Thursday, July 26, 2012
Wednesday, July 25, 2012
Monday, July 23, 2012
Organizing the Coat Closet
By
Julie Riber
The coat closet is always crowded with many coats, hats, gloves,
umbrellas and other items that seem to find a home in the coat closet.
Many coat closets seem too small to hold all the coats and items end up
on the floor or crammed in so tight that nothing can go in or out. Many
of the closets have one rod and a shelf.
There are a few tips to make the closet hold more and be organized which will be covered in this article. As in all of the other closets we have covered, the first step is to remove everything from the closet. Sort the coats into seasons and sort the gloves and hats into types such as driving and outdoor. Separate the scarves and all other items so you know what you have at hand. Go through all the items to make sure they still fit, gloves all have a match, and you are not storing a coat you will never wear.
I always recommend purchasing an over the door hanger with clear pockets. You can purchase these at many stores and they are inexpensive. In the pockets, put the children's gloves, hats and scarves. This allows the children to retrieve the items instead of calling you each time they need a hat or gloves. It will also eliminate the constant gathering of gloves and hats on the floor when they cannot reach the shelf to put them away. It takes a few times, but they do catch on. These pockets are also a great place for guests to put their hats and gloves. The pockets can hold small umbrellas, binoculars, scarves, hoods to coats, and other items you keep in your coat closet.
If your coat closet has one shelf, and a large space above, consider installing another shelf. Purchase baskets to fit on the shelf (try for at least 3 per shelf). Place your driving gloves in one, hats in another and outdoor activity gloves in another. If you have a 2nd shelf or have decided to install another one, put items in baskets that are for the other season such as ponchos, umbrellas, rain pants, and maybe even stadium cushions.
When it comes to hats, I find many of my clients collect caps at different events or have them from work, but never plan on wearing them. To eliminate the guilt, they just throw them in the closet. It is time to give them to someone who needs and wears the caps. Do not keep items you will never wear in an already crammed space. Try keeping the winter hats in one of the baskets and the caps in another location if space is short.
If you have closet that is too small to hold all your coats, try separating them by season. Put only the current season in the closet. Fall and winter coats take up the most space as they are bulky. For spring and summer jackets, since they take up much less space and usually there are fewer, leave the long coats in the closet and just store the winter jackets elsewhere. Many stores sell cloth bags you can store your off season clothes in. Do not store coats in dry cleaner bags, as they contain chemicals and could cause harm to your coat. Make sure you look at each coat to decide if you need to keep it. Have you worn it in the last 2 years? Is it in the color and style you appreciate?
If you are lucky enough to have a larger coat closet, consider making part of it a double hang. This way you can fit twice as many coats in and not have to store out of season elsewhere.
Boots can go on the floor and if you keep your vacuum in the coat closet, put it to the side to avoid damage to the coats. Go through your coats at the end of each season especially if you have children. They can out grow them quickly and someone else could be using them. You might decide the color and style you chose 15 years ago is not what you currently like and look good in. Others can use your coats.
There are a few tips to make the closet hold more and be organized which will be covered in this article. As in all of the other closets we have covered, the first step is to remove everything from the closet. Sort the coats into seasons and sort the gloves and hats into types such as driving and outdoor. Separate the scarves and all other items so you know what you have at hand. Go through all the items to make sure they still fit, gloves all have a match, and you are not storing a coat you will never wear.
I always recommend purchasing an over the door hanger with clear pockets. You can purchase these at many stores and they are inexpensive. In the pockets, put the children's gloves, hats and scarves. This allows the children to retrieve the items instead of calling you each time they need a hat or gloves. It will also eliminate the constant gathering of gloves and hats on the floor when they cannot reach the shelf to put them away. It takes a few times, but they do catch on. These pockets are also a great place for guests to put their hats and gloves. The pockets can hold small umbrellas, binoculars, scarves, hoods to coats, and other items you keep in your coat closet.
If your coat closet has one shelf, and a large space above, consider installing another shelf. Purchase baskets to fit on the shelf (try for at least 3 per shelf). Place your driving gloves in one, hats in another and outdoor activity gloves in another. If you have a 2nd shelf or have decided to install another one, put items in baskets that are for the other season such as ponchos, umbrellas, rain pants, and maybe even stadium cushions.
When it comes to hats, I find many of my clients collect caps at different events or have them from work, but never plan on wearing them. To eliminate the guilt, they just throw them in the closet. It is time to give them to someone who needs and wears the caps. Do not keep items you will never wear in an already crammed space. Try keeping the winter hats in one of the baskets and the caps in another location if space is short.
If you have closet that is too small to hold all your coats, try separating them by season. Put only the current season in the closet. Fall and winter coats take up the most space as they are bulky. For spring and summer jackets, since they take up much less space and usually there are fewer, leave the long coats in the closet and just store the winter jackets elsewhere. Many stores sell cloth bags you can store your off season clothes in. Do not store coats in dry cleaner bags, as they contain chemicals and could cause harm to your coat. Make sure you look at each coat to decide if you need to keep it. Have you worn it in the last 2 years? Is it in the color and style you appreciate?
If you are lucky enough to have a larger coat closet, consider making part of it a double hang. This way you can fit twice as many coats in and not have to store out of season elsewhere.
Boots can go on the floor and if you keep your vacuum in the coat closet, put it to the side to avoid damage to the coats. Go through your coats at the end of each season especially if you have children. They can out grow them quickly and someone else could be using them. You might decide the color and style you chose 15 years ago is not what you currently like and look good in. Others can use your coats.
Julie Riber is a professional organizer in the central Ohio area
for over 5 years. She helps organize individuals spaces, time, and lives
and she helps businesses streamline processes, increase productivity,
and organize their spaces. She is a Golden Circle member of the National
Association of Professional Organizers and Immediate Past President of
the Ohio Chapter of NAPO. Sign up for her free monthly newsletter with
organizing tips. http://www.transformare.net
Article Source:
http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Julie_Riber
Saturday, July 14, 2012
Friday, July 13, 2012
Monday, July 9, 2012
Organize Your Room, Get Rid of The Clutter
By
Renee Pullman
Do you use a room in your house until you fill it so full of
stuff that you can hardly get around in it? Do you then move on to the
next room? Lots of stuff that you never really use cluttered and
crowded. Did you know that organizing the room will do wonders for you
and you will be able to enjoy the room again.
A well organized room is not just finding things when you want them but it is about making a welcoming room where you can relax and work in comfort and without all the stress that clutter makes. When you set out to organize the room you must identify what you want to do with the room. You must decide what to keep and what to throw out. Given a little time you can get the room they way you want it to be.
What is the purpose of the room, TV, sleeping, games, whatever it is be clear on it's primary purpose. Then make a list of the things you want the room to contain. These things should, of course, support the main purpose of the room. Then position these things at places they make sense in the room.
Get rid of the things in the room that do not support the purpose of the room. Do these things belong in a different room or do you just need to get rid of them. Next position the things that you want to keep strategically in the room. You want to be careful of the things you keep and how you position them, after all you are getting rid of clutter and not laying the grounds to re-clutter the room. Be sure to utilize the storage within the room, drawers, cabinets, closets, etc should be used efficiently and not as catch-alls for accumulating more stuff.
Having your space laid out properly is a very good thing. Be sure to throw away all the junk and sort and organize the rest. Maintain your freshly organized room, whether your room stays organized is all in your hands.
A well organized room is not just finding things when you want them but it is about making a welcoming room where you can relax and work in comfort and without all the stress that clutter makes. When you set out to organize the room you must identify what you want to do with the room. You must decide what to keep and what to throw out. Given a little time you can get the room they way you want it to be.
What is the purpose of the room, TV, sleeping, games, whatever it is be clear on it's primary purpose. Then make a list of the things you want the room to contain. These things should, of course, support the main purpose of the room. Then position these things at places they make sense in the room.
Get rid of the things in the room that do not support the purpose of the room. Do these things belong in a different room or do you just need to get rid of them. Next position the things that you want to keep strategically in the room. You want to be careful of the things you keep and how you position them, after all you are getting rid of clutter and not laying the grounds to re-clutter the room. Be sure to utilize the storage within the room, drawers, cabinets, closets, etc should be used efficiently and not as catch-alls for accumulating more stuff.
Having your space laid out properly is a very good thing. Be sure to throw away all the junk and sort and organize the rest. Maintain your freshly organized room, whether your room stays organized is all in your hands.
When you organize a room you give it a new life as well as waking something inside you up. I invite you to visit http://deskorganize.net and learn more.
Article Source:
http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Renee_Pullman
Organize Your Kitchen And Start Out Right Each Day
By
Renee Pullman
Your kitchen probably serves as a meeting room, a place to have
meals, and a place to just hang out. The kitchen is the focal point in
most homes.
You should experience a relaxed environment in your kitchen where you are at peace and in charge. If your kitchen is kept organized it will serve you and your family better. Here are some ideas to help organize.
When is the last time you have surveyed your kitchen to see what you used and what you didn't. To see the things that you might use and things that just need to be cleared out. What kinds of things are broken and just need to be thrown out.
After you decided what goes and what stays consider which items that you use most. These things need to be conveniently placed so they are at hand when you need them. Cooking utensils can be placed in a standing container where they can be easily reached while cooking.
Do you have your kitchen zoned? Are there areas of the kitchen where you do certain activities. Food prep, cooking, serving, storage, etc. If there are such areas then perhaps it makes since to store items used in those activities in that part of the kitchen. What are the important items that you use in each area. If you set this up right your kitchen will flow and be convenient.
Having a clean organized kitchen will make your life easier. An area for each thing to be done will help save you time and energy. Finding the things you need near the work to be done will help your work flow more smoothly and help you get it done faster.
Putting your kitchen in order and maintaining it will help you get on with your day better everyday.
You should experience a relaxed environment in your kitchen where you are at peace and in charge. If your kitchen is kept organized it will serve you and your family better. Here are some ideas to help organize.
When is the last time you have surveyed your kitchen to see what you used and what you didn't. To see the things that you might use and things that just need to be cleared out. What kinds of things are broken and just need to be thrown out.
After you decided what goes and what stays consider which items that you use most. These things need to be conveniently placed so they are at hand when you need them. Cooking utensils can be placed in a standing container where they can be easily reached while cooking.
Do you have your kitchen zoned? Are there areas of the kitchen where you do certain activities. Food prep, cooking, serving, storage, etc. If there are such areas then perhaps it makes since to store items used in those activities in that part of the kitchen. What are the important items that you use in each area. If you set this up right your kitchen will flow and be convenient.
Having a clean organized kitchen will make your life easier. An area for each thing to be done will help save you time and energy. Finding the things you need near the work to be done will help your work flow more smoothly and help you get it done faster.
Putting your kitchen in order and maintaining it will help you get on with your day better everyday.
Organizing your home can mean a big boost in pride and efficiency. Organize and see what I mean. I invite you to visit http://deskorganize.net and discover increased productivity.
Article Source:
http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Renee_Pullman
Sunday, July 8, 2012
Myths About Professional Organizers
By
Julie Riber
There are many myths surrounding what professional organizers
actually do when they are working with a client. Some people think we go
in and tell clients they must get rid of all their items and keep only
the bare minimum. Some think that organizers are just expensive cleaning
people. Others think we do it all while the client is gone and then the
client is required to keep it up with no instruction.
The most important item to remember about professional organizers is that they are not there to judge you or your clutter. They are there to help you in any possible way they can. We are there to transfer our skill of organizing onto you.
Starting with the first myth. Professional organizers never tell a client they must throw out anything. We are there to ask the right questions, find out the story on the items, and discuss the purpose of keeping certain belongings. We are sympathetic to the fact that going through so many belongings can be stressful, energy draining, and most of the time, hard. Since we are not emotional attached to all the items, we come in with a more objective view. We help our clients realize what is important to keep and why some belongings might not be. Once a client has gone through many of their personal items, they begin to see a pattern. For example, they realize they have 3 of the same peeler or 16 pairs of scissors in the house. Some have even said they did not like the item to begin with and cannot figure out why they bought more. To some they find humor in how much they have kept and realize they do not want all these items taking up valuable space. To others it is a long process of letting go of personal items they have kept for many years. They tell us the story as to why they kept it and discover it is really not that great of a story or sometimes they cannot remember the story. The longer we work with our clients, the more comfortable they become donating or tossing items. Organizers give that comfort and reassurance as the client lets go of the clutter that is restricting them from living stress free.
The next myth is just that, a myth. Professional organizers are not expensive cleaning people. Professional organizers do not carry around vacuum cleaners and cleaning supplies. Most have power tools if they install closet systems and all professional organizers have a labeler. We are there to clear the clutter and find systems that will assist you in keeping it organized. Professional organizers do not provide a consistent cleaning service. We do provide follow up visits for clients.
Lastly, professional organizers work directly with their clients when clearing clutter. It is rare that someone would want to keep all the clutter and just get it organized. Most clients know before they even call an organizer that they will be donating and throwing out much of their clutter. Professional organizers help individuals find systems that will assist them in keeping their spaces organized. We teach our clients to see the root of their clutter problem, how to get the clutter out, and how to stay that way. If I came in and organized your space and left, how would you know where anything was and how to keep it that way so you were not back in the same situation in a few months?
The most important item to remember about professional organizers is that they are not there to judge you or your clutter. They are there to help you in any possible way they can. We are there to transfer our skill of organizing onto you.
Starting with the first myth. Professional organizers never tell a client they must throw out anything. We are there to ask the right questions, find out the story on the items, and discuss the purpose of keeping certain belongings. We are sympathetic to the fact that going through so many belongings can be stressful, energy draining, and most of the time, hard. Since we are not emotional attached to all the items, we come in with a more objective view. We help our clients realize what is important to keep and why some belongings might not be. Once a client has gone through many of their personal items, they begin to see a pattern. For example, they realize they have 3 of the same peeler or 16 pairs of scissors in the house. Some have even said they did not like the item to begin with and cannot figure out why they bought more. To some they find humor in how much they have kept and realize they do not want all these items taking up valuable space. To others it is a long process of letting go of personal items they have kept for many years. They tell us the story as to why they kept it and discover it is really not that great of a story or sometimes they cannot remember the story. The longer we work with our clients, the more comfortable they become donating or tossing items. Organizers give that comfort and reassurance as the client lets go of the clutter that is restricting them from living stress free.
The next myth is just that, a myth. Professional organizers are not expensive cleaning people. Professional organizers do not carry around vacuum cleaners and cleaning supplies. Most have power tools if they install closet systems and all professional organizers have a labeler. We are there to clear the clutter and find systems that will assist you in keeping it organized. Professional organizers do not provide a consistent cleaning service. We do provide follow up visits for clients.
Lastly, professional organizers work directly with their clients when clearing clutter. It is rare that someone would want to keep all the clutter and just get it organized. Most clients know before they even call an organizer that they will be donating and throwing out much of their clutter. Professional organizers help individuals find systems that will assist them in keeping their spaces organized. We teach our clients to see the root of their clutter problem, how to get the clutter out, and how to stay that way. If I came in and organized your space and left, how would you know where anything was and how to keep it that way so you were not back in the same situation in a few months?
Julie Riber is a professional organizer in the central Ohio area.
She has been organizing homes and businesses for over 4 years. She is a
member of the National Association of Professional Organizers and
President of the Ohio Chapter of NAPO. http://www.transformare.net
Article Source:
http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Julie_Riber
Spring Clutter Removal
By
Julie Riber
Every spring you plan on cleaning out all the closets, deep
cleaning the cupboards and maybe even having a garage sale to remove all
the clutter in the basement or garage. It seems like you never have the
time or the weather is so nice you would rather be outside. The kids
have started their spring sport programs with practices and games. Your
time is limited.
Spring cleaning can be accomplished if you follow a few tips and have it planned on your calendar. Try to schedule 2 hours or more on the weekends or during the week if time permits. Choose the area to clean based on the weather. When it is 70 degrees or above and sunny out, clean out the garage. You will want to take most items out to spray out the salt and chemicals that have accumulated on your garage floor over the winter. Tracking those in the house is bad on any type of flooring you have. Install some shelving units to get items off the floor. Thinking vertically will allow you to remove more items off the floor. The wall space in the garage is the most under utilized. Make use of it and remove the clutter.
Spring cleaning also includes the yard, such as the leaves that you missed on the last rake. Many leaves end up under the bushes, get those out on the nice spring days. Review your perennial plants to see if they survived the winter. Give them until the first of June to bloom in case they are late bloomers.
Save the rainy April days for the closets and the basement. If you have children, choose a rainy April day to go through their wardrobe. Do not try to do it all in one sitting. Try on short sleeved shirts one day and shorts the next. The warm weather happens gradually, so you have time as long as you do not have to donate all their clothes from last year. Make a list of items they will need and then on sale days, go out a buy them.
Your wardrobe should also be examined. Decide what you wore last year and what you did not. Styles change for the stores as well as for you. Most people do not wear in their forties what they wore in their twenties. Decide on what you like and keep items you will really wear. Maybe you changed careers and your current job is more casual. Keep only the dress items that are classic, not trends. Some colors are trendy too. Keep the basics such as black, brown, and navy.
Shoes change too, so donate those clumpy shoes. Look at the top of your closet. Is there space that is not being utilized above the top shelf? If so, consider storing sweaters in cloth containers over the winter. Individual stacking shelves can be purchased to extend this area and to store those winter clothes on. If you have an older closet with just one rod, consider buying an attachable rod to separate shirts and pants. This will double your space and leave your clothes looking nicer than when they are all jammed in a small space. Get shoe racks that can be stacked but that are also sturdy. This will remove more items off the floor.
Look through the coat closet and decide what coats are no longer needed. Maybe your child barely fit into it at the end of the season. Put it in a bag or container to sell in the autumn along with the clothes they grew out of. Throw out any gloves that no longer have matches and hats that no longer fit.
If you tackle a space at a time, it will get done and seem less daunting then tackling the entire project over one weekend.
Spring cleaning can be accomplished if you follow a few tips and have it planned on your calendar. Try to schedule 2 hours or more on the weekends or during the week if time permits. Choose the area to clean based on the weather. When it is 70 degrees or above and sunny out, clean out the garage. You will want to take most items out to spray out the salt and chemicals that have accumulated on your garage floor over the winter. Tracking those in the house is bad on any type of flooring you have. Install some shelving units to get items off the floor. Thinking vertically will allow you to remove more items off the floor. The wall space in the garage is the most under utilized. Make use of it and remove the clutter.
Spring cleaning also includes the yard, such as the leaves that you missed on the last rake. Many leaves end up under the bushes, get those out on the nice spring days. Review your perennial plants to see if they survived the winter. Give them until the first of June to bloom in case they are late bloomers.
Save the rainy April days for the closets and the basement. If you have children, choose a rainy April day to go through their wardrobe. Do not try to do it all in one sitting. Try on short sleeved shirts one day and shorts the next. The warm weather happens gradually, so you have time as long as you do not have to donate all their clothes from last year. Make a list of items they will need and then on sale days, go out a buy them.
Your wardrobe should also be examined. Decide what you wore last year and what you did not. Styles change for the stores as well as for you. Most people do not wear in their forties what they wore in their twenties. Decide on what you like and keep items you will really wear. Maybe you changed careers and your current job is more casual. Keep only the dress items that are classic, not trends. Some colors are trendy too. Keep the basics such as black, brown, and navy.
Shoes change too, so donate those clumpy shoes. Look at the top of your closet. Is there space that is not being utilized above the top shelf? If so, consider storing sweaters in cloth containers over the winter. Individual stacking shelves can be purchased to extend this area and to store those winter clothes on. If you have an older closet with just one rod, consider buying an attachable rod to separate shirts and pants. This will double your space and leave your clothes looking nicer than when they are all jammed in a small space. Get shoe racks that can be stacked but that are also sturdy. This will remove more items off the floor.
Look through the coat closet and decide what coats are no longer needed. Maybe your child barely fit into it at the end of the season. Put it in a bag or container to sell in the autumn along with the clothes they grew out of. Throw out any gloves that no longer have matches and hats that no longer fit.
If you tackle a space at a time, it will get done and seem less daunting then tackling the entire project over one weekend.
Julie Riber is a professional organizer in the central Ohio area.
She has been organizing homes and businesses for over 4 years. She is a
member of the National Association of Professional Organizers and
President of the Ohio Chapter of NAPO. http://www.transformare.net
Article Source:
http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Julie_Riber
Getting The Spring Cleaning Completed
By
Julie Riber
If you feel like you are going to rip your hair out when you hear
spring cleaning, you are not alone. Many think that spring cleaning
means to clean every inch of your house in a month's time. That is
impossible for anyone to do and unrealistic. This article will help you
decide what to clean and how to do organize as you go.
Spring cleaning should be different every year. You should choose different areas to tackle each year. For instance, as your children get older, their rooms might need a spring cleaning as they move from elementary school to middle school or middle school to high school. Certain closets probably do not need to have a spring cleaning every year as they are not used as frequently as others.
The first step in spring cleaning is to list all the areas that really need it this year. Concentrate on those areas that have not been completely emptied in the past two years. The next is to prioritize them in the order in which they are to be completed. Consider the weather if one of them is your garage. The next step to complete your spring cleaning is to make an appointment with yourself for that area. If you can give 2 hours once or twice a week, put those in your appointment book. If you do not schedule the time, you will never get it done.
On your first appointment, remove all the items from the area and give the shelves, or carpet a good cleaning. Take a look at all the items and decide what items got put there by mistake and remove them from the area. Make sure to sort all the items into groups. Sorting has no right or wrong way, but only the way it makes sense to you. Sorting allows you to see how many of any one item you have. Maybe you have it in a variety of colors or you have duplicates. It is time to make the tough decision on what stays and what goes. Anything broken or torn should go as well as any item not used or missed in the last year. Keep only items you must have or use consistently.
Your second appointment should be used to put all the items left back in an organized manner. Make sure you label any bins or baskets you might use to contain small objects. If it is not labeled, how is anyone else suppose to know what goes in the container? You, too, might forget. Buy only containers you needs. I see clients everyday who buy many containers, but do not use them, or use them incorrectly. They end up with hundreds of containers cluttering up their home. Remember, being organized is not just storing items in a bin. It requires you to really decide if you need the items contained.
The last step is to donate the items you no longer need. There are hundreds of charities out there waiting for your unneeded stuff for others to use and enjoy. Now, you have completed a spring cleaning project. It is time to move on to the next one.
Spring cleaning should be different every year. You should choose different areas to tackle each year. For instance, as your children get older, their rooms might need a spring cleaning as they move from elementary school to middle school or middle school to high school. Certain closets probably do not need to have a spring cleaning every year as they are not used as frequently as others.
The first step in spring cleaning is to list all the areas that really need it this year. Concentrate on those areas that have not been completely emptied in the past two years. The next is to prioritize them in the order in which they are to be completed. Consider the weather if one of them is your garage. The next step to complete your spring cleaning is to make an appointment with yourself for that area. If you can give 2 hours once or twice a week, put those in your appointment book. If you do not schedule the time, you will never get it done.
On your first appointment, remove all the items from the area and give the shelves, or carpet a good cleaning. Take a look at all the items and decide what items got put there by mistake and remove them from the area. Make sure to sort all the items into groups. Sorting has no right or wrong way, but only the way it makes sense to you. Sorting allows you to see how many of any one item you have. Maybe you have it in a variety of colors or you have duplicates. It is time to make the tough decision on what stays and what goes. Anything broken or torn should go as well as any item not used or missed in the last year. Keep only items you must have or use consistently.
Your second appointment should be used to put all the items left back in an organized manner. Make sure you label any bins or baskets you might use to contain small objects. If it is not labeled, how is anyone else suppose to know what goes in the container? You, too, might forget. Buy only containers you needs. I see clients everyday who buy many containers, but do not use them, or use them incorrectly. They end up with hundreds of containers cluttering up their home. Remember, being organized is not just storing items in a bin. It requires you to really decide if you need the items contained.
The last step is to donate the items you no longer need. There are hundreds of charities out there waiting for your unneeded stuff for others to use and enjoy. Now, you have completed a spring cleaning project. It is time to move on to the next one.
Julie Riber is a professional organizer in the central Ohio area
for over 5 years. She helps organize individuals spaces, time, and lives
and she helps businesses streamline processes, increase productivity,
and organize their spaces. She is a Golden Circle member of the National
Association of Professional Organizers and Immediate Past President of
the Ohio Chapter of NAPO. Sign up for her free monthly newsletter with
organizing tips. http://www.transformare.net
Article Source:
http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Julie_Riber
What You Can't Afford in This Economy
By
Susan Stewart
What you can't afford in this economy is to be DISORGANIZED. Here's why:
Buying duplicate items because you couldn't find what you needed or you didn't remember you had it in the first place wastes money.
Questions to ask:
Do you have more than 3 bags of pasta or spaghetti sauce in your pantry?
If your entire house were searched, would more than 3 staplers turn up?
When it comes time to get out the holiday decorations, are you unable to find them all and end up purchasing new ones each year?
If you answered yes to any of these questions, you may be wasting money by purchasing things you do not need.
Food uses a bigger portion of the budget than is needed.
Questions to ask:
Does your lack of meal planning lead to eating out more than twice a week?
Do you often go out to eat simply because the kitchen is so cluttered that the thought of cooking is completely overwhelming?
When you grocery shop, do you shop without a list?
If you answered yes to any of these questions, you may be spending more money on food than is necessary.
1 in 4 adults say they pay bills late (thus incurring late fees) because they lose them.
Questions to ask:
When a bill comes in the mail, do you have a consistent place to put it?
Do you have a schedule you follow for paying your bills?
Do you feel in control of the mail and have a system for dealing with it?
If you answered no to any of these questions, you may be wasting money on late fees.
Buying duplicate items because you couldn't find what you needed or you didn't remember you had it in the first place wastes money.
Questions to ask:
Do you have more than 3 bags of pasta or spaghetti sauce in your pantry?
If your entire house were searched, would more than 3 staplers turn up?
When it comes time to get out the holiday decorations, are you unable to find them all and end up purchasing new ones each year?
If you answered yes to any of these questions, you may be wasting money by purchasing things you do not need.
Food uses a bigger portion of the budget than is needed.
Questions to ask:
Does your lack of meal planning lead to eating out more than twice a week?
Do you often go out to eat simply because the kitchen is so cluttered that the thought of cooking is completely overwhelming?
When you grocery shop, do you shop without a list?
If you answered yes to any of these questions, you may be spending more money on food than is necessary.
1 in 4 adults say they pay bills late (thus incurring late fees) because they lose them.
Questions to ask:
When a bill comes in the mail, do you have a consistent place to put it?
Do you have a schedule you follow for paying your bills?
Do you feel in control of the mail and have a system for dealing with it?
If you answered no to any of these questions, you may be wasting money on late fees.
Susan Stewart is a professional organizer and the founder of
Perfectly Placed Professional Organization and Design in the Phoenix
area. Perfectly Placed simplifies the domestic lives of women through
organization. You can find out more about Susan and Perfectly Placed at
her website: http://www.perfectlyplaced.org
Article Source:
http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Susan_StewartOrganizing A More Productive Day
By
Julie Riber
The economy has put the world in a spin and many workers fear the
loss of their job. The more productive you are at work, the less likely
you will be picked when downsizing becomes the inevitable. Make sure
you are the one your employer look to for high productivity.
To organize a productive day at work, you must first look at your week as a whole. Whether you work 8-5 Monday - Friday, or if you work a different schedule every day, you need to take time on the day before your work week starts. For many in the workforce today, that day is Sunday. I will use Sunday as my example, but you can use any day of the week. First, on Sunday evening, take a look at your schedule for the week and look at the days you are booked with meetings or appointments. Next, look at the days you have time not currently filled.
Schedule in time for projects you are working on and time for correspondence. Schedule time for your to do list and any other item you need to work on this week. Not only are you looking at your day schedule, you need to look at the evenings too. Many families spend time at practices and games, so scheduling after school appointments, to do list time and family time is tough.
Every day should have time in the morning and early afternoon scheduled to look and answer at e-mail. If you leave your e-mail open all day, you will get nothing else accomplished. If your are used to looking at e-mail all day long, this will be a tough habit to break, but it will improve your productivity.
If you return a number of phone calls on a daily basis, that time too, should be scheduled. Obviously, something can come up that will disrupt your scheduled day, but this will not happen everyday. Try to stick to your schedule as close as possible to be the most productive. If you can, mark out time for these on Outlook so others do not schedule you for a meeting during these times, do so.
If possible, close your door during times you need to really concentrate. If you work in an open office area, try to put a note on your cubicle to let everyone know you are busy, or try a conference room for some privacy if you are interrupted constantly during the day.
Organizing your week will allow you to remember the projects and items that must be completed that week and you will become much more productive.
To organize a productive day at work, you must first look at your week as a whole. Whether you work 8-5 Monday - Friday, or if you work a different schedule every day, you need to take time on the day before your work week starts. For many in the workforce today, that day is Sunday. I will use Sunday as my example, but you can use any day of the week. First, on Sunday evening, take a look at your schedule for the week and look at the days you are booked with meetings or appointments. Next, look at the days you have time not currently filled.
Schedule in time for projects you are working on and time for correspondence. Schedule time for your to do list and any other item you need to work on this week. Not only are you looking at your day schedule, you need to look at the evenings too. Many families spend time at practices and games, so scheduling after school appointments, to do list time and family time is tough.
Every day should have time in the morning and early afternoon scheduled to look and answer at e-mail. If you leave your e-mail open all day, you will get nothing else accomplished. If your are used to looking at e-mail all day long, this will be a tough habit to break, but it will improve your productivity.
If you return a number of phone calls on a daily basis, that time too, should be scheduled. Obviously, something can come up that will disrupt your scheduled day, but this will not happen everyday. Try to stick to your schedule as close as possible to be the most productive. If you can, mark out time for these on Outlook so others do not schedule you for a meeting during these times, do so.
If possible, close your door during times you need to really concentrate. If you work in an open office area, try to put a note on your cubicle to let everyone know you are busy, or try a conference room for some privacy if you are interrupted constantly during the day.
Organizing your week will allow you to remember the projects and items that must be completed that week and you will become much more productive.
Julie Riber is a professional organizer in the central Ohio area
for over 5 years. She helps organize individuals spaces, time, and lives
and she helps businesses streamline processes, increase productivity,
and organize their spaces. She is a Golden Circle member of the National
Association of Professional Organizers and Immediate Past President of
the Ohio Chapter of NAPO. Sign up for her free monthly newsletter with
organizing tips. http://www.transformare.net
Article Source:
http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Julie_Riber
Make the Most of Vertical Space
By
Susan Stewart
When working with small spaces, it is imperative to make use of
vertical space. If you can't go out, you've got to go up! Choose a
product that is attractive, and your organization is now doing double
duty as wall decor. Here are 3 tips for making the most of vertical
storage.
1. Pick the color intentionally, not spontaneously. Many people choose a product spontaneously because they like a color they see in the store. When they get home and realize it doesn't match the room they want to put it in, they become frustrated. A little planning can go a long way here. Think through where you will use it and choose your color accordingly.
2. Do not let pockets, baskets, or any container become a "catch all" or that is exactly what it will do. Containers that become "catch all's" are containers that gather dust. No one wants to sort through miscellaneous junk to find what they are looking for. Instead, give things a home and be consistent about placing that particular item (and only that particular item) in that spot. You can still use baskets or containers for these homes.
3. Too many sticky notes or things on a bulletin board or magnet board makes clutter. People tend to post notes as a reminder but when a board is covered with notes, the note doesn't get seen. Using a to do list for lists works better and easier to read. Use the board for morning reminders or motivating quotes.
1. Pick the color intentionally, not spontaneously. Many people choose a product spontaneously because they like a color they see in the store. When they get home and realize it doesn't match the room they want to put it in, they become frustrated. A little planning can go a long way here. Think through where you will use it and choose your color accordingly.
2. Do not let pockets, baskets, or any container become a "catch all" or that is exactly what it will do. Containers that become "catch all's" are containers that gather dust. No one wants to sort through miscellaneous junk to find what they are looking for. Instead, give things a home and be consistent about placing that particular item (and only that particular item) in that spot. You can still use baskets or containers for these homes.
3. Too many sticky notes or things on a bulletin board or magnet board makes clutter. People tend to post notes as a reminder but when a board is covered with notes, the note doesn't get seen. Using a to do list for lists works better and easier to read. Use the board for morning reminders or motivating quotes.
Susan Stewart is a professional organizer and the founder of
Perfectly Placed Professional Organization and Design in the Phoenix
area. Perfectly Placed specializes in bringing peace and order to busy
families through organization. You can find out more about Susan and
Perfectly Placed at her website: http://www.perfectlyplaced.org/
Article Source:
http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Susan_Stewart
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