Tips for Tuesday
This is one of the basics of organizing--Keep like items together so you can easily find what you need when you need it. Here are some tips for the garage.
• Keep all gardening and lawn care items together. This includes gloves, shovels, snips, rake, hoses, plant food, weed killer, fertilizer, lawn mower, gas and oil for lawn mower, edger, weed whacker, and extra line. Hang what you can on the wall or pegboard. If you don't have drywall up, install horizontal 2x4s between the studs to use as shelves for cans and other small items. Keep anything that is hazardous up and away from children.
• Keep all sporting equipment together. Have a separate area for each sport--a rack for your golf clubs, a rack for softball and baseball mitts, bats and gloves, and a rack or basket for soccer balls and volley balls. If the children use it, then store it within their reach so they can put it away. Have hooks for uniforms or rain gear. Place a rubber mat on the ground for muddy shoes.
• Keep all car care items together--windshield washer, oil, soap, wax, rags, tire gauge, air hose, snow brushes, and flat tire fixer. Designate a shelf or cabinet for these items. Check air pressure on your tires on a regular basis for maximum mileage.
• Keep all tools together. This includes larger items like hand tools, power tools, ladders, and tarps, as well as small items like screws, nails and washers. Containerize all small items such as screwdrivers and hammers. Keep power tools in their cases with all the parts. Keep an extra battery plugged in for emergency use.
• Keep all house repair/decorating items together--paint brushes, pans and tarps, plumbing parts, wallpapering tools, extra grout and paint, etc. Further categorize by function--that is, keep all plumbing-related items together, all painting items together. Place smaller items in plastic bins and label clearly, then place bins on shelves.
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
Friday, July 1, 2011
Use Less to Save More in the Kitchen
Frugal Friday
The best part about being organized is that you will need less in your home. You will need to buy less because you will have learned to live with less.
Here are some ways you can save money by using less in your kitchen:
• Save plastic containers from food to use for storage or leftovers--no need to buy expensive brands.
• Turn your clean used plastic baggies inside out to use a second time.
• Aluminum foil can be reused after washing with hot, soapy water.
• Use an empty tissue box to hold plastic grocery bags.
• Clean styrofoam egg cartons make excellent ice-cube trays when you need extra for a party.
• Nail polish can be used to identify your keys.
• Roll your tablecloths, napkins and placemats around empty paper towel rolls for creaseless storage.
• An old vertical desk sorter holds cookie sheets upright in your cabinet.
• Line a pizza box with craft paper to use as an art portfolio for your children.
The best part about being organized is that you will need less in your home. You will need to buy less because you will have learned to live with less.
Here are some ways you can save money by using less in your kitchen:
• Save plastic containers from food to use for storage or leftovers--no need to buy expensive brands.
• Turn your clean used plastic baggies inside out to use a second time.
• Aluminum foil can be reused after washing with hot, soapy water.
• Use an empty tissue box to hold plastic grocery bags.
• Clean styrofoam egg cartons make excellent ice-cube trays when you need extra for a party.
• Nail polish can be used to identify your keys.
• Roll your tablecloths, napkins and placemats around empty paper towel rolls for creaseless storage.
• An old vertical desk sorter holds cookie sheets upright in your cabinet.
• Line a pizza box with craft paper to use as an art portfolio for your children.
Thursday, June 30, 2011
Benefits of Deciding to Downsize Now
Senior Thursday
It is often difficult to make the decision to move after the children have moved out. You may have been in your home for 25 or even 45 years. You're comfortable with the home. You're comfortable with the neighborhood. You have many friends in the area.
So even though the house may be a handful, you don't want to leave.
But making the decision to leave now is better for you than waiting until you are forced out of your home.
First of all, you will have the power to make the decisions. Whether the decision includes where to move or what to bring with, you have the mental and physical capabilities to make those decisions for yourself. You don't have to live with another family member's decision on what may be best for you.
Second, making your own decisions will result in a new home that suits your needs, not your family’s. Your family may want you close to them, or in an assisted living facility.But you would prefer to move close to friends or into an active adult community. This should be your decision since you are the one who will experience it.
Finally, you will have time to enjoy your new home while you are still active. If you wait until you are ill or mentally incompetent, what pleasure will you get from the move? Select something now that will give you the excitement and lifestyle you want
It is often difficult to make the decision to move after the children have moved out. You may have been in your home for 25 or even 45 years. You're comfortable with the home. You're comfortable with the neighborhood. You have many friends in the area.
So even though the house may be a handful, you don't want to leave.
But making the decision to leave now is better for you than waiting until you are forced out of your home.
First of all, you will have the power to make the decisions. Whether the decision includes where to move or what to bring with, you have the mental and physical capabilities to make those decisions for yourself. You don't have to live with another family member's decision on what may be best for you.
Second, making your own decisions will result in a new home that suits your needs, not your family’s. Your family may want you close to them, or in an assisted living facility.But you would prefer to move close to friends or into an active adult community. This should be your decision since you are the one who will experience it.
Finally, you will have time to enjoy your new home while you are still active. If you wait until you are ill or mentally incompetent, what pleasure will you get from the move? Select something now that will give you the excitement and lifestyle you want
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Keeping Track of Research--Part Two
Writer Wednesday
There is so much research to keep track of for writing, that we had to break this into two parts. It's an important part of writing, because you never know when you will need to access the information.
Here are more tips for keeping track of research.
• If you interview someone for your project, keep a record of all names, dates, phone numbers and topics of conversation. Also note best times for contact if applicable.
• If you come across an article in a magazine, tear it out and save it, noting the publication and date on the page. There is no need to keep the entire magazine for one article.
• Keep a database (electronic or paper) for all sources you borrow. This will help you retrieve it again if you need it, and also to know what has to be returned to its owner.
• Make a notation of the URL for any pages you print from the internet. This usually prints automatically on the page--verify it for accuracy.
• Save favorite web sites in folders and subfolders according to subject. Use the same folder structure you have in your file drawers for easiest retrieval.
• Back up your favorites folders to an online service or an external hard drive.
There is so much research to keep track of for writing, that we had to break this into two parts. It's an important part of writing, because you never know when you will need to access the information.
Here are more tips for keeping track of research.
• If you interview someone for your project, keep a record of all names, dates, phone numbers and topics of conversation. Also note best times for contact if applicable.
• If you come across an article in a magazine, tear it out and save it, noting the publication and date on the page. There is no need to keep the entire magazine for one article.
• Keep a database (electronic or paper) for all sources you borrow. This will help you retrieve it again if you need it, and also to know what has to be returned to its owner.
• Make a notation of the URL for any pages you print from the internet. This usually prints automatically on the page--verify it for accuracy.
• Save favorite web sites in folders and subfolders according to subject. Use the same folder structure you have in your file drawers for easiest retrieval.
• Back up your favorites folders to an online service or an external hard drive.
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Keep Like Items Together--Bed and Bath
Tips for Tuesday
This is one of the basics of organizing--Keep like items together. But what does that mean? How can you implement this practice in your home? Here are some tips for your bedroom and bathroom.
• Keep linens for each bed in their own closet or on their own shelf in a closet.
• Keep towels for each bathroom together.
• Sort toiletries according to type--hair care, oral care, first aid, etc.
• Sort items in your medicine cabinet according to type--pain relievers, oral care, vitamins, etc.
• Have a basket for each person's toiletries so they can easily find what they use.
This is one of the basics of organizing--Keep like items together. But what does that mean? How can you implement this practice in your home? Here are some tips for your bedroom and bathroom.
• Keep linens for each bed in their own closet or on their own shelf in a closet.
• Keep towels for each bathroom together.
• Sort toiletries according to type--hair care, oral care, first aid, etc.
• Sort items in your medicine cabinet according to type--pain relievers, oral care, vitamins, etc.
• Have a basket for each person's toiletries so they can easily find what they use.
Monday, June 27, 2011
Selling Tips for eBay
Moving On Monday
After you've cleaned out your house and thrown away the trash, you are left with piles of items that are in good condition but you don't want any more. As stated earlier, you can donate them to your favorite charity, or try to sell them.
One way to sell your items is through eBay. And although the money sounds good, there is a lot of effort that needs to be expended to make it worth your while. Here are some tips for making your sales experience profitable and fun.
• Research your items before listing. What is the average sale price for your item's condition? How many others are selling the same thing? What are they asking? What are their shipping fees?
• Take quality photos. Use a good digital camera. Take photos from different angles--front, back, bottom or top if appicable, and close-ups of details.
• Write an accurate description. Be sure to include sizes, whether or not it has been used, and if it's new, whether or not there are tags attached or a box included. Always describe anything that is WRONG with the item. Be honest. If you are clear, people will still bid because they know what they are getting into.
• Write a descriptive heading. Select words that you think will draw viewers.
• Set a reasonable price. If you overprice, no one will bid, and your fees are higher. If you list too low, you risk selling it at that price.
• Accept PayPal. It's the safest, easiest way to get payment.
• Ship items as soon as possible after payment. Customers will be impressed and leave good feedback.
• Remember, the customer is always right (even if they aren't.)
After you've cleaned out your house and thrown away the trash, you are left with piles of items that are in good condition but you don't want any more. As stated earlier, you can donate them to your favorite charity, or try to sell them.
One way to sell your items is through eBay. And although the money sounds good, there is a lot of effort that needs to be expended to make it worth your while. Here are some tips for making your sales experience profitable and fun.
• Research your items before listing. What is the average sale price for your item's condition? How many others are selling the same thing? What are they asking? What are their shipping fees?
• Take quality photos. Use a good digital camera. Take photos from different angles--front, back, bottom or top if appicable, and close-ups of details.
• Write an accurate description. Be sure to include sizes, whether or not it has been used, and if it's new, whether or not there are tags attached or a box included. Always describe anything that is WRONG with the item. Be honest. If you are clear, people will still bid because they know what they are getting into.
• Write a descriptive heading. Select words that you think will draw viewers.
• Set a reasonable price. If you overprice, no one will bid, and your fees are higher. If you list too low, you risk selling it at that price.
• Accept PayPal. It's the safest, easiest way to get payment.
• Ship items as soon as possible after payment. Customers will be impressed and leave good feedback.
• Remember, the customer is always right (even if they aren't.)
Friday, June 24, 2011
Saving Money in the Bathroom
Frugal Friday
Whether it's what you use, or how you use it, you can save money in bathroom.
• Try using less shampoo than you usually do. You will find that you can still get a good lather with less shampoo.
• Don't shampoo your hair every day. It won't dry out or frizz as fast.
• Adopt a new hair style that doesn't need the blow dryer and curling iron every morning--save on electricity.
• Turn shampoo, conditioner and lotion bottles upsidedown after every use. That stubborn liquid that sticks to the bottom will eventually make it to the top.
• Flatten your toilet paper roll before putting it on the holder. This will make it harder to unroll so you'll use fewer sheets.
• Don't throw away that shower curtain liner! It can be laundered on the gentle cycle with vinegar to get rid of the soap scum.
• Before calling a professional to fix a problem, go to your local hardware store. They may be able to tell you how to fix the problem if you describe it.
• Wipe down your sink, mirror and shower doors on a regular basis so you don't have to use expensive, harsh cleaners as often.
• Send in or ask for free samples of shampoo, hand lotion, etc. Many manufacturers offer free samples, especially of new products.
Whether it's what you use, or how you use it, you can save money in bathroom.
• Try using less shampoo than you usually do. You will find that you can still get a good lather with less shampoo.
• Don't shampoo your hair every day. It won't dry out or frizz as fast.
• Adopt a new hair style that doesn't need the blow dryer and curling iron every morning--save on electricity.
• Turn shampoo, conditioner and lotion bottles upsidedown after every use. That stubborn liquid that sticks to the bottom will eventually make it to the top.
• Flatten your toilet paper roll before putting it on the holder. This will make it harder to unroll so you'll use fewer sheets.
• Don't throw away that shower curtain liner! It can be laundered on the gentle cycle with vinegar to get rid of the soap scum.
• Before calling a professional to fix a problem, go to your local hardware store. They may be able to tell you how to fix the problem if you describe it.
• Wipe down your sink, mirror and shower doors on a regular basis so you don't have to use expensive, harsh cleaners as often.
• Send in or ask for free samples of shampoo, hand lotion, etc. Many manufacturers offer free samples, especially of new products.
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