Senior Thursday
Last week, we had you sort through your closet and decide which of your work clothes you didn't need in your retirement years. But what do you do with that pile?
You can:
1. Donate them to your favorite charity. There are several that pick up from your front door, or many have donation drop-off sites. These include The Salvation Army, The Cancer Federation, Goodwill, Amvets and Habitat for Humanity.
2. Donate them to a Women's shelter or to a thrift store supporting women's shelters. This would include places such as your local YWCA and Home of the Sparrow.
3. Donate them to a charity that puts women back in the work force such as Dress for Success.
4. Take them to a local consignment shop. Most consignment shops will set up an appointment with you to go through your clothes. They only take certain garments at certain times of the year, and they have to be in excellent condition. If they do not sell your items after a certain period of time, you can take them back or the store will donate them to a local charity.
5. Sell them online. If you have high-end label clothes, they sell well on sites such as eBay and Craig's List. This takes time and costs money. Determine beforehand if the time you spend will be worth it.
6. Distribute them among family members and friends.
7. If they are in poor condition, throw them away.
Thursday, June 16, 2011
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Keeping Track of Research
Writer Wednesday
As a writer , you know the importance of keeping track of your research. You may spend hours looking through books or surfing the internet on a particular subject. Then, when it's time to use that information in your current writing project, you need to get your fingers on it immediately. You don't want to spend another two hours looking for the notes you took or the copies you made. Thus, having organized files for your research is imperative.
Here are some basic tips to start:
1. Create a new folder, binder or file box for each project you are working on. Small projects such as magazine articles will have less notes than a larger project.
2. Save all work related to a project within that file. This would include copies you made from research books, handwritten notes you take from books or workshops, or articles you print from the internet. You should also place in there any project outlines, photos or maps associated with the project. For example, if you are writing a thriller set in Paris, you will have maps of the city streets, landmarks and transportation system.
3. For larger projects, create folders within folders. If you are writing an historical novel set in Victorian England, you will need to research clothing, food, geography, language, entertainment, carriages, etc.. Each of these should have it's own folder or section in a binder so it's easy to locate when you need it. For example, if a character is a student at Eton, you will need to know where the school is, what holidays they had, what they wore, and what they were taught--everything you need to make the book as authentic as possible.
As a writer , you know the importance of keeping track of your research. You may spend hours looking through books or surfing the internet on a particular subject. Then, when it's time to use that information in your current writing project, you need to get your fingers on it immediately. You don't want to spend another two hours looking for the notes you took or the copies you made. Thus, having organized files for your research is imperative.
Here are some basic tips to start:
1. Create a new folder, binder or file box for each project you are working on. Small projects such as magazine articles will have less notes than a larger project.
2. Save all work related to a project within that file. This would include copies you made from research books, handwritten notes you take from books or workshops, or articles you print from the internet. You should also place in there any project outlines, photos or maps associated with the project. For example, if you are writing a thriller set in Paris, you will have maps of the city streets, landmarks and transportation system.
3. For larger projects, create folders within folders. If you are writing an historical novel set in Victorian England, you will need to research clothing, food, geography, language, entertainment, carriages, etc.. Each of these should have it's own folder or section in a binder so it's easy to locate when you need it. For example, if a character is a student at Eton, you will need to know where the school is, what holidays they had, what they wore, and what they were taught--everything you need to make the book as authentic as possible.
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Keeping Motivated When Clearing Clutter
Tuesday Tip
It's sometimes hard to stay motivated once you begin the process. You spend hours on a box of papers, and think to yourself afterward--That's all I did? I hardly made a dent!
In order to stay motivated, you need to turn your attitude around. Instead of seeing what DIDN'T get done, celebrate what you DID get done.
Look at the pile you finished, and the garbage or donations you generated from the work you did. Maybe you only have one paper bag of papers to shred, or one small box of clothes to donate. Either way, that is one more bag or box than you had when you started.
If you feel you work better when someone is directing you, then hire a professional organizer. Or, if you just need someone to talk to, then have a friend over. The time will go more quickly if you turn the experience into something pleasant.
Also, the decisions will be easier as you progress. There will be more hesitation at first, and more emotional ties to your belongings. But once you start letting go of your things, you will find it easier and easier to place them in the donation pile.
Think of it as a cleansing of the old to make room for your new life.
It's sometimes hard to stay motivated once you begin the process. You spend hours on a box of papers, and think to yourself afterward--That's all I did? I hardly made a dent!
In order to stay motivated, you need to turn your attitude around. Instead of seeing what DIDN'T get done, celebrate what you DID get done.
Look at the pile you finished, and the garbage or donations you generated from the work you did. Maybe you only have one paper bag of papers to shred, or one small box of clothes to donate. Either way, that is one more bag or box than you had when you started.
If you feel you work better when someone is directing you, then hire a professional organizer. Or, if you just need someone to talk to, then have a friend over. The time will go more quickly if you turn the experience into something pleasant.
Also, the decisions will be easier as you progress. There will be more hesitation at first, and more emotional ties to your belongings. But once you start letting go of your things, you will find it easier and easier to place them in the donation pile.
Think of it as a cleansing of the old to make room for your new life.
Monday, June 13, 2011
Getting Rid of What You Don't Want
Moving on Mondays
How to Distribute Belongings You No Longer Want
Last week we talked about clearing out your clutter before you move. This will cut down on moving costs. But where should it all go?
That depends. If you want to try and make some money on your items, you can hold a garage sale, sell them on eBay, or take your possessions to a consignment store. You should consider this only if you have items of value in good condition. Selling a few knick-knacks for $1 or $2 at a time won't be worth the effort of a garage sale. Nor is selling on eBay after all the listing fees.
If you don't want to make money on your items, you can either donate them to charities, or list them on Craig's List or Freecycle. If you donate them, take photos of the items and get a receipt for your accountant to list as a tax deduction. Sites like Craig's List and Freecycle offers your items for free to anyone who wants to come and pick them up from you. (Note: You can also sell items on Craig's List and avoid listing fees.)
Books and magazines can be sold or donated. Second-hand book stores will pay you for your books, DVDs and CDs. You can sell these items on eBay, Half.com and Amazon. But be aware that after all the fees, you may make only a few cents per sale. Donations can go to places like libraries, assisted living facilities or prisons. Always check before you drop anything off.
Come back next week for eBay selling tips.
How to Distribute Belongings You No Longer Want
Last week we talked about clearing out your clutter before you move. This will cut down on moving costs. But where should it all go?
That depends. If you want to try and make some money on your items, you can hold a garage sale, sell them on eBay, or take your possessions to a consignment store. You should consider this only if you have items of value in good condition. Selling a few knick-knacks for $1 or $2 at a time won't be worth the effort of a garage sale. Nor is selling on eBay after all the listing fees.
If you don't want to make money on your items, you can either donate them to charities, or list them on Craig's List or Freecycle. If you donate them, take photos of the items and get a receipt for your accountant to list as a tax deduction. Sites like Craig's List and Freecycle offers your items for free to anyone who wants to come and pick them up from you. (Note: You can also sell items on Craig's List and avoid listing fees.)
Books and magazines can be sold or donated. Second-hand book stores will pay you for your books, DVDs and CDs. You can sell these items on eBay, Half.com and Amazon. But be aware that after all the fees, you may make only a few cents per sale. Donations can go to places like libraries, assisted living facilities or prisons. Always check before you drop anything off.
Come back next week for eBay selling tips.
Friday, June 10, 2011
Frugality Keeps You Organized
Frugal Friday
As our introductory post for Frugal Friday, we will talk about how frugality ties in with organzing.
Being organized has many benefits. Among them is saving money. This is part of being frugal.
If you know what you have, you won't go out and buy it again. Thus, you save money.
If you put it away where it belongs, you won't buy another one to replace the one you can't find. Thus, you save money.
If you re-use what you have in the home, you don't need to buy something new to serve the same purpose.
The point of being frugal is saving money you don't need to spend. By being organized, you save money you don't need to spend.
Stay tuned for money-saving tips on Frugal Fridays.
As our introductory post for Frugal Friday, we will talk about how frugality ties in with organzing.
Being organized has many benefits. Among them is saving money. This is part of being frugal.
If you know what you have, you won't go out and buy it again. Thus, you save money.
If you put it away where it belongs, you won't buy another one to replace the one you can't find. Thus, you save money.
If you re-use what you have in the home, you don't need to buy something new to serve the same purpose.
The point of being frugal is saving money you don't need to spend. By being organized, you save money you don't need to spend.
Stay tuned for money-saving tips on Frugal Fridays.
Thursday, June 9, 2011
Retirement Means a Whole New Wardrobe
Senior Thursday
As we age, our lives and needs change. Retirement is one of the biggest changes in your life. Not only are you home all day, but you are wearing different clothes now. No more business suits, dressy blouses, or ties. Your wardrobe is now jeans, tees and loafers.
So what do you do with all those clothes? You don't need them taking up precious space in your closet.
You'll want to keep a few items for special occasions, but you can safely get rid of the rest.
Go through your closet and decide which are your favorite pieces. Look at the rest. Are they in good condition? Then donate them. If they are stained or ripped, then discard them.
If they are designer clothes, you might consider selling them. It all comes down to how valuable your time is, and how much money you need.
Tune in next week for resources on donating/selling your clothes.
As we age, our lives and needs change. Retirement is one of the biggest changes in your life. Not only are you home all day, but you are wearing different clothes now. No more business suits, dressy blouses, or ties. Your wardrobe is now jeans, tees and loafers.
So what do you do with all those clothes? You don't need them taking up precious space in your closet.
You'll want to keep a few items for special occasions, but you can safely get rid of the rest.
Go through your closet and decide which are your favorite pieces. Look at the rest. Are they in good condition? Then donate them. If they are stained or ripped, then discard them.
If they are designer clothes, you might consider selling them. It all comes down to how valuable your time is, and how much money you need.
Tune in next week for resources on donating/selling your clothes.
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
Keeping Track of Research
Writer Wednesday
Some writers write about what they know. Some writers delve into the unknown, exploring occupations, cities, countries, and even time periods they have never experienced.
With the latter, these writers will need to do research for their books--sometimes extensive research if the plot is complicated or they have no experience whatsoever in the setting they chose for their book.
Keeping track of all this research is essential, for several reasons.
First, if an editor or agent questions any content in your manuscript, you will have supporting documentation. Second, you may write something one day, then months later when editing, decide you want to look into that subject further. Third, if you decide to do a sequel to the book, you will need to reference this research again.
Keeping accurate records is a must. Look for specific ideas on how to do this,next week.
Some writers write about what they know. Some writers delve into the unknown, exploring occupations, cities, countries, and even time periods they have never experienced.
With the latter, these writers will need to do research for their books--sometimes extensive research if the plot is complicated or they have no experience whatsoever in the setting they chose for their book.
Keeping track of all this research is essential, for several reasons.
First, if an editor or agent questions any content in your manuscript, you will have supporting documentation. Second, you may write something one day, then months later when editing, decide you want to look into that subject further. Third, if you decide to do a sequel to the book, you will need to reference this research again.
Keeping accurate records is a must. Look for specific ideas on how to do this,next week.
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