cooks.com/.

Happy Organizing!

Paper Management 101. Creating a filing system for important papers.

Every home needs a main filing cabinet for sorting and storing important paperwork. This may sound like a daunting task, but there is no time like the present to get started. The following are some suggestions for the separate filing categories. I like to use hanging file folders for the main categories and manila folders for the subdivisions. Keep in mind that these categories and their contents may vary depending on individual needs.

1. Identity Paperwork - Copies of birth certificates, marriage licenses, social security cards, driver's licenses, and passports. Keep the original documents in a fireproof safe or a security deposit box at the bank.


2. Financial - Information about bank accounts, credit cards, loans, investments and retirement accounts. Keep statements dating back from the last year or two. If there is online access to these accounts, saving paper statements and cancelled checks may not be necessary. If something is needed for tax purposes, save it for seven years (the IRS rule).


3. Home - Deed, mortgage information, property taxes, insurance, utilities, repairs and maintenance, and appliance instruction booklets and warranties (throw these out when the appliance is gone).


4. Taxes - The past seven years of tax returns. Here is a time saving tip! Create a folder for the current year so that pertinent information can be filed there as it is accrued. This will save time gathering it all at the end of the year. This folder can be further subdivided into categories such as medical receipts, donations, etc.


5. Auto - Title, insurance and repairs/maintenance.


6. Medical/Health and Wellness - Receipts (for prescriptions and copays), insurance information, medical records, updated medication lists, gym membership paperwork, pet records.


7. Education and Employment - Resumes,reference letters, copies of personnel records, copies of high school diploma and college degrees, transcripts.


8. Miscellaneous - Try not to let this be a "catch all". If there are several similar paperwork items, create a separate category in the filing cabinet. In the miscellaneous section, I keep files for Christmas ideas (pages from catalogs that I save), computer accounts and passwords, inspirational sayings, and ideas (random magazine and catalog pages).

Once the filing system is set up, set aside time regularly to file items. Always start with the new incoming items then chip away at the older ones.

Happy Organizing!

You've got mail! How to develop a mail management system.

Paper flow management is a common area with which people need help. Like rabbits, paper tends to multiply rapidly. In working on developing a paper flow management system, I recommend starting with mail as this is one main source of daily incoming paper flow. Here are some things to consider when creating a mail management system.

1. Start with new mail. This is not the time to start with that old pile of mail. Starting with the new mail is less of a burden and therefore, is less likely to be discouraging. Once a mail management system is in place, then chip away at the old pile when spare time allows.




2. Designate a central area as a place to gather/organize mail. Examples of good areas are a kitchen countertop or a small table near a main entrance. Designating a specific area for mail make it less likely that it will migrate to other areas.




3. Create a filing system for different types of mail. This can be as simple as a container holding a set of manila file folders. Whatever arrangement is chosen, make sure to label one area as Urgent/Immediate Action. In this section, place bills that are due soon, permission slips that need to be completed and other items that need to be dealt with in a timely manner. Other files could be used for coupons, school notices, bills, receipts, etc. Set aside a few minutes each day to deal with the items in the action pile and to go through the other folders. Move items to the action pile accordingly. Old receipts, bills, and papers can be moved to a main filing cabinet (a topic which will be addressed later on). Personal letters and cards can be tricky to deal with. I recommend keeping a small decorative basket to store them in. When the basket is full, this is a cue to sort through the basket. Those that are saved should be filed into momento boxes or scrapbooks.




4. Get rid of junk mail immediately! This will help reduce clutter potential drastically! If you aren't sure about a particular piece of junk mail, put it in the action pile temporarily. This will force you to deal with it before it creates a problem.




5. Keep magazines and catalogs confined to one to two areas in the house. As new magazines and catalogs are received, make it a point to get rid of some of the old ones. Use the one in, one out rule. Recycle old magazines or better yet, take them to the doctor's office or gym.

Happy Organizing!

Where to start?

The most difficult part of organizing is figuring out where to start. Here are some tips.

1. Think small. Start with small jobs such as organizing a drawer or a shelf. Paper flow management is an area a lot of people need to work on and can be a great place to start. Designate an area in your home for mail/paper flow. Create folders for bills, receipts, coupons as well as a folder for those items that require immediate action. Don't feel the need to file all the old paper items immediately. Focus on the incoming paper flow, then chip away at the old piles when you have spare time. Shred junk mail immediately instead of saving it to deal with later.
2. Schedule time to organize. Build organizing time into the schedule and stick to it like an appointment. This will ensure that organizing becomes a habit. Never underestimate the power of 15 minutes! That is enough time to organize a small drawer.
3. Hire a professional organizer. If finding a starting point is difficult, sometimes it helps to hire an objective second party. The National Association of Professional Organizers (http://www.napo.net/) can help you find a professional organizer near you.
4. Start with the "hot spots". These are places that are used frequently such as the kitchen and the living room. Clutter often interferes with the function of these rooms. For example, cluttered counter tops in the kitchen make it difficult to find space to prepare food. Again, start small. If you can only tackle one counter top for the day, it is better than nothing! Remember to be patient! It took time for clutter to accummulate, therefore, it will take time to get rid of it.

Happy Organizing!

To Organize or Not to Organize

The purpose of this blog is to help teach the skills necessary to manage the clutter of everyday life. You can learn how to be organized! It is a set of skills that can be acquired!

With that in mind, let's talk about the benefits of being organized.

1. Gain time! Everybody seems to be short on time these days. When there is a designated place for everything, it eliminates the time spent looking for lost items.
2. Be less stressed! Most people will agree that clutter is not only unsightly, but distracting as well. Having a "filing system" for items ensures that one can find what is needed when it is needed. This goes hand in hand with the concept listed in number one. Just ask anyone how frustrating it can be spending time looking for car keys or an important receipt.
3. Find money! Not only is there the chance that one may find actual money, but often times, valuable items that were once believed to be lost reappear! When organizing the pantry, one might find extra food items that might help reduce that week's grocery expenses.

Happy Organizing!