Vacationing with kids in a car is no vacation. Or another way of saying this is “being cooped up with the kids in the car is the pits”. If you don’t plan on popping in a DVD and letting the kids watch endless movies here are sanity saving ideas for your car trip.
Long trips can be boring for ... Views: 1073
One Saturday morning at 8:30 a.m. I was looking out my kitchen window watching a fireman dressed who was dressed in his blue uniform carrying what looked like a heavy back pack on his back walking up the steep street in front of our home. I wondered where he was going and why he would be in ... Views: 1952
Have you ever forgotten an appointment or an important date? Do you think of things you need to do later but don’t remember to do them because you have no place to write them down? Do you have one place to write your most frequently used phone numbers and addresses? How would you like a memory ... Views: 625
A door is something I take for granite. How about you? How many uses can you think of for a door? Here is my short list:
1. A door keeps people out when we close and lock our exterior doors.
2. It hides gifts in the closet.
3. It hides clutter-it may be time to declutter your home because ... Views: 1377
Do you feel like your home is bursting at the seams and you need to clear the clutter to breathe? Do you have a limited amount of space so your things look cluttered but you need everything you have? Here are 6 ideas on how to declutter your home so you can breathe easier and utilize “hidden” ... Views: 1132
Long before people came to the Americas and took over the land the Indians lived in beautiful harmony with the land. They “lived light on the land”. Many tribes traveled from place to place depending on the food sources, weather and other conditions. They traveled with their homes and all of ... Views: 765
Clearing clutter is always a priority in my life as a professional organizer. Sometimes I go room to room and look at everything and think, “If I was moving would I take this with me”? Sometimes I think “why on earth would I want to take it with me, I don’t even like it any more or it has been ... Views: 834
I worked with a client a few weeks ago and we set up a filing system in her home office. Then we organized every other room in her home. She called me to say she felt free because of all the organizing we had done. She could now find everything and by putting things away where they belonged she ... Views: 820
You know how Santa makes a list and checks it twice? That is exactly what we need to do. Make a master list of what you want and need to do before and during the holidays. Here are some organizing tips to get you started making out your list:
1. Decide on a budget and stick to it. I know that ... Views: 614
My belief as a professional organizer is that it takes a lot less energy and saves a lot more time when things have a designated place to "live" and it is tons better when those things live in a container in their home.
I know everyone has containers in their home that won't cost them a single ... Views: 1396
With the temperature heating up outside now is the time to sell your guilt by clearing the clutter in your home. The saying is “one man’s junk is another man’s treasure”. You can start organizing clutter and make money at the same time. The way to do this is to have a Sizzling summer garage ... Views: 748
Containers are the answer to a clutter free world. Well, that may be over simplifying it, but containers go a long way when you have an organizing dilemma. Do not go out and just start buying containers thinking then you will be organized. Containers can become clutter too. Here are eleven ... Views: 769
One of the biggest complaints I hear as a professional organizer when working with busy women is, "I just can't get on top of the laundry, there are always piles and piles. When my kids need clean gym clothes or the purple blouse for purple day at school those are the clothes that are always ... Views: 1077
With preparation and organization traveling with children can be a pleasant experience. Here are some organizing ideas and organizing tips to make your holiday traveling easier and less stressful.
Pack everything the child will need or want in a carry on bag that can be used in the airport ... Views: 730
When I was a little girl we lived in a town of 1200 people in Oregon. An uncle came to visit and was horrified at the price of gas in our little town. I remember it was 41 cents a gallon and he said it was 21 cents where he lived. That didn't mean anything to me then but the high cost of gas ... Views: 673
Getting rid of clutter just got easier by usingthese 2 tried and true ways to manage your time and get rid of clutter. If youthink you don’t have enough hours in the day try these for 10 days ans find outwhat a big difference they make.
When I think of my 82 year old grandma I think of her ... Views: 2113
We all want our homes to look like House Beautiful when we and our families would be much happier with a home that is just the best our own home can be. I know as a professional organizer, organizing for women it is possible to have a clutter free home where we can walk in the door and take a ... Views: 750
How do you decide what to keep and what to toss? With these three simple steps it will be easy for you to get rid of clutter and be free of the guilt of holding on to things you don’t know what to do with.
It was a cool Tuesday Morning as we climbed among the huge landscaped rocks in our ... Views: 1569
Identify theft is a serious crime. It occurs when personal information is stolen and used without our knowledge to commit fraud or other crimes.
According to the Federal Trade Commission here are the Common Ways ID Theft happens:
1.Dumpster Diving. They rummage through trash looking for ... Views: 822
Clearing clutter is as easy as pie with these 3 time-tested organizing tips. Listen to your mother--she's always right.
Want to start a family fight over clearing clutter in your home? Today I am sharing a true experience. Only the names have been changed to protect the innocent--not that ... Views: 1335
It is more important than ever to be organized when homeschooling. With the children home 24/7 you do want to remain sane. Here are 3 tips for successful home school organization:
Papers:
Designate a cupboard or shelves in a closet for home school supplies. Give each child her/his own ... Views: 1332
1.When I get a raise I put the amount that actually shows up in my pay check (after taxes etc) in savings rather than in checking.
2.If I am writing a check I round up to the next ten and either put that in savings or let it build in my checking account. (IE: If the item was $45.79 I would ... Views: 891
Do you dread mornings and feel like you always have to walk on eggshells because you are stressed to the max before you ever leave home in the mornings? Do you feel like a failure as a mother because your kids leave home without a good breakfast or lunch and everyone is fighting? Here are 4 ... Views: 2914
Are you a big time procrastinator when it comes to getting rid of clutter and it is sapping your energy? Do you feel like you are a bad person and you need to change? Does it cost you money and time? Here are 4 hot tips on getting rid of clutter.
Procrastination is just like having a big ... Views: 1383
Messy rooms, disorganized closets and jumbled junk drawers (I think of them as resource drawers) add unneeded hassle to our already hectic days and lives.
Organizing our possessions, treasures, and 'stuff' does give us peace of mind and a feeling that we can accomplish other things in our ... Views: 740
Are you stressed because there isn’t enough time in the day to declutter your home, run the kids everywhere, cook meals and have time for yourself? Here are 4 time-tested tips to help you find more time without being stressed to do it.
My mother used to say “A stitch in time Saves Nine”. I ... Views: 1298
Do you dread the weekend because there is always so much
to do and you are glad to get back to work? If getting rid of clutter is something you want to do but you get tired just thinking about it here are 5 ironclad organizing tips to get you going.
Don't you just love Monday's? Without a ... Views: 1324
I love organizing tips. Even before I became a professional organizer I was always reading organizing tips to see how I could do something faster, and more efficient. Here are three favorite organizing tips from my friends that can also help you to be organized.
Edna does three things on ... Views: 749
When the weather is cold I love turning up the furnace. I am glad I wasn't a pioneer because I love my electric blanket and warm showers. In the summer it is nice to step into our home and feel the cool air when it is hot outside. But having heat and air conditioning means there is a bill to ... Views: 1142
Do you wish your life could be simplified? As a professional organizer, women tell me all the time they want to simplify their home and life. Many of them recognize a way to simplify is to get rid of clutter and get organized.
Living simply and being organized has a different meaning to ... Views: 1280
When I was a little girl I always knew when fall was here. After school we would skip and walk and dawdle down to the local grocery store where we would pick out the biggest pomegranate we could find. That is the only time of the year we could buy them. Back then there was no such thing as ... Views: 2007
The ocean is both powerful and hypnotic. When we visited Maine we watched as the beautiful white waves come crashing onto the rocks. In Delaware we watched as the waves come rushing onto the sandy beach where they calmly flattened out and slunk back out to gather speed again.
On one ... Views: 1925
As I work with families as a professional organizer whose loved ones have moved out of their homes either to a retirement center, nursing home, care center or are deceased I increasingly see what a burden their loved ones possessions are to the families in charge of taking care of these ... Views: 2150
Traveling is fun and takes us away from our "normal" lives but it can be frustrating if you don't have the right documents with you when you need them. Learn what documents you need when you travel and how to quickly organize them by using these 5 proven organizing tips.
I am going to tell ... Views: 2154
5 great ways to get rid of clutter simply and easily without all the hassle, worry and fuss. An organizing expert makes it fun to get rid of clutter.
About 23 years ago I decided I needed to get rid of clutter in our home. The clutter I am talking about is the clutter of books. I love books, ... Views: 1415
Have you heard the expression “A stitch in time saves time?” If you have ever gotten a rip in your dress or pants or some other article of clothing and haven’t fixed it right away it usually continues to grow. But if it would have been fixed right away it wouldn’t have taken so much time to ... Views: 1592
In the late 1890's the American economy had been hit hard which caused widespread unemployment. This financial crises motivated men to try their luck in the gold fields. Men from all walks of life headed to the Yukon in Alaska. Many were professionals such as teachers and doctors who gave up ... Views: 1485
Do you want more time to do the things you really like to do? Here are 6 fresh tips to help you get rid of clutter in your home so you will have more time to do the things you love to do.
Several years ago my aunt went back to school to become a nurse when she was in her 40’s. Her husband was ... Views: 1335
How many times have you said to yourself I wish I could stay organized? I am a professional organizer and I tell the women I work with it is possible to keep organized but I don’t think it is possible to stay organized. The word stay gives the impression that once a task is done it is done for ... Views: 850
If my friends could see me now! I had a friend who used to tell me how cluttered my fridge looked on the inside. Have you ever saved food and then it molded so you had to toss it out? Me too. It’s hard to throw it out even if we probably won’t use that last ¼ of a cup but we don’t want to be ... Views: 1052
"We often keep items longer than we should for sentimental reasons", says Fugen Neziroglu, Ph.D. in Woman's Day magazine 6/05/07. Her surefire solutions in helping us to let go:
Find the best tribute: Instead of holding onto every single memento—greeting cards, playbills and ticket stubs—chose ... Views: 659
If I were to write lyrics to the song "These Are My Favorite Things" I would write--walking down the street hearing the crunch of leaves under my feet on a cool beautiful fall day. I also like the way the sun filters through the leaves that are still on the trees in the fall. And it is nice to ... Views: 1423
I love getting thank you notes. I like reading what my friends have to say about the gift or service I have done for them. I like the beauty of the cards and I love getting “good” mail. The fact that my friends took the time to write me a note makes me feel important.
I received a call from ... Views: 2180
It can be hard to let go of things and get rid of clutter. Clutter becomes overwhelming when we hold on to things we don’t need or use. Here are 7simple tips to help you decide effortlessly what to let go and what to keep when organizing your home.
Getting rid of clutter seems to be a hot ... Views: 2046
I just organized a two car garage and my client found so many duplicate, good, and unwanted items that she is having a garage sale. The reasons for a sale are many and varied. No matter why you are having a garage sale here are some tips for a successful sale:
1·Gather Your Inventory
Once ... Views: 1247
I am the worst offender when it comes to disorganizing our garage. I know I am not the only offender in the family. Even though I am a professional organizer and I know better I am really good at doing a number on our garage. I routinely organize it twice a year. Once in the spring before it ... Views: 2174
When did life get so hectic? Are you always rushing around hunting for things, are you accruing fines at the library, do you have clutter because there just aren't places for what you own? If so, you are not alone!
I was talking to a friend and she shared with me that her life has been overrun ... Views: 796
• Keep all pet supplies handy. In a basket keep all supplies together, brushes, combs, flea collars or powders, soap, leashes, or extra toys. You may find it more handy to keep a brush near where you actually brush your pet, or keep soap under the sink where you bathe your pet. I have used ... Views: 843
I like the song “Santa Claus Is Coming to Town”. It is upbeat and happy and something I can sing along with. Santa makes a list and checks it twice. If you have ever sewed this is the advice given to sewers—“measure twice, cut once”. When you leave your house I bet you check to make sure you ... Views: 1299
As a kid did you love to play a game where you would all pile on top of each other and the bottom person would be yelling, "Get off, I can't breathe"?
Do you ever feel like the paper in your home is making it so you can't breathe? Paper piles in homes and offices can become a heavy weight if not ... Views: 1105