Productive & Organized Home

Clutter Killed Family in a Blaze and the Collyers Mansion Effect

Clutter can be really paralizing for many people and unfortunately, it can be deadly in some instances.  Today's headlines covered two stories involving clutter, fire and death.  One in Nebraska and one in New York.  Unfortunately, it is so common that many fire departments even have a term for it.  They call a home that is dangerously cluttered by the code name "Collyers mansion." 

So what is a Collyer mansion?

Clutter can be really paralizing for many people and unfortunately, it can be deadly in some instances.  Today's headlines covered two stories involving clutter, fire and death.  One in Nebraska and one in New York.  Unfortunately, it is so common that many fire departments even have a term for it.  They call a home that is dangerously cluttered by the code name "Collyers mansion." 

So what is a Collyer mansion?

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!

De-Cluttering Your Space Will Help You Lose Weight?

Recently I read an article on Gallycat about a conversation the author had with Peter Walsh.  Peter is the guy that TLC's Clean Sweep made famous for de-cluttering people's homes.  I was very happy to read that Peter does not think that a quick clean-up will "cure" people's situation.  He is out with a new book that covers his experiences on Clean Sweep.  Interestingly enough, he observed that once people de-cluttered their space, they also started losing weight.  Read that and more on the Gallycat posting. 

Tell me what you think.  Is it a bunch of Bologna or do you think there is some credibility in the thoughts?

Dust Free Storage with Stor Pods

If you are looking for a great way to moisure proof the items that you have in your basement or attic,  then the StorPod may be for you!  There are three different configurations depending on your space needs. 

Use a Tax Case to Collect Your Tax Related Paperwork

For some people it is a mad dash at tax time, but others like to be able to collect the information over the course of the year.  Here is a great tool that helps you do either!

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

Clutter! Clutter! Clutter!

Every other morning I go through my notifications and read various blog postings and news stories to see what information is out on the net that I might want to share with you.  Today I found a posting that really got me thinking.  It was of a poem from an 85-year-old woman back in 1975 that wrote a poem on clutter.  It goes to show that clutter started long before computers!  Take a moment to look it over and tell me what you were thinking when you read it.

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

Simple Tools that Help You Save Space

The "mud room" slash "laundry room" in our home has a layout that I don't really care for.  It is long and has a lot of not-so-usable space.  The coat closet is quite small too.  We use these great door hanging hooks over the door to the garage and the door to our kitchen. 

Bins & Containers are not Always the Answer

I'm a member of the National Study Group on Chronic Disorganization (NSGCD) and I'm always excited when a fellow member is quoted in an article.  Lynne Johnson is our current president and the NY Times talked with her as they were working on a great article A Clutter Too Deep for Mere Bins and Shelves. The article covers number of reasons that individuals struggle with organization.