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.

Clutter-Free Gifts for the Holidays

We all deal with clutter in different ways.  Some of us handle it as it comes into the home.  Some go on weekend binges and clean out large areas of the home in a day or two.  Others wait until January, and make the resolution to get more organized.  Then life happens...

So my question is, do you really want to add to your clutter over the holidays?  Do you want to add clutter to others' homes?  Why would you?  Wouldn't life be easier if you DIDN'T add to the many piles already accumulated? 

And yet, it's fun to exchange gifts.  So how about buying clutter-free gifts?  Gifts that won't get shoved to the back of a closet or end up under the bed?  Here are some ideas:

For the techie in your life:

• A subscription to online back-up storage
• Useful apps for their phone/tablet
• An eBook reader to consolidate their book collection
• A wireless digital frame to enjoy family photos
• Software for their computer
• Pay for a subscription to Amazon Prime - unlimited downloads and free shipping!

For the family:

• What's on their bucket list that you can check off?
• Go out to a nice dinner, no electronic devices allowed!
• Plan a weekend getaway with the family
• Hire a photographer for a family portrait session
• Offer to baby-sit for nieces/nephews and grandchildren
• Buy a gift certificate for a day (or afternoon) at the spa
• Start a savings account for your grandchildren
• Pay for a membership to a museum, botanic garden, or health club

For the elderly:

• Consumables - their favorite desserts, fruits or teas
• Time - spend time visiting.  Use it to write down family history and anecdotes.
• Cleaning service for their home
• Hire a handyman for a day to fix those little things
• Create a coupon book for errands or services, like a trip to the library or a shampoo and cut.

Still not sure what to do?  Donate to a charitable cause close to the person’s heart.  Don’t give to a charity of your choice, rather select a cause that is dear to them, and make a donation in their name.  You'll both feel good, and others will benefit.

What clutter-free gifts have you exchanged with others?

What Can You Do With Spare Buttons?

Tips for Tuesday

Do you have a lot of spare buttons around the house?  Maybe they are from your grandmother's sewing basket.  Perhaps they are from your mother's dresses and coats.  Or maybe they are strays from your own clothing. 

Whether they are from a blouse or a pair of slacks, what can you do with them?  If they are in good condition, it's silly to throw them away.  So what do you do?  Here are some ideas.

·         Give them to a seamstress who might need just one or two of a kind for a project.

·         Give them to a crafter—single or multiples, they can be used in a variety of projects.

·         Use them to hold pairs of post earrings.

·         Put a magnet on the back and use them on your refrigerator to hold notes.

·         Put a thumbtack on the back and use them on your bulletin board.

·         Dump a colorful collection into a glass mason jar and use as a decoration.

·         String them into a bracelet or necklace.

·         Glue them to frames for a personalized look.

·         Sell vintage collections on eBay.

What have you done with spare buttons?

What To Do With That Extra Furniture

Moving On Mondays

As mentioned in previous posts, it is important to declutter your home when you are staging it to sell. This often means getting rid of extra furniture from rooms. "Getting rid of it" can have several meanings. Sometimes, you need a temporary home for it. Sometimes you want it to have a new home. Sometimes it's just trash.

Whether you are saving it for later, or giving it away, here are a few options to consider.

• Give It to Family--Is there anyone in your family that has a need for the item? Perhaps a college student is renting his/her first apartment. Or a young couple is furnishing a new home. Check around before donating or selling it.
• Store It--If you are sure you have room in your new home, or you really want to keep it, put it in storage. Choose a portable option that you can load at home and have stored elsewhere, or load up your items and take them to a storage facility. Review your finances before selecting this option. If you don't sell your home quickly, you will be paying that monthly fee.
• Donate It—This includes everything as big as international organizations like the Salvation Army, to small, local programs that help abused women get back on their feet in a new home. There are organizations that cater to the youth, to unmarried pregnant teens, and to the disabled. Many local churches have annual rummage sales to help raise money for various organizations. Choose one that’s near to you, or dear to your heart.
• Sell It--If you would like to try and make money on some of your items, you can take them to an auction house, or try to sell them on-line. Sites such as eBay and Craig’s List help you sell used (or new) items online. Local auction houses are more restricted in the items they accept, as well as the times of the sales.
• Exchange It—This is a program where you give your items away to someone who needs them—no money exchanges hands. Oftentimes, the person taking your items will give something to you in return, that you may need but they no longer want. The largest of these is Freecycle.org.
• Consign It—There are store fronts that do the sales for you. Bring in your items, and they sell them. They usually have a time limit of several months, and will donate anything that doesn't sell within that time frame, unless you go back to pick them up. They are often seasonal, and can be very selective.

Donating Books and Magazines

Moving On Mondays

While decluttering is about getting rid of things you don't need, more importantly, it is about simplifying your life. Once you pare down your belongings, your lifestyle will change. Less stuff means less stuff to care for. Less stuff to care for means more time with your family.

Decluttering is also about disposing of items responsibly. You shouldn't just throw your unwanted items in the trash. There are many different organizations and groups that would welcome your discards. Here are some ideas for donating books and magazines.

• Used Book Stores—Depending on the books, you may be able to donate or sell them to used book stores. Some are selective in what they accept. Check to see if there is a Half Price Books store near you.
• Libraries—Most libraries hold semi-annual used book sales. All books are donated and the proceeds go to fund library events. Check with your local library. Some accept donations year-round. Others only accept donations in the few weeks preceding the event.
• Prisons—Check with your local prison to see what types of books or magazines they might like for the inmates. Many have their own libraries and accept both fiction and non-fiction books.
• Senior Centers—This is a great place to donate books, magazines and even puzzles. These items are kept in a public area for all residents to use/borrow.
• Women’s Shelters—Women in these programs are often seeking medical assistance as well as job-search assistance. They have a lot of free time, and it’s better to use that time reading than watching television.

Places to Donate Clothes

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.

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.