Senior Thursday
Last week we talked about paring down your belongings. However, if you are downsizing from a four-bedroom house to a one-bedroom condo, drastic measures have to be taken. Even with paring down, you may still have a large quantity of items with which you don't want to part.
You can keep more if you maximize your space. You can easily turn two feet of floor space into ten feet of storage space. Here are some ways to do this.
• Use tall shelving units that go as far up the wall as possible. Keep safety in mind, as they can get top-heavy. You may have to anchor them to the wall. Use the lower shelves for heavy items and upper shelves for lighter items.
• Utilize the wall space over furniture--your beds, dressers, sofas, desks, tables, appliances, etc. For example, a nice framed photo flanked by decorative shelving over your sofa can add storage to your walls.
• If you can do remodeling on your new property, knock out the drywall between the studs and install horizontal boards in the nook. This can house cleaning products in the garage, magazines and toiletries in the bathroom, or knick-knacks in your living room.
• Go to the ceiling. Build shelving units that go to the ceiling--in your closet for clothes, in the den for books, and in the bedroom for collections.
• Use the perimeter of the room. Run a shelf around the entire room, over doors and windows, too. This will give you lots of linear feet for displaying your collections or holding books.
• Purchase multi-purpose items such as storage ottomans, chairs that convert to beds, or storage benches. That floor space these items are using will also become storage for you.
Thursday, July 14, 2011
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
Organize Your Work Space--Part Two
Writer Wednesday
We started this topic last week, stressing the importance of an organized work space to make you more efficient and more proficient. Here are more tips for organizing your work space.
• Group like items and files together. Keep research together, keep submissions together, keep files for writer's groups together, keep banking info together, keep promo materials together, etc.
• Label all files and containers, even if they are see-through. This will save you a lot of time because you won't have to open up every box or file folder to see what's inside. Write in large, dark letters. Don't use blue ink on blue folders, or a pencil for large labels that will be up on a shelf. If you find yourself moving things around, use removable labels that can transfer with your creative whims
• Review your stock of office supplies every week to see what you are running low on. You don't want to run out of paper or printer ink the night before your deadline, or stamps before a promo mailing. Keep a list of things you need to buy where you will see it when it's time to order or go shopping. This could be a notebook or sticky note.
• Before discarding any financial files, or tax-related items, check with your accountant. He will tell you which supporting documents you need, and which can be destroyed.
• Check with your attorney before discarding any legal documents. Most have to be kept for as long as you are in business.
• Always shred any papers or files that contain personal information such as your social security number, credit card numbers and birth date.
We started this topic last week, stressing the importance of an organized work space to make you more efficient and more proficient. Here are more tips for organizing your work space.
• Group like items and files together. Keep research together, keep submissions together, keep files for writer's groups together, keep banking info together, keep promo materials together, etc.
• Label all files and containers, even if they are see-through. This will save you a lot of time because you won't have to open up every box or file folder to see what's inside. Write in large, dark letters. Don't use blue ink on blue folders, or a pencil for large labels that will be up on a shelf. If you find yourself moving things around, use removable labels that can transfer with your creative whims
• Review your stock of office supplies every week to see what you are running low on. You don't want to run out of paper or printer ink the night before your deadline, or stamps before a promo mailing. Keep a list of things you need to buy where you will see it when it's time to order or go shopping. This could be a notebook or sticky note.
• Before discarding any financial files, or tax-related items, check with your accountant. He will tell you which supporting documents you need, and which can be destroyed.
• Check with your attorney before discarding any legal documents. Most have to be kept for as long as you are in business.
• Always shred any papers or files that contain personal information such as your social security number, credit card numbers and birth date.
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Store Items Where You Use Them--Kitchen
Tips for Tuesday
Although this makes perfect sense, many people, for whatever reason, don't store items near where they use them. Maybe whoever helped them move in decided where things should go. Maybe the space is better designed elsewhere for what you want to store. Maybe you were pressed for time and just put things wherever they would fit.
Whatever the reason, your life will run more smoothly if you follow this simple rule--store items near where you use them. Here are some tips for the kitchen:
• Plates and flatware should be near the table. This will make it easier to set the table for meals.
• Glasses should be near the sink--your water source.
• Mugs should be near the coffee maker.
• Pots and pans should be near the stove.
• Bakeware should be near the oven.
• Utensils for cooking should be near the stove.
• Plastic bowls for storing food should be near the refrigerator.
• Appliances you use every day can be on the counter. Those you don't use on a regular basis should be in a pantry or cabinet.
• Spices should be near the stove, as should other cooking ingredients.
• Large serving pieces that are used often should be in lower cabinets near the table or stove.
• Serving pieces that are for holidays or special occasions should be stored up high or in the pantry.
• Vitamins and supplements should be near the sink.
If your cabinets aren't suitable for the items where they should be, consider converting some space with pull-out shelves or vertical dividers.
Although this makes perfect sense, many people, for whatever reason, don't store items near where they use them. Maybe whoever helped them move in decided where things should go. Maybe the space is better designed elsewhere for what you want to store. Maybe you were pressed for time and just put things wherever they would fit.
Whatever the reason, your life will run more smoothly if you follow this simple rule--store items near where you use them. Here are some tips for the kitchen:
• Plates and flatware should be near the table. This will make it easier to set the table for meals.
• Glasses should be near the sink--your water source.
• Mugs should be near the coffee maker.
• Pots and pans should be near the stove.
• Bakeware should be near the oven.
• Utensils for cooking should be near the stove.
• Plastic bowls for storing food should be near the refrigerator.
• Appliances you use every day can be on the counter. Those you don't use on a regular basis should be in a pantry or cabinet.
• Spices should be near the stove, as should other cooking ingredients.
• Large serving pieces that are used often should be in lower cabinets near the table or stove.
• Serving pieces that are for holidays or special occasions should be stored up high or in the pantry.
• Vitamins and supplements should be near the sink.
If your cabinets aren't suitable for the items where they should be, consider converting some space with pull-out shelves or vertical dividers.
Monday, July 11, 2011
Hazardous Waste and Electronics Collections
Moving On Monday
When you hire a professional mover to relocate you to your new home, they do not allow any hazardous chemicals or items on the truck. And you probably don't want to transport them in your car, especially in the heat of summer. And it's not the best housewarming gift to leave the new homeowner.
So what to do with all these chemicals?
In Illinois, many counties have hazardous waste collection sites and days. Some collections are local for the community, and are held one day during the summer. Other collection sites are open year-round for you to drop off your items.
In Lake county, the SWALCO web site (http://www.swalco.org) lists all the collection dates and times, as well as what they accept for each collection. For example, they will accept old computers, cell phones, printers and radios in the electronics collections. But the flourescent bulbs, batteries, medications and oil-based paints should be taken to the hazardous waste collections.
The same goes for Cook County, and SWANCC. Check their web site (http://www.swancc.org/index.html) for more information.
McHenry County in Illinois publishes a Green Guide (http://www.mchenry.edu/recycling/greenguide.pdf) every year for information on where to dispose of just about any kind of waste you can think of, from bubble wrap to aluminum cans.
You can do a search on the internet for "Hazardous Waste Collection in XXXX County, State" for collection information near you. Many local communities host their own collections. Check your village's web site.
NEVER, NEVER throw any of this in your garbage or down your drain/sewer. Not only can you be fined, but you are doing the environment a gross misjustice.
When you hire a professional mover to relocate you to your new home, they do not allow any hazardous chemicals or items on the truck. And you probably don't want to transport them in your car, especially in the heat of summer. And it's not the best housewarming gift to leave the new homeowner.
So what to do with all these chemicals?
In Illinois, many counties have hazardous waste collection sites and days. Some collections are local for the community, and are held one day during the summer. Other collection sites are open year-round for you to drop off your items.
In Lake county, the SWALCO web site (http://www.swalco.org) lists all the collection dates and times, as well as what they accept for each collection. For example, they will accept old computers, cell phones, printers and radios in the electronics collections. But the flourescent bulbs, batteries, medications and oil-based paints should be taken to the hazardous waste collections.
The same goes for Cook County, and SWANCC. Check their web site (http://www.swancc.org/index.html) for more information.
McHenry County in Illinois publishes a Green Guide (http://www.mchenry.edu/recycling/greenguide.pdf) every year for information on where to dispose of just about any kind of waste you can think of, from bubble wrap to aluminum cans.
You can do a search on the internet for "Hazardous Waste Collection in XXXX County, State" for collection information near you. Many local communities host their own collections. Check your village's web site.
NEVER, NEVER throw any of this in your garbage or down your drain/sewer. Not only can you be fined, but you are doing the environment a gross misjustice.
Friday, July 8, 2011
Frugal Tips for the Kitchen--Food
Frugal Friday
Not only is food getting more expensive, but the portions and boxes are getting smaller. It is more important than ever to spend wisely and not waste any food you purchase. Here are some tips for safe storage and use.
• Rotate items in your pantry and fridge as you put them away. Look at expiration dates, pulling the oldest items forward. If you keep putting new cans in front, eventually the ones in back will get too old to use.
• Keep a running list of items you need to buy posted somewhere in your kitchen. Take the list with you when you go grocery shopping. Don't rely on memory, as it often fails you. You won't buy what you don't need, thus using up what you have before it spoils.
• If you buy in bulk, package it into smaller portions immediately upon returning home. If you happen to need more than one portion, you can grab two packages. This is easier than defrosting the entire bulk package and trying to use it all at once.
• Some foods can be consumed past the expiration date. This is usually not applicable to dairy products or fresh foods. But canned and dried foods can often be safely consumed after the expiration date. The taste might not be as good as if it were fresh, however. Use your judgment--a product only 3 weeks past the expiraion date is much different than one three years after the date. And NEVER eat from any cans that are bent or damaged, or packages that are ripped. For more information on this, check out the Gourmet Sleuth web site.
Not only is food getting more expensive, but the portions and boxes are getting smaller. It is more important than ever to spend wisely and not waste any food you purchase. Here are some tips for safe storage and use.
• Rotate items in your pantry and fridge as you put them away. Look at expiration dates, pulling the oldest items forward. If you keep putting new cans in front, eventually the ones in back will get too old to use.
• Keep a running list of items you need to buy posted somewhere in your kitchen. Take the list with you when you go grocery shopping. Don't rely on memory, as it often fails you. You won't buy what you don't need, thus using up what you have before it spoils.
• If you buy in bulk, package it into smaller portions immediately upon returning home. If you happen to need more than one portion, you can grab two packages. This is easier than defrosting the entire bulk package and trying to use it all at once.
• Some foods can be consumed past the expiration date. This is usually not applicable to dairy products or fresh foods. But canned and dried foods can often be safely consumed after the expiration date. The taste might not be as good as if it were fresh, however. Use your judgment--a product only 3 weeks past the expiraion date is much different than one three years after the date. And NEVER eat from any cans that are bent or damaged, or packages that are ripped. For more information on this, check out the Gourmet Sleuth web site.
Thursday, July 7, 2011
Maximize Your Space--the 80/20 rule
Senior Thursday
When you are downsizing, space is limited. Therefore, you must be smart about how you use what space you have. Over the next few weeks, we will explore strategies to apply to any area of your home to maximize your space.
Rule One: Apply the 80/20 rule. We use 20% of what we own 80% of the time. So look at the 20% you use and that is what you want to keep.
• Closets—Review your clothes, shoes, purses, hats, and jackets. What do you find yourself wearing every week or two? What haven't you worn in over a year? What looks good on you? What doesn't? Keep the things you wear and love.
• Kitchen—Go through dishes, pots and pans, bakeware, pantry, glassware, flatware, and small appliances. Get rid of those things you haven't used in the last twelve months. Then put lesser used items in a box and pack it away. If you don't need to retrieve anything over the next six months, ask yourself if you really need it.
• Garage—Sort your tools, gardening equipment, and automotive supplies. Get rid of anything that isn't in good condition. For the rest, consider your new lifestyle and home situation. Will you need gardening tools, or will you be in a townhome with lawn service?
• Books/Magazines--Keep only your absolute favorites. Old magazines can be tossed. If you have a subscription, you can access the articles online.
• Bedroom—You only need two sets of bed linens for each bed per season. Choose your favorites.
• Bathrooms—This is an area most people can trim down. How many different shampoos, conditioners and lotions do you really need? What scents do you usually wear? Trim down on your toiletries, towels, and hair care.
When you are downsizing, space is limited. Therefore, you must be smart about how you use what space you have. Over the next few weeks, we will explore strategies to apply to any area of your home to maximize your space.
Rule One: Apply the 80/20 rule. We use 20% of what we own 80% of the time. So look at the 20% you use and that is what you want to keep.
• Closets—Review your clothes, shoes, purses, hats, and jackets. What do you find yourself wearing every week or two? What haven't you worn in over a year? What looks good on you? What doesn't? Keep the things you wear and love.
• Kitchen—Go through dishes, pots and pans, bakeware, pantry, glassware, flatware, and small appliances. Get rid of those things you haven't used in the last twelve months. Then put lesser used items in a box and pack it away. If you don't need to retrieve anything over the next six months, ask yourself if you really need it.
• Garage—Sort your tools, gardening equipment, and automotive supplies. Get rid of anything that isn't in good condition. For the rest, consider your new lifestyle and home situation. Will you need gardening tools, or will you be in a townhome with lawn service?
• Books/Magazines--Keep only your absolute favorites. Old magazines can be tossed. If you have a subscription, you can access the articles online.
• Bedroom—You only need two sets of bed linens for each bed per season. Choose your favorites.
• Bathrooms—This is an area most people can trim down. How many different shampoos, conditioners and lotions do you really need? What scents do you usually wear? Trim down on your toiletries, towels, and hair care.
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
Organizing Your Work Space--Part One
Writer Wednesday
Being organized has many benefits. Among them are being able to find things easily, which in turn makes you more productive. And who wouldn't want to be a more productive writer?
Here are some things you can do in your office to make it more efficient, and you more productive.
• Set aside space in your home that is dedicated to your writing. If you move from space to space, you will tend to drop notes, files, mail, etc, wherever you land next. Then when you need that note or file, you will have to search for it. If you dedicate a space to your writing, all writing-related material should land there. Thus, you will know where everything is when you need it and know what you have to do.
• Keep only those items you need on a daily basis on your work surface. Why use up precious real estate for items you aren't using?
• Create folders for the following--"TO DO", "PENDING", "TO READ", and "TO FILE". These should be on top of your desk so you can use them and reference them every day. Check these files every morning to plan your day, and every evening to anticipate the next day.
• Keep only those items you use on a regular basis in your work space. This is similar to the above, but is more about files and storage. If you have files you no longer reference regularly, pack them away and move them to a different room. Your files will begin to overflow if you keep everything in your immediate space. It will become cluttered, as will your mind and creativity.
• Set aside time each week to do your filing. This may be on Friday afternoon after putting in a week of writing, or Monday morning to clear your desk and start fresh. Write the time in your calendar so you don't forget. Keeping on top of filing will make it less painful than addressing stacks and stacks of paper every few months.
Being organized has many benefits. Among them are being able to find things easily, which in turn makes you more productive. And who wouldn't want to be a more productive writer?
Here are some things you can do in your office to make it more efficient, and you more productive.
• Set aside space in your home that is dedicated to your writing. If you move from space to space, you will tend to drop notes, files, mail, etc, wherever you land next. Then when you need that note or file, you will have to search for it. If you dedicate a space to your writing, all writing-related material should land there. Thus, you will know where everything is when you need it and know what you have to do.
• Keep only those items you need on a daily basis on your work surface. Why use up precious real estate for items you aren't using?
• Create folders for the following--"TO DO", "PENDING", "TO READ", and "TO FILE". These should be on top of your desk so you can use them and reference them every day. Check these files every morning to plan your day, and every evening to anticipate the next day.
• Keep only those items you use on a regular basis in your work space. This is similar to the above, but is more about files and storage. If you have files you no longer reference regularly, pack them away and move them to a different room. Your files will begin to overflow if you keep everything in your immediate space. It will become cluttered, as will your mind and creativity.
• Set aside time each week to do your filing. This may be on Friday afternoon after putting in a week of writing, or Monday morning to clear your desk and start fresh. Write the time in your calendar so you don't forget. Keeping on top of filing will make it less painful than addressing stacks and stacks of paper every few months.
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