Five Basic Steps to Getting Organized

You probably know that being organized reduces your stress levels. There's less to maintain, less to clean, and you're less likely to lose things.  So what's keeping you back?  Most don't know where to start.  There are hundreds of products that can help, and just as many solutions.  So rather than confuse you more, let's start with the Five Basic Steps to Getting Organized:

1. One In One Out - Being organized isn't about getting rid of everything and never shopping again.  Shoes wear out, children outgrow clothes.  You have to go shopping.  But make it a habit of removing one item from your home for every new item you bring in.  That way, you'll never accumulate too much.
2. Just Say No - When someone tries to give you something, if you really don't want it or like it, then refuse it.  You don't have to take furniture from your great-aunt's home if you have no need or space for it.  You don't have to take the scarf your friend is cleaning out of her closet.  The less you bring in, the less you have to care for.
   
3. Clear It Out - The more you have, the more you have to care for.  So clear out what you don't need.  Get rid of kitchen appliances you never use, or coats you never wear.  They're just taking up valuable space that could be occupied by something you love.
4. Plan Ahead - Get ready the day before. Decide on your outfit, pack your lunch.  Do the same for the rest of the family.  Also, schedule time for yourself to take care of chores like filing or laundry.  If you keep on top of things, they won't pile up.
5. Deal With It - Take care of messes and problems when they happen.  Clean up the spills, put away the laundry, sort the mail, etc. as it comes in.  There may be a day or two where you don't have time, but if you've kept up with tasks all along, the piles won't grow too large to overwhelm you.

Keep this list posted in a place you'll see it as a daily reminder.  It's really that simple.

Eight Questions to Ask Yourself When Organizing

It goes without saying that there are benefits to being organized.  You can find things easily, save money and have peace of mind in a clutter-free home.  But while we know we SHOULD be organized, for many it’s a challenge.  Most of that stems from the stress of sorting through belongings and trying to decide what to keep and what to give away or sell. 

While the task may seem daunting, especially if you’ve lived in your home over twenty years, if you stay focused you’ll make progress.  And to make the process easier, here are some questions to ask yourself while sorting. 

1.      Do I have more than one of this? If so, why? Do you need more than one?  While you need more than one pair of pants, do you need more than one lawn mower? 

2.      How often do I use this item? Is it something you use on a regular basis, that is, at least once a month?  Or do you dig it out every few years?  If you use something rarely,  like a 50-cup coffee maker, get rid of it.  When you need one for your party three years from now, borrow one from a friend or rent one.

3.      Can this item be easily replaced? If you get rid of your ricer today, can you easily find one at the store tomorrow?  Of course.  But if you get rid of your shop vac, it’s easy to find one, but certainly more expensive to replace it.

4.      Do I know what this is? How many times have you gone through junk drawers only to find something unidentifiable?  If nobody in the house can identify it, get rid of it.

5.      Do I know what this belongs to? You fine screws, lids or keys.  You know what it is, but have no idea what the key opens, or what container the lid belongs to.  You don’t need it if you’re not using it.

6.      Do I like this item?  Sometimes we inherit furniture or knick-knacks from deceased family members.  Or we get gifts from friends.  While we accept it gracefully, in our hearts we really don’t like it.  Don’t let things you don’t like take up precious space in your home.  Your home should only be filled with things you love.

7.      What is the worst that could happen if I get rid of it?  If you shred your bank statements today, or donate the hand mixer, what’s the worst that could happen?  You can recreate bank statements.  You can purchase another hand mixer if you find you need it.  On the other hand, original legal documents are not replaceable.  Be mindful of what you donate or shred.

8.      Does it have a place to live in your home? If you don’t have a cabinet or shelf to store it, then it shouldn’t be in your home.  The floors and tables are not storage units.  If you can’t decide where to put it, then you don’t need it.

While some decisions are easier to make than others, you’ll find over time that making those decisions will begin to live in your subconscious.  When you’re shopping, you’ll hear these questions in the back of your mind, helping you decide whether or not to buy it.

 

Lessons Learned When Moving

Moving on Monday

Most of us will move at least once during our lifetime.  Many of us will move over ten times.  Whether you are moving for the first time, or the fifteenth, here are some lessons I've learned from my six moves that will help you avoid some common pitfalls.

·         The number one Return on Investment when selling your home is cleaning and de-cluttering, at a 586% ROI. 

·         Each room of the house is usually about 1,000 lbs., and every 1,000 lbs. usually requires 10 boxes for a professional packer. 

·         You always need more packing supplies than you think.  Stock up early.

·         If you are in the middle of a lease on your current property, know your state laws before asking to break the lease.

·         When obtaining a quote for moving costs, ask whether the person you speak to works for the mover or for a household goods broker.  Estimates provided by a broker are not binding with the actual mover.

·         Ask if your property is covered under Full Value Protection (reimbursed at fair market value) or Release Value (reimbursed for no more than $0.60/pound of damaged property). 

·         You have the option of purchasing your own liability insurance from a third party.

·         Property coverage is not guaranteed replacement in the event of damages.  You may not be reimbursed for damaged property if you pack your boxes yourself, pack hazardous materials, or fail to inform the mover of extraordinary value items.

·         Do not sign a delivery receipt for your household goods if it contains any language about releasing or discharging your mover or its agents from liability. 

·         Be prompt in any claims you make.  You have only nine months to file a written claim.

·         If you are flying with pets, reservations should be made well in advance of your departure date as the number of pets permitted on a flight is strictly limited.

·         If you are moving pets across state lines, call or write the state veterinarian or State Department of Animal Husbandry for quarantine and rabies vaccination laws on the entry of animals.

·         Be prepared for the worst possible case scenario.  What if the truck doesn't show up, or it is too small?  What if bad weather causes delays or ruins your furniture?  Have back-up plans in place.

What have you learned over the years and moves in your life?

Utilizing Space Under a Staircase

Tips for Tuesday

When your house is small, space is at a premium. You want to utilize every nook and cranny for storage or living. One space that is often overlooked is under a staircase. If your stairs go down as well as up at the staircase, the space is already utilized by both sets of stairs. However, if you have a set of stairs going to an upper level, but no staircase going down, the space under your stairs is open.

There are many things you can do with this space, depending on the width, depth and your needs. Here are a few ideas.

• For shallow spaces, install bookcases. These can be either custom-made or pre-made that fit into the space. Since bookshelves only need to be 10"-12", this works well for a narrow staircase, or a wider staircase where you want to split the area into two uses. Adjustable shelves work best to accommodate different sized books.
• For wide and tall spaces, build in a small office. Wire the area for lighting, and build in a desk and shelves. This area works great for homework, bill-paying or a small computer nook.
• If the area is cool and dark, install shelving and use the space for food storage--canned goods, root vegetables, grains, etc. Keep grains sealed to keep out pests.
• In basements, the space under stairs is ideal for seasonal items or luggage--items you do not need to access often.
• Install hooks along one wall, and shallow shelves along the opposite wall to create a cleaning closet.
• Under wide staircases, install drawers for storage.
• Install open shelving for displaying art collections.
• Create a 'mudroom' with hooks for coats and a bench for shoe storage.
• If the area can be temperature controlled, install wine racks for your collection.

Maximizing Space in Your Living/Family Room

Tips for Tuesday

These last few weeks, we've been looking at ways to make the most of the space you have. Not everyone has a house with large rooms and large closets, with lots of storage. If you have a large family, but are small on space, there are many things you can do to make the most of what you have.

This week, we're looking at your living room.

• Clear the clutter every night before going to bed. When you start a pile, you keep adding to it, until you have several piles. But if you clear the small piles every night, you won't accumulate large ones.
• Purchase furniture with storage--an ottoman that opens, tables with drawers, a shelving unit with doors, etc.
• Purchase multi-purpose furniture like chairs or sofas that open into beds, or a file cabinet that can serve as an end table.
• Corral the controls--designate a basket or tray for holding the remote controls. Teach the family to put them back when they are done.
• Use wall space for storage. Shelving can hold books, DVDs, CDs, etc. Tall narrow units take up little floor space, but give you a lot of storage.
• Use the space under furniture to store blankets, magazines, table leafs, etc.

5-minute Clutter Cures

Tips for Tuesday

Don't let lack of time keep you from being organized. There are many things that take only a few minutes to get aspects of your house in order.

• Buy a universal remote so you don't waste time looking for the right one.
• Corral each person's shoes into their own laundry basket. They may not be lined up in pairs, but at least they will be in the same basket.
• Turn those stray socks into dust rags. They fit perfectly over your hand!
• Set out a tray or basket for each person's keys, sunglasses, phone, pocket change when they walk in the door.
• Even junk drawers can be organized! Use dividers or small containers to categorize small items.
• Have a basket at the top/bottom of the staircase to hold items that need to go up/down on our next trip.

Conquering the Feeling of Being Overwhelmed

Tuesday Tips

Are you so overwhelmed you don't know where to start? Is there so much clutter that you feel that any pile which disappears would only be replaced by another?

Look around you. If you were to pick one area to start, which would it be? What area would result in the most impact? What area would give you the most peaceful or calm feelings if cleared?

Start work in that area.

Start with one pile on one surface and work until you are done with that pile. Do not go to another pile, even if the decisions become difficult. Work through your emotions, and get to the bottom of the pile.

The result? You will see a surface you haven't seen in a long time.
And that will make you feel good about your progress, and encourage you to continue

Moving Soon? Start decluttering now!

Welcome to our new blogging format. Mondays are for Moving! Our posts on Mondays will cover tips and advice for having a smooth move.

Moving on Mondays
Are you moving soon? Are you moving next year? Are you moving in a few years? Are you looking to downsize?
Whether your move is three months or three weeks away, you should be preparing now. Get rid of all that extra clutter that has accumulated in your garage, basement and closets. If you haven't opened those boxes in a year or more, do you really need what's inside?
Sometimes what you packed away years ago meant a lot to you then. But does it hold the same meaning now?
Make these decisions as you go through each of the boxes. Put aside those items you really want to keep, and donate or throw away the rest.
After all, do you want to pay the movers to move something that really means nothing to you?

A Smooth Move

Summer is a popular time to move. The children are out of school, so life is less interrupted. But moving can still be a stressful time. Here are some tips to help make your move easier.

1) De-clutter before you move. Why pay the movers to move boxes or items you will never use again or open again in your life? Go through your house and get rid of those things you do not use or love. This includes your trophies from grammar school and all those formal dresses from proms and weddings. You will save time when packing, and save money on packing supplies.

2) Plan ahead. This includes all areas of the move. Ask around for free boxes and packing supplies. Start packing weeks before the move. Begin with those items you rarely use, or any clothing out of season. Create a list of companies and people you need to notify about change of address. Arrange for the movers, babysitters, pet sitters, etc., as needed.

3) Ask the professionals. You have enough to do without having to worry about cable and computer hook-ups, cleaning or last-minute landscaping. Hire someone to do these things for you so you can spend time on more personal matters, or on those tasks you do well.

4) Confirm, confirm, confirm. I can't say this enough. Don't get over-confident that everything will go as planned just because it should. You talked to the movers and have a date set, and know who is packing what. But you should call the week before the move and confirm the number of trucks, the number of staff, who is moving fragile items, etc. You should also call all the utilities to confirm shut-off dates, confirm cleaning services, confirm hotel and flight reservations, if possible, etc. You've set it all up, now confirm it.

Nothing in life is guaranteed. But planning ahead will make it more probable that things will go smoothly.

First-hand Experience

It's true what they say about experience being the best teacher. I have always been organized...okay, maybe not until I lived on my own and had no choice. At least, that's what my mother says. Regardless, I realized the benefits of being organized this past weekend.
It was a quiet Saturday morning after the holiday. I had just put a load of laundry in. Then our youngest dog started barking. She was standing on the landing looking into the basement. Let me add here that we live in the Chicago area, which was hit by heavy rains after a rapid thaw of over one foot of snow this past weekend.
My husband went to investigate. You know it can't be good when he starts with "Honey, I think you should see this."
I went downstairs to find the laundry room under water. As was the hallway back to a bathroom, the furnace room, and my office. I squished over wet carpet that led into a bedroom, just as soggy, we later learned. And the smell! It wasn't pleasant.
Our sewer ejector pump had given out during that last load of laundry. The basement was a soggy mess. So much for a quiet Saturday.
The good news out of this? I didn't have too much on the floors--at least in my areas. Just a few empty boxes from Christmas, and boxes of printing I'd had done and stored under the credenza because there wasn't room anywhere else.
My daughter, who is NOT organized, had a mess on her floor, and I came out with a bag full of garbage.
As for the furniture, that couldn't be salvaged no matter how organized I was. It's not like I could pick up my solid wood desk (complete with hutch) and move it to a dry area. Especially since my husband is recovering from a shoulder injury. It is what it is sometimes.
Another benefit of being organized is that I was able to locate my insurance agent's name and number as well as the insurance policy in less than a minute.
Lesson to be learned: Could you say the same if this happened to you? I'd like to think you answered 'yes.'
My dog's birthday is in January. Needless to say, she will be getting a special cake to celebrate.

Happy New Year!
Michelle