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!