Productive & Organized Home

Holiday Planning Made Simple - Tips to help you manage the holiday rush (Part 2)

Earlier this week I wrote part one of this series Entertaining Does Not Have to Be Hard -- Use Your Best Talents.  Today, I'll talk a bit about gift giving and making time for yourself.

•Create a Gift Center in Your Home - Designate one place in your home for all your gift-wrapping needs. (I.e. a drawer, closet, or storage box) When you only have to make one trip for your tape, scissors, paper, ribbon, pen and cards-gift giving is both fun and easy. Also store the gifts you plan to give in the same place. Set up one storage tub for "kid gifts" and another for "adult gifts" and make sure to include a flat surface for wrapping.

•Keep Hostess Gifts on Hand - Keep hostess gifts on hand, have them in the same area and have them categorized. For example, frames should be kept together, books, vases, etc. Now it will be easy to choose a gift and wrap it before your evening out. Be considerate the easy way!
 
•Gift Giving - Still searching for gift ideas for those not-so-easy-to-buy-for folks on your list? Here are some ideas on how to approach the gift-giving season: 1. first, make a list of everyone for whom you'll be buying a gift. 2. Next, think of the last two conversations you had with that person. What did they talk about? 3. Spend a few minutes thinking about their lifestyle for clues on what they can use.

Making Room for what is Important to You

•Differentiate between obligations and choices.If you have been dragging yourself to the company party for years, attended a boring present swap so many times that you have lost count, or you are dreading doing one more time consuming fund raiser, let yourself off the hook. When you thin your holiday schedule of unwanted obligations, you are choosing to make room for the activities that are truly important to you and will create lasting memories. Your family will thank you for it.
 
 
•Make a Balance Plan - Your life consists of Seven Vital Areas: Health, Family, Financial, Intellectual, Social, Professional, and Spiritual. You will not spend equal amounts of time in each area or time every day in each area. But, if in the long run, you are spending a sufficient quantity and quality of time in each area, then your life will be balanced. But ignore any one of your areas, (never mind two or three!) and you will get out of balance and potentially sabotage your success. Fail to take time now for your health and you will have to take time for illness later on. Ignore your family and they may leave you and cost you a lot of time to re-establish relationships, etc. 

What do you do?  Share your thoughts below.  I'd love to hear from you.

Holiday Planning Made Simple - Tips to help you manage the holiday rush (Part 1)

The holiday season is upon us and for many it is a hectic and stressful time of year. It does not have to be! The holiday season is a time for making room for what is important to you. How you do that is your choice.

Entertaining Does Not Have to Be Hard -- Use Your Best Talents

Try not to do it all when you entertain. If you are a fantastic hostess, then spend your time mingling and making your guests comfortable instead of cooking. Understand your strengths and then work towards them!

•Ensure You Have Freezer Space - Make sure you will have enough room in your freezer or refrigerator for the turkey. If you don't have enough room, plan now to make room by eating meals made from some of the items taking up the space.
 
 
•Easy Food Preparation - Order cold food trays from the deli or hot meals from your favorite restaurant. If you are a member of a warehouse club like Sam’s Club, check out their party trays, there are amazing deals there!
 
•Decorations - If you love to cook but hate decorating, ask a friend to help in exchange for some baked goods. You can also consider working with florists, interior designers or a college student from the art or drama department. They will decorate your home for the event for a fee (they also undecorated for you!)
 
•Cook Ahead - Make any meals that you can well ahead of time, and freeze them. On the party day, just defrost heat and serve. You will save tons of time, plus you'll be able to join in the festivities without being stuck in the kitchen.
 
•Perform a Safety Check of Your Home - If you are having young children in your home, do a safety check of your home. Are medicines and cleaners out of reach? Do your outlets have covers? Do you have breakable items that might be better off on a higher shelf? Do a thorough check of each room the children will occupy.
 
•Help to Make Next Year's Holidays Even Easier - The easiest way to remember how you had everything laid out in your home or office is to take photos from several angles and points within your house/office. Take a full shot of the exterior. Include shots of table setting, mantelpiece, and other focal points. Make notes on the back of each picture about items used and then store with your holiday decorations.

What do you do to be ready to entertain?

Could You Be Ready to Evacuate Your Home at a Moments Notice?

Tips to Prepare an Emergency Grab-and-Go File

As we have witnessed the devastation Katrina, recent storms in Haiti and other locations across the glob has caused, many of us have wondered what we would do if we were faced with the same situation.  What would we take with us if our Mayor ordered a full community evacuation?  Would you be able to make decisions as quickly as necessary?  Would you know where important papers or documents were located in your home?  Residents of these horrible storms were faced with these questions and many more.

Families should prepare for the worst and pray for the best.  Creating an "Emergency Grab and Go File” is one of the most important things you can do to ensure that in times of stress, emergency or grief, you are not compounding the situation by not knowing where important documents and contact information are. 

In the event of a death , to ensure that you and yours avoid the stress created by an estate that is left disorganized, with little instruction, below are some guidelines to help put affairs in order. To tailor the list to your specific situation, double-check with personal professionals to ensure all bases are covered for you or yours.

In case you, one, or both of your parents are physically, emotionally or mentally incapacitated, it's vital for at least one other person, be it friend or family member, to be knowledgeable about how to step in and run the household and business matters. Try to be matter-of-fact about this. It seems awful to even consider it, but having the systems and plans in place well ahead of a tragedy such as a serious illness or death will dramatically reduce the stress at an already very stressful time.

Items to Include in Your Grab-and-Go File

Creating an emergency file can be a valuable source of information for family or friend, in need of information on your behalf.  Store the contents in an area that has easy access.  Some of this information can be in the form of business cards.  Once you create it, let someone know it is there.

• Legal Information
• Copy of Living Will and location of original version
• Copy of Will and location of original version
• Power of Attorney Health Care
• Power of Attorney Property
• Details of Trusts/Judgments for and against You
• Estate Arrangements
• Identification Information
• Social Security Card and Related Information
• Birth and Death Certificates
• Marriage and Divorce Documents
• Education certificates, degrees, etc.
• Copies of the front and back of all cards in family member’s wallets
• Important Names and Contact Information:
• Name, Address, and Phone number of Your Nearest Relative or Friend
• Doctors:  Medical Doctor, Dentist, Chiropractor, etc.
• Insurance Agency/Agent
• Accountant or Bookkeeper
• Investment Broker and Files Location
• Insurance Details
• Personal Information & Photos
• Wedding or baby photos
• Current photos of all family members
• Important medical information such as allergies
• Prescription medication you are on
• Location of Important Documents not in the file
• Location of Valuables
• Employment and Benefit Information
• Include names, numbers and contact information
• Income Sources – from what location and frequency
• Banking account numbers and contact information
• Banking/Credit Union Information
• Retirement Fund(s) Information
• Investment Information
• Savings Information
• Mortgage Documents
• Safe Deposit Box Location, Contents and Signers with Access Authority
• Include official documentation of authority or copy
• Fire Lock Box/Safe Deposit Box Inventory
• Any Documents that would be difficult to replace
• Tell a Friend or Family Member Where the Information is Located

Ensuring that you know where all of your important documents are in the event of an emergency will allow you to be in control of the situation and recovery from the emergency that much faster.  If you would like more free ideas for how to make your home, work and life run with less stress then let's talk.

7 Ideas for Handling an Overabundance of Bathroom Products (lotion, sanitizer, perfume, etc.)

 Do you have a plethora of bathroom products?

A Reader Writes:

I'm looking for ideas to help my mother.  She is 65 years old and has a HUGE collection of personal products in her bathroom and linen closet.  Most of them are unopened and expensive (she got them as gifts) so she does not want to throw them out.  But, she will never use all of it and her space is filled to the brim.  Is there any place that would like this kind of stuff?
Thanks!
MaryAnne -- Jacksonville Florida USA

MaryAnne- Yes!  I've listed seven options and I bet my readers will have ideas too.

What do you get for a woman that has everything?  Why bath products, perfume, soaps and lotions of course!  Bath products are an easy gift to give - everyone could use some more lotion right?  I have to admit, I love Bath and Body works, but really, you can only have so many scented items. 

Have you ever received a bath item and thought, gee this is really nice and I know they spent good money on it, but I CANNOT STAND that scent!  I have!  I'm not a big fan of really floral smelling items and at least every other year I get something with that scent for a gift.  You don't want to throw it away... it is still good!  Here are ideas for what you can do with that stuff.

1 -- Local domestic violence (DV) shelters-- Many women who find themselves living in a DV home had to leave their homes quickly and often have nothing but the clothes on their backs.  Consider donating your items to women who would love to be able to have some luxuries in life.

2 -- Homeless shelters -- Basic necessities are not as common when you don't have a regular place to live.  Shelters are often looking for toiletries.  Check your local churches that help out homeless families too.

3 -- Our service men and women-- Organizations like VFW and Am-Vets frequently hold drives at this time of year to collect items to go overseas in holiday boxes for our troops.  My son's school collects items every year, so take a look in your local papers for opportunities.

4 -- Back-to-work programs like Dress For Success -- There are a number of great programs world wide that support women that are going back into the workforce.  The Dress for Success program in our area provides interview clothing, 2 work day outfits and a few other items to help care for the woman's appearance in addition to giving them work skills training.

5 -- Cosmetology/beauty schools -- Our local high-school has vocational training that teaches students the skills necessary to go into the salon field.  They love getting new products they can use in their classes.  (Note:  There are some cosmetology schools that focus on a specific product line.  Call and ask before you take the items.)

6 -- Food Banks/Food Pantries -- Many food banks/pantries collect non-food items too.  Check your local facility.

7 -- Nursing/Senior Care Facilities -- Many nursing homes would love these items for residents.  Sadly, there are many seniors that never get visitors or gifts for holidays or their birthday.  Check with the facility first, but consider wrapping the lotions, etc. and giving as gifts to those that would appreciate some self-care.

Comment and Share!

I know you have some great ideas for MaryAnne's mom too.  Please leave your comment below. Like what you've read?  I'd love it if you would click the Share-This link below and share this post with your social networking friends.

Control Your Inner Shop-a-Holic - Questions to ask Before You Buy

When you go shopping are you looking at everything with rose colored glasses or do you administer a dose of reality?

Some people are born shoppers.  One of my good friends, Angela, is a FABULOUS shopper.  She can spot a deal from miles away.  The other thing that makes her a good shopper, however, is she can walk away from that deal if it is not what she really needs.

Keep reading for some ideas that can help you be smart with your shopping.

The best way to eliminate financial stress is to make sure that you only buy what makes sense for your situation.  Really think before you buy. Here are some questions you can ask yourself before you pull out that credit card.

Can I afford it?

Really can you?  Today, many people are up to their eyeballs in debt.  When not shopping, that debt can cause depression and stress.  Sometimes we go shopping to get a "fix" and feel better.  Make sure you are not making it worse for yourself down the road.

Do I already own something that can fulfill this same purpose?

Unless you are a gourmet chef, do you really need one more pot in your kitchen?  In almost every client situation, I come in contact with a client that finds they have duplicates of a certain type of item.  Before you buy, think about what you already own.

Will I use it?

Ok, I admit it!  I'm human.  I have had instances where I have impulse bought and regretted it later.  In every instance I should have asked this particular question.  Just recently, I was honest with myself and got rid of (donated) some beautiful deep orange high-heels.  I had bought them 4 years ago on a sale and fell in love with them.  I should have asked this question.  In over 4 years, I had NEVER worn them! 

Will it last? Is it high quality/ timeless in style?

Just because the item is "to die for" now, will it be tomorrow? 

Do I love it?

This is the question that Oprah says she now asks when looking at her closet.  She used to have a closet filled with clothes that she did not really like!  Either she would get a good deal on it, someone would talk her into buying it or it was given to her.  Doesn't really matter, though.  If you don't love it--what ever it is--don't get it!

How much of my time will this require?  Do I have the time?

Are you buying a new tech gadget?  Keep in mind the time it takes to learn how to use it, install it, clean it etc.
 
Do I need someone else to help me set it up- how much of their time or my money will this take?

Are you buying something that needs to be put together?  Is is something that you can do on your own or will you need help? 

Is it healthy for my body, my home, and the earth?

Do I have a place for it?

Where will this item go once you get it home?  Make sure you have space!

Could I borrow this from a friend instead of buying my own?

We used to be big buyers of books, but now we visit the library every two weeks.  It is a great way for us to save money and we have a lot of fun famlily time too!

Last but not least -- One In -- Two Out

When you bring something new in your home, try to give two similar things away – that way you will always maintain a clutter-free equilibrium.  Before you buy, think about what you are going to let go.  Then follow up with:::Will it replace something? Do I have time to find a home for what this is replacing? (i.e. drive to the charity/ mail it/ recycle it, etc…)

What do you do to control your spending and accumulation?

Comment and Share!

What do you do to control your shopping?  Do you control your shopping?  Please leave your comment below. Like what you've read?  I'd love it if you would click the Share-This link below and share this post with your social networking friends.

Seven steps to conquer clutter in your garage

Have you seen that garage?  You know, the one down the street that functions as good as it looks? 

The garage that is organied and so advanced that the owners have no clutter concerns.

It is the one that holds cars in the winter to keep them snow and ice free.

Now... imagine that garage is yours.  It can be!  Read on to learn 7 tips to get you there.  You CAN take back your garage!

Unique Ideas to Keep Your Home in Order

Do you think of yourself as a failure when it comes to organizing your home?  Have you thought of giving up or have you already thrown in the towel?  Or have you cleared out a shelf only to find it filled up a few days later? 

Keep reading for unique ideas on how to find your control.

Give Everything a Home

My colleague Marilyn Bohn shares, "Fill it up syndrome is alive and well in our home. It drives me crazy. One thing I do to thwart this syndrome is that I don’t allow the stuff to “live” there; I move it to its designated home."

Below I share a few ideas that she shared in her article and added a few of my own.

Tell Your Family that Air Needs Space Too!

This one sounds funny, but there is a point you can make with your family.  If you have horizontal spaces that continue to fill up, make sure that family members are aware that the space is already being used -- by air!  Believe it or not, this idea will sound so weird that they may just remember it!

Never Give Up!

The difference between success and failure is not giving up.  Organizing is more of an ART than it is a SCIENCE.  People that are successful with their organizing efforts have been able to tap into that artistic focus and try different things until they found one that worked. 

Realize that You're Not Going to Change Everyone in Your House Overnight

Change takes time.  Just because you are motivated does not mean that your family is!  Marilyn shares this story:

"We have a flashlight in the garage but I could never find it because someone whom I won’t mention by name (it wasn’t me) would just leave it lying around where ever he finished using it. I decided designating a container for the flashlight to live in would take care of the problem. . . I placed it where it was readily accessible and easy to remove the flashlight and to put it back after being used. I still found the flashlight here there and everywhere so I would quietly put it back and when I had a chance I would remind him what the container was for. It took 16 months but now it is always returned to its home where it is easy to find. Now isn’t that a win-win?"

The secret to your success in organizing clutter is never give up.  I have similar stories!  What are yours?  Share your organizing challenges below in the comments section and I know our readers and experts will share their solutions with you.

Easy Solutions to Organize Your Shed

Well, I hate to admit it, but summer is over here in Illinois.  The temperatures are dropping and we're expriencing a lot of rain.  It is now time to prepare for the colder months and close up our summer items.

If you are like my friends, you have a shed or storage area that holds all of your summer ites: mower, pots, dirt, gardening equipment and so on.  The best time of year to get this area under control is right now! 

Remove all items from your shed and give it a good cleaning

Empty out your shed and either use a hose and a good brush or a low-powered pressure washer to clean out the debris, cob webs, etc. that has accumulated in your shed.

Review your gardening tools and replace where appropriate

While your shed is drying out, look through all of your gardening tools and replace any items that are broken or no longer operating correctly.  Fall is a great time to replace your gardening tools because most lawn and garden stores hold awesome sales. 

Review gardening chemicals and discard where appropriate

Lawn and garden fertilizers and weed killers only last for so long.  I'd love to give you a difinitive answer on how long they last, but it depends on the brand you purchase.  Many organic products will go moldy over the winter.  Other non-organic products can last anywhere from 6 months to 3 years and still be viable for your yard.  Check the manufacturer website for the longevity of the product.  If yours has expired, discard according to your community's disposal rules.  Don't buy now.  Make a quick shopping list and post it in your shed. 

Increase your space by installing shelving or other wall storage

Clutter can accumulate when you own a shed.  Shelves are ideal for shed organization.  Consider pre built shelving that is stand-alone, or install shelving with kits.  You van find a wide selection of shelving options by visiting any Menards, Lowes or Home Depot.  Don't have one in your area?  Check out their sites online.

By adding shelving to your shed, you can get things up off the floor, giving you more room to move around inside your shed safely. Using the vertical space will allow you to store a lot more in the space as well.

 Don't want to have shelves sticking out?  You still have options!  

Place like items together

After installing your shed shelves, organize like items together.  How you define "like" can vary.  Here are some possibilities:

• Group by type of gardening - flower garden, vegetable garden, lawn care, etc.
• Group by type of tool - pots, tools, chemicals, potting soil, etc.

By storing like items together on shelving, you save time and money; you reduce stress and clutter as well as now have the ability to find what you want in the shed when planting season comes around.

Share your tips and thoughts!

What do you do to keep your lawn and garden items in tip-top shape?  Do you have a shed?  What do you do to keep it clean and organized?

Medication Mania! How to manage multiple medications/supplements a day.

Being accountable for your own health is the first step in being healthy!  However, when you have slews of pills to take at different times of the day, it can be hard to do it right.  Do you have a lot of pills to take or know someone who does?  Maybe it is medication for a medical condition, or nutritional supplements . . .  It can be confusing to track different pills.  I'll show you step by step how we organized one woman's 20+ pills a day.

 

Know What You Are Taking & When You Should Take It

Before you take anything, there are a few things that you should be sure of:

• be aware of what it is and why you are taking it
• understand possible side effects
• understand the amount, frequency and timing of dosage

Let's assume that you already know the first two points and really dive into how to track the third point.

In this case, there were multiple times of day that different pills, drops and powders need to be taken.  The first thing we did was take the various directions for the supplements and charted out the amount and timing.  Here is a picture of the chart:

The supplements/ medication was listed down a column and the various times of day that the medications were to be taken were identified in their own specific columns. 

Once we charted it out, we found that there were 7 distinct times of day that different things needed to be concumed.

Communicate the Chart

We printed multiple copies of the chart and then distributed to specific locations.

• Purse
• Inside cabinet door where medication was stored
• Family members so that they would know what she was taking and when

Get the Right Tools

There are a number of tools on the market to help you organize your pills.  This time, we had a few criteria:

Did not want to spend a lot on pill organizers

• She did not want to spend a lot on pill organizers
• She wanted the flexibility to put her pills in different locations of her house (for example, her first set is to be taken 20 minutes before breakfast, so she wanted to keep those in her bathroom so that she could take them when she woke up.)

So, we went to Walgreens and got 7 of their 99 cent clear plastic pill organizers.  One for each time of day that something needed to be taken.

Label Everything!

You have heard me say this before.  The more you label the more successful you will be with any change that you are trying to do. Even if you have a good memory, when you are stressed or under pressure, it is very possible for your memory to fail you.  LABEL!

We took a black sharpie marker and wrote on the tops of each pill bottle.  We wrote the amount and when each item should be taken (not shown in the picture - we later added what each pill was so that the tops could be matched to the bottoms should they get separated.)

Then a Red sharpie marker (no real reason why the color difference, she just likes red) and wrote directly onto the pill organizers.

We wrote WHAT the pills were on the bottom of the organizer.

And we wrote WHEN they should be taken on the side of the organizer. Here is the finished result.  All 7 containers with a week's worth of pills, labeled and ready to go.

 YOUR TURN!

What do you do to keep all of your medications straight?  How do you make sure that you are doing what your health advisor wants you to do?  Share your thoughts and resources below!

Clean Out Your Closets

Closets can be really overwhelming for many people.  If you have an overwhelmed closet, start by sorting through what you have and placing your items into three categories:  yes, maybe and no.

What you can do with the "MAYBE" Pile - Go through the maybes. Try them on. What's wrong? What's right? Why haven't you worn this piece of clothing in ten years, and why won't you part with it? Is it out of style? Do you feel good when you put it on? Is it your color? Does it need mending? Would you wear it if you mended it? Try to reduce your maybe pile by at least half. Put the rest in a marginal pile for one month. If, after a month, you have not used it, toss it.

What you can do with the "NO" Pile - Donate the wearable or salvageable no's to charity, or take them to a consignment shop that will sell your hand-me-downs and give you a share of the profits. Recycle or discard the rest.

What you can do with the "YES" Pile - Consider the clothes you want to keep. Measure everything you have to determine your needs, and then measure your closet space to determine how it can best meet them.  Make a list of the number of long hanging garments such as dresses and coats, the number of suits, shirts, belts, gloves, shoes, and so on.  Do you need to change your shelving system? Add a second level? Do you want to put in sliding basket?  Make your space work for the items you are keeping.

Good luck!

Tell us about your experiences

What do you do to make decisions in your closet? 

Kitchen in Tip Top Shape

The kitchen is often the most used room in the house, and the price of an unorganized kitchen can be high. Lots of wasted time looking for items and money wasted purchasing duplicates can add up to a lot of unwanted stress. But the payoff can be big and the best place to start your kitchen organizing project is the pantry.

Back to School Made Simple - Part 2

Throughout the next 4 weeks kids will begin to start school. Now is the time to pave the way to a good school year by setting up a routine and an organized house.

Remember children need to make as many decisions as  possible. Avoid power struggles by letting them make small decisions. Encourage independence. The more kids are involved in the household, the less strain there is on the parents.

Here are tips for homework to reduce your anxiety level and making the school days run more smoothly.

Back to School Made Simple - Part 1

As the carefree days of summer are coming to a close, it’s time to start thinking about sending the kids back to school. While some parents are jumping for joy, others view this time of year as hectic and stressful. Now is the time to pave the way to a good school year by setting up an organized routine and an organized house.

The key is to have everyone in the household involved in the daily tasks. Encourage independence. Let them help in what ever age-appropriate tasks they can. The more kids are involved in the household, the less strain there is on the parents.

Here are tips for reducing your anxiety level and making the school days run more smoothly.

I Am So Embarrased! and other thoughts

When someone begins thinking of organizing, many questions can pop into their thoughts. Every once in a while we will select questions from our readers and share our response with you.

Q:  I so am embarrassed to have you come over, my place is so messy!  I know I need help, but how can you do that without seeing my place?  -- Jennifer - Palatine, IL

A:  This is a very important and sensitive issue for many people, even preventing some (would that be you?) from really benefiting from our services. Almost everyone who contacts us has some sort of shame or embarrassment about their situation, or they wouldn't be calling.

We understand the pain and frustration of living and working in an environment that is not supportive or reflective of whom you want to be, and that is why we became Professional Organizers. Organizing can actually be fun, when you know that someone is there on your team. The relief of having a place for everything that makes sense to you is worth the effort put into the project, large or small.

You know, because of what we do, even some of our friends apologize when we come over, thinking that we are assessing their mess and thinking the worst of them. Nothing could be farther from the truth.

First off, we have been in a lot of people's homes and offices, and have seen a lot of clutter. Chances are, we have seen a lot worse than what you have in your situation. When we come to see you, we don't look with a critical or judgmental eye, but rather with an eye for how to tackle the challenge. We enjoy helping people feel relief when a room, closet, or an entire house begins to emerge from the mess.

Readers:  Do you have a suggestion for Jennifer?  Share your comments at the bottom of this blog posting! 

Do you have a question that you'd like to ask?  Let us know! 

Single-Task!

Do you ever feel like you're going in 500 directions at once?  So many things to do that you can't even see what is right in front of your face??

Today I'd like to suggest that you try something different.

Single-Task!

All too often, we try to do too many things at once and then end up not finishing any of them or at least not finishing them well. There have been a number of studies recently that show that multitasking can be very bad for productivity. That is mostly because we pick the wrong things to multi-task.

Anything that requires the mind to think and concentrate should not be tied to another thing that requires the same type of brain power. So, listening to a teleconference recording while cleaning out your email is not only going to slow you down, but will likely make you miss something important.

On the other hand, I have a coffee heating game that I play with myself that helps me eliminate procrastination. You see, it takes me about 1 minute to reheat my coffee. While it is reheating I try to do as much in that minute as possible. I will empty (or fill) the dishwasher, put clothes in the washer/dryer, make my son’s lunch for the next day, etc. That kind of multi-tasking works great for me.

Or, here is one that I do a lot too. Washing the bathroom floors by hand is one of my least favorite jobs, but when I pair it with listening to one of my favorite marketing gurus on mp3, then the time flies by and I get both done. I don’t have to focus mentally on the floor, so I can keep my focus on the mp3, but since I don’t sit still well, cleaning the floor complements my fidgeting.

What do you do to make your home more productive? What has been your experience? Have any to add to the list that simple mom shared? I’d love to hear your thoughts. Can’t wait to read them in the comments section.

Going GREEN - Reducing Paper Piles

Just about every client we talk with says that paper is one of their biggest challenges.  Is it one of yours?

One way you can eliminate paper from your home office (or kitchen counter, entry hall table, etc.) is to

do your banking and bill paying online.  There are a number of ways to do your banking and electronic payments online.

• Pay through your bank - many banks provide free banking and bill payment options
• Sign up with those you owe - many companies will offer discounts if you pay them online.
• Choose a company like mycheckfree.com for online bill payment

For a long time, I was uncomfortable paying bills online.  I researched the options and now do the majority of my banking online. 

It is worth considering when you learn that Working Mother magazine reported "if all Americans viewed and paid their bills online, it would reduce the solid waste in landfills by more than 800,000 tons each year."  They received their statistics from the Javelin Strategy and Research company.

Wow!  800,000 tons is a LOT of paper.  Imagine the space you could save in your home office.

Print (or color) on both sides of the paper.  About 21 million tons of paper are thrown away every year.  That is about 175 pounds per person.  If you have a printer that prints on both sides, make that your default setting.  If you cannot print in duplex (on both sides of the page) then let your kids color on the backs of the pages you no longer need.

What is your experience?
What is your experience with online banking and bill paying.  Do you know of any other resources?  How do you eliminate paper waste?

Are Your Bills Paid on Time?

23% of adults say they pay bills late (& thus incur fees) because they loose them, according to Harris Interactive. The systems you use (or don't use) can make or break your financial situation.  Here are some organizing tips to help you get your financial affairs in order and reach towards your financial freedom!

Makeup - To Keep or Not to Keep

When someone begins thinking of organizing, many questions can pop into their thoughts. Every once in a while we will select questions from our readers and share our response with you.

Q: What is the appropriate age at which to throw out cosmetics & toiletries?

Since these items are usually expensive, I hate to throw them out if they haven't been used up. I always have a large collection of bottles/jars/compacts, yet I only use very few on a daily basis. What do I need to know to clean out my stash? Barb, IL

A: Have a Makeup Clean Out Day!

Any color you have found that you do not wear at least once a month should be thrown out.  In addition, here’s a quick guide on the shelf lives of typical beauty products, listed in alphabetical order. (Taken from Vanguard online.)

• Concealer - up to 12 months.
• Eye shadow - up to three years.
• Eye liner - should be sharpened regularly and will last up to three years.
• Foundation Check the ingredients: A water-based foundation will last up to 12 months, oil-based will last up to 18 months.
• Lip liner - up to three years.
• Lipstick - up to four years, but if it smells rancid, throw it out, it’s spoiled.
• Mascara - throw out after three months.
• Nail Polish - up to 12 months, depending on the quality and how many times you apply it.
• Powder - up to two years.

Have a question you would like to get answered? Let us know!

Think Like a Retailer - Reclaim Wasted Space

One of the key strategies in getting and staying organized is the efficient use of vertical space.  Retailers often do this quite well.  Think of any store that you frequent and imagine the space with only one level for display.  You are likely envisioning a space that is quite cluttered and hard to move around in.  Retailers are able to get significantly more product on their display floors by working up as well as out.  You can use the same strategy when structuring your space!

Relocation/Moving Checklist - On moving day

Whether you are relocating across town or across the country, you will need to complete many tasks to ensure a smooth transition from one community to the next.  To help you organize your move, consider using this checklist which outlines tasks that typically need to be completed six to eight weeks before the move all the way up to moving day.  Note – This checklist is intended as a guideline only, adapt it to your own needs as you see fit.

On Moving Day

Relocation/Moving Checklist - Before you leave

Whether you are relocating across town or across the country, you will need to complete many tasks to ensure a smooth transition from one community to the next.  To help you organize your move, consider using this checklist which outlines tasks that typically need to be completed six to eight weeks before the move all the way up to moving day.  Note – This checklist is intended as a guideline only, adapt it to your own needs as you see fit.

Before You Leave

Relocation/Moving Checklist - At Least One Month before Moving

Whether you are relocating across town or across the country, you will need to complete many tasks to ensure a smooth transition from one community to the next.  To help you organize your move, consider using this checklist which outlines tasks that typically need to be completed six to eight weeks before the move all the way up to moving day.  Note – This checklist is intended as a guideline only, adapt it to your own needs as you see fit.

At Least One Month before Moving

Relocation/Moving Checklist - 6-8 Weeks Before Moving

Whether you are relocating across town or across the country, you will need to complete many tasks to ensure a smooth transition from one community to the next.  To help you organize your move, consider using this checklist which outlines tasks that typically need to be completed six to eight weeks before the move all the way up to moving day.  Note – This checklist is intended as a guideline only, adapt it to your own needs as you see fit.

Six to Eight Weeks before Moving

Do you take your medicines when you should?

I have talked before about how various medical conditions can make it difficult for you to focus and organize.  Often, even if you are being treated for your condition, you could have problems.  Why is that?  It could be caused by not taking your medication or by taking it at the wrong time.  Some medicines are more sensitive than others. 

Do you have a lot of medications to take?  Do you remember to take them when you are supposed to? 

For many, remembering what meds to take at what time is very difficult.  The more medicine you have to take the more difficult it can become.  Here are some things you can do to help:

Organizing the Stuff Your Auto

We have a lot of things that we both keep in our cars as well as tote to other places in our autos.  Keep reading to find ways to "stow your stuff!"

Managing Your Mail

According to NAPO, 80% of papers that are filed are never referenced again. Rent for the floor space, the file cabinets, and filing supplies all cost money.  The following tips will assist you in managing the piles that build up in your home or office.

Many times when I speak to groups or go into offices I hear from people that say that they just wish they would not have so many piles.  Barbara Hemphill - author of "Taming the Paper Tiger" would tell you that "Today's Mail is Tomorrow's Pile!"  I could not agree more.  There are some simple things that you can do to help.

Throughout my blogs I'll mention different techniques.  Not every technique will work for every person.  It is about what you WILL do, not what you think you should do, so pick ones that makes sense to you, practice them until they are habit and then pick another.

Cabinets - Make them Work for You

Does this look organized to you?  (you can click on the image to make it bigger.)  For some, it looks like a jumbled mess and for others this looks quite neat.  My vote?  It is organized.  Remember, organization is about finding what you need, when you need it, with little effort. 

So, why do I say this cabinet works?  I know because it is a picture taken of a cabinet in my kitchen!  Our family enjoys a number of hot beverages.  This cabinet is located by our microwave and the sink.  The two items we use the most when preparing our coco, coffee, tea, etc.  So, this cabinet is organized to house all of the items we will need to make those drinks.  Keep reading to understand some of the odd looking things you see in the cabinet!

Bill Paying - Are Yours Pay on Time?

23% of adults say they pay bills late (& thus incur fees) because they loose them, according to Harris Interactive. The systems you use (or don't use) can make or break your financial situation.  Here are some organizing tips and web resources to help you get your financial affairs in order and reach towards your financial freedom!

Eliminating Clutter & Keeping Your Auto Clean

 Today more than ever we use our autos not only to get from one place to another; but it is where we eat, talk with our family, conduct business and sometimes even sleep! With all of those uses, we all need strategies to keep them usable.  Today I'll share some ideas on how to keep your auto clean.

Use an Empty Storage Container to Hold "Odds and Ends"
To combat 'car clutter' put an empty storage bin in your backseat without the lid, when it's filled up take it inside and put all the items where they belong and then repeat!

Reuse Plastic Grocery Bags for Car Clean-up
Take a minute each day to clean your car out after a long day -- use plastic grocery bags. Use one to toss out the trash and and another to take non-garbage into the house or office.

Spring Car Care 101
Keep wipes made especially for cars in your glove box or within reach, so you can mop up messes and keep your vehicle pleasant.

What do you do to keep your car in tip-top shape?  Share your organizing ideas by commenting below in the comment section of this posting.